GIMA Seed Corn Fund winner

Qwickhose secures Gima innovation funding

Leak-free hose connector with ingenious winged-locking mechanism makes its debut at Glee and wins the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund to help bring it to the market.

The innovator behind a hose connector with a different type of locking mechanism than those already on the market has been recognised and rewarded with a package worth £6000 from the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund. The prize will help the team at Qwickhose, based in Hampshire, bring the hose connector to market. “It’s such a great feeling when something we believe in, that has absorbed so much of our time over the past two years, is recognised in this way,” says Michelle Doughty, Qwickhose Product Development Manager.

Qwickhose Hose Connector was born during lockdown when the team at Qwickhose put their heads together to come up with simple yet effective solutions to some of the frustrating problems experienced by gardeners when using hosepipe connectors. They focused on problems such as connectors breaking under force, popping of mid-use or simply taking too long to set up. Built to be longlasting and robust, the Qwickhose Hose Connector uses an imaginative patentpending winged clamping system for quick and easy connection. Once the hose has been pushed into the connector’s inner tube it can be secured with wings that clamp shut and held in place with a nut. As well as being reliable, long-lasting and leak-free, the extralong connector also acts as a handle. Products are made from UV-stabilised premium-grade recyclable plastics, supported with recyclable packaging printed with eco-friendly ink.

“Not only does the Qwickhose offering provide an alternative to existing hosepipe connectors, but it is clear from the design and construction that this is a product that has been passionately and carefully designed. I am sure this is one product garden and DIY retailers will want to see,” says Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director.

Qwickhose Hose Connectors are made by Rivendale Products, a family-run building and development business of 20 years. This is its first introduction for the garden industry. “We’re ready to learn and have undertaken a huge research project to create a product that we believe fills a gap in the market and can help to increase consumer confidence,” says Michelle. “We’d love to see

Find out more Qwickhose stocked in the likes For more on GIMA Innovators of Dobbies or Blue Diamond

Seed Corn Fund visit: gima.org.uk/innovatorsseed-corn-fund and for become our product a household to brand as www.qwickhose.co.uk we further extend the range.”

Two other company’s were shortlisted:

Cheeky Charlie Ovens, a new concept in charcoal cooking which takes the principles of professional ovens to create an exciting new chapter for al fresco dining, and Seedbooks which combines a story book with six types of seed, supported with recipes and growing tips.