10.12.04
Finance Cornwall helps new company plant seeds of success
For the past two years the Magic Seeder has only been
available through mail order in the United States. With limited marketing
it has remained one of America's best kept horticultural trade secrets,
becoming a gardener's best friend through its ability to individually
sow many sizes of seeds at the touch of a button.
The handheld device was discovered by a Cornish nurseryman
trawling the internet to find a solution to his problem of mass sowing
very small seeds quickly and with minimum wastage.
After trying out the new product, Derek Stride of West
Country Nurseries in Launceston soon realised the potential for the product
for use by commercial and leisure gardeners alike and set about obtaining
the rights to import and sell the product in the UK.
With the help of a £15,000 investment package supported
by Truro-based business finance company Finance Cornwall, Derek has set
up The Magic Seeder Company. He has purchased the rights to sell the product
in the UK and Europe and commissioned new packaging and a website, just
in time for the product to reach the market in time for the Christmas
rush.
The product has already started to impress the local horticultural
industry, with the Magic Seeder winning the title of 'Best new retail
product' at this year's South West Regional Growers Show at
Exeter in October.
Since the show Mr Stride has been talking to a number
of local, regional and national nurseries about stocking the product so
that gardeners can expect to see it on the shelves, retailing for around
£7, in the next few months.
Derek Stride described why he set up the new company: "After trying out the Magic Seeder to improve the productivity of my nursery,
I was amazed at the speed of sowing and ease of use of the little gadget.
Convinced that the product could be a massive hit over here with commercial
and leisure gardeners alike, I set about starting up a new company to
buy the rights to sell the Magic Seeder in the UK and Europe.
"Finance Cornwall were introduced to me by John Coles,
my business mentor at Enterprise Tamar, and were able to provide the necessary
finance towards my investment package to get the new business up and running
in a relatively short timescale. Without their help it simply would not
have been possible to launch the Magic Seeder onto the UK market for at
least another year.”
Finance Cornwall Fund Manager, Jeff Lenihan, said: "The Magic Seeder is a great product and I'm convinced that
Derek's horticultural industry background will stand him in good
stead to make a success of selling the product in the UK and Europe.
"Providing investment to get new businesses off the
ground is something Finance Cornwall specialises in and we look forward
to seeding a The Magic Seeder Company soon grow into a thriving business.”
Finance Cornwall has invested a total of £2.14 million
in 44 Cornish businesses, helping to attract an additional £10.38
million of investment from the private and public sector.
The Magic Seeder can be ordered directly from the company
on 01566 782064 and will soon be available for ordering online at www.magicseeder.co.uk.
For more information visit www.financecornwall.co.uk or contact Jason Clark, Deborah Clark & Associates, Tel 01872 276276.
Finance Cornwall is a gateway fund for Objective
One investment from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
Editor's notes:
Finance Cornwall background
Finance Cornwall is a £20 million investment fund backed
by £9 million from the Objective One European Regional Development
Fund.
The Magic Seeder is a small hand held device that works on principle
of a spring loaded syringe. Simply pour in the seeds from the top
of the device and press down the button in the lid to force down
the plunger inside, dispensing one seed at a time.
Perfect for sowing multiple trays quickly the Magic Seeder can
sow a 160 cell plug-tray in a minute and is also an excellent aid
for gardeners who struggle with handling small seeds.
For more information contact
Jason Clark
Deborah Clark & Associates Ltd
01872 276276
07980 834368
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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Green fingered gardeners can look forward to getting their
hands on a revolutionary labour and time saving gadget now available in
the UK thanks to a newly started business supported by investment from
Finance Cornwall.