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NEWS ARTICLES

Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

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Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy: The Howardson Group is pleased to announce that Tom Worthy has joined the team as Regional Sales Director. Tom brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the turf care industry.

Upon leaving school Tom joined the John Deere Turf Tech Apprenticeship, a three-year programme in land-based service engineering focusing on horticultural machinery, followed by a fourth-year diploma.

Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

His commitment and skill were quickly recognised, leading to a pivotal opportunity to begin his career as a Service Technician. In this role, he was tasked with setting up a commercial workshop, before advancing to After-Sales Manager.

Tom’s career then took a new direction as a Commercial Manager for a French electronics manufacturer, where he developed his commercial acumen. This role laid the foundation for his subsequent position at Timberwolf, where he spent four years, first as UK Sales Manager and then as Export Manager, overseeing global sales and expanding market reach.

Reflecting on his new chapter at the Howardson Group, Tom says, “From leaving school and studying fine turf equipment through my apprenticeship, it feels like coming home. I’m excited to work with the best in the business, especially with brands like Dennis, SISIS and Hunter Grinders, which are market leaders in professional turf care machinery.”

As Regional Sales Director, Tom’s role centres on ensuring consistent and exceptional customer experiences worldwide. “My job is to support and develop our routes to market outside the UK. I want to ensure that a customer buying our equipment in Vietnam, for example, has the same experience as a customer purchasing from a local dealer in Derby,” Tom explains. This involves building infrastructure, training dealers, and fostering direct relationships with key clients. “We need to make sure our dealers have all the tools, training, and knowledge they need to provide unparalleled customer service.”

Tom has also been struck by the significant investments the Howardson Group has made to lay strong foundations for growth. “I didn’t quite realise the scale of investment in the business to give it structure and set it up for future success. It’s inspiring and motivates me to contribute to pushing the company to the next level,” he says.

For Tom, exceptional customer service is at the heart of Howardson Group’s operations. “Customer service is 100% at the core of what we do. We want every interaction to be memorable so that when customers are in the market, we’re the first brand they look to,” Tom states. He underlines that the company’s dedication to innovation ensures there’s no reason for customers to look elsewhere.

Tom is also impressed by the company’s rich history and the loyalty of its employees. “Many staff members have been with the business for over 30 years. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships with customers are unparalleled. I’ve seen firsthand how these relationships go beyond transactions; customers are not just numbers—they are friends,” Tom adds.

Looking ahead, Tom’s vision is to expand global market coverage and deepen customer connections in every territory. “Success for me means having increased visibility and strong relationships within key market segments, especially in regions where we’re less known,” he explains. “Attending and hosting educational events and exhibitions to showcase who we are and what we stand for is also vital.”

Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending quality time with his young family, friends, and participating in various sports.

The Howardson Group is excited to welcome Tom Worthy as he leads the charge in expanding the company’s global reach, upholding their legacy of excellence, and forging lasting relationships with customers worldwide.

For further information visit www.howardsongroup.com

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association: It’s hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from Christmas.  After a wet and quite warm autumn, the weather seems to be chilling and feeling more as it should do as we prepare for the festive season.  But that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about our lawns! 

The experts from The Lawn Association have plenty of tips for keeping your winter sea of green in tip-top condition, and ready for any visits from Father Christmas this December!

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

Sustainable lawn care is all about harmonising with the natural cycles, which means this should be a year-round commitment. So, with that in mind, the tips below will help your lawn over the winter period and prepare it for future seasons too!

Preventing the encroachment of the disease Grinch

Regularly clearing your lawn of leaves, twigs, and other debris is essential in preventing disease from taking root. This is not just a one-time task, try making it part of your routine to go outside and gather any organic material that has fallen onto your grass.

Still Time to Mow…Ho…Ho

Additionally, continue to mow if conditions allow. A light trim with the mower blade set high is all you need. This practice not only keeps your grass healthy by avoiding wet, overgrown foliage that breeds disease but also ensures a beautiful lawn to admire while enjoying your Christmas dinner!

Seasonal Soil Care

Hollow tine aeration is a highly effective method for enhancing your lawn’s health and it is the easiest and most rewarding option for maintaining a beautiful domestic lawn. Don’t hesitate to give your lawn this Christmas gift to keep it vibrant and healthy.

Service And Repairs from STIGA 

December is a great time of year to get your mower blades and other garden tools sharpened. It is also a good idea to check if you need any other batteries, accessories or spare parts for your garden products leading up to the spring season.  These can all be found on the STIGA website, as can the dealers who will be able to service your mower or tools.

Keep Off the Naughty List Next Year

How? By starting to plan ahead in December for the year ahead. Look back on your lawn program and determine what has worked and what hasn’t, and make some notes on what you need to do to improve things next year. You’ll find this a great motivation during the next two months as you wait patiently for spring to return.  The Lawn Association have launched a new Record Keeping Manual to help you along the way!

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Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

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Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping: Grantham Relief Road is a pivotal infrastructure project led by Lincolnshire County Council in collaboration with South Kesteven District Council, Homes England, and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

With aims to improve the town’s infrastructure and boost its growth. Dobson’s, a family-run landscape contractor is entrusted with working alongside the Main Contractor, Galliford Try, and Green-tech to deliver the substantial landscaping package which is due for completion in 2025.

Green-tech's Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

The large-scale infrastructure scheme is a new 3km distribution road and is a crucial component for the development of the town of Grantham. The route provides direct access to an employment site on the A1 which is forecast to generate over 370 jobs in the area. Opening up additional employment land along the new route will further increase the ability of the area to attract new business investment, offering employment sites with good transport links and a growing population that can provide local labour for new and growing companies.

