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NEWS ARTICLES

Reesink East Anglia builds on success

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Reesink East Anglia builds on success: The East Anglia and Midlands branch of Reesink UK is celebrating two years of successful operation and attributing a significant proportion of its achievements to its machinery servicing and parts departments.

Trevor Chard, Branch Manager of Reesink East Anglia, says: “We set out with a firm focus on sales, servicing, training and parts, and what we’ve noticed since opening is just how highly the servicing and parts departments are valued and in particular how popular the ReeAssure maintenance plans are.”

Reesink East Anglia builds on success

Reesink East Anglia builds on success

The reason for this is multifaceted says Trevor: “We’ve noticed customers are holding on to their machinery for longer. The cost of living crisis does affect businesses and the post-COVID spend is long behind us, but this is where buying Toro in the first instance pays dividends.

“It’s longevity and reliability is such that with regular maintenance and servicing by our team of experienced and trained technicians they can easily get upwards of a decade of solid work performance in.”

In fact, such is the demand for Reesink’s servicing maintenance support that the Burwell branch now has three technicians full-time on the road and two at the branch, with recruitment currently active to further bolster the team.

The reason for this is that from a choice of three service plans for customers, Burwell branch customers favour Gold. “They want to know everything is covered, scheduled and every eventuality taken care of. That’s unlimited visits, breakdown and call out costs, and all manufacturer’s routine maintenance and scheduled servicing. With most customers choosing this plan, it’s easy to see why the team is expanding.

“The growth of the maintenance and support we provide has been organic and demonstrates just how important it is to have a local branch to respond to customer demand and react to specific requirements of our local customers. That’s what sees us gaining new customers and welcoming returning ones.”

Trevor has noticed that most machinery enquiries focus on hybrid and electric options and he puts the branch’s point of difference down to that fact that they may act as an independent, but they have access to all the advantages being part of an international distributor brings.

“We’re trained as the distributor but we act as the retail outlet,” he says. “We can respond instantly to local market changes and design our business to offer the right products for the local industry but also pull on the power of being part of Reesink’s impressive network of market-leading brands, latest technology, guaranteed delivery times, and more.”

To speak to Reesink Burwell about what brands, services and expertise it can offer, call 01638 594340.

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New GMA independent directors

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New GMA independent directors: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is excited to announce the appointment of six new independent members to its Board of Directors.

Deborah Cox, David Withers, John Coleman, Martyn Ward, Paul Hagon and Claire Waldron bring a wealth of expertise from across the turf, facilities and consultancy sectors. The appointments reaffirm the GMA’s mission of strengthening support for the grounds management industry and elevating standards.

New GMA independent directors

New GMA independent directors

Geoff Webb, GMA Chief Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to welcome an exceptional group of professionals to the GMA Board of Directors. Each new member brings a unique set of skills and extensive industry knowledge which will help the GMA to support and advance the grounds management industry.

“Their expertise will be instrumental as we continue to elevate standards across the industry such as our educational programmes and strengthen our support for members. I’m confident that their contributions will help us to not only tackle industry challenges but also to seize new opportunities for growth and development.”

Deborah Cox, Managing Director at Lagan Valley Scientific, leads on advising turf managers and agronomists globally. With 20 years of molecular biology experience, including a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast, she has worked on plant stress genetics and plant disease/pest diagnostics. Deborah will support the GMA’s education initiatives with her academic and industry expertise.

David Withers, Managing Director at ISEKI UK & Ireland, has been a turf industry leader since the 1980s and served 24 years at Jacobsen, including as President in North America. Since 2016 he has successfully led ISEKI UK’s sales & marketing for their innovative turf and electric vehicles. An industry thought leader, David brings valuable insight on future developments to the GMA Board.

John Coleman, Managing Director at Advanced Turf Technology Ltd, also founded the company, growing it into a multi-million-pound business whose designs are used by top global sports organisations. A named inventor on multiple patents, John’s expertise in product innovation and strategic growth will be instrumental in shaping the GMA’s future direction.

Martyn Ward, Partner at Ward and Hagon Management Consulting LLP, has 40 years of experience in sales, marketing and executive roles at companies like Foster’s Brewing Group, Alliance UniChem/Boots and SSL International where he was Regional Managing Director. Now co-leading Ward and Hagon, he helps small businesses grow. A strategic and collaborative leader, Martyn brings expertise in business growth and stakeholder relations to the GMA Board.

Paul Hagon, Partner at Ward and Hagon Management Consulting LLP, has nearly 40 years of experience in the grocery sector, with senior roles at Nestlé and Palmer & Harvey. He co-leads Ward and Hagon advising on strategies that drive growth and serves on the Board of Warpaint London. Paul looks forward to supporting GMA’s long-term success.

