Pellenc is ‘top of the game’ for Peter O’Brien.

Pellenc is ‘top of the game’

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Pellenc is ‘top of the game’ for Peter O’Brien: Peter O’Brien Landscaping & Sons, one of Ireland’s leading landscape and sports ground companies, has invested in a large fleet of Pellenc battery powered equipment.

Peter O’Brien Landscaping & Sons, founded in 1963, is a family run business, which has rapidly grown over recent years. The company, which specialises in design, construction and maintenance, has gained widespread plaudits for its quality of work and recently scooped the prestigious Landscape Contractor of the Year and Sports Turf Contractor of the Year awards for 2019.

Pellenc is ‘top of the game’ for Peter O’Brien.

Pellenc is ‘top of the game’ for Peter O’Brien.

With over 100 members of staff and a huge arsenal of green space management equipment at its disposal, Andy Jones, Maintenance Supervisor for Peter O’Brien’s, believes that the company has a responsibility to manage the impact the tools are having on the environment.

“We are always conscious at looking at our carbon footprint,” he says. “It is massive for us – particularly as we look towards the future. There is no point in us creating beautiful wildflower meadows and putting in pollinator plants when we are using petrol and diesel machinery – it just seems to defeat the purpose.”

The company soon embarked on an extensive search to identify a new fleet of battery powered equipment, and as Andy explains, no stone was left unturned in their quest.

“Electric machinery is a huge trend nowadays and we felt it was imperative to purchase the very best we could find on the marketplace. We conducted a huge amount of research over a three-month period. We carefully read product specifications, spoke to end users and attended SALTEX in order to pinpoint the leading manufacturers.

“We soon concluded that the Pellenc products are quite simply at the very top of the game.”

Pellenc products have recently become more accessible in the Republic of Ireland after Camsaw Ltd, a County Laois based business, was announced as the country’s exclusive distributor for Pellenc. Camsaw work with a widespread network of dealers to extend the reach of Pellenc, and it was one of these dealers – Leinster Turf Equipment, that Andy first contacted.

“We spoke to Leinster Turf Equipment about the Pellenc products and they conducted a demonstration at one of our sites in Dublin.  It turned out to be our first purchase with Leinster and it must be said that it is a great company to work with. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and, in my opinion, it gives you faith in the products and service even more when you are dealing with a professional company.”

After being hugely impressed with the demonstration, the decision was made to purchase a large fleet of Pellenc battery powered equipment which included a range of Rasion Basic pushmowers, Excelion 2000 brushcutters, Helion 2 Compact hedge trimmers, Helion Telescopic hedge trimmers, Airion 2 hand blowers and Selion polesaws – all powered by 1500 ultra-lithium batteries.

“We spread the Pellenc products between residential sites and the city centre in Dublin and then we have another fleet on two big commercial sites,” Andy continues.

“Ultimately, the feedback from everyone within the company is that we should have done this sooner. From the weight of the product, the finish of the product, the lack of noise pollution and the most important thing, and this is where Pellenc blew everyone else out of the water, is the battery times. We can easily get a full day’s work out of these products and we don’t have to worry about the hassle of charging them while on a job.

“The Pellenc products have also increased productivity – particularly in the city centre and the residential areas. Before we had these products, it used to be a case of the staff members sitting in the yard until 8am before they could get into these highly populated areas. However, now we can get to the sites at 7am and we are not waking people up or disturbing anyone. This has been a huge benefit.

“The quality of the work is outstanding, and it reflects what we, as a company are about, in offering a service of the highest standard.

“This has been our first taster of green technology, and it has been so good that we are rolling this out even further next year. The conversation has been had with the directors and very soon all of the vans will be kitted out with Pellenc equipment.”

Pellenc products are exclusively distributed in the Republic of Ireland by Camsaw Limited.

For further information, please visit www.pellencuk.com

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Celebrating Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project at the Smithfields substation in Egremont, including Angie Thornton, Electricity North West’s Groundworks Delivery Manager (far left) and Top Green’s Euroflor consultant Howard Wood (third left)

Rigby Taylor adds spark

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Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor Urban Meadow flowers add the spark to Electricity North West’s  Substation revamp.

Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor urban meadow flower seed mixes have played a key role in the success of Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project by revamping substations throughout the region with spectacular displays of colour from flower mixes that also attract a host of pollinators.

Celebrating Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project at the Smithfields substation in Egremont, including Angie Thornton, Electricity North West’s Groundworks Delivery Manager (far left) and Top Green’s Euroflor consultant Howard Wood (third left)

Celebrating Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project at the Smithfields substation in Egremont, including Angie Thornton, Electricity North West’s Groundworks Delivery Manager (far left) and Top Green’s Euroflor consultant Howard Wood (third left)

The colourful displays produced by the Euroflor seed mixes (from Top Green, the largest seed producer in Europe) also drew laudatory comments from the local communities as well as council officials and MPs.