The project aims and benefits are to:

  • Reduce congestion, disruption, and traffic delays.
  • Create a safer, more attractive and accessible town centre.
  • Provide opportunities for growth.
  • Reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution.

Green-tech is a leading landscape supplier renowned for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. With three decades of experience and a comprehensive range of products, Green-tech empowers contractors and developers to create environmentally responsible landscapes that thrive for generations to come. Renowned as the largest supplier in the UK of tree planting material and sundries, Green-tech’s products are trusted by professionals across the UK for their quality, reliability, and biodegradable options.

The landscaping project includes 247,000m2 hydroseeding, planting of 17,000 woodland and shrub mix, 26,000 Native Hedge mix, and the installation of 4500 Ornamental Plants. Dobsons is providing 24 months of aftercare maintenance which includes grass cutting, weed control, and replacement planting.

Green-tech supplied all sundries including mulch mats, compost, mulch, and tree guards for this project which will aid plant survival, promote healthy growth and optimal soil health, along with enhanced moisture retention – all vital for the success of the landscaping project.

Lauren Dobson, Commercial Director at Dobson’s, praised Green-tech’s seamless collaboration and high-quality service, highlighting their pivotal role in upholding Dobson’s reputation for flexibility and quality workmanship. “Our companies have a great history together and these relationships have been nurtured and passed down through generations. Green-tech offers a service that is hard to beat. They work seamlessly with us on projects such as Grantham Relief Road where project delays occur. They help us offer our clients the flexibility and quality workmanship that our reputation has been built on.”

The Grantham Relief Road landscaping project stands as a testament to the synergistic partnership between Dobson’s and Green-tech. By harnessing innovative landscaping solutions and sustainable practices, they have transformed the town’s infrastructure and paved the way for a greener, more prosperous future. Green-tech’s unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability continues to set the benchmark for landscape suppliers across the UK, reaffirming their position as industry leaders in sustainable landscaping solutions.

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JCB’S NSPCC appeal receives £15,095 boost

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JCB’S NSPCC appeal receives £15,095 boost: One of the world’s most accomplished male voice choirs hit the right note at a concert in aid of JCB’s NSPCC Appeal – helping to raise £15,095.

The internationally renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir – known affectionately as ‘The Fron’ – performed to a sell-out audience in the theatre at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester.

JCB’S NSPCC appeal receives £15,095 boost

JCB’S NSPCC appeal receives £15,095 boost

The audience broke into spontaneous applause as it was announced that JCB and its employees were raising £2 million for the NSPCC to help with the charity’s work in Staffordshire – and that proceeds from the concert would go towards the fundraising. There were also cheers as JCB sponsored athlete and Olympian Adam Burgess, of Stone, Staffordshire, stepped on to the stage and showed off his Paris 2024 silver medal – ahead of helping to pull a giant Christmas cracker to reveal the total amount raised at the event.

He was joined in pulling the cracker by three talented young pianists who also entertained the audience with performances at the event. They were Thomas Pham, 15, a former pupil at the Co-op Academy Glebe in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Ukrainian sister and brother Sofiia Uvarova and Andrii Uvarov, who have settled in Uttoxeter under JCB’s Homes for Ukraine initiative.

JCB Group HR Director Max Jeffery attended with fellow JCB directors, employees, retired employees and members of the public. He said:  “It was an absolutely wonderful evening and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. The singing was outstanding and the fun the choir brought to the occasion was fantastic, particularly the audience participation, which took place during the singing of the Twelve Days of Christmas!”

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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation: It’s not just the greenkeepers that are impressed with the fleet of six Echo TM-2050 robotic mowers installed by GroundTech at Hartsbourne Country Club, the members are too!

Less than a month after their delivery, players and staff alike have recognised the transformation in presentation of some of the club’s perimeter areas which previously proved near-impossible to maintain in challenging winter conditions.

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Like many heavy clay soil courses, this 27-hole club in South Hertfordshire can often lay wet during prolonged periods of rainfall, creating problems in getting machinery out to regularly cut the rough and fairways. General Manager Terry Mulford-Lawlor explains that the knock-on impact extends well beyond the winter, “Both presentation and playability suffers and then, come the spring, the grass is so long and dense that it takes a lot of hard work to get them back to where we want them to be.”

“The proposition that the Echo robotic mowers could be cutting consistently whatever the weather was of great interest.”

Terry was assisted in his search by Marcus Glover and Sam Baker from GroundTech, along with Sam Daybell from Echo who paired the club with six TM-2050 robots with solar array and portable battery chargers. The largest of the Echo range the TM-2050 offers the pinnacle of productivity, capable of mowing areas of up to 75,000m2 while simultaneously providing precise mulching of material for an immaculate finish.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that these mowers have been a gamechanger for us. The intention was that they’d be used only for the rough. However, the GroundTech team mapped all of our fairways and with the results so outstanding we’d be mad not to use them everywhere.” Terry adds, “The work these Robots are doing has already freed up our skilled team of ten greenkeepers to then focus their efforts elsewhere,  hand-cutting areas such as aprons which we’ve not previously had the resources to do and focussing on the technical and agronomic aspects of course management that will take our offering to the next level.”

“Members have been quick to comment that the rough has never looked better, but what’s more they just love watching the robots at work – we’ve even been asked if it’s possible to name and sponsor them!”

Terry concludes, “The process from start to finish has been smooth, personalised and professional. GroundTech supported us and went the extra mile to ensure we had the right set-up and infrastructure to get the most out of our machines. They didn’t over-emphasise what the mowers were capable of, but then they didn’t really need to! We already see this is the future for us.”

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