Eco Crops Ltd is celebrating major success at its first ever appearance at Glee, 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 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 which celebrated the most innovative new products within garden retail, run in association with Garden Trade News.
Adding to this achievement, their 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 increasingly eco-conscious consumers.”
The British company continues to back its farmers by developing new end markets for SRC Willow, ensuring that its Eco Wood Products range grows in line with opportunities for its growers.
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. It brings 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 feedback and support we’ve received confirm that our products are exactly what retailers and their consumers are looking for.
“We came to Glee looking to meet new stockists and retailers who share our values, and it has proved to be the ideal place for this. We want to build long‑term, mutually supportive relationships with the right local stocking partners, and we are pleased to have already welcomed new stockists on board who have made some large orders during the show.”
