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NEWS ARTICLES

N & J Tree Services Choose Först

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N & J Tree Services Choose Först: N & J Tree Services has expanded its fleet of Först woodchippers with the purchase of two XR8’s, after noticing the high-quality standards offered by the manufacturers’ range of robust machinery.

Recognised as a leading specialist arboricultural company, N & J Tree Services provides professional tree care services for motorways, councils and general arboriculture. The business, which now employs 30 staff, has grown year on year since being established in 2000 due to its role as an efficient solutions provider for a vast number of clients across the UK.

N & J Tree Services Choose Först

Nigel Owen, Managing Director at N & J Tree Services, said: “We have been working with Först since they first entered the market. Having seen the performance of many woodchippers over the years, it soon became apparent that the performance and robust nature of Först machines really made them stand out against other competitors.”

N & J Tree Services currently has seven machines on its fleet, comprising of two ST6P’s, three ST8’s and two newly added XR8 Traxion machines. The XR8 8” x 10” capacity woodchipper is designed with a tough and robust scissor-action parallel leg system, allowing for exceptional versatility to overcome difficult obstacles with strength, speed and stability.

Nigel continued: “Having Först machines on our fleet has been hugely beneficial to the business. Along with high-quality machinery, Först has supplied us with exceptional support to ensure that our woodchippers are kept safe and utilised to maximum capacity. If an issue appears, Först are able to fix the problem quickly, effectively and efficiently. Doing so has minimised our down time, meaning less time and money is spent fixing and purchasing machinery and more time is spent being out onsite getting the job done.

“The machines have kept us going for many years and pose remarkable capability in supporting us in our day-to-day work. We feel extremely confident every time we purchase a new Först machine because of the 3-year standard warranty each wood chipper comes with, providing us with the support and reassurance we need when making such investments into the business.

“It’s inevitable that Först will continue to offer nothing but high standards in both its products and services, and it is for this reason that we are more than likely to continue our strong working relationship purchasing from Först in the future as we go on to expand our business.”

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Kubota’s New Field Service Manager

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Kubota’s New Field Service Manager: Kubota UK has announced the appointment of Martin Tyler as its Field Service Manager. This is a new management role created within the organisation to offer more support to its extensive independent dealer network and end-user customers.

Martin will take full responsibility and control of all Kubota UK field service activities. This will include field product quality reporting, Kubota’s Customer Satisfaction Survey, Dealer Service Excellence, the development of service business activities and the resolution of any customer or dealer warranty enquiries.

Kubota's New Field Service Manager

Keith Miller, Service & Training Manager at Kubota UK, said: “At Kubota, we are constantly investing in new and innovative ways in which we can enhance the service we provide to both our dealer network and end-user customers. The creation of this new role will provide a more focused approach to Kubota UK’s service provision, and is yet another example of our continued commitment to provide service excellence.”

Bringing more than 20 years industry experience to his new role, Martin joined Kubota in 2014 as a Regional Service Manager for the East of England, before being promoted to Service Supervisor for Agricultural Tractors. Previous to this, Martin spent the majority of his career at a New Holland dealer. He started as an apprentice and quickly rose through the ranks of Senior Service Technician, Warranty Administrator and finally to Service Manager.

Martin commented: “Our dealer network plays a pivotal role in sustaining our position as a first-class machinery provider, so ensuring we can provide them the highest levels of service and support is paramount.

“The creation of this new role will enable Kubota to enhance its close working relationships with its dealers. It will ensure they have dedicated support and access to all the necessary tools and advice needed, to enhance their business operations. This in turn will lead to better service levels provided to our end-user customers.”

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

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Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network

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Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network: Balmers GM Ltd. has joined the growing GKB Machines’ network of groundcare dealers. One of the largest new and used groundcare businesses of its kind in the North of England, Balmers has been in business in Burnley for in excess of thirty years, offering sales, spares, service and hire and covering Lancashire down to North Manchester and across to West Yorkshire. Balmers were in talks with GKB’s Tom Shinkins in mid 2017 which led to initial demonstrations to customers of a GKB Sandfiller and Top Dresser. The result was Balmers becoming a GKB dealer.

“We like the quality build of the machines, no frills performance and they do what it says on the tin,” says Balmers’ Andrew Meeks. “We like the way the Sandfiller combines in one operation scarifying, removal and sand filling. It means the operation can be carried out by one person and that’s a saving on time and costs.”

Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network

The principle is based on the GKB Combinator with a slitting rotor utilising carbine scarifying blades that create wind to lift the removed material. Dried sand is instantly applied from the hopper and the area is immediately available for use. The GKB Top Dressers come in four different designs which range from 1m3 to 4m3 with a choice of trailed or turf truck mounted versions. They are ideal for evenly distributing materials such as sand and mulch, with variable spread widths and depths. The GKB SP100 is suitable for assembling on a turf truck such as the ProGator, Truckster or Workman for example. Electro-hydraulic controls are easily fitted and run directly off the hydraulics of the truck.

Balmers’ reputation in the commercial sector speaks for itself with its customer base of local councils and national contractors serving golf, football and cricket clubs. The partnering with GKB adds a new strength with the availability of the GKB Machines’ range of natural and synthetic sports turf solutions.

For more information, visit: www.gkbmachines.com

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Fantasy Football Winners

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Fantasy Football Winners: Another fantastic Premier League season has come to an end, and with it, our Fantasy Football league sponsored by Dennis & SISIS for the 2017/18 campaign.

Congratulations go to the top ten players in the league, who have secured prizes as a result of their successful teams.

Fantasy Football Winners

The top 10:

  1. Gary Starr – 2384 points
  2. Daniel Brookfield – 2295 points
  3. Chris Lynch – 2220 points
  4. Mike Wootton – 2209 points
  5. Chris Russell – 2205 points
  6. Chris Bennett – 2195 points
  7. Tom Wright – 2192 points
  8. Scott Onyons – 2181 points
  9. Tom Clayton – 2163 points
  10. Steven King – 2161 points
    Aaron Fletcher – 2161 points

To claim their prize, winners must email marie@turfmatters.co.uk by 5pm on May 31st.

Gardener Charged For Using Mobile

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Gardener Charged For Using Mobile: A gardener is thought to have become the first person in Britain to be charged with using a mobile while operating a lawn-mower after being stopped outside a police station.

The 47-year-old council gardener faces a fine of £200 and six penalty points if he is found guilty of using his phone at the traffic lights outside of police station in Ely, Cardiff on Tuesday.

The man was followed by South Wales Police officers who spotted him allegedly using his mobile while driving along Cowbridge Road West.

Cardiff Council confirmed that he was a member of council staff and that he could face disciplinary action at a later date.

It added: “The council will be following up this matter in line with council policy and procedure.”

Accused of illegally using a phone at the wheel on a public road, the gardener is to appear at a a magistrates court later this month.

It has been illegal for a motorist to use a mobile phone while driving since 2003.

This includes handling the device, sending a text or following a map, even when the car is waiting at a set of traffic lights, as the engine is still running.

In 2017, stricter phone driving laws came into force in a bid to deter people from breaking the rules.

Motorists who are caught are liable to pay a fine of £200 or have six penalty points placed on their licence.

Around 1,200 drivers have been disqualified since the introduction of these stricter penalties.

Neil Smith, Imperial Cars’ operations director said: “Breaking the habit of touching your phone whilst in the driver’s seat can be challenging, especially with the technological advancements that come as standard on most mobile phones, but the risks you impose on both yourself and others when distracted behind the wheel are really not worth it. Unfortunately, the number of drivers still opting to ignore the law is scarily high.”

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

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