All Aboard! For The GIMA Awards

‘We’re going to Newport, Gethin Jones has got a sword we want.’ The last words of our MD, PA, and Sales Manager as they set out a-questing one blustery Thursday afternoon this October. 

We thought nothing of it at the time. Gethin’s Welsh, swords are objects of desire, and autumn is questing season at AutoPot HQ. Yet, after that night, when our expedition party did reappear, things would never be quite the same again.

The leaves were falling. Darkness drawing in. A five star resort hotel replete with bars, restaurants, and spas, plus an acclaimed adjacent golf course held our brave pilgrims’ reservations. Change (and luxury accommodation) were in the air.

They knew Gethin would be at the Celtic Manor Resort Hotel because it said so on their invitations. Changed from their travellers’ robes to black tie, our heroes seated themselves in the Great Hall, and waited. We think it happened after midnight, but nobody can be sure. Nobody can be sure because th*y w*r* all a b*t me*ry (redacted). Yet no amount of grape or grain could generate a euphoria to compare with what was to come. 

Yes, dear reader, cometh the hour, cometh the actual point of the blog post! That night Tray2Grow was named Best Product in the category of Growing, Planting Equipment and Sundries at the Gethin Jones-hosted Garden Industry Manufacturers Association Awards in Newport, South Wales. What a night! (More of the sword later). 

There’s lots to say about Tray2Grow triumphing as Best Product in the category of Growing, Planting Equipment and Sundries at the Gethin Jones-hosted Garden Industry Manufacturers Association Awards in Newport, South Wales (ahem). And it’d be a sin to omit a jot of it! But in the interests of freshness and manners why don’t we take a different tack?

Developing Tray2Grow has involved a great deal of careful thought and hard work on the part of our staff and our family of growers. They’ve done a superb job of designing new tech and getting the potential of the watering system across to newcomers in a clear yet evocative way. 

So! Without further ado(-ish)! We’d like to offer our profuse thanks to all those involved, yes it’s a big hand for The Official AutoPot GIMA Award Winning Producers Of Tray2Grow Multi-Functional Plant Watering System Development Team (or the ‘O.A.P.G.I.M.A.A.W.P.O.T.2.G.M.F.P.W.S.D.T.’, as the kids these days are no doubt calling them). Now, what ABOUT the fruits of their labours?

The world’s first multi-functioning watering system, Tray2Grow has been developed so that it can be set up for seed trays, micro herb trays, pots of all sizes, a grow bag, or a fabric planter. So we’re immensely proud that the GIMA judges identified with our key aims for the system when awarding Tray2Grow this most prestigious prize. In the judges view Tray2Grow features, ‘really well thought out design and function with excellent packaging which is super informative.’ Thanks guys!

Accepting the accolade, AutoPot MD Jason Ralph-Smith reflected on both Tray2Grow’s sustainable style and substance. In his own words, ’we’re really pleased to get this award because of the innovation, the technology, and the three years of development that’s gone into getting Tray2Grow ready. And because of its water saving qualities, the recycled plastic used in its manufacture, plus the FSC-certified cardboards and organic inks that we’ve developed for the packaging.’

In the end Gethin didn’t let us have the Sword Of Excellence, he gave it to someone else. The entirely deserving Sipcam Home & Garden walked away with the ceremonial honour for their Organic Superfood for Peat-Free Compost. Theirs was just one of many superlative and deserving products awarded at the event. We’d like to offer our hearty congratulations to all those present and note what an absolute pleasure it was to share the evening with such luminaries. 

Supreme as the win is, this is far from the end for Tray2Grow’s developmental journey. We’re seeing add-ons for all manner of plants and ongoing experiments with grow media and containers of every kind. Growers everywhere are innovating with the system in ways we never quite imagined. Possibly the biggest win of all.