THE founders of a landscape and forestry business who started out with a second-hand van and £200 have celebrated 20 years in business.

Today Green-tech is a £9 million turnover business with plans to move to a larger site next year to accommodate growing trade in the manufacturing and distribution of landscaping and horticulture products.

Currently based in Nun Monkton, Green-tech employs a team of more than 40 people, and sells more than 6,000 products from its 30,000sq ft warehousing and office facilities.

The business was founded by husband and wife duo Richard and Rachel Kay in 1994, who recorded a first-year turnover of £160,000 made by supplying maintenance products to Yorkshire golf courses.

Mr Kay, chairman of Green-tech, said: "We are incredibly proud of all that we have achieved over the last 20 years.

"We've had highs and lows but we have a great team behind us and business is booming so we have a lot to be thankful for.

"We don't take our market leading position for granted, and never rest on our laurels; we're always looking to improve and grow."

Mr Kay said the business was planning to invest heavily in expanding its Green-tree topsoil business in the south for 2015, as well as looking for new markets for John Chambers Wildflower Seed arm, while continuing to develop relationships with landscape architects, contractors.

Growth plans come as Green-tech plans to relocate to new premises next year following a move by the business to buy a ten-acre farm near the A1, with planning permission already secured and an in-house project manager already appointed.

Mrs Kay, managing director at Green-tech, said: "We've worked hard over the years to offer a wide range of products, and we've built great relationships in the industry with customers and suppliers alike. This keeps us at the forefront of change.

"We know what the challenges, needs and expectations of our industry are and I think this has helped us stay ahead of our competitors."

Winner of many industry awards, Green-tech leads the landscaping market and offers innovative products that enhance, protect and improve plants and their environment.