Amdega Recruits Mike Willink as Chief Operating Officer

29th September 2010

Amdega is delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Willink to the main board as Chief Operating Officer. Mr Willink's appointment quickly follows the significant investment into the company by UK private equity house, Endless LLP, in August 2010.

The appointment is central to Amdega's wider strategy of driving a series of major operational improvement initiatives through the business on the back of the fresh investment provided by Endless.

Mr Willink has worked in senior roles with Rolls Royce Marine (where he led several operational and supply chain improvement projects across Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and China), Moores Furniture (part of US giant Masco) and Howdens Joinery.

Steve Sutherland, Chairman of Amdega, who joined the business at the time of Endless' investment in August, said "We are thrilled to welcome Mike to Amdega. Mike has an outstanding track record in driving positive change and improvement initiatives through organisations, and he brings impressive dynamism and energy. Mike's pedigree and leadership abilities are a perfect fit to what is needed at Amdega and securing someone of his calibre is testament to our strategy and ambition for the business."

Mike said "It is tremendously exciting to be joining Amdega at such a key time in its history. There are challenges, however with the fresh investment support behind us, I'm excited by the numerous improvement opportunities for us to pursue. Amdega has a very proud heritage and our aim is to be once again renowned for the highest operational excellence and quality."

ENDS

About Amdega Limited:

Founded in 1874, Amdega is the world’s oldest and most prestigious timber conservatory business.

Amdega is based in Faverdale, Darlington and employs approximately 200 people.

Endless LLP invested significant capital into the business in August 2010.

About Endless LLP:

Endless is a national private equity house focusing on buyout and acquisition opportunities for UK-headquartered businesses. The firm has offices in Manchester, Leeds, London and Birmingham.

Endless is responsible for investments with a combined turnover of more than £1 billion and more than 6,500 employees. Some of its investments include Crown Paints Group, The Works retail chain, Trutex Schoolwear and AMCO.

Endless is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority.

Amdega Supports Community Garden

Amdega is pleased to announce the official opening of the Brandon Village Community Garden for use by the local community. The village garden committee is combining the opening with the presentation of Amdega’s gift to the Community Garden of a Retreat greenhouse; the first greenhouse the Darlington based conservatory company has built since the Victorian era.

The Brandon Village Community Garden will be officially opened by local MP Roberta Blackman-Woods at 6pm on Thursday 30th September 2010. In addition, to celebrate this event a free exhibition “Art in A Small Garden” with pieces from local established artists and graduates of Sunderland University will be open to the public all week.

The Retreat greenhouse donated by the Darlington based conservatory company will enable the garden to extend the growing season and raise tender fruit and vegetables. It will also provide a social space to sit when the weather is inclement.

The Community Garden, which has been created from a prominent derelict site with a fly tipping problem, aims to be a sustainable, environmentally friendly wildlife haven, vegetable garden and a meeting place where local people can pass on their knowledge and experience and get to know their neighbours better. The garden promotes biodiversity with a substantial area being given over to wildlife with a pond, bog, wild flower meadow, and a mixed native hedge. The pond has a small water feature running over a rock pile designed to increase the habitat for a wide range of insects, amphibians and hopefully encourage bats into the garden. The garden will have a range of flowers to attract bees, butterflies and other insects into the garden plus bird boxes and feeding stations to encourage garden birds. In contrast to the wildlife area, the vegetable garden has a formal structure of raised beds constructed from recycled plastics.

Over the past year, the village residents have worked hard to create the garden, helped by a County Durham Environmental Trust grant, (CDENT PREMIER Award of £14,800), sponsorship from local businesses and organisations, and support from Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council. With the guidance of dry stone walling expert, Peter Dent, the residents enjoyed building the south wall using traditional techniques, a wonderful teambuilding exercise.


