Cumbria-based Eco Crops Ltd is celebrating major success at its first-ever appearance at Glee last week, the UK’s leading outdoor home and garden trade show, located at the NEC Birmingham.
Making their milestone debut at Europe’s most-loved garden retail event, Eco Crops Ltd was named overall winner of the coveted 2025 Sustainability Award, following the recent launch of their brand-new retail‑ready range of sustainable Eco Wood Products – including their popular, uniquely made Eco Ramial Chipped Willow Mulch.
The award, one of only three top ‘Champion of Champions’ accolades of the show, was announced during the ceremony on Tuesday 16 September, which celebrated the most innovative new products within garden retail, run in association with Garden Trade News. With more than 400 brands, hundreds of exhibitors, and thousands of buyers from over 50 countries in attendance, the recognition marks a huge achievement for Eco Crops Ltd and puts Cumbria firmly on the map for sustainability-led innovation and its role in championing British agriculture.
Adding to this achievement, their 100% natural Eco Soft Animal Bedding and Eco Willow Wood Briquettes were also shortlisted for the highly competitive New Product Awards. These were selected from 340 entries across 14 product categories and judged by an expert panel representing independent and multiple retailers, consumer gardening media and trade media.
Neil Watkins, Founder and Managing Director of Eco Crops Ltd, expressed his delight: “Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything we do. Our full-cycle approach supports British farmers, protects the planet and delivers premium, eco-friendly products. We couldn’t be more proud to have received such a relevant award.”
Eco Crops Ltd works directly with its UK‑wide network of more than 100 farmers and landowners, supporting them from planting through to sustainably harvesting renewable, short rotation coppice (SRC) willow crops. This generates new revenue streams and maximises land productivity for growers, while providing numerous environmental benefits at the same time as producing the carbon-neutral willow wood that creates the company’s entire range of Eco Wood Products.
Neil Watkins said: “It’s about creating a sustainable and profitable farming future that operates hand in hand with nature while introducing premium-quality, eco-friendly products to the market to meet growing demand from eco-conscious consumers.”
The Cumbrian business continues to back British farmers by developing new end markets for SRC Willow, ensuring that its Eco Wood Products range grows in line with opportunities for its growers.
Eco Crops Ltd supplies its full range of Eco Wood Products in a variety of sizes and quantities, already trusted by stockists and customers throughout the UK. Their latest product launch in convenient 40L volumes represents a major investment, driven by customer insight and increasing market demand for 100% natural, locally sourced and eco-friendly British products:
- Eco Ramial Chipped Willow Mulch
- Eco Slow-Feeding Ramial Mulch
- Eco Soft Animal Bedding
- Eco Premium Willow Playbark (BS EN 1177 certified)
- Eco Wood Briquettes (Ready to Burn certified)
These new product sizes are perfect for retail shelves, bringing consumers access to a unique and environmentally responsible range designed to promote soil health, support pet welfare, enhance play safety and provide renewable fuel alternatives.
Reflecting on the show, Neil Watkins added: “It has been a privilege to exhibit at such a renowned and prestigious industry event. To be recognised within the sector, and to see two of our Eco Wood Products shortlisted for the New Product Awards alongside some of the biggest names in the market, is a real honour for both our team and our growers.
“The conversations we have had with visitors and fellow exhibitors have been phenomenal. The positive feedback and support we’ve received confirm that our products are exactly what retailers and their customers are looking for.
“We came to Glee looking to build long‑term, mutually supportive relationships with the right local stocking partners who share our values, and we are pleased to have already welcomed new stockists on board who have made some large orders during the show.”
“This is a really exciting time for us. We came to Glee to launch our new retail products and build long‑term, mutually supportive relationships with the right partners to expand our network of stockists. The success we’ve had here has exceeded our expectations. We have made some major connections and are pleased to have already welcomed several new stockists. We’re looking forward to what the future holds for Eco Crops Ltd.”