Claire Waldron, Senior Facilities Planning Manager at the Football Foundation, has extensive experience in sports and leisure consultancy, having held roles at Knight Kavanagh & Page and spent over four years at The Football Association. Currently Senior Facilities Planning Manager at the Football Foundation, she also serves as a non-executive director at Northumberland County FA, supporting grassroots football.

The GMA would also like to express its gratitude to Carol Doran, Adrian Kay and Dr. Peter Grant who will be stepping down from the Board. Their contributions have been invaluable, and the association thanks them for their service to the Board and the industry.

“We are incredibly grateful to Carol, Adrian and Peter for the invaluable contributions they have made to the GMA and the wider grounds management industry,” said Geoff.

“Their expertise and insights have played a vital role in shaping the direction of our association and driving our mission. On behalf of the GMA community, we extend our thanks and wish them every success.”

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Play your part in cutting carbon

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Play your part in cutting carbon: Here Anthony Nadalin, director of marketing at The Toro Company, explores how Paris is leading the way in the decarbonisation of a major European city and the role outdoor power equipment can have in helping local municipalities achieve this.

France is one of the nation’s leading the effort to decarbonise and improve city air quality for residents, commuters and tourists.

Play your part in cutting carbon

Play your part in cutting carbon

Currently, 12 urban areas in France – including in and around Paris – have implemented a low-emission zone, known as an m-EPZ. These initial zones are just the beginning, as an additional 31 towns and cities are set to implement similar schemes by 2025. Along with cutting carbon, low-emission zones have been implemented to improve urban air quality for those who reside or work within them.

As France’s capital city, you would expect Paris to be at the forefront of these measures. In fact, the French capital adopted its first climate action plan in 2007 and is currently implementing the third, covering 2020 – 2030. By 2050, the city aims to have achieved a 100% reduction in local emissions and an 80% reduction in its total carbon footprint, compared to 2004 levels.

At present, the focus of all of its low-emission zones is motor vehicles powered by fossil fuels. In practice, this means that only vehicles powered by modern, efficient petrol and diesel engines are permitted to enter a zone. By 2030, Paris will only allow battery and hydrogen-powered vehicles to enter the city and the surrounding areas.

However, for Paris to successfully reach its goal of reducing local carbon emissions by 100%, it will require outdoor power equipment – used by local municipalities and businesses – to transition from petrol to more sustainable alternatives such as battery.

Challenge and opportunity

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for organisations using such equipment. The opportunity to get ahead of the curve by adopting all-electric machinery now. For commercial businesses, it demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, while also giving them first mover advantage. However, the challenge for municipal authorities and landscaping or groundskeeping professionals is whether they can transition to all-electric machinery without sacrificing productivity and increasing their costs.

Therefore, it is no surprise that many companies are turning to battery-powered outdoor power equipment manufacturers, such as Toro to find the right solution for them.

Leading the charge

Toro is leading the charge to help the people of Paris and beyond make the switch to cordless outdoor power equipment. Toro’s approach is based on three pillars: performance, ease of use and affordability.

A fundamental principle is that the all-electric versions must meet or exceed the performance of the petrol and diesel equivalents. This is why Toro’s Revolution Series products are commercial-grade equipment designed for professional use. For example, Toro’s proprietary HyperCell® battery system was developed to deliver all-day run times, helping meet the demands of various industries without hindering power or performance.

Ease of use means that all-electric machinery must be easy to operate with stress-free maintenance. It helps that Toro’s Revolution Series is built on the proven Grandstand® and Z Master® chassis and TURBO FORCE® platforms, meaning they’re familiar to contractors and service engineers.

Furthermore, Toro Total Care offers groundskeeping professionals 24/7 support while features such as integrated charging systems and software offer a more user-friendly experience.

There remains a lively debate around the cost of cordless equipment, but we believe we are winning the argument. For a long time, equipment rental companies have focused on the total cost of ownership rather than the ticket price. Calculating the lifetime costs of a piece of equipment – capital cost, fuel, service and maintenance, and end-of-life disposal – provides a much more accurate picture than how much it costs to buy.

For some time now we have seen increasing numbers of grounds care and gardening professionals start to view equipment in the same way – and in this light, cordless machinery represents greater value for money. Easy to maintain and cost-effective to run, it can also cut the total cost of ownership and contribute to greater business profitability.

To help companies understand the financial benefits of battery power, Toro has created a TCO calculator, enabling contractors and municipal authorities to calculate their operational return on investment.

Play your part

Paris is driving urban decarbonisation in France, with many other towns and cities following suit. By 2030, municipalities and landscaping or grounds care contractors will be driving into the Paris low-emission zone in electric or hydrogen vehicles. Surely it would look deeply incongruous and send the wrong message if these vehicles were carrying diesel or petrol-powered equipment?

