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NEWS ARTICLES

Cramer UK subsidiary Set to go LIVE

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Cramer UK subsidiary Set to go LIVE: After successfully introducing the Cramer brand of professional battery-powered tools to the UK through Handy since 2021, Cramer is now ready to launch its own subsidiary, scheduled to go live on 8th of April 2024.

With new offices and a new warehouse based in the Swindon area, Cramer is now geared up to support its 82v commercial products across the UK. A new dedicated team of back-office staff, sales team and demonstration teams have now been in place for several weeks. Cramer UK is now set to demonstrate the performance and quality of its 82v range for the commercial market, share its battery knowledge and capabilities, present the best charging solutions and, most importantly, demonstrate the cost efficiency for ownership over petrol, for a better world.

Cramer UK subsidiary Set to go LIVE

Cramer UK subsidiary Set to go LIVE

Mark Moseley, Handy Sales and Marketing Director, extends his congratulations to the new UK Cramer team as they embark on this exciting new chapter: “With their dedication and expertise, we look forward to their continued success and making significant contributions to the industry”.

Globe Technologies expresses gratitude to Handy’s team for their dedicated efforts over the past three years in establishing Cramer as a leading brand in the commercial battery sector within its dealer network. Jean-Christoph Durot, Vice-President of Cramer division Europe, says: “The UK is one of the key countries to establish our own Cramer organisation to deal directly with dealers, to support them with the transition from petrol to battery for commercial users. Globe Technologies will be making substantial investments in Cramer in the UK to launch innovative products, like battery Zero-turn mowers as well as robotics (boundary wire and wireless) for commercial users. The 82V commercial range is already a big part of this product innovation plan”.

Please contact the Cramer UK team for more information and to arrange a demonstration via email customerservice.uk@globetech.com

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The loader market turns electric

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The loader market turns electric: The electrification of the non-road machinery market starts most strongly in the compact machine sector. Finnish loader manufacturer Avant Tecno Oy responds to the change by taking another significant step as a pioneer in the loader world.

The new third-generation fully electric Avant loaders have batteries that are manufactured at Avant Power’s new battery factory in Ylöjärvi, Finland. Full investments have been made to develop the unique battery technology. “In five years, half of the loaders we sell may be electric,” says Jani Käkelä, CEO of Avant Tecno and Avant Power.

The loader market turns electric

The loader market turns electric

The compact machine market has been growing rapidly in recent years, especially in developed countries. Problems with the availability of labour and constantly tightening occupational safety regulations create more demand, to which multi-purpose compact loaders respond well.

Compact loaders can be used to work efficiently all year round, and their versatility is enhanced by a wide range of attachments. Another megatrend related to compact machines is zero emissions, which is becoming more and more prominent. This is due to the pressure created by general national and international emission targets to reduce coal use. In addition, small machines are often used partly or entirely indoors, and the work is naturally best-done emission-free for health reasons alone.

Avant Tecno has been developing electric loaders for four decades, and the company is now responding to the change with a huge development step. Avant Power, the newest subsidiary of the Avant Group, designs and manufactures batteries optimized for Avant compact loaders at the Avant factory site in Ylöjärvi, Finland. The new third-generation electric loaders have just entered production, and their lithium-ion batteries are the best on the compact loader market.

“Our own battery production gives us a unique head start in the electric loader market now and in the future. According to the fastest scenario, up to half of the loaders we sell could be electric in as little as five years. However, diesel loaders will still be needed for a long time, as some market areas will switch to electric loaders on a much slower schedule,” says Jani Käkelä, CEO of Avant Tecno and Avant Power.

The loader market turns electric

The loader market turns electric

The world’s only loader manufacturer with its own battery factory

Avant made the decision to start its own battery development because there was not yet a good enough battery in the world that would be a perfect fit for Avant loaders. Under Avant’s roof, there were people with the expertise required for the bold project, and eventually, these experts formed the core team of the new subsidiary.

“Now, a solid foundation for battery production has been built through hard work. We have invested heavily in product development, and we also have partners with world-class expertise. The exceptional solutions in our battery technology bring many benefits to our customers, and we will be able to respond to strong international growth in the future,” says Mikko Piepponen, COO of Avant Power, who is also responsible for creating the new technology.

Avant Power’s current facilities have served as a production development laboratory, where battery testing and manufacturing technology have been fine-tuned. Both the new battery technology and the battery factory production line have been designed by Avant Power. The same goes for most of the production equipment, which is exceptional on a global scale. Since production and the product have been designed at the same time, the whole is as simple and uncompromising as possible.

“We have used the most modern possibilities in automation and developed the production line solutions ourselves. We started production at a moderate pace, and towards the end of the year we will increase it to full speed. Next year we will manufacture 700 to 800 batteries.

