Stewart secure exclusive deal to market Harcostar range of water butts

Stewart, the leading UK garden product brand, has sealed an exciting deal with Straight plc to become the exclusive UK Garden Centre distributor for Harcostar’s extensive range of water butts and accessories.

Since 1945, Stewart has built an enviable reputation delivering quality, innovation and excellent customer support in the garden industry. Securing the distribution deal with Harcostar and its premium range of water butts, will enhance its portfolio of products.

Harcostar water butts, manufactured in the UK and from recycled HDPE, offer a comprehensive range of capacities to suit all potential end consumer needs, from the space saving 100ltr Space Sava, through the traditional barrel style sizes of 114ltr / 168ltr / 227ltr, to the large capacity 350ltr Magnum.  All butts have a five year guarantee, hose fit taps and where applicable child safety lids as well.

The complementing range of accessories include stands, rain diverters, taps, overflow and linking kits, which allow water butts to be linked together or connected to the majority of UK downpipes.

Richard Butler, Stewart’s CEO, explained that the water butts would carry the Harcostar prestige branding which will now be featured in the Stewart Buyers’ Guide. He said that they were delighted to team up with Harcostar to offer a premium and comprehensive range.

The Harcostar range includes:

• The Rain Trap is designed to fit into all regular downpipes of 63, 68, 80 and 100mm diameter, plus 61 and 65mm square. The flexible connecting hose enables the water storage container to be placed in the most convenient position. Full assembly instructions are supplied with each rain trap. The connector easily fits into the pre-drilled hole at the top of each Harcostar water butt.
• The Linking Kit enables two water storage containers to be connected together to allow an even greater volume of water to be stored. The two connectors easily fit into the pre-drilled holes at the top or rear of the Harcostar water butt.
• Depending on the application, the Overflow Kit is essential when a rain trap is not being used to allow the excess water in the container to be re-directed to a suitable drain or soak-away. The connector easily fits into the pre-drilled hole at the top of the Harcostar water butt.
• The Fastflow Tap is an accessory for those wishing to fill their watering cans faster. The tap is suitable for water storage containers with a ¾” BSP thread or non-threaded tap hole.
• The Hose Connector Tap is a uniquely designed tap compatible with most hose connectors, suitable for nearly all types of water storage containers with a ¾” BSP threaded or non-threaded tap hole.
• The Water Butt Stand is a unique stand designed to raise water butts safely to facilitate ease of use with watering cans etc. This is a purpose-designed alternative to the conventional method of raising butts to a convenient height.

All accessories are designed to be fitted easily to the water storage containers. They will also suit existing Harcostar and other manufacturers’ containers providing suitable inlet holes can be drilled.

The Harcostar Child Safety Lid is fitted as standard to the 114, 168 and 227 litre water butts and to the Magnum Barrel. The lid may also be fitted to most other butts, however the diameter of the lid has to be checked. This design feature gives peace of mind where small children are concerned and will also avoid animals displacing the lid.

Stewart - backgrounder

Formed in 1945, Stewart is the UK market leader in the manufacture and supply of technical plastic moulded products for the gardening, home and professional catering sectors. The company offers a large range of products in its portfolio ranging from garden planters and propagators, to food containers and specialist storage products. The company employs 75 people in Croydon and enjoyed a turnover in 2010 of £13 million.

In June 2011 ECI, the mid-market private equity specialist, invested £12 million in the company in a BIMBO (buy-in / management buyout) deal that valued the business at £17 million. A new management structure saw Richard Butler join as Group CEO. Butler has significant knowledge of the advanced technical plastics sector, having worked for leading manufacturers in the aerospace and automotive sector. Lee Mowle, the previous owner and CEO, became Managing Director of the gardening and catering divisions, retaining a substantial shareholding in the company.

In the months following the BIMBO, Stewart made a series of changes to its brand and corporate identity and established discrete divisions for the core sectors it serves.

Stewart Garden produces grow your own products, watering, pots, propagators and garden accessories. These are available in over 1000 outlets across the UK and Eire including major DIY outlets such as Homebase and Wilkinsons and garden centres across the UK such as Dobbies and Klondyke/Strikes, The Garden Centre Group and some 600 plus independent garden centres. Having achieved a dominant position in the domestic market by offering durable, lifestyle-driven value for money products. The company continues to invest heavily in new product development.

Stewart Garden plays a full and active role in the gardening and leisure industry through its membership of:

• GIMA – the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association
• Gardenex – the Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Limited, and
• HTA – the Horticultural Trades Association

Stewart won the House Beautiful Best Product Garden Category in 2005 and the Klondyke Dry Goods Supplier Award in 2010. The company was a GIMA Awards - POS Finalist in 2009, and Best of British Finalist in 2011. Its Heat and Grow Thermostatic Propagator was top in the Which? Gardening Best Buy test on windowsill propagators 2011.

Stewart Home provides food storage and homewares products. These comprise of the Refine, Essentials and Seal Fresh food and drink storage collections, offering hygienic storage in a wide range of colours and shapes.

Stewart Catering supplies the Gastronorm and Seal Fresh food storage ranges to the catering industry and specialist cook shops via wholesale and cash and carry outlets.

Other divisions recently established under the Stewart umbrella are:

Stewart Aerospace

Stewart Automotive

Stewart Medical

Each division of Stewart is BS ISO 9001-2000 accredited and operates from the company’s manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centre in Croydon, Surrey.

For more information visit www.stewartlimited.co.uk

For editorial enquiries, pictures, interviews and samples, contact Sara Tye on 07786 176 617 or  Emma De Maio on 07921 160 134 email sara@redheadpr.co.uk or emma@redheadpr.co.uk.