Reesink’s Richard Harris retires

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Reesink’s Richard Harris retires: Richard Harris, managing director of Reesink Turfcare IRE, has announced his retirement from the company. Richard was instrumental in the development of the Lely, Reesink and Toro brands in Ireland and leaves a career which spans 31 years in the turfcare industry.

Richard started his career in 1974 working with a leading supplier to the petrochemical industry, followed by a move to a major distributor within the electrical industry. He started working with the then Toro distributor for Ireland, J C Distribution, in 1989.

Reesink's Richard Harris retires

Reesink’s Richard Harris retires

In 1994 Richard took on the management and development of Lely Ireland (as a sister company of Lely UK) into a combined agriculture and turfcare machinery business. He has played a leading role in helping develop the Toro brand and reputation for quality products that today sees it as a market leader in golf. A past president of the Farm Tractor Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) in 2014, when the agriculture and turfcare divisions separated within Lely, Richard moved with the turfcare side of the business which then joined the Royal Reesink Group in 2016.

The last few years have seen Richard spearhead considerable investment by the Royal Reesink group in both Toro and other brands (such as Trilo and TYM) in Ireland through their base in Nurney, Co Kildare. Focusing on establishing a stand-alone business, the industry-respected Reesink Turfcare sales team has been together for many years moving along with the company changes. This allowed Richard to focus on building up the customer service, parts and technical support areas to enhance Reesink’s support for Toro and Trilo fine turf and grounds customers in Ireland. Richard hands the business over in a strong state to maintain and build customer satisfaction levels on a par with all Toro European distributor operations.

Roon Hylkema, managing director of Reesink Turfcare BV and a colleague of Richard’s since 1991, says: “Richard and I have worked together for a great many years. We were originally from different companies, I was with Jean Heybroek BV and he was with Lely UK, but we had the Toro brand in common. Then in the last four years when Reesink acquired Lely, as Reesink had acquired Jean Heybroek in 2010, much more closely as we worked together to raise the Reesink profile in Ireland. He’s the type of colleague, employee and friend you’d want in your professional life, honest, straight-forward, loyal and reliable, and he’ll be greatly missed for the contribution he has made to the development of the business in that time and throughout his career.”

Richard says: “During my career I have had the privilege of working with so many great teams of people both within our own companies in Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands and Denmark, as well as within The Toro Company and more recently Vanmac/Trilo. I have shared some great experiences and relationships with many colleagues and contacts within these companies and the turfcare and agricultural machinery industry at large over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working within this industry.

“While looking forward to now having time to focus on other interests, I will certainly miss it all and will keep an eye with interest on the future development of the business and the turfcare industry. While COVID-19 has affected the whole industry and will bring many challenges and changes to the way we do business in the future, I have no doubt that Reesink, Toro and the turfcare industry will bounce back over the next couple of years and grasp the opportunities that will present themselves.”

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A spotlight on Chris Turpie

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A spotlight on Chris Turpie: Chris Turpie, amenity specialist for Agrovista Amenity, provides an insight into his career to date, his varied client base, and his pride at building up an impressive customer portfolio.

Chris has been working for Agrovista since 2010 and credits the challenge of working on a completely new project as the only motivation needed to accept the job. At that time, the nation was suffering from a recession hangover and Agrovista did not have a local authority and industrial division. Never one to shy away, Chris got straight to work.

A spotlight on Chris Turpie

A spotlight on Chris Turpie

“It was a huge challenge and arguably the biggest highlight of my career,” said Chris. “I didn’t have a ledger when I joined but I’ve built one over the last ten years and that was no mean feat especially during a recession. This was at a time when local authorities weren’t spending money, so yes, it’s an achievement and I’m proud to have played a part in building up this side of the business.”

Chris originates from Scotland but moved south when he accepted an assistant greenkeeper position at the prestigious London Golf Club in Kent. Four years later, and following a two year spell at Boughton Loam, he embarked on a new role in construction working for Championship Sports Surfacing. In his two years at the company he worked on some fantastic projects.

“I constructed four grass tennis courts at the Bank of England during that period and was also involved in the construction of Pennyhill Park – the England rugby team’s training ground. We built a version of the Twickenham pitch at Pennyhill and the team trained on it for six weeks twice a day in the lead-up to their 2003 World Cup glory. It was a great project to be a part of and we completed it within six weeks.”

Chris then spent six years as an area sales manager for Fleet Line Markers before he joined Agrovista Amenity. A decade later and he hasn’t looked back.

“It’s no secret that this is the longest I’ve ever been with a company and every picture tells a story,” he said. “I have absolutely no desire to leave – Agrovista is an exceptionally good business and they really support their staff. They invest in their people and there are plenty of opportunities for progression.”

Chris continues to work closely with his portfolio of customers which he has worked hard to establish over the last ten years. In fact, not many people know that Chris is closely involved in helping to keep some of London’s most iconic open spaces maintained and well groomed.

“I look after some of London’s Royal Parks including Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. I work closely with the contractors and take soil samples, provide advice, recommend products, and write reports. It’s a pleasure working on these sites.

“The diversity of my portfolio is incredible, and the variety is probably the best part of my job,” he continued. “There are no two days that are ever the same, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

From Royal Parks managers to airfield operations managers, from contracts managers to greenkeepers, Chris’ working days are indeed varied. He admits to relishing the opportunity of learning everything he can about his customers and the sectors they represent. However, he has also found that each of them has their own challenges to overcome.

