A Derbyshire company known for manufacturing self-watering planters and street furniture has joined forces with another UK company as part of an acquisition completed this month (June).
Family run business Amberol work with a range of organisations including local authorities, community gardening groups, businesses and education establishments. They have now combined with plastics manufacturer Leafield Environmental to take the business forwards.
Set up in 1969 by two friends Phil Atkinson and Jack Williamson, Amberol developed the Aquafeed™ matting system which is used in their range of self-watering planters, in the 1970s. The planters need topping up just once or twice a week, saving on water and maintenance.
Amberol also make a range of recycling and non-recycling litter bins, as well as benches and picnic tables. An environmentally responsible manufacturer, all products are made from recycled or recyclable polyethylene.
As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of rotationally moulded litter bins, Leafield Environmental’s products perfectly complement Amberol’s range and ethos. Formerly known as Linpac Environmental, the acquisition brings together two businesses with eight decades’ worth of experience in manufacturing sustainable plastic products.
For Amberol customers it will be business as usual according to Patience Atkinson-Gregory, the company’s managing director. She commented: “As a family business, we have built strong and enduring relationships with our customers. The Amberol ethos of providing personal service, value for money and high quality products will remain. However, the support and investment from Leafield Environmental can only help enhance customer service, as well as strengthening the Amberol brand. With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing premium plastic products, using similar innovative design and manufacturing expertise, Leafield are a great fit for our business.”
Amberol will continue to manufacture the full range of products at their Alfreton factory. The self-watering planter range includes stone effect troughs, wood effect barrels, hanging baskets, tiered planters and large floorstanding planters.
The company’s litter bins can be found on some of Britain’s busiest streets in Westminster, and as far afield as Australia.
Philip Maddox, Managing Director at Leafield Environmental said: “We have been working closely with Patience to ensure that we maintain the Amberol ethos to ensure continuity of experience for their customers. We are excited to welcome Amberol’s employees to our business and are looking forward to working in collaboration with them. The business will continue to operate as Amberol and will serve their loyal customers as normal.”
Having celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2019, Amberol has a large contingent of long standing customers. Patience commented: “We would like to thank our customers for their invaluable support, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. I am confident that Amberol will carry on helping them improve their environment and the world around them as Leafield Environmental strengthen the Amberol brand and continue to pioneer our innovative products.”
