Ascott Designs was set up over ten years ago to provide high quality replica plants, trees and flowers to wholesale businesses throughout the UK. Corny as it may sound, we've always prided ourselves on sourcing well made products, finding unique designs and commissioning trendy styles and ideas. Each year our company has continued to grow which is why we're one of the largest suppliers of replica plants to the trade.
Our company became part of the PHS Group in 2005. You'll probably recognise PHS them from their products in washrooms as well as many other business activities such as tropical plant rental, water dispensers, logo mats and waste disposal. With the backing of such a financially strong group we have been able to invest in new products and premises, which means we can offer our customers great products together with a great service.
Meet our team
The Head M an
I'm Derek Brown and I head up the Ascott team here in Waltham Abbey, Essex.
I've been in the plant business for over 20 years, albeit the live plant variety. When I started out I wasn't a big fan of artificial plants as they used to be very poor quality and you could spot one a mile off. Nowadays though, replica plants have become so realistic that it's often hard to tell them apart from the real thing.
I can't describe my typical day as I don't have one, each day tends to be spent doing something different which is what I love about the job. Some days for instance, will be taken up liaising with a high street customer, planning their new product ranges and setting price levels. Occasionally I'll visit our suppliers in the Far East to check on quality but I'm not a big fan of this side of the job as I don't enjoy flying too much!
The Buyer.sflb)
I'm Christine Mills and I've been in the plant business even longer than Derek (31 years) which is why they all call me Mum! I keep threatening to retire but no one believes me!
My background is in buying live plants but for the last few years I've been buying replica plants for Ascott. I love a challenge and I certainly get a lot of those in this job, especially as we have to buy so far in advance and try to forecast trends and styles for the year. Buying plants from the Far East also means I have to alter my working hours if I need to speak to our suppliers - but thank goodness for emails is all I can say!
I also get involved in projects where I source products for some of our major buyers such as retail shops and department stores and there's also the trade shows to prepare for.
The Organiser
I'm Jo Gibson and my role is to make sure that the orders we receive are boxed up and despatched as quickly as possible. My office is a greenhouse which is a fantastic place to work in summer but thank goodness for heaters in winter!
My typical day often sees me arrive at the office around 8am when I pick up any orders received and then prioritise what needs to be done for the day. This can be as diverse as building box hedges or topiary balls to processing payments and deliveries. We have a small showroom on site so occasionally I'll show larger customers around. I'm often out of the office by 5pm, or earlier if it's my day to help out at the local Brownies club which I love.
The Buil der
I'm Emma Scott-Horne and I'm not really a builder but we couldn't think of another suitable description for me!
My role at Ascott is to build any special displays for our customers such as hedging.
Although we sell plants and pots separately, many of our customers want their plants securely fixed into their pots which involves injecting a liquid fibreglass inside the pot, cutting it to size when it dries and gluing in a top dressing around the plant.
I also spend a lot of my day packaging up parcels ready for delivery to our customers.
The Sell er
I'm Harj Shemar and I'm based at our offices in Smethwick where I look after telephone trade customers. I also attend the trade shows for Ascott so you'll probably recognise my face if you've ever been to the Spring Fair shows.
Since joining Ascott over three years ago, my job has just just got busier and busier - which is a good thing as I hate being bored! So next time you phone Ascott sales, it'll probably be me you're talking to! Call me on 0121 565 6247.
Questions?
If you need help putting plants and pot options together or would like help choosing a display, contact ChristineMills on 01992 760425.
This Site
On this website you can view our range of products including replica plants, trees and flowers, and also containers for plants. For something more colourful, take a look at our range of desk top flowers including bonsai, orchids and tulips.
You can set up an account with us and order on line, by clicking on the Log In link to the left of this page. We will be launching our interactive product CD, which you will be able to request via this site. Keep checking the site as we'll be launching very soon!
If you have any trouble registering for an account or logging in to your account on line, please contact the sales team on 0121 565 6247
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