GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

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GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens: Contractors Marc Kerr Limited have praised the GKB Sandfiller for the benefits it brings to surfaces and operator alike.

Combining thatch removal and sand injection in one single pass, Owner Marc Kerr delivered fast, firm and free-draining greens to almost 30 golf courses during 2021, with the Sandfiller getting the job done in a time and cost-effective manner for both contractor and the club.

GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

Marc has been using the Sandfiller for the last five years, conducting work at golf courses and bowling clubs nationwide. “Some methods of organic matter management can be really labour intensive and run the risk of taking the surfaces out of play, which is not ideal given the year-round demand from the members” he explains. Prior to the Sandfiller, Marc was using another machine which required multiple people to operate and left excess spoil and sand on the green which then had to be manually collected when the job was complete. “The speed and efficiency of being able to conduct both operations, single-handedly and leaving a clean and tidy finish was the main reason for the switch.”

The GKB Sandfiller scarifies the surface down to depths of up to 40mm, removing organic matter and creating channels which are simultaneously filled with sand or a combination of sand and seed. The unit also features a 400L hopper to collect the removed material, bringing the surface back into play almost instantly.

“We’re lucky to work with clubs of all levels, with some elite venues calling us in annually or bi-annually to pass over the greens with the Sandfiller. The interesting thing is the different schools of thought around the timing of the operation. Some like it done in the spring, to give them recovery from winter wear and damage and set up strong surfaces for the start of the season. Others like it throughout July and August, where we can mix seed in with the sand to optimise germination. The final group will request a visit in the late autumn, where the lateral aeration and slit slits will allow for better drainage and help the course to sustain winter play.”

He continues, “No matter the timing, the Sandfiller brings multiple benefits to a green, including improved percolation rates and better root growth. This machine has made the job much more time and cost effective and gives the greens teams quick recovery which is absolutely critical.”

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Record year for ISEKI UK

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Record year for ISEKI UK: ISEKI UK & Ireland today announced further investments in the business to support the record sales levels achieved in 2021.

Commenting on the continuous year on year achievement David Withers, Managing Director added; “2021 was a strange year with COVID and the Global Supply Chain issues but despite some of the challenges ISEKI UK & Ireland had an amazing year with sales rocketing up and Market share increasing as more and more people see the significant benefits of investing in ISEKI products.”

Record year for ISEKI UK

Record year for ISEKI UK

“To support the on-going growth we have also purchased a second lorry and hired Simon Grove to support higher levels of deliveries and an increased demand for demonstrations across the UK.  As the business continues to expand we need to ensure we are supporting our dealers and customers to the same if not higher standard than what we have before, making sure we offer the best product, pre purchase and aftersales support.”

David added further; “As we look to the future we see opportunities to continue this growth trajectory and are optimistic that in 2022 we can get close to our original target of having doubled ISEKI sales over a 5 year period.”

“People are responding positively to our ‘can-do’ attitude, increased dealer network and the excellence of the ISEKI product range. It is great fun to be part of a team that is winning in the marketplace and growing strongly, these new investments will help us maintain our winning ways!”

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SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

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SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed: The post-show SALTEX 2021 visitor survey has revealed a fascinating insight into the show’s visitor profile.

Widely recognised as the show ‘the industry needed’, the 75th SALTEX event provided the ideal opportunity for the grounds management sector to regroup, reunite and celebrate.

SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

According to the post-show visitor survey, 83% of attendees rated SALTEX 2021 overall as excellent, very good or good, 67% attended specifically to purchase new products or services, and 84% either had full purchasing responsibility or contributed to the process.

Furthermore, a third of visitors held a management position and 34% had the ability to sign-off on amounts of up to £50,000.

When it came to the type of grounds that the visitors were responsible for maintaining, the top three categories were sports turf (31%); arboriculture, horticulture and forestry (29%) and lawn care (26%), with broader visitor profiles covering areas such as landscaping, parks and playgrounds.

Regarding visitor interests, 72% rated the variety of products and services on show as excellent and knew exactly what they were looking for. 70% attended to see machinery, power and hand tools, and nearly half of the visitors were interested in seed, turf and aggregates. More than 33% visited exhibitors representing both landscaping materials and arboriculture, horticulture and forestry. Other areas of interest included sports surfaces and facilities (32%); commercial vehicles, tyres and trailers (29%); education, training and development (20%); synthetic turf (18%); security, health and safety, personal protection (17%) and play equipment (12%).

Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon, was delighted to see a vibrant show floor. “I’ve been really enthused by how busy it has been. During the pandemic everyone was working hard to come out of it with a bang, and you are seeing that at SALTEX. There’s a lot of excitement, lots of new products and people are buzzing. SALTEX is one of those opportunities where you get to have a look at the marketplace and see all the different machinery. There is nothing better than seeing it in person and speaking to the people that have designed it.”

Natalie Regan, who was one of 52 students that attended SALTEX from Wiltshire College & University Centre, said she really benefited from her visit. “It was my first time at SALTEX, and I now feel a lot more knowledgeable about turf management.”

Andy Hill, general manager at Alnwick Golf Club in Northumberland, was also upbeat. “It’s been great to bring the team along to have a look at everything and to network. We’re carrying out a major course development and visiting SALTEX has given us plenty of ideas and has opened lots of doors. I’ve been to many exhibitions over the years, but nothing compares to this.”

An overwhelming 72% of survey respondents confirmed that they will be returning to SALTEX 2022, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 2 and 3 November.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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