Ariens Company Announces Changes

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Ariens Company Announces Changes: Ariens Company has confirmed a number of organizational changes to the international business organization, aimed at putting more focus on the specific needs of the international market in the long-term.

“As we approach a new fiscal year, we have an opportunity to assess our business structure and make adjustments as part of our continuous improvement process,” says Larry Weyers, President, Ariens Power Equipment from their Brillion, Wisconsin HQ. “Ultimately we want to give the team control to develop the right products, for the right market, at the right time.”

Ariens Company Announces Changes

In the United Kingdom, Darren Spencer has been promoted to Vice President – EMEA and Asia. Spencer will have oversight and responsibility for all operations and business within Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia as well as developing business within Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Spencer has been with Ariens Company (through the Countax acquisition) since 1990 and has held various positions within the company.  He started as a Sales Assistant, and his career path has included roles as Operations Director, Director of Aftermarket and Distribution, General Manager for Australia and most recently as European Managing Director.

The company is also reorganizing its international business to have solid line reporting relationships directly to the businesses which they support. Accordingly, this will see the leaders in areas such as the Supply Chain, HR, Operations, Sales and Marketing report directly to Spencer.

Additionally, John Horn has decided to announce his retirement at the end of the calendar year.  During this transition, John will still partner with the Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia team and lead sales efforts. “We congratulate John on his upcoming retirement,” says Weyers, “and thank him for his dedication and years of service with Ariens Company.”

In the Americas, Ron Marcellus has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales – Americas.  In this expanded role, Marcellus will assume responsibility for growing and managing sales for North America, Central America, and South America.

“I am confident that these organizational changes and promotions will continue to position us for global success for the next fiscal year and beyond,” says Weyers.

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ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan

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ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan: ISEKI UK today announced that it has signed a one-year deal to sponsor local professional golfer Sam Forgan.

Sam, who is based at the well-respected Stowmarket Golf Club in Suffolk, is currently competing on the Euro-Pro tour having narrowly missed out on getting his card for the Challenge Tour last year.

ISEKI To Sponsor Sam Forgan

“Hopefully this sponsorship will give me more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year” said Sam, commenting on the recent announcement “Working with ISEKI will also be a great learning experience for me and will give me an understanding of the supply side of the golf industry. I am really looking forward to the experience”

David Withers, Managing Director of ISEKI UK, pictured here with Sam was equally excited about the new relationship. “I had the pleasure of meeting Sam and hearing more about his ambitions for the future and we are delighted to be able to help in this way” said Withers, adding “whilst this is good for Sam it is also good for us, Sam travels all-round the country playing golf and will be promoting our wonderful products everywhere he goes……also hoping he might give me a few pointers to improve my swing!!”

For more information, visit: www.iseki.co.uk

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New MD For Kubota

New MD For Kubota

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New MD For Kubota: Kubota Holdings Europe is pleased to announce the appointment of David Hart as Managing Director of Kubota (U.K.) Ltd.

With over 28 years of leadership experience, David Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the agricultural and construction industries. After graduating with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, David started his career in Agricultural Construction & Grounds Care Equipment at Ben Burgess & Co. In 1990 he joined John Deere and after several sales and marketing roles, became the Division Manager for Commercial and Consumer Equipment in 2004, managing both sales and marketing for turf and utility equipment (homeowner, commercial and golf). David built a strong commercial track record in sales and marketing for the UK and Ireland and in 2011 was appointed Regional Leader for Strategic and Key Account Management, responsible for John Deere’s agricultural and non-agricultural strategic and key account business in Europe, Near Middle East, North Africa and CIS. During this time he was also a member of the John Deere Ag & Turf Regional Leadership Team.

New MD For Kubota

Dai Watanabe, President & CEO of Kubota in Europe, states: “We are very proud of the fact that we have a leading market position in the UK & Ireland with our current product portfolio. Our ambitions reach even further than that. With David on board we have a leader that can support that ambition by bringing his extensive experience and knowledge to identify and exceed our dealers and customers’ needs and requirements.”

On his appointment, Hart said: “Kubota has a deserved reputation as market leader in many areas. We have a big opportunity to grow further and continue to diversify into new sectors, bringing our strong business values and quality delivery to match the demands and rightly high expectations of our dealers and end user clients. Kubota’s brand, values and proven quality are facets I have respected as a competitor over many years, and I am excited to be part of the team that will take these to the next level.”

