The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) has attracted 20 more new members in the past few months.
The increase in numbers comes after a successful year for GIMA, which has included events such as Buyer's Connect at Glee, the charity golf day and the re-vamped GIMA awards fronted by TV comedian Russell Kane.

Smaller businesses such as The Floral Company, large distributors such as Stax and big-name brands such as Jeyes have all joined up to the organisation.

Kärcher, a well-known household brand breaking into the UK garden care market, says joining GIMA is an integral part of the business' growth. Said marketing manager Phil Springall: "We chose to become a member of GIMA because the association sits at the very centre of the garden industry. The Kärcher brand enjoys sales of over £100m in the UK, but as relative newcomers to the garden industry it greatly values the connections and support GIMA provides."

SteadyPost, the start-up company behind FenceFins, won the GIMA Innovators' Seed Corn Fund 2014, which included full membership as part of the prize. Sales & marketing manager Susanne Pinnock commented: "Joining GIMA has helped us gain insight more quickly and reliably than we could otherwise have done, and in a very friendly and supportive environment too. GIMA membership offers the opportunity to make great new contacts - not just buyers but other industry retailers and suppliers too."

Other names to have come on board are Plant Magic Plus, Anglo American Distributors, Green Velvet Lawn Seed, CombiPot, Chervon Europe, DJ Turfcare, LLC, Wholesale Garden Furniture, Panacea Products, AFK Garden, Grono Lawns and Bowland Stone.

Four new associate members are Besurance Consultancy, Merzario and Redhead PR.

GIMA director Vicky Nuttall said: "Our increased numbers mean we are able to continue to build even further on our range of services and strengthen our position as a leading voice in the UK gardening industry."