Wildwood Machinery continues run of success

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Wildwood Machinery continues run of success: Following a year of consistent expansion in 2024, Winchester-based groundcare business Wildwood Machinery has maintained its run of success at the start of 2025.

“Firstly, we have extended our product range with the addition of an important dealership contract with Wessex International,” says managing director James Bastian. “Secondly, we have secured a significant contract with a local authority client that we will be announcing shortly.”

Wildwood Machinery continues run of success

Wildwood Machinery continues run of success

“The recent appointment of Sales Manager Rob Hogarth, who brings 40 years of experience in the groundcare sector, is an indication of our intention to continue growing Wildwood Machinery this year,” says James Bastian. “He has brought a wealth of contacts and expertise to the business, and we are already seeing the benefits of that.”

Wildwood – which launched in 2022 – has scaled up rapidly, winning clients across professional and community sports clubs, Local Authorities, schools, National Trust properties.

“A vital component in our success has been our ability to source, supply and maintain the very best equipment available to the UK market. We are already the sole dealer across much of southern England for INFINICUT. Now, as the main local dealer for Wessex International – who manufacture a durable, versatile and reliable range of mowers – we are in a position to meet an even wider range of clients and projects,” comments James Bastian.

Sheldon Diplock of Wessex International, says: “Our mowers deliver superior presentation and professional striping, in dry or wet conditions. This is made possible by our ‘tip speed’ that is approximately 20 per cent faster than other rotary mowers on the market. Investing in Wessex Roller mowers brings a host of other benefits such as savings on mowing time and maintenance costs, whilst getting more value out of the tractors already on your fleet. The Wessex CRX320, a key player in the Golf and Sports Turf market, comes in at around the third of the price of traditional rough mower units.”

James Bastian adds, “At Wildwood Machinery our focus is on providing the absolute highest quality services to the groundcare profession, from our base in Winchester. It’s proving to be a potent combination, and appeals to clients from schools through to clients including Premiership football clubs, Local Authorities, the National Trust and many of southern England’s leading golf clubs.”

Wildwood – which has its main headquarters at East Horton Golf Club in Fair Oak – made regular hires throughout 2024 across engineering, maintenance, customer service and sales, and has bucked the trend across the economy as a whole with rapid growth.

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Bernhard Academy expands course offering

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Bernhard Academy expands course offering: The Bernhard Academy is expanding its Technical and Equipment Management training pathway with the introduction of two new courses, designed to enhance turf care professionals’ technical skills and equipment expertise.

The Basic Machinery Maintenance course is a one-day practical session ideal for those involved in the operation, supervision, or maintenance of turf care machinery. Attendees will develop fundamental skills in daily checks, adjustments, fault-finding, and basic repairs – ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The course will take place at the Bernhard Academy hub at Moortown Golf Club on 4 and 5 March.

Bernhard Academy expands course offering

Bernhard Academy expands course offering

For those seeking a deeper technical foundation, the Fundamentals of Turf Care Mechanics – Level 1 course six days of hands-on training. This comprehensive programme is designed for individuals looking to build or refresh their skills in essential service and fault-finding tasks. Delivered over two three-day sessions, the course runs at Moortown Golf Club from 11-13 and 18-20 March.

Both courses will be led by Barry Drennan, new Programme Leader for Technical and Equipment Management at the Bernhard Academy, alongside the expert team at Moortown Golf Club. With over 35 years of international experience in turf management, Drennan brings a wealth of knowledge, having qualified as a golf course mechanic in 1991 and worked with leading industry brands including Toro and Bernhard and Company. His career spans equipment sales, hire, training, and service, with involvement in major tournaments such as the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.

Drennan commented: “Well-maintained machinery is the backbone of high-quality turf. These courses are designed to give turf professionals the confidence and technical skills to keep equipment performing at its best – ensuring precision, efficiency, and reliability. Whether you’re new to turf care mechanics or looking to refine your expertise, our hands-on training will provide practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the field.”

For more information on the new technical training programmes, and all other courses available through the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Martin Lishman Introduces New Shrouded Boom

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Martin Lishman Introduces New Shrouded Boom: Building on the success of the well-known Micro-Spray, Martin Lishman Ltd has responded to customer feedback with the introduction of a new shrouded boom option, further enhancing the sprayer’s ability to deliver precise, low-drift application on fine turf.

Since its launch in 2015, the Micro-Spray has become a go-to solution for sports turf professionals, valued for its no-impact manoeuvrability, efficiency, and advanced spraying capabilities. Now, with the introduction of the shrouded boom, Martin Lishman is taking that precision to the next level.

Martin Lishman Introduces New Shrouded Boom

Martin Lishman Introduces New Shrouded Boom

In an industry where accuracy is critical, minimising spray drift is a key challenge. The new shrouded boom concentrates spray application to a specific area, eliminating spray drift and allowing operators to spray near sensitive boundaries or in less-than-ideal weather conditions. The enclosed design also helps limit exposure for both the operator and bystanders.

“We had several requests for a shrouded boom option for the Micro-Spray,” explains Joel Capper, Managing Director of Martin Lishman Ltd. “While nozzle technology has come a long way, we recognised the importance of an integrated shrouded boom, rather than just bolting on additional shielding. Our engineering team designed a lightweight, height-adjustable folding boom that seamlessly fits into the Micro-Spray’s frame, staying true to our modular approach. This not only enhances usability but ensures future upgrades remain simple and efficient.”

Designed with amenity spraying in mind, the shrouded boom features a unique folding mechanism, allowing it to collapse neatly for transport and fit through gateways and passageways. The Micro-Spray has built its reputation by delivering professional-grade features in a compact form, including a three-section valve block with agitation, independent shut-off nozzle bodies, stainless steel hardware and a wide range of factory-fitted customisation options.

“At Martin Lishman, product development is driven by listening to our customers,” concludes Joel Capper. “The new shrouded boom is a direct response to their feedback, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on their spraying operations.”

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