… .. And the winner is: Gardencentre Meier in Dürnten (CH)

Yesterday evening the "Graines d'Or Awards” for most innovative garden centers in Europe took place. In the Lido in Paris Erwin Meier-Honegger received from Valerie Langedorff the prestigious Trophy. The 600 colleagues from other garden centers where applauding.

The 2nd  place in this international competition was won by “Les jardins de la ferme’ (compagnons des saisons) from France, Florina from Belgium came in 3rd.

The 20 jurors also awarded two special prices: The first for the Dutch Garden centre chain ‘Intratuin”, that stands out as an innovating chain of garden centers and was already nominated before. Also the Dutch city garden centre ”Urban Green” from Amsterdam, that took a new road by specializing in urban gardening.

Oliver Mathys, commercial manager of Javado and member of the jury is very happy that this year the 1st price was won by an ex colleague from Switzerland. “We have worked together for many years. The Meier family has proven that innovation and tradition don’t have to exclude each other. The brave step that Erwin and his family took in 2011, to rebuild their garden centre in economically difficult times shows the vision of this family to build on their strong points.

Also we are pleased that thanks to the efforts of Oliver Mathys, FloraHolland became the head sponsor of the  "Graines d'Or Awards”. With this, FloraHolland was given the opportunity to link the Dutch “Glass Tulip” competition to "Graines d'Or Awards” and to compliment the winners of the past three years. In this way, the innovative products from Holland could be highlighted to the many possible future customers. For Great Britain the following garden centers are nominated – Javado congratulates all nominees and winners:

Bents Garden &Home

Webbs of Wychbold

Barton Grange

Woodcote Green

Grosvenor