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NEWS ARTICLES

STRI Group launches new brand

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STRI Group launches new brand: STRI Group, a global design, engineering and management consultancy, has launched a new brand following a period of growth and diversification. The group’s skills were founded within the design, management and maintenance of sports surfaces, and they continue to deliver and implement strategies for sports facilities and their surrounding infrastructure, as well as working within residential, corporate and commercial spaces.

Since setting up a construction company, Carrick Sports Construction, and adding the Environmental Protection Group to the organisation, as well as investing in their already established planning, design, maintenance, and research services, the breadth of in-house expertise perfectly positions them to handle a wide variety of sports and urban projects.

STRI Group launches new brand

STRI Group launches new brand

The group is also well-renowned for its expertise in scientific research and analysis, monitoring and compliance services, which continue to operate from independent laboratory facilities across the world, with a large research facility at their headquarters in Yorkshire and sites in Queensland and Victoria, Australia.

A number of joint ventures and partnerships adds a strong presence for the Group in the Middle East, with STRI delivering the first ever turf racetrack in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Cup in 2020. More recently, through their joint venture Aspire Sports Turf based in Qatar, delivering the design, construction supervision and maintenance supervision of all pitches for the Qatar 2022 World Cup on behalf of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.

The group’s new website, strigroup.com, showcases its end-to-end proposition and highlights completed projects across a range of sports and cities. This spans local government sports facilities such as the Blackpool Enterprise Zone through to elite stadia and tournaments including World Cups and the Wimbledon Championships, as well as urban greening and sustainable water management initiatives like Northern Bloc’s blue green roof in Manchester.

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Experience the Aspen difference

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Experience the Aspen difference: Alkylate petrol pioneers Aspen are back at APF for 2022, showcasing the benefits of their ethanol-free fuel for two and four-stroke engines.

Founded in 1988, Aspen has long been helping to improve operator working conditions, enhance engine performance and reduce the negative impact on the environment – and they’re so confident you’ll agree that visitors to stand D1A can now trial Aspen Fuel with a new money back guarantee!

Experience the Aspen difference

Experience the Aspen difference

Being free from ethanol, benzene and many of the other hazardous hydrocarbons found in traditional pump fuel, Aspen alkylate petrol has been proven to improve equipment performance and reduce the wear on engine components. The cleaner burn not only brings benefit for your equipment, but significantly reduces pollutants into the atmosphere – better for both people and the planet.

These benefits have seen Aspen become a popular choice with professionals, who also enjoy the convenience of having Aspen delivered in bulk, by the can or drum, directly to their site. For those yet to experience the difference, Aspen are introducing a new incentive at APF 2022 where, subject to a bulk purchase, operators can trial Aspen with an option to return the fuel if they change their mind.

Commenting on the offer, Business Development Manager Axel Hildebrand said, “Aspen has a tried and tested record of making a real difference to the working conditions for arb and grounds contractors of all sizes up and down the country. However, all too often, we find people are tentative to give it a try! This initiative will give people the opportunity to put Aspen to the test in their own working environments, and we’re confident that once people discover first-hand the improvements it can make to sustainable working that they’ll not look back.”

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Lawn Top Dressing applicator

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Lawn Top Dressing applicator: Would your business or sports club benefit by using a lawn top dresser to quickly and easily spread, top dressing, sand or compost onto fine turfed lawns, bowling greens, croquet lawns and cricket wickets?

Your company could increase profits by offering this service to existing customers or if you wish carry out this type of work on your sports surfaces, then an Eco 250s spreader, available in the UK from Geko Engineering Limited could make the job easier and faster.

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Spreading top dressing is a time consuming but essential routine task which needs to be carried out at least annually to fill in minor hollows in the surface and also improve soil condition and drainage. The traditional method of using a wheelbarrow and shovel to deposit material on the low spots, then level out with a lute can be used but this is extremely hard work and slow going on anything larger than a small area.

Until now few alternatives were available to smaller companies and sporting clubs who understand the benefits of top dressing and wish to add this service in addition to aeration and scarification as part of an annual maintenance program but could not justify the initial expenditure or charge for the labour time and effort required.

The Ecolawn Eco250s top dresser can spread up to approximately 1 tonne per hour evenly and quickly and is within the finances of most companies especially if a financing option or sports grant is used.

Operation of the machine is simple,

  • fill the hopper, drive the machine to the spread zone,
  • adjust the door opening to select how much material to discharge
  • engage the conveyor and drive the machine forwards at a brisk walking pace.
  • Adding the EcoSeeder attachment allows overseeding to take place simultaneously saving even more time, and offers a further revenue stream.

