Bionema Receives the King’s Award

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Bionema Receives the King’s Award: Bionema Group Ltd., a pioneering UK biocontrol technology company, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation 2024, recognising its world-leading innovations in sustainable crop protection and soil regeneration.

The prestigious award was formally presented by Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP, His Majesty The King’s Lord-Lieutenant for West Glamorgan, acting as the personal representative of His Majesty King Charles III, during a grand ceremony held on 15 May 2025 at The Guildhall, Swansea.

Bionema Receives the King’s Aaward

Bionema Receives the King’s Aaward

“This once-in-a-lifetime honour highlights the global impact of Bionema’s nature-based innovations,” said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. “We are proud to lead a movement away from harmful chemicals and toward a more regenerative, sustainable future in farming.

Why Bionema Was Selected

  • Innovative Technology: Patented NemaTrident®, a tri-component nematode-based bioinsecticide system with a biocompatible wetting agent—acquired by Syngenta in 2021.
  • Environmental Impact: Zero residue, safe for non-target species, and free from pesticide resistance, supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
  • Commercial Growth: 1,882% export growth, 105% increase in total sales, and 62% of turnover driven by innovation.
  • Customer Success Model: Integrated technical training and support to ensure optimal field performance.
  • ESG Leadership: Proven alignment with sustainability goals and environmental stewardship.

Royal Recognition at Windsor Castle

In July 2024, Dr. Ansari was invited to Windsor Castle, where he met His Majesty The King and shared insights into Bionema’s microbial innovations. This rare honour underscored the national significance of Bionema’s leadership in advancing nature-based crop protection.

Award Celebration – The Guildhall, Swansea | 15 May 2025

The formal award ceremony gathered over 70 distinguished guests, including:

Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP – HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.

Mrs. Diana Stroia, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, and Mr. Dave Matthews.

Cllr. Paxton Hood-Williams, Lord Mayor of Swansea, and Lady Mayoress Patricia Hood-Williams.

Cllr. Wayne Carpenter, Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, and Mayoress Carol Carpenter.

Prof. David Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University.

Representatives from Swansea University, Innovate UK, UK Agri-Tech Centres, and regional leaders in science, government, and business

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Chairman of Bionema

Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO

Stephen Ford, Chief Technology Officer

“This is a proud day for UK science and sustainability,” added Stephen Ford, Bionema’s CTO.

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Wildwood Machinery partners with ECHO

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Wildwood Machinery partners with ECHO: Winchester-based Wildwood Machinery continues to expand their product portfolio as they announce a deal to sell ECHO Robotics solutions across southern England.

ECHO Robotics produce professional-grade robot mowers for golf, football and other sports and turf maintenance organisations.

Wildwood Machinery partners with ECHO

Wildwood Machinery partners with ECHO

“We have set out to ensure that Wildwood offers all of the most innovative groundcare equipment,” says managing director James Bastian. “By doing that, we guarantee we can solve almost any challenge that our clients present to us. These include elite sports organisations, Local Authorities, National Trust properties and more.”

“Robotics and autonomous machinery are very much the buzzwords right now in the groundcare industry. Our partnership with ECHO, and previously announced partnerships with the likes of Raymo and Rovimo, ensure that our clients have access to state-of-the-art equipment, and the opportunity to increase efficiency, sustainability and consistency.”

Sam Daybell of ECHO Robotics commented: “Wildwood has rapidly built a reputation for exceptional service, expert product knowledge, and an impressive portfolio of prestigious clients throughout southern England. What makes them a standout partner is how closely they mirror our vision at ECHO Robotics — ensuring that our technology is introduced to the marketplace in the right way. Their consultative approach, technical understanding, and customer-first mindset help ensure the technology is not only embraced but also reaches its full potential. Ultimately, this delivers the best possible experience for the end user.”

ECHO Robotics’ range includes golf-ball collecting robots and robot turf mowers that can strip-mow with accuracy within centimetres.

Advanced automation, emissions-free operation.

The automated range features quiet operation, advanced automation, remote command and performance monitoring, emissions-free operation, and 85% reduction in energy costs compared to traditional mowers.

ECHO’s tablet and smartphone applications give remote commands, GPS location and geo-referencing notifications, plus real-time status and performance monitoring, which means you can control your fleet from anywhere in the world.

A more sustainable way to manage turf and landscapes.

As staffing shortages continue to impact businesses across the UK, maintaining high-quality green spaces has become an increasing challenge. ECHO Robotics is stepping in to bridge this gap with industry-leading autonomous commercial mowers — offering a smarter, more sustainable way to manage turf and landscapes without placing further strain on limited workforce resources.