Furthermore, as residents get used to cleaner and quieter vehicles, they will expect the same from the outdoor power equipment used to maintain their parks and open spaces.

Joining the transition to battery-powered OPE will play a huge role in achieving decarbonisation targets for businesses looking to join cities like Paris in transitioning to a cleaner, quieter and electrified future.

To find out more about how Toro is leading the charge, or to access its TCO calculator and begin investing in battery-powered equipment, visit: https://sites.toro.com/leadthecharge/index.html.

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Birkdale provides all you need

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Birkdale provides all you need: Birkdale has introduced five new additions to its SITEMATE® tools range: the Heavy Duty Professional Double Shovel Holer, Micro Shovel, Irish Pattern Long Handle Shovel, D-Handled Fencing Shovel and the Manual Fence Post Auger. Each tool has been developed with practicality and efficiency in mind, and the range helps to make high-quality fencing installations as simple as possible.

The Heavy Duty Professional Double Shovel Holer provides efficient removal of soil to create holes for fence posts. 1600m in length, it has been designed to offer enhanced leverage and grip, making soil and stone removal effortless. The scissor action handle provides greater closing power and a fully adjustable blade pitch enables the user to adjust the soil removal capacity, as they work to deliver deep, narrow, vertical sided post holes.

Birkdale provides all you need

Birkdale provides all you need

Another addition to the range is the handy Micro Shovel. Available in a square or round mouth option, it offers an ideal tool for digging or shovelling with precision and accuracy in tight or confined spaces. With a reinforced fibreglass shaft and soft grip handle, the shovel combines both comfort and practicality.

The Irish Pattern Long Handle Shovel is a versatile option, suitable for a wide variety of general landscaping and groundwork. Featuring a comfortable grip hardwood shaft, hardening steel socket and a V-shaped blade, angled for ergonomic digging and scooping, the shovel is highly durable and effective – ideal for contractors and use on building sites.

Also new to the range is the D-Handled Fencing Shovel. With the addition of the ‘D’ handle, the shovel provides an enhanced grip, leverage and comfort along with greater scooping capacity. The shovel incorporates a threaded plug at the top of the handle, allowing the handle tube to be filled with cement to add desired weight.

Finally, the versatile Manual Fence Post Auger, made from high-grade carbon steel, provides maximum speed, strength and quality. Ideal for drilling holes for fence posts, as well as planting shrubs and trees, it offers a fast and accurate method for producing 150mm diameter holes in all types of soil conditions. Furthermore, a removable steel handle means it is convenient to store away.

John Abernethie, Managing Director at Birkdale commented: “Our growing SITEMATE® tools range means that trade professionals can come to us for everything they need to get the fencing job complete, and in whatever conditions they face – quickly, easily and to a high standard.”

Birkdale offers a full range of fencing and gate solutions. For more information about its SITEMATE® range, visit https://www.birkdalesales.com/pages/stockists-sitemate.

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Bernhard Academy to sponsor technician

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Bernhard Academy to sponsor technician: The Bernhard Academy is excited to announce its sponsorship of an equipment technician for the upcoming 125th US Open, held at the prestigious Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, USA. The Bernhard Academy is working in partnership with the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (T.E.T.O) to bring a new opportunity to the group. T.E.T.O has been created to improve recognition, opportunity, communication and education across our industry whilst creating valuable support networks.

The Bernhard Academy is presenting this unique opportunity, inviting experienced equipment technicians from the UK and Europe to apply for a single, coveted spot on the volunteer support team at Oakmont Country Club next June, where they will gain firsthand experience working on golf’s biggest stage at the 125th US Open.

Bernhard Academy to sponsor technician

Bernhard Academy to sponsor technician

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for an enthusiastic equipment technician”, commented Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy. “To prepare the golf course that will host the game’s best players provides an excellent chance to apply their technical skills, as well as getting a front-row seat to the US Open.”

The successful applicant will possess a minimum of three years’ experience as an equipment technician in a sports turf setting. Bernhard’s knowledge and excellence will be shared with the lucky volunteer, when they attend a training workshop at a Bernhard Academy venue, to ensure that they are fully prepared ahead of their trip to Oakmont. Applicants must be part of T.E.T.O to be eligible. Shortlisted candidates will be selected for online interviews, in the week commencing 9th December.

This sponsorship underscores the Bernhard Academy’s commitment to professional development and excellence in turf equipment management, offering technicians a chance to elevate their skills and gain international recognition. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications promptly to take part in this extraordinary experience at one of golf’s most celebrated venues.

For further information on how to apply, please visit https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/tournamentvolunteer

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