The sales director of Halton-based specialist wood and solid-fuel supplier, Logs Direct, has extended the company’s global reach and picked up new product ideas, having been invited to a trade show in Verona, Italy, as a guest of the Italian Embassy in London.
Stephen Talbot, regarded as one of Britain’s leading wood-fuel experts, was taken to the Progetto Fuoco (Fire Project) trade show, as a VIP invitee. The Italian Embassy made the introductions for him, enabling him to meet a network of potential new suppliers, all of whom offered something very different and innovative.
Progetto Fuoco is the largest trade show for wood fuel and wood-burning appliances in the world and features the largest selection of manufacturing and fuel-processing equipment imaginable.
Logs Direct is known for sourcing the best wood-fuel products from around the globe on behalf of its customers, so Stephen’s trained eye also spotted some fabulous options for import.
Stephen said: “There was an amazing selection of wood pellets made from everything from sunflower seeds to hazelnut shells and olives, utilising everything that the world of nature provides in Italy.
“A dark and dense briquette made from compressed grape skins also stood out, not just for its aesthetics, but for its aroma too, as it boasts a wonderful red-wine scent. Since returning from the show, we have started to look at new product options that we believe our customers will love.”
As a specialist supplier of wood to the wood-fired pizza oven market, Stephen was drawn to a business producing small slithers of Ash as a bi-product, whilst the inspiring machinery on show has led to a decision to invest in new production machinery in winter 2018, to increase Logs Direct’s in-house production facilities.
This expansion is likely to bring new job opportunities at Logs Direct, which has expanded significantly over the last two years, thanks to staying at the forefront of developments in its industry.
Sourcing unusual fuel options is not new to the business, which identified and put on sale in 2017 the innovative Coffee Logs – briquettes formed from recycled coffee grounds.
With the added inspiration gained in Italy, Logs Direct urges customers to keep an eye on its online store, where more first-class and innovative products are likely to appear in the coming months.
