Vitax has extended its organic product range by purchasing Organico, manufacturer of 6x 100% natural fertiliser and pellets and the Groworganic brand.
Vitax says the acquisition of the Somerset-based company, for an undisclosed sum, forms part of its strategy to introduce more natural products into its existing portfolio.

Produced in the UK for over 40 years, 6x is a traditional chicken fertiliser that contains no peat or chemicals, is odourless and oven heated to over 200 degrees, resulting in a weed and pathogen-free fertiliser. Once composted, one bag of 6x is equivalent to six sacks of farm manure.

Vitax managing director Paul Gooding says: "6x is the premier natural fertiliser brand in the UK and it will play a large part in our plans for 2015 and beyond.

"It is very rare that an opportunity arises to purchase such an established and well-regarded brand which has such growth potential. The 6x brand is already a market leader so we have no plans to re-brand it or bring it into one of our existing ranges.

"We will, however, be utilising the reach of our sales team to make it more universally available at garden centres throughout the UK and overseas."

6x will still be manufactured in Somerset, where the bulk of the chicken waste is sourced from farms within a 50-mile radius. Vitax will also continue to work with Organico's managing director Roger Cumisky and his team as it grows the business.