The garden has no mains electricity or water, so rain runoff from the greenhouse roof is collected in underground storage tanks and then pumped out using energy generated by solar panels. These also run the greenhouse irrigation system, pond pumps and hopefully a few low energy lights. The garden also has various seating options, including space inside the new Amdega greenhouse to allow people to sit and enjoy the garden and wildlife. From the outset, the garden has aimed to be as inclusive as possible. Children are encouraged to get involved and the area has been made accessible to all by incorporating raised vegetable beds, benches and wheelchair friendly paths.

The Garden Opening is just the beginning. Next year the village hopes to build a herb spiral, increase the number of nest boxes and feeding stations, purchase a weather station and some nest box cams, and eventually run a website so friends and families can keep in touch with the garden.

The Garden Committee commented, “We can hardly believe that just a few months ago this piece of land that was an eyesore has been transformed into a beautiful community garden with the help of a state-of-the-art Amdega greenhouse and the generosity of other sponsors. With the hard work of volunteers, we have created something positive for the village and the wider community that brings people together in a lovely setting.”

Karl Wharton, CEO of Amdega, commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer Brandon Village a greenhouse to support the garden and hope that it continues to be a benefit to the local community for years to come.”
Notes to editors:

Brandon Village Residents Association (BVRA)
The association was formally formed in October 2008. Brandon village is comprised of 53 houses; most householders are members of the thriving Brandon Village Residents Association (BVRA). The aims of the BVRA are to: “Promote all residents rights and the maintenance and improvement of amenities and the environment”; “Promote social, welfare, recreational and training activities for the benefit of members”; “Work with authorities and organisations for the benefit of all members”.

The Greenhouse
The greenhouse constructed in the Brandon Village Community Garden is based on Amdega’s ‘Retreat‘ L Shape design, 1.5 bay medium in Slate Green. The concrete base needed for the Retreat greenhouse was laid by village residents. The greenhouse itself was installed by Amdega and features a timber cladded dwarf wall. It also has an irrigation system installed, bench seating inside the structure and timber staging provided.

Amdega Greenhouses
Long renowned for creating some of the finest conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms around the world; Amdega has reintroduced, by popular demand, an extensive range of covetable and state of the art greenhouses to the Amdega Garden Rooms collection, brought into existence especially for the discerning gardener.
Comprising of four designs, Den, Nursery, Retreat and Vinery, the Greenhouse range comes in 52 size variations with a number of features that makes Amdega stand out from the competition. Benefits include a low maintenance aluminium roof for ease of cleaning. There is the option of base walls in brick or stone instead of cedar to blend further with surroundings and supply only, supply and install and full build services. Staging is higher than that provided by others to ensure the gardener can prepare seedlings in comfort. A timed irrigation system is available that can be set weeks in advance if required for remote control gardening. There is also cedar bench seating for the gardener to relax in the sun.

Amdega has been designing and handcrafting timber and glass structures from the original workshops in Darlington since the Victorian Era. The Amdega Garden Rooms range comprises of Chelsea, Hampton, Manhattan and Portland summerhouses, as well as the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Special Edition Collection and modular Greenhouse range.

Amdega Conservatories Hires Apprentices

Conservatories company, Amdega, is pleased to announce a new draft of apprentice employees to its workforce in Darlington, County Durham. By bringing in four junior apprentices the company endeavours to support its proactive approach to business, by developing talent for the future.

New recruits include 19 year old David O’Neill, Apprentice CNC Operator. Christopher Cartwright, 19, and Rebecca Worley, 17, have been hired as Apprentice Project Coordinators assisting in the management for bespoke conservatory projects, and 16 year old Joe McMullen as Apprentice Fabricator/Welder in the Machin aluminium conservatory team.

Apprentice recruitment is the next step in the Amdega Academy, Amdega’s ongoing commitment to learning, training and developing current and new staff. Amdega has also offered staff the opportunity of undertaking a four year Business Management degree to fit into their schedules, and gives practical training to fitters before they install Amdega traditional and contemporary orangeries and conservatories and also beautiful wooden summerhouses and greenhouses.

