The judging panel were faced with a record number entries when the judged the New Product Awards at AQUA 2013 this morning. With an entry list that embraced everything from huge sectional garden pond to  small pots of fish food, the judges debated the pros and cons of each of the entries in coming to a collective decision on the category winners

After a great deal of debate, the judges shortlisted six products for an award before deciding the three eventual winners.

Results

Category:  Aquaria Product or Service

Winner:  Arcadia Products Seatest Control System

Shortlisted:  Interpet LED Lighting Systems

Judges comment: The Seatest Control System is both unique and innovative. It opens a new market for retailers and comes with a free software download. Interpet’s lighting is a good range of affordable LEDs which offers an easy upgrade from the conventional tube lighting.

Category:  Water Gardening Product or Service

Winner: Atlantis WGP Ltd  Sectional Pond

Shortlisted: Mars Fishcare API Pond Range

Judges comment: The winner had a clear ‘Wow’ factor. The judges were impressed with such a bold move by the company into the top end of the pond and koi market.  This product will offer ‘off the shelf’ solutions to customers looking for a larger koi or swimming pond.  The judges felt keeping to the Atlantis green colour was well used with the product and expands the already-good range of ponds. API’s Pond Care range is well packaged with a clear identity of what each product does. All in all the range offers a consumer friendly approach to a wide variety of pond problems.

Category:  Shopfitting/EPOS Product or Service

Winner: CASCO Europe PetStack – Mix & Match Retail Pack

Shortlisted: Beaver Water Plant Tiered Aquatic Display System

Judges comment: The winning product looks great and it can be stacked to fit any shape in a retail environment. Made from high-quality materials, the units are very easy to install. This gives retailers the ability to adapt the layout as their business needs change. The system can be self-installed to save costs. Beaver’s tiered benching are a simple, good-looking and inexpensive way to display pond plants and they are easy to maintain.

The judges were: Len McGlashan of Water World, Neston, Jerry Arnold of Seapets, Richard Muggeridge of Richards Aquatics, Kevin Rose of Lynchford Aquatics and Simon Langdale of Maidenhead Aquatics.