Thirty UK-based landscapers and garden designers were treated to a factory tour with a difference. The members of Talasey’s Designer and Installer Network were flown to Turkey to see behind the scenes at one of the company’s supplier sites where porcelain pavers are manufactured – as part of a three-day trip organised by the award-winning company, which is one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of landscaping solutions. The Scunthorpe-based company’s Marketing Director, Rebecca Hughes, tells Pro Landscaper all about the action-packed trip and the real reason for it.
In 2024 Talasey celebrated its 20th anniversary and as part of a series of events and activities to commemorate the landmark, we recently organised and hosted three three-day trips to Turkey for ten designers and installers. The idea for the trips was partly to say thank you to some of the members of Talasey’s Designer and Installer Network, who are big advocates and users of our range of products.
It was also an opportunity to showcase the process of how porcelain pavers are made – because it is absolutely fascinating. More of that in a minute.
Upon arrival on Monday, there was an introductory lunch where everybody started to get to know one another. Before the hotel check-in and evening dinner, we took the opportunity to fill them in on Talasey – because our business has come a long way in a couple of decades. We wanted them to see the whole scope of what’s available from Talasey to enable designers and installers to create incredible outdoor spaces – whether for small homes or large public spaces.
We feel we have honed our offering through our five core ranges and given overviews of: Natural Paving (natural stone landscaping materials, including paving, block paving, walling, copings, cobbles, kerbs and edgings, fire pits, and stepping stones), Vitripiazza (high-quality, vitrified porcelain paving and porcelain wall cladding), Piranha (composite decking, fencing and cladding solutions), Pavetuf (products to aid the installation, maintenance and protection of hard landscaping) and Luxigraze (high-quality artificial grass products). But we also wanted to introduce them to lesser-known products and services that are also available from Talasey including decorative drainage, pergolas and bespoke cut service…to name but a few.
Many of the designers and installers are already using combinations of our products, and they share with us images of breathtaking projects – but we wanted them to be amongst the first to know the direction of travel for Talasey going forward and what new products are on the horizon.
We also took the time to affirm our commitment to members of the network through our 3S’s: support (with the widest range of landscaping products from a single supplier, providing assistance for every step of the journey – from the initial enquiry, the design stage and quoting to the promotion of a project), simplify (the process of sourcing a wide range of products and conveniently delivering these) and strengthen (enhancing our relationships through a collaborative approach to grow together for mutual success).
We also stressed that this support extends to functions such as our design service – which also produces a bill of quantities that landscapers can take to their local merchants or to our in-house estimating team.
Taking our designers and installers to see our factory was the highlight of the second day – and the trip. It’s safe to say that it was a real eye-opener for the three groups, who learned all about the different processes that go into making porcelain pavers.
Tom Windle of Wiltshire-based Gardenscape Ltd – who co-hosts the Landscaping Show on Fix Radio – said that he found the tour:
“overwhelming” (in a good way!) and that he didn’t realise that “there was very little waste in the manufacturing process and that most of the material could be recycled – which is a lot more eco-friendly than I was expecting.”
Lee Sharman from Hertfordshire-based Lee Sharman Fencing and Landscapes said:
“I have a newfound respect for porcelain now that I have seen how it is made.” He added: “It has given me a greater appreciation of what I’m working with and the quality of the pavers.”
Luke Plumstead from Elizabeths Gardens in Norwich said:
“I had no idea what went into the process, and it has helped improve my product knowledge – and therefore my ability to sell the product.”
This was the view of all of the designers and installers, who mulled over what they had seen and learned as they enjoyed food and refreshments aboard a boat trip after the factory tour.
Before flying back to the UK on a Wednesday afternoon, there was time for the groups to go shopping and then visit an arboretum to see another side of landscaping – as part of a well-rounded overall experience for the network members.
As the trip came to a close, that’s where we saw the true value of the experience.
The newfound bonds between members of Talasey’s Designer and Installer Network were obvious. We had brought some excellent landscapers together – and they thrived on it, sharing experiences, knowledge and contact details so they can all stay in touch.
Rupert Keys from the TASK Training Academy said:
“There was a great mix of younger and older landscapers, who were all learning from each other – and it was clear from the conversations just how much the industry is changing. It was one of the most enjoyable three days I’ve had in a long time, and I came away with loads of great ideas.”
Tom Windle added:
“I felt I was part of a community that is the best of the best, and I’ve made lifelong friends as a result of the trip to Turkey. The industry has changed over the last 5–10 years, and there’s still plenty of work out there, but the important takeaway from the trip is that we can all give each other a leg up.”
Lee Sharman said for him that the visit brought home that he’s doing the right thing as a business.
Tom Windle summed up perfectly what Talasey’s Designer and Installer Network is all about. From day one, Talasey has sought to encourage skilled landscapers to use quality products to create amazing outdoor spaces – and in doing so, we have created a community that has become an established network of the “best of the best”.
And that’s the real win for Talasey.
Yes, the trip to Turkey was amazing, with fantastic food, drinks and hospitality. Yes, we took the opportunity to tell them all about where we have come from and where we’re going. And yes, they saw how porcelain pavers are made.
But the biggest YES was enabling individuals to feel part of something bigger: a network that is committed to driving up standards and setting new benchmarks in the creation of outdoor spaces.
And for our part, they know what products we have available – and all they have to do is ask their local merchants for them.
Full write-up provided by Paul Kirby | 07970 961701 | paul@octopuspr.co.uk.
