Johnsons of Whixley rebrands to Johnsons Nurseries , a strategic move aimed at ensuring the brand’s endurance for generations to come. Johnsons of Whixley isone of the UK’s major commercial nurseries and was established over a century ago
Founded in 1921 by war veteran Eric Johnson and later acquired by John Richardson in 1964, the now third-generation family business achieved a remarkable sales turnover of £18.8 million in its last financial year, setting the stage for ambitious growth plans. The rebrand signifies the company’s commitment to future progress.
Graham Richardson, Group Managing Director at Johnsons Nurseries, emphasized the evolution of the brand: “We have used the generic term ‘Nurserymen’ as part of our branding for years, and it has been an accepted historical collective term that describes the profession and not a deliberate specific reflection on gender within the workforce.”
He added, “We are proud of the diversity of our workforce and the contributions that all of our employees make. However, we are acutely aware of this being perceived as outdated and intend to phase out the term over time as we introduce our new brand.”
Richardson sees the rebrand as an opportunity to solidify the company’s market position and ensure the quality and reputation of Johnsons products are upheld for future generations of their workforce, customers, and stakeholders. The core values of professionalism and reputation established by Mr. Johnson and the Richardson family will persist.
This year, Johnsons received the prestigious Plant Healthy accreditation for the third consecutive year, recognizing its commitment to plant health quality and biosecurity practices. Supported by Defra, the accreditation contributes to enhancing biosecurity in the UK horticultural sector.
Additionally, Johnsons secured a place in the York Top 100 Businesses for the sixth consecutive year, ranking 26th. This annual report, produced by The Press in collaboration with York St John University and City of York Council, highlights the company’s continued success and influence in the industry.
Renowned as a trusted landscape supplier to the amenity sector, Johnsons provides plants and trees for diverse projects across the UK, including high-profile ventures such as the five-star luxury hotel Grantley Hall, the Thorpe Park leisure and retail complex in Leeds, and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.