Tag Archive for: contractor

Toro Invests in Landscape Contractor Business

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Toro Invests in Landscape Contractor Business: Following the launch of Toro’s Revolution Series Z Master and Grandstand  commercial mowers which feature the company’s proprietary Hypercell battery technology, Toro U.K. Limited is pleased to announce leadership changes to focus on growing its position in the Landscape Contractor Business.

Ben Kirkby, who joined the company in August 2021 as a Territory Manager for Northern England and Scotland to focus on the Toro and Hayter residential ranges, will be increasing his responsibilities to support growth of the Toro Landscape Contractor Business. He will also help support the Siteworks ranges of Forestry and Construction equipment.

Toro Invests in Landscape Contractor Business

Toro Invests in Landscape Contractor Business

Matt Coleman, UK Sales Manager for the Toro Landscape Contractor and Sitework ranges, will continue to oversee the portfolio and dealer network, and will utilise Ben to support demand from dealers and end users.

“I have spent the last 2 ½ years establishing and growing our professional dealer network and building awareness with customers so it will be great to have Ben helping support this important segment,” said Coleman, Sales Manager, Landscaper Contractor & Siteworks equipment – Toro U.K. Limited. “I look forward to utilising Ben’s sales and demo experience, from his time selling commercial machinery and building his knowledge of the Toro Landscape Contractor range.”

Ben who has recently taken delivery of a new Ford Ranger Wildtrak and will soon take delivery of a trailer, will be fully setup to support the Toro Dealer network in Northern England & Scotland and their customers.

“I am really excited to be taking on this new challenge,” said Kirkby. “It has been great to build relationships with the Toro dealers in my area and I look forward to supporting their needs with the Toro Landscape Contractor and Siteworks ranges, especially with the new industry-leading Revolution Series battery products.”

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Otterbine Reveal Contractor Award Winner

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Otterbine Reveal Contractor Award Winner: Water Garden Ltd, a family business based in Portsmouth, have been crowned winners of the has won the prestigious 2018 Reesink Turfcare UK Otterbine Contractor of the Year award.

The company achieved the highest Otterbine sales figures for 2018 thanks to their knowledge of the product, belief in the brand and support from Otterbine and its UK distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Otterbine Reveal Contractor Award Winner

Andy Staves, managing director of Water Garden Ltd, explains: “We were delighted to hear we’d won the award as the whole team has been working really hard this last year. We pride ourselves on having an expert group of staff who have a deep technical understanding of all the products we deal with. Customers can trust we know what we’re talking about and having quality products to back that up is vital.

“We don’t deal with the cheap and cheerful, we want the best, which is why Otterbine is the principle supplier for our aerating fountains,” he says. “Anything else simply doesn’t come close to the quality they offer.”

Even with such a dedicated sales team, the company can only go so far without the right back up and support from the manufacturer, says Andy: “We have a really close relationship with Reesink and Otterbine, in particular Reg Varney, the international region manager, who’s really helpful. Any issues we’ve had, they’ve been tackled head on without hesitation, and resolved quickly, allowing us to give the best possible service to our customers. It’s imperative we get the support we need, when we need it, and that’s what Otterbine and Reesink provide.”

Water Garden Ltd has recently benefitted from Otterbine water management and product training courses, adding to the company’s extensive knowledge of the brand.

Reesink’s national sales representative for Otterbine, Pete Newton, comments: “Water Garden Ltd is incredibly deserving of this year’s award. It is a delight to work with them and particularly rewarding to work with a company who recognises the importance of quality products and who has expert knowledge in the industry. We hope our close partnership continues for many years to come.”

With such a successful year for the company, it’s hard to reflect upon just one stand out moment says Andy: “We’ve had so many great installations this year, particularly with the larger fountains. We have a lot of customers who want not only quality water aeration but also stunning visual centrepieces for their golf course, private estate or wedding venue. Everyone has been delighted with the results – we haven’t had a single complaint, and we intend to keep it that way.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Contractor Fined After Wall Collapse

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Contractor Fined After Wall Collapse: A landscape contractor has been fined £20,000 plus costs after a worker was seriously injured injured when a retaining wall collapsed and trapped him underneath.

Contractor Fined After Wall Collapse

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that while he was excavating a trench in front of an existing blockwork wall, a section of the wall collapsed and fell on him trapping him underneath. He sustained a complex fracture to his pelvis which required surgery and he has not been able to return to work since the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to properly plan and manage the installation of the timber structure, and had not put sufficient control measures in place to prevent the collapse of the existing blockwork wall.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 19 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1048.86 and a victim surcharge of £220.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Cain Mitchell said: “This case highlights the dangers of undermining a free-standing wall by excavating alongside the structure without appropriate planning and the necessary precautions in place.

“If the company had implemented reasonably practicable measures that minimised the risk to persons working next to such structures this incident could easily have been avoided.”

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Jobs Lost As Sports Turf Contractor Slips Into Administration

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Jobs lost as sports turf contractor slips into administration: The majority of the workforce has been made redundant after a 47-strong sports turf contractor with an operation in Cheshire slipped into administration.

Souters Sports entered administration on 3 November 2017, with Paul Dounis and Steve Ross of RSM Restructuring Advisory appointed joint administrators. The business provides turf for sporting venues across the UK with services including construction, reconstruction, drainage, aeration and maintenance.

Jobs Lost As Sports Turf Contractor Slips Into Administration

At the date of administration, Souters Sports had 47 employees across sites at Cumbernauld in Scotland and Knutsford in Cheshire.

RSM said that the decision to appoint administrators was made due to increased competition from artificial pitches and creditor pressure.

Dounis said: “Following a difficult trading position, measures have been taken to protect assets and maximise realisations for creditors through the administration process.

“Regrettably due to viability and the seasonality of work, we have had to make the majority of the workforce redundant and we are assisting all employees with their claims. We have however retained a small number of employees to complete certain high-profile contracts and to assist the administrators in their duties.

“The business has a strong pipeline of projects for next year and we would invite any interested parties to get in touch.”

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