For example, commenting on one site, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “Electricity North West has planted what was previously grassland, requiring regular and costly maintenance, into a beautiful and environmentally beneficial wildflower oasis…This is an economic, environmental and social win, win, win project which should be replicated all over the UK.”

Angie Thornton, Electricity North West’s Groundworks Delivery Manager, who is heading up the scheme, said: “We are all absolutely delighted with the results; the sites truly have been transformed from what used to be eyesores into beautifully vibrant areas for the local communities to take pride in and spaces for revitalising insects and wildlife.

“Substations aren’t always aesthetically pleasing but they are a key part of the electricity network. The project has been extremely well received by the communities and residents are keen to get involved and replant flowers in the future.”

Eight substations were initially targeted last year and working closely with Rigby Taylor, an established supplier of amenity supplies to the electricity board (supplying the Icade, Chikara and Gallup Biograde herbicides, for example), various Euroflor urban meadow flower mixes were selected.

These included Rainbow Perennials and Flora Britannica from Euroflor’s Project Pollin-8 range specifically designed to attract pollinators while also delivering high visual impact. The displays lasted through the summer and into October and November.

Howard Wood, Top Green’s Euroflor consultant, presented classroom and on-site workshops to help guide the grounds staff in the preparation and maintenance of the flower beds, which in some cases also utilised the ‘lay down and plant’ FloraFleece biodegradable matting Euroflor option, which eliminates the need for extensive soil preparation. Bird feeders and bug hotels were also installed in some cases.

Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project will return this year with the continued support from Rigby Taylor.

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The Dennis and SISIS 2020 groundcare seminar will take place at Durham County Cricket Club on 18th February.

Dennis & SISIS Groundcare Seminar 2020

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Dennis & SISIS Groundcare Seminar 2020: The Dennis and SISIS 2020 Groundcare Seminar will take place at Durham County Cricket Club’s Emirates Riverside on Tuesday 18th February and is yet again set to educate and inspire.

Sports turf is the theme and a wide range of volunteers and professionals representing schools, sports clubs, local authorities and contractors, can expect to explore a multitude of topics.

The Dennis and SISIS 2020 groundcare seminar will take place at Durham County Cricket Club on 18th February.

The Dennis and SISIS 2020 groundcare seminar will take place at Durham County Cricket Club on 18th February.

An insightful morning will see Marcus North (Durham Director of Cricket & Former Australian Test Batsman) present Cricket Pitches on Different Continents; Dr Iain James (TGMS) will be offering some invaluable advice in the Construction and Maintenance of a Cricket Pitch seminar and the Institute of Groundsmanship’s Ian Powell is set to provide a number of helpful tips in Principles of decision making for pre-season preparations.

Rounding off the morning in style, delegates will have a rare opportunity to listen to and question an incredible line-up of some of the industry’s finest groundsmen. Hosted by Vic Demain (Durham CCC), this new feature entitled Groundsmans Corner, will see a panel of experts including Keith Kent (Head Pitch Advisor to Rugby Groundsmen Connected), Karl McDermott (MCC, Lord’s), Sean Williams (Gloucestershire CCC) and Gordon Gill (Bath Cricket Club).

A complimentary lunch will be provided in which attendees can network with one another and gain even more advice from event sponsors – Limagrain UK, Boughton Loam, Thomas Sherriff, Stuart Canvas, Fleet Line Markers, Cricket World, SIS Pitches, Poweroll, Facility and Sports Club Development and Headland Amenity.

Barry Glynn (volunteer groundsman), will kick-start proceedings after lunch and will no doubt have the audience in stitches as he reveals some home truths in his seminar entitled Frustrations of a Groundsman: Part 2.

The legendary Keith Kent will be taking to the stage in the penultimate session and will be drawing on his wealth of experience as a groundsman in Winter Sports Pitches to Cricket Outfields – what do we need to do?

To conclude the day, delegates will get the opportunity to discuss their own projects with the day’s speakers.

To register your interest please contact Roger Moore at Dennis & SISIS on 01332 824777 or email Roger Moore on roger.moore@dennisuk.com.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

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New Appointments at Doosan Bobcat

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New Product Management Appointments at Doosan Bobcat: Doosan Bobcat EMEA has announced two new product management appointments for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

Jaroslav (Jarry) Fišer has been appointed Product Line Director for the Bobcat compact loader range in EMEA and Robert Husar is now Product Line Manager for Bobcat Mini-Excavators.

Name and position: Jaroslav Fišer, Product Line Director Loaders, Doosan Bobcat EMEA

Name and position: Jaroslav Fišer, Product Line Director Loaders, Doosan Bobcat EMEA

Based in the Dobříš headquarters in the Czech Republic, Jarry Fišer is now responsible for leading the Skid-Steer and Compact Track Loader, Backhoe Loader and future loader product lines in the EMEA region. In this new role, Jarry will develop and implement the long-term strategies for the product lines, facilitate the development of business opportunities and collaborate globally with the various regional resources within Doosan Bobcat to continue the development of world-class products.