Chief Executive Officer of Amdega, Karl Wharton, commented: “The company’s vision for the future is to encourage and assist the development of all employees through a culture of training and learning.”

Amdega is renowned for excellence in design and quality across its range of bespoke conservatories, orangeries and pool houses. All commissions are individually designed to suit the specific needs and lifestyles of each client.

Amdega also supplies a range of quality summerhouses and greenhouses and automated blinds and window shades for conservatories and also all around the home.

For further information and to arrange an appointment with a sales designer along with a no obligation conservatory quote, please call 01325 349589, visit www.amdega.co.uk or email inform@amdega.co.uk.

Amdega celebrates triumphant return to RHS Chelsea Flower show

At this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show the bespoke conservatory giant Amdega collaborated with Smallbone and built a stunning contemporary orangery for their “Alfresco Kitchen” stand which also featured a garden design created by Stephen Woodhams. The glass roof of the timber orangery beautifully fused with Smallbone’s new oak and silver kitchen and the stand was awarded the coveted RHS Gold Award for Excellence for the Best Trade Stand.

The president of the Royal Horticultural Society, Giles Coode-Adams, presented the Gold Award at a special ceremony and the stand has been described as “… one of the highlights of this year’s show and emphasizes the quality and dynamism of British design and craft skills”. This is a fitting tribute for Amdega’s return to RHS Chelsea after a 13 year absence.

Amdega has also announced recent affiliations with Porcelanosa, producer of ceramic floor tiling, that fuse beautifully with both Amdega’s contemporary and traditional conservatory designs. Majik House for state of the art music and lighting systems for bespoke conservatories and also Appeal for quality conservatory blinds.

For a free no obligation meeting with Amdega’s local conservatory designer please call 01325 349589 or visit www.amdega.co.uk.


Press enquiries:
Sarah Gilmore, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Tel: 01325 349 518, email: sarah.gilmore@amdega.co.uk

Amdega Garden Rooms

Amdega’s recent launch of timber greenhouses coincides with the publication of its Book of Garden Rooms, which is now available and features the Chelsea, Hampton, Manhattan and RHS timber summerhouses and gazebos along with the Portland DIY summerhouse range all together for the very first time.

As well as featuring an array of stunning Amdega garden rooms with detailed specifications, the Book is highly stylised with bold typography, fuses a tactile old fashioned feel with contemporary floral imagery and interesting snippets of general information.

Established in 1874, Amdega is the oldest conservatory company in the world, renowned for excellence in the design of beautiful conservatories, orangeries and pool houses along with its extensive garden rooms and greenhouse offerings.

The Company still operates from its original hometown of Darlington in the north east of England, from where bespoke timber conservatories are shipped out across the globe. With the Company name originally derived from three key words, ambition, determination and gain, Amdega remains fully committed to these longstanding values; focussing on driving continuous improvements, quality and service, investing in people and maintaining an environmentally friendly ethos.

For a copy of Amdega’s Book of Garden Rooms please call 01325 349586 or visit www.amdega.co.uk and click on garden rooms.

Press enquiries:
Sarah Gilmore, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Tel: 01325 349 518, email: sarah.gilmore@amdega.co.uk

Amdega celebrates the launch of its new cedar Greenhouse range at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Bespoke conservatory manufacturer Amdega Conservatories is thrilled at the level of response received to the launch of its new range of quality timber greenhouses at the 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show where the Company displayed one of its Den lean to greenhouse designs.

Comprising of four greenhouse designs, the Den, Nursery, Retreat and Vinery, the range comes in 52 size variations with a number of features to ensure that Amdega stands out from the competition. Benefits include a low maintenance aluminium roof for ease of cleaning that matches the greenhouse perfectly. There is the option of base walls in brick or stone instead of cedar to blend further with surroundings and supply only, supply and install and full build services. Greenhouse staging is higher than that provided by others to ensure the gardener can prepare seedlings in comfort. A timed greenhouse irrigation system is available that can be set weeks in advance if required for remote control gardening. There is also cedar bench seating for the gardener to relax in the sun.