All Ecolawn powered machines utilise the professional grade Honda GX160 engine ensuring easy starting and reliable running. Machine controls are connected by linkages adjustable from the operating position, making adjustments whilst on the move possible. Servicing and maintenance requirements are minimal and easy to carry out by most people with basic knowledge therefore keeping the machine in good condition at minimum cost. Other advantages of these compact machines are their small size and low weight providing access through most gateways and transport between jobs by medium size van or small trailer.

Geko Engineering Limited are the sole UK distributor for the Ecolawn range, why not contact us now and find out more about Ecolawn machines.

Note to Editors:  Geko Engineering Ltd, supply professional landscaping equipment domestically and internationally. Working with manufacturers and distributors to provide specialist equipment/

Our range includes but is not limited to; Top dressing / compost spreaders, Spray equipment, Tree stump grinder attachment suitable for mini excavators, air spade non contact excavation tool, mowers, debris vacuums, leaf loaders, aerators, powered brushes

We offer UK delivery with personal handover on some products to ensure our customers understand operation and maintenance

(contact details for further information).

Geko Engineering Ltd.

Unit 16 Sherdley Road

Lostock Hall

Preston, Lancashire

PR5 5JF

Tel +44 (0)1772 459049

Mob+44 (0)7770 683679

email sales@gekoengineering.co.uk

Web http://www.gekoengineering.co.uk/

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ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

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ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022: ClearWater was a hit at a very successful BTME for Acumen Waste Services Ltd. with a good number of enquiries taken.

ClearWater’s General Manager, Matthew Mears, who was most impressed with show, now establishing the stand in its more renewed location commented: “it was great to be back after Covid and welcome so many great customers and new customers back to the stand”

ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

ClearWater Prize Draw At BTME 2022

The stand was certainly busy and footfall up on last year with continued overseas interest too. The latest ClearWater display unit was on hand and proved useful to explain the virtues of the system (as our photo shows). There were many visits from Greenkeepers, machinery dealerships and others with specific interest in wash pad compliance and had seen pre-show publicity for ClearWater.

Towards the end of the last day the big event was the Prize Draw. Jim Croxton CEO of BIGGA, was happy to make the draw. The system was won by Centurion Park Golf Club, based in the North East and soon to undergo some exciting expansion and renovation plans to really but the course on the map! . John Grey (Course Manager) was delighted to learn of the win and said: “This is great news as will fit in perfectly with the plans for the new. ClearWater has been wanted by the us here at Centurion Park for some time now!”. A new ClearWater system will be on its way to Centurion park very soon!

A great show for ClearWater and Acumen with impressive organisation and support from the BIGGA team as always!

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Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

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Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free: As tighter controls come into force on the use of Glyphosate-based products around Europe, it is perhaps unsurprising that a recent study has found increasing numbers of councils in the UK have voluntarily turned to chemical-free weed control solutions.

One of the driving factors for this could be the improvement in the effectiveness of non-herbicidal methods available, with Foamstream from Weedingtech proven to deliver vegetation control comparable to that of Glyphosate in independent trials.

Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

Effective from 1st July, rules regarding the application of Glyphosate have been extended in France – banning its use not just in municipality settings, but now in all public and private areas including residential properties. However, despite its known toxicity and negative impact on both the operator and environment, its use is still permitted in all situations in the UK.

The good news is that recent reports published in The Guardian demonstrate that the number of councils, from parish to county level, turning to natural alternatives is on the rise – with an estimated 80 councils around the UK now proudly chemical-free. “This rise is brilliant news and indicates the increasing concern that councils and the wider public now have about Glyphosate” comments Thomas Hamilton, Co-Founder of Weedingtech. “But for this positive growth to continue, Councils needs to be assured that the non-chemical alternatives available are effective and viable – from both a commercial and financial perspective.”

Since its launch in 2011, Foamstream has proved a successful solution to users from all corners of grounds and green space management. The active ingredient is hot water, insulated by a biodegradable, organic foam derived from natural plant oils and sugars which keeps the water in the ‘kill zone’ of 57oC and above for longer. As well as killing the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, preventing future weed growth and resulting in half the number of treatment cycles required when compared to other non-chemical options.

In four separate trials conducted by the University of Athens, the overall efficacy of hot foam used to treat a wide range of broadleaf weeds – including species that can be difficult to control by conventional methods – was found to be comparable to that of glyphosate. It was concluded that Foamstream provided an environmentally friendly and effective alternative, outperforming other non-chemical methods which only provided a moderate level of weed control.

One of the many councils now using Foamstream is Glastonbury Town Council, having previously used traditional herbicides to treat spaces in the town centre, residential areas and school perimeters. “A lot of our residents, myself included, are concerned at the use of chemical herbicides around the places where our children play” explains Councillor Emma George. “One of the greatest things about Foamstream is its complete non-toxicity, backed up by its Soil Association stamp of approval, and its viability on all types of weeds and all types of surfaces.”

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