Jarry joined the company as a Design Engineer 22 years ago in 1998. He has worked in various product engineering and concept development positions, originally involved with the Backhoe Loader line and since 2005 with Bobcat’s Mini-Excavator products. In 2013, he made a change in his career and accepted a new Product Management Director role. For the last seven years, he was responsible for Mini-Excavator business development and product strategy in EMEA.

In 2008, Jarry was responsible for the launch of the best-selling 1-tonne mini-excavator in its category – the Bobcat E10 – and since then the company has sold over 10,000 of these machines. Another milestone was the launch of the revolutionary R-series excavator line-up in 2018, designed to maximize operator comfort and productivity. One of Jarry’s last projects as the Product Line Director for Mini-Excavators was the development of the E10e – the world’s first battery-powered Mini-Excavator in the 1-tonne class which came off the production line at the end of last year.

Now reporting to Jarry are Gul Nalcaci, Gabriella Arena, Jiří Karmazín and John Chattaway, all of whom who are Product Managers for Loader products.

Also located in Dobříš, Robert Husar has been promoted to the position of Product Line Manager for Bobcat Mini-Excavators in the EMEA region. In this role, he will use his vast portfolio of skills to further enhance the product strategy and business development, work globally on the long-term product plan, developing the current portfolio of 17 Mini-Excavators and drive activities to achieve Doosan Bobcat’s market share targets.

Robert joined the company in 2005 as a Sourcing Specialist and spent the next ten years in various sourcing functions, including a three-year assignment in Doosan Bobcat’s facility in Bismarck in North Dakota in the USA.

After his return to Dobříš, he joined the Mini-Excavator Product Management team as a Product Manager, further enhancing the already diverse background of the group. Robert, alongside other milestones in the Bobcat Mini-Excavator product line, is responsible for the development of the award-winning A-SAC system (Advanced Selectable Auxiliary Control). Reporting to Robert is Miroslav Koňas, Product Manager for Bobcat Mini-Excavators. There is also a vacant product manager position left in the team after Robert Husar’s promotion.

Name and position: Robert Husar, Product Line Manager Mini-Excavators, Doosan Bobcat EMEA

Name and position: Robert Husar, Product Line Manager Mini-Excavators, Doosan Bobcat EMEA

 

 

For more information on Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

 

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Grist environmental turns to JCB

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Grist environmental turns to JCB for a new wheeled excavator: Grist Environmental has taken delivery of a JCB JS200W wheeled excavator, from local dealer Holt JCB, to work on its waste transfer site in Devizes, Wiltshire.

The JCB vehicle is a straight replacement for an existing excavator, which was part of Grist’s 25-strong fleet supplied over the years by another manufacturer.  Service and back up to eliminate downtime means a lot to James Grist, Director of Grist Environmental and was the prime reason for turning to Holt JCB.

JCB Wheeled Excavator at Grist Environmental site

JCB Wheeled Excavator at Grist Environmental waste transfer site in Devizes, Wiltshire.

He said: “The service from Holt JCB is just spot on and it has been a real pleasure to do business with them. We looked to JCB and also had quotes from competitors but the decision was not down to price but the warranty and service back up. Those offered by other suppliers saw benefits start to drop off after the first year. JCB however offered a full warranty for the full length of time.”

Established in 1972 by James’s father Nigel, family-run Grist Environmental is a waste recycling business that is expanding year-on-year. Its 200-strong team provides a broad range of services in the waste management and automotive sectors across several sites in and around Devizes. Through its investment in new technologies and expert industry knowledge, Grist operates a ‘Zero to Landfill’ policy on the 2000-2500 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste it collects each week for sorting on its picking line.

The JCB JS200W is being put to work loading wood into slow and high-speed shredders, and is also being used to load articulated trucks and walking floor trailers coming on to the site. Weighing in at around 22 tonnes, this excavator has a closed box-section revolving frame, which increases strength and reduces stress. It also makes this excavator highly resistant to impact damage.

Simultaneous moving and excavating is smooth and fast with an intuitive multifunction operation, and four operating work modes allow a JS200W wheeled excavator operator to tailor performance to any application.  Auto, Economy, Precision and Lifting modes provide different optimised settings.  A 70/30 front screen split for a clear view forwards, plus a large laminated glass roof window provide this wheeled excavator with exceptional all-round visibility.

JCB Wheeled Excavator at Grist Environmental waste transfer site in Devizes, Wiltshire.

JCB Wheeled Excavator at Grist Environmental waste transfer site in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Features of the JCB JS200W highlighted by James Grist include the convenience provided by the JCB LiveLink telematics system that provides remote monitoring capabilities; a comfortable and quiet high-rise cab that gives good visibility; smooth performance; and reverse fans that are ideal for operating in dirty and dusty environment. But above all, the back up was key for James Grist.

He said: “Nobody else could match JCB’s warranty. Not only are Holt JCB friendly but if you call them to do something, they get it done.”

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