One of our team had the brilliant opportunity to head over to our parent company’s headquarters in Teningen, Germany last month, and what a trip it was! He joined colleagues from GRAF Spain, Ireland, and Poland for an intensive two-day workshop all about garden products.
It’s always exciting when everyone gets together, bringing their own market insights to the table, sharing what’s selling well, who the competition is, and the best ways to reach customers. Plus, there’s nothing quite like comparing notes on the challenges each country faces.
The real highlight was getting a sneak peek at the new garden products launching in 2026. We got to see how these new products could help our customers and the best ways to introduce them to the UK market. Can’t give too much away just yet, but let’s just say there are some exciting things coming your way.
The factory tours were pretty impressive too. There’s something quite satisfying about seeing where all our products come from and understanding the craftsmanship that goes into each one. It definitely reinforces why we’re so confident in what we’re selling to you.
“Seeing the production line in action really hammers home the quality and care that goes into every single product,” Charlie told us. “From the engineering precision to how they’re thinking about sustainability at every step, it’s clear why GRAF has such a solid reputation.”
Between the formal sessions, there was plenty of time for chatting with the international team over a beer or two. These relationships are great for us, we’re constantly sharing ideas and learning from each other throughout the year.
By the end of the workshop, everyone had concrete plans to grow their garden and DIY business back home. The best part? These strategies came from pooling everyone’s knowledge, so we can adapt the best ideas to work for our UK customers.
“These workshops are absolutely brilliant,” Charlie reflected. “You get the technical knowledge, market insights, proper strategy planning, and of course, you can’t beat German hospitality. The currywurst alone makes the trip worthwhile!”
It’s this kind of international collaboration that keeps GRAF at the cutting edge. Everything Charlie learned will filter through to better products, sharper market understanding, and ultimately, better service for you.
Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on June 26, 2025.
