A NORTH Yorkshire business which has grown to become the largest supplier to the landscape industry is celebrating a record year.

This year Green-tech is celebrating more than 23 years trading with its most successful year to date after growing turnover more than 50 per cent in just four years.

With more than 6,000 product lines, which include everything to protect and improve plants and their environment from tree planting and urban landscaping to green walls and green roofs; soils and wildflower seed, the business is now poised to meet targets of £20 million turnover by 2020.

It is in this record year that Green-tech owners Richard and Rachel Kay are hoping to claim the Large Business of the Year title.

From virtually nothing Green-tech now employs in excess of 70 people and is sited in its own purpose built offices with extensive warehousing and distribution facilities on the A168 between Boroughbridge and York.

Lesley Spence, communications manager at Green-tech said: “This year has been a fantastic achievement for a company that has grown steadily and surely by founders and owners Richard and Rachel Kay.

“Green-tech is recognised as one of the top 50 most profitable businesses in North Yorkshire.

“The company’s sound market knowledge, entrepreneurial flair, investment in staff, innovation and a clear focus on customer needs are major influencers in its success. Green-tech is expanding and creating jobs as many companies are taking a cautious approach or even scaling back.”

There are several branches to the Green-tech business, including its soil division Green-tree. With 15 soil sites throughout the UK, Green-tree is one of the largest producers of topsoil’s, subsoils, roof garden substrates, tree soils as well as a number of bespoke soil mixes.

GT Specifier is the technical specification arm of the business, working with landscape specifiers to find practical solutions or the most appropriate products for their landscaping projects.

John Chambers Wildflower Seed is the wildflower side of the business and is booming following an increased desire for green credentials and creation of biodiverse environments.

More recently Green-tech has acquired its neighbouring Rabbit Hill Country Store, a rural one-stop-shop that provides everything needed for outdoor jobs. The strategic plan is to develop a destination retail outlet that will service the garden, farm, pet and equine needs of those living in the York and Harrogate areas.

Ms Spence said: “Green-tech strives to be the market leader in developing and sourcing innovative landscaping products.

“The last 12 months have been exceptional in terms of product development, forging new relationships with suppliers, developing products and working on new proto-types that are still a closely guarded secret.”