September 17, 2018 - Turf Matters

Ariens Winning Dealer Meeting

September 17, 2018/in Events, Press Release/by Tony Hawkins

Ariens Winning Dealer Meeting: Ariens Company gathered all their dealers for Countax, Westwood, Ariens and ECHO at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire on the 12^th September for their annual dealer meeting. The theme of the meeting was ‘Shifting Gears’ and the day was led by Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEA and Asia, beginning with talks on the new products available early in 2019. These included the Ariens Zenith, the largest zero turn in the portfolio, aimed at the commercial market. The new Countax C40 and Westwood T40 garden tractors were also launched along with an interchangeable cassette system attachment which allows customers to scarify and sweep their garden and grounds. The new range of ECHO Lithium Ion 58V outdoor power tools was also on display for dealers to try including chainsaws, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers and an innovative walk behind 21” lawn mower. The new product introductions are in keeping with Ariens Company’s policy of ‘continuous improvement’

Following a short introduction, the day was structured to provide dealers with ample time to demo products and to introduce useful tools to help grow their business. There were various breakout sessions, which included a Marketing Update and focus on the latest innovative marketing tools available to dealers, including the announcement of the Ariens Market Hub. The Hub is a revision of Ariens highly innovative ‘Marketing Materials Site’, a system that enables dealers to order customised marketing materials, merchandise and promotional items. At the core of this is the latest multi-brand leaflet which allows dealers to customise their own catalogues.

“This year’s dealer meeting has been a great success with excellent attendance,” says Darren Spencer, “our dealer network is at the heart of our business, so it is imperative that we provide them with a new generation of products, services and sales tools to best serve the end user.”

During the afternoon session dealers were given the opportunity to test a range of machinery including the new C40 and T40 garden tractors, the Zoom, Ikon, Apex and Zenith zero turns and the complete range of ECHO outdoor power tools. As the UK distributor for ECHO, this was the ideal opportunity for Ariens to showcase the new 58V Lithium Ion battery series comprising hedgetrimmer, power blower and brushcutter. Each dealer was also encouraged to show off their driving agility by entering the Zero Turn challenge for a chance to win a Supercar Driving Experience track day and the prestigious ‘Zero-turn Cup’!

During the day the Ariens Dealer Advisory Council (DAC) led a closed discussion with dealers exploring industry issues and ideas to support the dealer network. The DAC will work with Ariens Company over the coming 12 months to devise action plans to counter these issues.

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CPL’s Best Groundsman Award

September 17, 2018/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

CPL’s Best Groundsman Award: The Hero Caribbean Premier League has created an award for the groundsman that has overseen the greatest improvement in the pitches at tournament venues since the league’s inception in 2013. The award will see the winning head groundsman being flown to New Zealand to work with world renowned pitch expert Mark Perham.

The winner will visit New Zealand for three weeks spending time in both Christchurch and Auckland to see how pitches in other countries are prepared. This is an amazing opportunity for professional development and further cements the Hero CPL’s commitment to improve pitches across the region.

Speaking about the award Mark Perham said: “I have been delighted to work with the groundsmen across the region to help improve the pitches in the Caribbean. This opportunity for the groundsman that has made the biggest improvement to the standard of wickets at their venue is just reward for a lot of hard work, but I would also like to extend my thanks to all the ground staff who have also put in a lot of hard graft over the years.”

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL, said: “As a tournament we are firmly committed to playing our part in the improvement of cricketing infrastructure across the Caribbean and we are very pleased to have been involved in the improvement of pitches. This award is another example of CPL investing in the development of West Indies cricket.”

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New Lords Head Groundsman

September 17, 2018/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

New Lords Head Groundsman: MCC has confirmed that Karl McDermott has been appointed as the new Head Groundsman at Lord’s.

McDermott, who will join MCC from Hampshire County Cricket Club, will replace Mick Hunt, who is retiring from the role after 49 seasons.

After beginning his career as Assistant Groundsman at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin, McDermott took on the Head Groundsman role in 1997, ahead of the venue hosting an ICC World Cup Fixture in 1999.

He spent seventeen years at Clontarf, working on numerous international and domestic fixtures and winning the European ICC Groundsman of the Year award in 2007, before moving to Worcestershire as Assistant Groundsman.

He then took up post at the Ageas Bowl where he was initially appointed Deputy Head Groundsman in 2009, ahead of the ground’s inaugural Test Match in 2011 between England and Sri Lanka.

McDermott became Head Groundsman in 2016 and most recently presided over England’s victory over India, the third Test Match to be held at Hampshire’s headquarters.

John Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket) said: “After a rigorous recruitment process, we are delighted that Karl has accepted the role of Head Groundsman at Lord’s. He is very well respected throughout the game, having spent the past nine years producing top quality pitches at the Ageas Bowl.

“Karl emerged from a competitive field as someone who will be able to maintain the reputation of Lord’s as the ultimate ground at which cricketers of all levels wish to play.

“His first season will be a challenging one, with five World Cup matches including the Final, Ireland’s inaugural Test match at Lord’s as well as the prospect of England facing Australia in an Ashes Series but we have no doubt that he will prove himself up to the task.

“We’re very much looking forward to Karl beginning his role and working alongside Mick Hunt for a short time before Mick begins his well-earned retirement.”