“Everyone has their own obstacles but in particular, contracts managers trying to run a council contract have not got an easy task,” he said. “They are always under huge demands to save as much money as they can and quite often it can seem impossible. There’s also quite a high turnover in council contracts which presents challenges for me.”

Born in Scotland, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and following his two football clubs – Liverpool FC and Heart of Midlothian F.C.

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Huxley puts trust in employee ownership

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Huxley puts trust in employee ownership: Huxley Golf is entering a new era in its already impressive history.

The well-known specialist supplier and installer of all-weather surfaces for golf, is now owned by an Employee Ownership Trust, following the Huxley family’s decision to provide for the long-term future of the business. The Huxley family has provided funding for the Employee Ownership Trust to purchase 100% of the shares of Huxley (UK) Ltd, which it holds on behalf of employees. The employees continue to run the company and will benefit from sharing the company’s profits.

Huxley puts trust in employee ownership

Huxley puts trust in employee ownership

Paul Chester and Jo Lyon will continue to manage the Huxley Golf business, both becoming Directors. Hugh Fraser, who manages Scotland and the North East of England, has become a Director of the Trust company to represent Huxley staff. Paul Huxley will be staying on for the time being as a Director of Huxley (UK) Ltd and a Director of the Trust company.

Paul Huxley commented: “My father founded the Huxley company nearly seventy-five years ago in 1946 and it has been a very successful family-owned business ever since, largely because we’ve always been blessed with amazing staff. The creation of our Employee Ownership Trust will ensure that, for many years ahead, the Huxley Golf business will retain its independence, culture and values built up over decades, as well as providing long term stability for staff, distributors, suppliers and customers.

“This new and exciting chapter in Huxley Golf’s growth could not have happened without the company being financially strong, with an excellent track record, enviable reputation and first-class team. I am grateful to our three new Directors and to all staff for their support for this important step in the Huxley Golf journey.”

Several hundred British businesses are employee-owned in this way, the best known being The John Lewis Partnership. It’s an innovative and successful formula, which the UK Government is encouraging to boost and incentivise employee ownership.

For over half a century, the name Huxley has been synonymous with premium all-weather golf surfaces and products. Endorsed by the UK’s leading golf organisations as well as many legendary golfers and celebrities and their coaching teams, the Hampshire-based company’s artificial golf surfaces are in use all around the world at top-flight courses, resorts, and training academies. For more information visit www.huxleygolf.com.

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Rain Bird Europe appoints Lukas Böttcher

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Rain Bird Europe appoints Lukas Böttcher: Lukas Böttcher has been appointed by Rain Bird Europe as Golf Sales Specialist for Germany and Switzerland.

Having spent all his career in greenkeeping and golf course management working at golf courses throughout Europe, Lukas joins the company to strengthen the team in Germany. In his previous role as Head Greenkeeper, he managed strict water restrictions and focused on water conservation during multiple drought-affected seasons.

Rain Bird Europe appoints Lukas Böttcher

Rain Bird Europe appoints Lukas Böttcher

Lukas comments on his appointment: “Working in golf course construction and turf management has given me a significant amount of hands-on experience building, maintaining and running irrigation systems. Having dealt with water restrictions, constant heat stress during the summer and tight irrigation windows, I understand the pressure a lot of golf courses are under to use every drop of water in the most efficient way. As Golf Sales Specialist I will be helping clubs with Rain Bird systems to optimise their efficiency. I am also looking forward to supporting those looking to upgrade or renovate their irrigation system with Rain Bird technology.”

Didier Genty, Europe Golf Sales Manager for Rain Bird added: “I am delighted to welcome Lukas to Rain Bird. He brings valuable, practical experience in the golf sector and considerable expertise in irrigation and water management.”

Lukas can be contacted via email at lbottcher@rainbird.eu.

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Ariens appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing

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Ariens appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing: AriensCo has announced the appointment of Brad Stiles as Director of Sales and Marketing EMEAA, reporting to Vice President Darren Spencer, who adds “The appointment reflects the strategic importance of growing the EMEAA business.

Brad’s priority will be on building upon the existing footprint and successes.” Massimo Caner, European Sales Manager, Matt Wilson, UK Sales Manager and Jef O’Riley, Marketing Manager EMEAA, will report to Brad.

Ariens appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing

Ariens appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing

Brad grew up in the industry, with a father at AriensCo for 25 years. Brad himself has been with the business for 9 years and started in 2011 with Stens, which was owned by AriensCo at the time. He specialised in parts programmes and strategies with dealers to grow their overall parts business.

In 2014 Brad was promoted to a District Manager representing a territory in Indiana, where he specialised in creating plans to grow dealer business, regional marketing programs, commercial product sales, and new dealer acquisition and growth. He was subsequently promoted in August 2020.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Brad to our team.” Says Darren Spencer. “We very much look forward to working together on this new stage in the development of the company. Brad brings a wealth of experience with a fresh view of our marketing future and he will be out to meet customers as soon as possible.”

Brad is exceptionally pleased to have this opportunity. His wife, Hannah, is from the UK and they have a 3-year-old daughter, Madeline, both of whom are already in the UK awaiting his arrival.

AriensCo UK manufactures the Ariens ZENITH, APEX and IKON X range of zero-turns, as well as Countax and Westwood garden tractors from its EMEAA headquarters in Oxfordshire, UK. The business also distributes ECHO outdoor power tools through a network of UK dealers.

For more information call Ariens on 01844 278800 or visit www.ariens-uk.com

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