From golf courses and sports clubs to business parks and educational campuses, many organisations are finding it harder than ever to dedicate the manpower needed for regular grounds maintenance. With teams already stretched, making meaningful improvements to green spaces can feel out of reach. That’s where ECHO Robotics and Wildwood Machinery come in.

“ECHO’s robotic mowers provide a practical and immediate solution to a widespread problem,” said James Bastian. “They not only maintain turf to an exceptionally high standard but also free up valuable staff time to focus on other critical tasks. The result is better overall site presentation, increased efficiency, and a future-proof approach to groundcare.”

Sam Daybell added, “ECHO Robotics’ growing network of UK partners, including trusted providers such as Wildwood Machinery, ensures that this technology is delivered and supported the right way — empowering clients to fully embrace automation and unlock the full potential of their outdoor spaces.”

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Stihl reveals impressive range

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Stihl reveals impressive range: Stihl invited the industry press to their new Camberley-based headquarters to demonstrate some of their new battery powered equipment and showcase their Master Technician Course.

The equipment on show included chainsaws; hedge trimmers; a single sided hedge trimmer and both conventional battery power mower and robot mowers.

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl reveals impressive range

With a high power output of 2.0 kW, equivalent to the petrol FS 411 C-EM, the new STIHL FSA 400 is the most powerful battery powered clearing saw available in the market.

Thanks to its impressive performance, the FSA 400 is the first STIHL AP System tool to be compatible with shredder and circular saw blades, allowing professionals to clear tough areas of dense and woody growth.

Like all AP System tools, the FSA 400 has been built to withstand tough working conditions. The sturdy battery housing with stainless steel air filter ensures optimum battery and motor protection, while the 28mm aluminium drive shaft and gearbox are identical to those found on the professional petrol range.

Designed for professional landscapers, the HSA 140 R and HSA 140 T are the most powerful battery powered hedge trimmers in the STIHL AP System.

The HSA 140 also offers high levels of operator comfort. The new hedge trimmer weighs just 4.3-4.6 kg (without battery) and is comfortable to hold, balanced in operation, and features a rotating rear handle that locks into three positions across a 180-degree range.

The HSA 140 is quiet in operation, and thanks to the highly effective anti vibration system, is suitable for long periods of use too.

Designed for professional landscapers, the HSA 150 R and HSA 150 T are the first single-sided hedge trimmers in the Stihl AP System, comparable in performance to the popular petrol HS 87.

Available in lengths of 75cm or 100cm, the HSA 150 comes equipped with a catcher plate as standard, increasing the speed at which the top of hedges can be cut.

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl has expanded its range of robotic lawn mowers with the introduction of the professional iMOW 7 PRO. Thanks to the new Teams Function, up to three iMOW 7 PRO machines can work in one mowing area to rapidly maintain lawns and sports pitches up to 8,000m2 in size, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.

The iMOW 7 PRO offers professionals and businesses a cost effective and reliable way of ensuring a high-quality finish to their grounds, while allowing operatives more time to focus on other value adding tasks.

The Teams Function, combined with the fast drive speed and short mowing times, ensures that the iMOW 7 PRO cuts the grass quickly with minimal disruption. The mowing timetable can be customised easily in the My iMOW App, allowing mowing periods to work seamlessly alongside the activities taking place on the sports pitch.

Stihl is also launching three new powerful and rugged professional battery-powered lawnmowers, perfectly suited to demanding lawn care in noise-sensitive areas. An extension to the AP System, the new lawnmowers are equivalent in performance to the well-respected 7 series petrol models.

With a 48cm cutting width, the RMA 750 V is the smallest of the three new models. The RMA 756 V has a larger 54cm cutting width for faster working, while the RMA 7 RV is a dedicated mulching mower with no collection bag and a cutting width of 51cm.

Stihl’s Master Technician Course, has been designed to provide expert level servicing and diagnostics across the full Stihl product range.

Following extensive development and a successful pilot earlier this year, the Master Technician Course is now available to Approved dealers who have completed the full training pathway, comprising Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced Servicing courses.

The final stage of the programme includes an online entry exam and pre-requisite modules, followed by an intensive three-day face-to face training experience at Stihl’s headquarters, Contra House.

The hands-on course offers participants an in-depth technical deep dive, featuring:

• Eight specialist assessments
• Extensive product usage training
• A guided Contra House tour
• A structured recertification process, including an annual online exam. Since launching the Master

Technician learning pathway in 2023, nearly 100 face-to-face training courses have taken place across all four levels, reinforcing the company’s commitment to dealer training and technical excellence.

The first Master Technician Course officially launched online in February, with nine further face-to-face sessions planned throughout 2025.

Combined with a tour of the HQ which was officially opened last spring, the day was extremely informative and, as usual, Stihl were perfect hosts.