“The self-designed and implemented production line enables, above all, agility, and scalability. At the same time, all expertise related to batteries and loaders is under the same roof,” says Santu Tyynelä, Chief Design Officer at Avant Power.

Currently, batteries are manufactured on one production line, but another production line has already been ordered and its installation is awaited.

The best battery on the loader market

Avant Power’s globally unique Avant OptiTemp® battery technology further improves the working time, capacity, pricing, safety, durability, and lifespan of electric loaders.

The loader market turns electric

The loader market turns electric

Thanks to immersion cooling technology, the batteries have excellent thermal management, which has long been one of the biggest challenges in battery technology, especially in mobile machines and equipment exposed to fluctuations in outdoor temperature. Avant OptiTemp® battery technology makes the operation of an electric loader more efficient than ever before, both in severe frosts and hot working conditions. In addition, the batteries have multi-level protection, which makes them very safe.

The operating time of electric loaders has now reached a completely new level. The new fully electric Avant e527 loader has a working time of 6 hours in optimal conditions, which is up to double compared to the previous Avant e6 electric loader. On a single charge, you can drive the new e-loader for 21 kilometres. The range is more than 60% longer than the range of the previous Avant e6.

Due to Avant’s own battery production, the new electric loaders are very competitively priced. “The loader battery is the largest single price component of the machine, and the price of battery cells is the most significant price component of batteries. With our own battery manufacturing and efficient procurement of battery cells directly from the cell manufacturer, we can significantly reduce the price of the loader. With our own company focusing on battery technology, we can also develop the battery for future needs in the best possible way,” says CEO Jani Käkelä.

New Avant e series available now

The fully electric loaders from Avant’s renewed e series – the Avant e513 (battery capacity 13 kWh) and Avant e527 (battery capacity 27 kWh) – are now in production. The domestic delivery time is about 10 weeks from the order. In export countries, the delivery time varies from country to country. More detailed information on delivery times is provided by importers.

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

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One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal: What began as one Kubota tractor at one football complex in Eastleigh is blossoming into a prolific partnership between dealers Rod Gaskin Ltd and Hampshire FA (HFA).

In his day job as HFA Facility Operations Manager, Pete Hussey puts their Kubota L2501 to task maintaining the five natural pitches at the Stoneham Lane Complex. This positive first-hand experience puts Pete in good stead when in his other guise – conducting Pitch Power surveys to provide valuable advice and machinery recommendations to benefit hundreds of grassroots facilities in the county.

One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

“Hampshire FA acquired the Stoneham Lane facility in 2020, and while I already had two other venues under my remit, this was the first with natural turf pitches to look after” explains Pete. “I started from square one, understanding what equipment we needed and working with local dealers to find the best fit for our site and our requirements. The first priority was finding the right tractor that would give us versatility, reliability and become the heart of our maintenance programme. For this, we opted for Kubota.”

Specifically, the facility purchased a 50hp Kubota L2501 with full cab and a range of additional features including cruise control and air conditioning for optimal operator comfort. “Most of the jobs we do will take a number of hours to complete so it was very important for us not just to find a tractor powerful and durable enough to use with a wide range of implements, but that would also make for a positive all-round experience for the driver.”

“In addition, we have enjoyed outstanding reliability with this tractor which is testament to the Kubota build quality and the regular servicing and maintenance conducted by the team at Rod Gaskin.”

With the successes of this partnership bearing fruit for both parties, the tie-up became official in September 2023 with Rod Gaskin Ltd announced as Hampshire FA’s official supplier of grounds machinery. Pete explains, “This gives hundreds of grassroots football clubs and now schools and local councils as well, access to a fantastic range of quality machinery from brands like Kubota with an abundance of grants and funding available via the Football Foundation. The possibilities of this scheme are very exciting and can be the difference between bringing core, basic pitches up to a good or advanced level to benefit clubs and communities alike.”

Tom Merritt-Smith, Groundcare Sales Specialist at Rod Gaskin Ltd adds, “We have a great relationship with Pete and the team at Hampshire FA and are delighted to be working in partnership with them to support the growth of grassroots football. Being sports orientated, I know the importance of maintaining football pitches to the highest possible standards. We look forward to supporting Pete, Hampshire FA and clubs in the area with quality groundcare equipment and our aftersales facility for many years to come.”

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Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

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Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win: Rolawn, the UK’s leading turf grower and supplier of soft landscaping products, is thrilled to be a winner of not just one, but two awards from independent review platform, Feefo.

Having once again won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award for 2024, recognising businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience, Rolawn is also one of a select few businesses to receive Feefo’s inaugural 10 Years of Excellence Award.

Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

This new award is an independent seal of excellence that recognises dedication to and consistency in customer service over a ten-year period.

Jonathan Hill, Rolawn’s Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “We’re very excited to receive both the 10 Years of Excellence Award and the Gold Trusted Service Award as a result of our customer reviews in 2023. In a customer-centric business like ours, it is reassuring to receive affirmation that our dedication to exceeding our customers’ expectations is reflected in their experience.”

Feefo established the Trusted Service Awards in 2014 to recognise brands that use the platform to collect verified reviews and receive exceptional feedback from their customers.

The awards are unique because they truly reflect a business’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service by analysing feedback from real customers.

Feefo introduced the 10 Years of Excellence Award to businesses which have won a Trusted Service Award ten years in a row. It shows their dedication and commitment to giving customers the best experience they can.

Working with over 6,500 brands, Feefo is the world’s largest provider of verified reviews, helping brands understand customers by analysing verified reviews and providing insight into trends, needs and habits.

Consumer confidence is now at its highest level since 2021 as living standards show signs of improvement, but consumers remain cautious with their spending. The businesses that stand out will be those who put excellence in their service and weave in a customer advocacy strategy. This award celebrates brands that are delivering standards that go above and beyond.

Congratulating Rolawn, Tony Wheble, CEO at Feefo, said: “With customers continuing to build resilience in a time of economic uncertainty, we’re delighted to showcase thousands of our clients who are continuing to go above and beyond for each and every customer.

“The Trusted Service Awards have always been about recognising companies that go way beyond the norm in customer service and in turn receive great feedback from delighted customers.

“Particular congratulations to Rolawn for winning the first-ever 10 Years of Excellence Award, by going above and beyond for their customers consistently over ten years. They should be proud of this achievement, and I look forward to seeing them continue to achieve next year and beyond.”

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Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

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Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards: Inspiring, celebrity garden designer, Danny Clarke (aka The Black Gardener) is hosting the ceremony for the national Land-Based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards later this year, with today marking the opening of nominations for 2024 entries.

For the second year running, this exciting Awards scheme will recognise the outstanding talent, successes, and achievements of learners from across England and Northern Ireland in the land-based and environment sector.

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awardsvThe winners will be announced at a genuine celebration of talent on the 21 November 2024 at the centrally located, National Conference Centre in Birmingham. The ceremony will be hosted by Danny Clarke, who changed from a career in sales to horticulture in his early forties.

Danny Clarke, who trained as a garden designer at Hadlow College said: “I am thrilled to be hosting this year’s ceremony to recognise the talent and dedication of people in education who are taking care of and creating green spaces and looking after animals.”

“Although I didn’t change career until I was middle-aged, my love of the outdoors started early on in my life. I can’t wait to hear the stories behind the nominations, some of whom I expect will be career changers, like me, or young people embarking on their career. Either way, it looks set to be a memorable date in the calendar!”

The Awards organisers, Lantra and Landex, are actively encouraging land-based employers, colleges, private training providers and universities to recognise and promote their top candidates by nominating them for a prestigious award. The deadline for entries is 11 June 2024.

Dr David Llewellyn CBE, Lantra’s Chair of Trustees commented: ‘’We were overwhelmed by the 120 nominations that were received in the first year of the Awards. The LBEL Awards already play a key role in celebrating hard-work and success and in this second year, we are urging employers of apprentices to put their best candidates forward. In this way, we can recognise and reward the very best of our developing workforce.’’

Marcus Clinton, Chair of Landex commented: “Landex is calling on the network of land-based colleges and universities to identify outstanding learners who have the talent and drive to push the industry forward. We want them to take some time to nominate these fantastic individuals and join us in giving them the recognition they deserve.”

The annual awards are open to individuals on a full-time or part-time Land-Based and Environment course or Apprenticeship in England between September 2022 and September 2024. The award categories include Agriculture; Aquaculture and Fisheries, Arboriculture; Forestry and Woodland Management; Equine and Farriery; Floristry; Landscape and Horticulture; Land-Based Engineering; Animal Care and Management; Veterinary Nursing; Environmental Conservation, Game and Wildlife; and Sports Turf and Greenkeeping.

Prizes for the above categories apply across Private Training providers, Further Education (FE), Apprenticeships Awards (Level 2-3), Higher Education (HE) and Higher Apprenticeship Awards (Level 4-7). This year we will be introducing a new category: Research Student of the Year, where supervisors are encouraged to nominate a student studying a post-graduate level either for a master’s degree or a Doctoral Degree.

There are overall prizes for: Research Student of the Year; Apprentice of the Year; Overall Winner; and Runners Up. Online entries are being encouraged, as the quicker and more sustainable option. However, paper copies of the nomination form are available on request, by emailing lbels@lantra.co.uk

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