Along with the Den greenhouse Amdega also displayed two of its popular timber summerhouses; the Chelsea Kingswood and the RHS Kilburn … something for everyone.

For a copy of Amdega’s Book of Garden Rooms please call 01325 349586 or visit www.amdega.co.uk and click on garden rooms.

Members of the press please contact:
Sarah Gilmore, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Tel: 01325 349 518, email: sarah.gilmore@amdega.co.uk

Amdega Conservatory News - Training Academy Established

In the latest news from Amdega Limited, the oldest conservatory company in the world, is pleased to announce the launch of a “training academy” at its head office in Darlington as part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to quality and service.

The Acadamy will primarily be used as a base for providing a comprehensive induction for new installers in building bespoke conservatories and orangeries as well as wooden summerhouses and gazebos. Only after rigorous training will potential recruits be deemed as fully competent Amdega representatives and receive official certification. Current installers will also receive refresher training in various fitting techniques. The Company’s aim is to continually improve quality and service and the introduction of the Academy is part of this commitment.

Paul Cruddace, Amdega’s Sales & Marketing Director comments, “We are putting substantial amounts of money into our pursuit of continuous improvement. As the UK’s premier conservatory supplier we want to ensure that every installer is fully au fait with our tried and tested methods of working as well as new techniques that are to be implemented. We aren’t just building sections here; we are constructing complete glass rooms and everyone is getting involved. The Acadamy has been well received by our timber conservatory installers and we are already getting very positive feedback from initial training given”.

Despite the difficult economic climate of the last year, Amdega has staked £150k in setting up the Acadamy which equates to a total of £0.75m investment over the first three years of its being in existence.

Amdega’s clients, who have recently visited the factory, have also had the opportunity to tour the Academy and see training in action and have been extremely impressed with the set up.

Latest Amdega News - RHS & Amdega Summerhouses Partnership

A prestigious partnership has been forged between the Royal Horticultural Society and Amdega Summerhouses.

Amdega, the longest established conservatory supplier in the world, have cemented a collaboration with the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society.

this is in the form of a new range of exclusive co-branded summerhouses.

Amdega’s RHS summerhouse range has been designed specifically with the Society’s traditional styling and colours in mind and initially comprises of three new models; the Sherwood and Kilburn summerhouses and the Arden gazebo, with more models to follow in spring 2010. This exciting new offering sits comfortably alongside Amdega’s existing Chelsea, Hampton and Manhattan designs.

Each new model in the timber summerhouse range has its own unique features and comes jointly badged as RHS and Amdega in celebration of this inimitable union.

In a quote from Paul Cruddace, Amdega’s Sales & Marketing Director:

“It is fantastic that two organisations who are both famous in their own fields of expertise now have the opportunity to join forces to promote such a discerning range of products.”

The RHS has a long and interesting history dating from 1804 and is now the UK’s leading gardening charity, dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening.

Quoting Grant Tripp, RHSE Licensing Manager:

“RHS Enterprises is delighted to be in partnership with Amdega to offer a range of exceptional summerhouses based on historic illustrations from the RHS Lindley Library.”

This exciting initiative follows Amdega’s highly successful return to RHS shows after displaying Chelsea wooden summerhouses at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2009. As well as providing quality summerhouses, Amdega continues to lead the field in designing and building bespoke conservatories and orangeries all around the world. Amdega also sells blinds and window shades for all around the home.

The RHS range is available from January 2010.

You can contact the Amdega summerhouse team for further details on 0800 328 0323 or visit www.amdega-summerhouses.co.uk.

An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS, for more information visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0845 130 4646.