Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

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Birkdale introduced two new timber screws: The UK’s leading fencing and gate accessories manufacturer, Birkdale, has introduced two new screws to its SITEMATE® range – the Flat Head Timber Screw and the Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw.

With power and efficiency in mind, both feature unique characteristics to guarantee easy installation and long-lasting results.

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

The SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw features a torx flat head for improved clamping, a part knurled shank to prevent timber to timber jacking and a Type 17 point to reduce splitting and drive torque. The screw is finished with an olive grey coating, providing a neutral, clean finish suited to any outdoor aesthetic. Available in a range of lengths, the screws come in boxes of 25 or 50 and include a free torx bit for added convenience.

The SITEMATE® Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw is an ideal alternative to traditional coach screws for timber to timber applications, and fixing hook on plates to gate posts. The screws also have a Type 17 point for ease of insertion, to reduce torque and to help prevent timber splitting, along with a wax lubricant to increase drive and reduce drag. A variety of sizes are available – bags of 10 and boxes of 25 and 50 – with a hex socket driver included in each pack for easy installation.

Both the SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw and Flanged Hex Head Screw are tested with a neutral salt spray (NSS) test for 1,000 hours to ensure that they remain corrosion free over time.

For more information about the SITEMATE® screws and other products in the range, visit: https://products.birkdalesales.com/core/core__sitemate-fix/.

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Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

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Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities: This National Apprenticeship Week, Leeds Rhinos Head Groundsperson Ryan Golding is urging employers, including sports clubs and organisations, to invest in apprenticeships and help secure the future of the grounds management industry.

Data from the Grounds Management Association (GMA) shows the industry will face an employment crisis if more isn’t done to attract and train the next generation of grounds care professionals.

Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

Head groundsperson calls for more apprenticeship opportunities

National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 10th – 16th February, is an annual event that raises awareness about apprenticeships and the long-term recruitment solutions they can offer employers.

Ryan began his career at Leeds Rhinos as an apprentice, initially working under former Head Groundsperson Jason Booth, who had also started as an apprentice at the club.

Data from the GMA shows around 40% of the current grounds management workforce are over 50 and up to 15% of those employed in the industry are planning to retire in the next 3 years.

The GMA is the not-for-profit organisation that supports volunteer and professional groundspeople, including those looking to get started in the industry. The GMA’s NextGen programme aims to inspire more young people to get involved in grounds management. As a former member of the GMA’s NextGen, Ryan was recently awarded a Pioneer Mark by the GMA, recognising his work to help young professionals build their careers in grounds management.

Ryan says: “I’m delighted to have received a Pioneer Mark from the GMA, bringing through the next generation is a huge passion of mine – and apprenticeships are central to this.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without an apprenticeship. Grounds management is a brilliant career, and we need more young people coming through to fill the gaps that are opening up. Apprenticeships can help clubs and organisations find and develop ambitious young professionals.”

“If you don’t have an apprenticeship scheme in place, there’s support available, including from the government. You can also check out the GMA website for more information on training and career pathways.”

For more information about hiring an apprentice, go to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

To learn more about career and training in grounds management, go to: www.thegma.org.uk

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ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

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ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency: As part of a modernisation of their machinery fleet, ALS Contracts have invested in three Redexim machines which are delivering newfound efficiency and user friendliness to the task of aeration and secondary drainage.

Delivered by Charlies Ag & Turf Ltd over the course of 2024, two Redexim Verti-Core’s and a new Vibra-Sandmaster are set to boost productivity and profitability for the sports turf contractors according to Operations Manager Anthony Shingler.

ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

ALS Contracts enjoy enhanced efficiency

Established over 35 years ago, ALS Contracts offer the full range of maintenance services for all types of sports turf. While the work schedule may rotate between fine turf renovations in the spring and autumn, and work on winter sports pitches in the summer months, one of the consistent requirements is the demand for effective, regular aeration. “Hollow coring has long been ‘core’ to our offering” explains Anthony, who has been with the company for the last twenty-five years. “With demand high, we recognised the time was right to look for something that would increase efficiency, boost productivity and reduce costly downtime.”

The solution was two Verti-Core III 2100’s from Redexim. “We took delivery of these six months ago and the whole team have been incredibly impressed. At 2.1m, they’re slightly wider than our previous machines and work quicker, yet the action is smooth and gentle resulting in less wear on the tines. Since they arrived, we’ve used them for all of our autumn work on golf fairways and haven’t had to put a spanner on them – they’ve not missed a beat.”

The Redexim Verti-Core III offers a high work rate to bring quick compaction relief and thatch management to golf and sports turf, with minimal surface disruption. With a range of tine options, the robust build quality is matched by equally well-designed operator controls for ease of depth adjustment.

“The team are no strangers to the Vibra-Sandmaster, having used the predecessor model on jobs around the country for the last 16 years” Anthony explains. “We were, however, really pleased to discover that while the principle of the machine remained, it has all been thoroughly modernised not only enhancing output but making it more user friendly for the operator.”

He continues, “Having the right machinery with excellent back-up support has been critical to ALS’s success over the years, and in Charlies Ag & Turf Ltd we have a dealer who will always go out of their way to keep kit rolling in whatever way possible. By making the right investment in equipment, we can reduce the amount of downtime we experience which is not only better for the team on the job and our customers but ultimately improves how profitable we can be.”

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In the Medals!

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In the Medals: Turf Matters was delighted to learn that a panel of international judges had placed us third best Turf Magazine on the web.

The listing comes from FeedSpot, an Indian-based agency which discovers, categorises and ranks blogs, podcasts and influencers in several niche categories and which has been producing listings since 2012.

In the Medals!

In the Medals!

This latest recognition comes on the back of a series of writing and design awards that the magazine has won over the last five years.

  1. Stadia Magazine
  2. Turf & Rec Magazine
  3. Turf Matters
  4. Turf Magazine
  5. Lawn & Landscape
  6. The Landscaper
  7. Landscape Management
  8. Total Landscape Care

For more information visit www.feedspot.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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