For more information on Kubota UK visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull

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Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull: Mike Turnbull has taken the role of the recently retired Nigel Lovatt and assumes responsibility for Reesink customers, the dealer network and retail partners located from the north east to the north west of England, or as Mike refers to it “from the Wash to the Wirral”.

Mike is no stranger to the geographical area spanning from Nottingham to North Wales, having covered the same in his 20-year role with Toro Spellbrook.

Reesink Appoints Mike Turnbull

Mike says: “I was over the moon to accept this role. It is a great position, a great area and I am stepping into the role of a great colleague. Nigel did some fantastic work here and I am really looking forward to continuing and adding to that.”

As we all know this is an area that is home to some of the best and most high-profile golfing and sporting venues in the country, as well as many councils, local authorities and landscapers perfect for the comprehensive grounds machinery range from Toro and Reesink. Mike’s role will focus on both, and will see him working closely with Jeff Anguige, national sales manager.

Mike continues: “I know this area well as it’s one I used to cover in my position working with Toro for Spellbrook, so to some I will be a familiar face. My background and experience with Toro means I bring with me a lot of knowledge and expertise of the brand, and my two years working with Reesink puts me in good stead too.”

Jeff Anguige, national sales manager at Reesink Turfcare, agrees: “Mike was not only the logical choice for the position, he was also the best. He understands the Toro brand and knows how Reesink works as a company. He has big shoes to fill left by Nigel, but there’s no question he will carry on the good work.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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BIGGA Latest Master Greenkeepers

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BIGGA Latest Master Greenkeepers: BIGGA has confirmed the latest recipients of the Master Greenkeeper Certificate.

From London to Connecticut, two members of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association are celebrating after achieving their Master Greenkeeper certificates, marking them out as leading lights within the turf management industry.

BIGGA Latest Master Greenkeepers

Andrew Kerr, Course Manager at Surbiton Golf Club in London, and Anthony Girardi, Golf Course Superintendent at Rockrimmon Country Club in Connecticut, have become just the 73rd and 74th recipients of the Master Greenkeeper certificate.

Recognised as a prestigious and highly-sought after greenkeeping industry award, Master Greenkeeper certificates are achieved through a three-stage process. To be eligible, BIGGA members must have been working in the industry for 10 years, with three spent in a head greenkeeper, course manager or superintendent role.

Andrew Kerr, 39, was raised in County Antrim, Ireland, and hails from an agricultural background. He began his career working on golf courses in Northern Ireland, before making the switch to England, finally settling in to the course manager role at Surbiton.

Andrew said: “I feel the Master Greenkeeper qualification is important for the industry as it highlights great work, knowledge and abilities in a small industry within a global scale. Each of the stages helped me push my own knowledge and develop excellent standards from a course and administration point of view, which I hope to continue to do now and in the future.”

Anthony (Tony) Girardi, 49, has been in the golf business for 29 years, beginning his career as an intern while attending the University of Rhode Island. He graduated in 1992 with a degree in Environmental Science and earned a role as assistant golf course superintendent at Woodway Country Club in Connecticut.

After three years he became golf course superintendent at Rockrimmon Country Club, a position he has held for the past 24 years.

BIGGA Latest Master Greenkeepers

Tony said: “I had always heard of the Master Greenkeeper programme through the years, but it wasn’t until I attended BTME in 2016 that I became more aware of the certificate and what it entailed. You are never too old to learn, and in a very short two-year period, I can safely say that I have learned a great deal about course management from my peers in the UK and Ireland.

“The Master Greenkeeper process is an invaluable experience that allows you to grow both personally and professionally.”

Stuart Green, BIGGA’s head of member learning, said: “Congratulations to Andrew and Tony on becoming the latest recipients of Master Greenkeeper status. Our Master Greenkeeper certificate is now in its 28th year and yet only 74 golf course managers and superintendents from all over the world have made the grade, highlighting what an incredible achievement this is. Master Greenkeeper is a learning experience and I would recommend any golf course manager, who aspires to the highest standards, gives it a go.”

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