Giant Guinness World Record Achievements With The Help Of Henchman | Case Study

'I took a big step and asked to climb up the ladder, despite my fear of heights. When I first stepped on the ladder, the build quality and stability of the ladder made me feel immediately comfortable' - Kevin Fortey

Kevin Fortey, is a renowned horticulturist with a remarkable career spanning over four decades. He has achieved numerous accolades in the gardening world, and most notably, he holds twelve Guinness World Records for growing exceptional fruits, vegetables, and plants! 

His expertise and passion for gardening have earned him the title of Giant Veg Consultant for the movie "Swede Caroline", and his dedication to his craft has garnered international attention, making him a sought-after figure in the horticultural community.

The UK Giant Vegetable Championships

Kevin's journey into horticulture began at the young age of four, under the guidance of his late father, who established the UK Giant Vegetable Championships. Over the years, Kevin has specialised in growing a wide variety of produce, culminating in notable achievements. In 2019, he grew the World's Heaviest Beetroot at 23.995kg, just over 52 pounds in weight, and last year he grew the World's Tallest Tomatillo Plant at 3.529m tall! His career highlights include being named as a Giant Veg consultant for the film "Swede Caroline" which aired in April 2024, and he has received invitations to speak about his accomplishments in America and Jersey. 

Meeting Henchman at the RHS Flower Show

Kevin first encountered Henchman after seeing fellow horticulturalists across the UK using its ladders and gardening tools. His interest was piqued when he was offered the chance to try out Henchman’s Fully Adjustable Tripod PRO ladders at the RHS Malvern Autumn Show. “I had visited the Henchman Trade Stands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Malvern Autumn Show several times before but last year I took a big step and asked to climb up the ladder, despite my fear of heights. When I first stepped on the ladder, the build quality and stability of the ladder made me feel immediately comfortable. When I reached the top of the ladder, I felt safe and at ease and the view was fantastic,” explained Kevin.

Quality and Versatility

Before discovering Henchman, Kevin struggled to find equipment which was robust enough to carry out multiple tasks in the garden from maintaining tall trees to carting logs around the garden, and more importantly, a tool to help him grow even taller, record-breaking plants. The quality and versatility of Henchman's ladders and wheelbarrows immediately stood out, offering solutions to his specific needs. “Once you feel, touch, climb and lift the products on offer from Henchman you will immediately feel the robustness of the equipment and want to own them yourself,” explained Kevin. While Kevin had previously used various other ladders and wheelbarrows, Henchman's products provided unparalleled safety and functionality. The Henchman ladder's stability, along with the wheelbarrow's larger capacity and adaptability, replaced conventional tools in his gardening kit.

Adjustable Tripod Ladders - Perfect for Welsh Gardens

After careful consideration, Kevin opted for the 12ft Henchman PRO Tripod Ladder. Kevin was impressed by the stability, and lightweight design stating, “In all my years gardening at height, I’ve never felt so safe up a ladder.” Kevin highlighted the dual platform of Henchman's PRO ladder as a standout feature, enhancing user control and safety during tasks. “The most impressive feature of the ladder is the dual platform to provide support at multiple heights. The ladder provides support from various levels and prevents you from needing to step down and move to a different angle. It makes you feel in control whilst at the same time being confidently supported.”

The ability to adjust the ladder's legs to accommodate sloped surfaces and the hedge-proof locking pin were other key features that influenced Kevin's decision to choose Henchman's ladder. “As we are in Wales and generally most gardens are on slopes, the ability to adjust the three legs was a huge selling point in our decision. The quick-release hedge-proof locking pin provided added reassurance when we were using garden machinery at height.” 

Four Times More Material than a Standard Wheelbarrow

Kevin also uses both the 200ltr and 350ltr Henchman wheelbarrows for transporting materials. “Both the wheelbarrows are exceptional quality. They come with a robust frame, optional puncture-proof tyres at an additional cost and I can easily convert the barrow into a trailer and attach it to the back of a ride-on mower with ease. The larger wheelbarrow allows me to transport as much as four times more material than a standard wheelbarrow. I’ve used them for carting marrows, moving around compost and general garden maintenance.”

Kevin wholeheartedly recommends Henchman to other individuals and companies, emphasising their product's exceptional quality, versatility, and contribution to his gardening successes. “I would have no hesitation in recommending the Henchman ladders and wheelbarrows. They're definitely a winning record-breaking combination for us, both in the home and the garden. Henchman’s tools have increased productivity and made routine gardening and general household tasks much easier. The ladder has been used for painting a ceiling, changing a light bulb and quicker pruning. From bricklaying, and porch roof repairs, to tree and shrub maintenance it really is a multi-functional tool.”

Find out more about Henchman’s Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladders and wheelbarrows.