Virginia Hayward Ltd
Virginia Hayward Ltd is an English manufacturer that provides hampers and gifts. The company is based in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
History
Geoff and Gin Hayward founded Virginia Hayward Ltd, having been inspired to begin packing hampers after receiving a hamper as a Christmas gift in the early 1980s. The company’s first hampers were ready for sale by Christmas 1984. [1]
The hampers were promoted in the company’s first brochure, which was released in the same year and featured the couple’s two daughters, Harriet and Alix, aged 8 and 5 respectively at the time of publication.
The production of hampers began (and remains) on the site of the Hayward family farm and represents a diversification from agriculture.
Transition from Agriculture
During the early 90’s, the transition from dairy farming was completed, and the farm buildings were transformed from their original purposes to offices. Hamper production has moved from the farm’s original brick barn to purpose built warehouses, whilst the barn has become a sample room and photographic studio.
Today
At the beginning of 2012, the company occupies two sites; the original family farm outside Shaftesbury, where production and administration continue, as well as warehouses at Little Down, Shaftesbury which serve as a logistics and storage hub for the company.
The company has also developed a new brand, ‘Yourhamper’, which was launched in 2010. The company produced a website which would allow customers to apply designs and photographs to their personalised hamper. The new website was a winner in the ‘Gifts & Greetings’ category of the 2011 Online Retails Awards. [3]
On the 1st of January 2012, the business acquired wholesale homeware and furniture suppliers, Grand Illusions.
Environmental Work and Policies
Directors Geoff and Gin Hayward began work to reduce company’s carbon footprint by planting what has become known as the Millennium Wood in 4.5 hectares of land near the company’s offices in 2000. In 2010 the project was extended by another 3,300 trees, taking the total area planted to 6.5 hectares. A variety of indigenous tress were selected, including oak, ash, cherry, crack willow and spindleberry. [6]
Virginia Hayward Ltd is required to use a significant amount of packaging. The company publishes environmental policies for both of its brands which includes a commitment to recyclable or biodegradable packaging wherever possible.
The hamper baskets used by the company are from renewable sources; bubble bags and air strips are biodegradable to reduce plastic pollution; the loose fill chips which protect goods inside the hampers are produced using maize, and, as such, are compostable, or will dissolve in water. All outer boxes are made from recycled board, made to measure for the gift which it will carry, thus ensuring no excess packaging is used. [7]
Sources
1. Virginia Hayward Website (http://www.virginiahayward.com/about-us/). United Kingdom. http://www.virginiahayward.com/ . Retrieved 13 March 2012.
2. “Online… Yourhamper.com – The Holy Grail Of Hampers? Personalised Hampers Available Online For Christmas 2010”, (http://www.fmcgenews.co.uk/1eftt94erpi). United Kingdom. http://www.fmcgenews.co.uk/ . Retrieved 17 March 2012.
3. “Results | Online Retail Awards” (http://www.onlineretailawards.com/results). United Kingdom. http://www.onlineretailawards.com/ . Retrieved 13 March 2012. 4. “Virginia Hayward Staff Attempt Cornish Walk for Macmillan”, Blackmore Vale Magazine, 5 August 2011
5. “Walkers Take Saints Way to Raise £5,000”, Western Gazette – North Dorset EDition, 18 September 2011
6. “Virginia Hayward Sees Trees of Green”, Catalogue e-Business, September 2010.
7. Virginia Hayward Facebook Page, published Environmental Policies. (http://www.facebook.com/virginiahaywardhampers/app_393976377281725). United Kingdom. http://www.facebook.com/ . Retrieved 27 March 2012.