SBM Life Science has announced it has agreed a sole strategic distribution partnership for the traditional trade business with Stax Trade Centres, due to begin from October 1, 2019.. Nick Walton, who heads up the UK/I operation for SBM Life Science, said: “An enormous amount of work behind the scenes has gone into reviewing our current route to market and we strongly believe that Stax can help us achieve our vision. We have a fantastic relationship with the team at Stax and we have been exceptionally pleased with the commitment that they have shown our business over the last five years.”

Stax ioint managing director, David Hibbert commented: “We’re delighted to have been selected as sole strategic distribution partner to SBM for the traditional trade market. They are a very significant player in the gardening solutions market and their decision to work with us reflects the growth we have made as a major distributor, both to independent garden centres and groups alike.

“Stax has worked extremely hard, to develop its own garden centre distribution capabilities, and to forge a strong and stable a relationship with SBM. This new partnership represents the reward for those efforts, and we’re very much looking forward to continuing our association with the SBM team and helping them achieve their vision.”

SBM said it is committed to servicing the UK/I markets and see this as a positive step forward in their strategic plans to allow a more coherent and effective way of collaborating with garden centres and nurseries. UK sales manager for SBM, Scott Williams added: “I have no doubt that this next step for our business is absolutely the right thing. I have personally managed the Stax account now for circa eight years and have every belief that David, Eddie and the team will take on this challenge and excel. My team will be visiting garden centres after Glee as we embark on our pre-season campaign, so if you miss us at Glee, we will bring our 2020 plans directly to you.”

Simon Wright, Stax purchasing director said: “I am delighted that SBM have a very clear vision of where they want to be within the market and have chosen Stax as a strategic distribution partner to help them achieve this. SBM have my full support in their route to market change and we look forward to helping them in achieving their vision of delivering excellent service”.

Mr Walton concluded: “During this exciting transitional time, my team and I are here to support retailers and from a Stax perspective, David, Eddie and their teams will be there to do the same. I have one goal for 2020 and that is to continue to offer excellent service to our retail partners.”