Forum

Despite the fact that the recession shows no signs of receding, the Landscaping industry is not only weathering the storm but looking towards 2012 with quiet confidence Carol Dutton reports

“This is a great year for BALI as it’s our 40th anniversary,” says Wayne Grills, the association’s Chief Operations Officer. “We’re celebrating with a gala dinner in June on the first evening of the BALI Landscaping show.”

The fact that the show was re-introduced in 2011 after many years and is set to continue is an encouraging sign. “We felt that the industry needed a specific show for landscapers,” Wayne continues “and although, to be fair, the inaugural event was not planned to be huge, things are already looking good for this year with new exhibitors and last year’s exhibitors taking larger stands.” A new seminar program is planned as well as a series of demonstrations.

Looking at the health of the industry in the future Wayne is adamant that one of the association’s most important tasks is to keep lobbying MPs and local government on the importance of green space. “It’s up to us to ensure that the green space agenda is kept at the forefront.

As a member of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ECLA) we are a representative for the UK,” he says. “Europe has been leading the way and we need to keep pressing the message home that green space is good for both the environment and healthy living.”

As members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Garden and Horticulture (APPGHG) BALI is swiftly provided with aspects of new policy and given the chance to put their case directly to ministers. “This is a good opportunity for a collaborative approach with other associations,” he continues. “We have a much greater voice together than alone.

We have very close links with the APL (Mark Gregory, the APL Chair is a BALI member) and we have the opportunity to work together more closely.” On the subject of a possible merger of the two associations in the future BALI will be guided by the wishes of the membership. “If this is something that our members would like us to work towards then we will continue to explore the possibilities,” he says. Wayne also stressed that whatever the outcome of a potential merger, it was absolutely crucial that the associations work more closely in the short to mid term. 

BALI membership grew in 2011 although the attrition rate was slightly higher. “It’s a very tough market and we cannot forget the problems brought on by the economic climate. These have a larger effect on the smaller companies, some of whom have unfortunately had to close down which explains the slightly higher attrition rate,” Wayne explains.

Read the rest of this article on the Landscaper Magazine website: