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Green-tech reaffirms commitment to industry charity Perennial

Green-tech reaffirms commitment to industry charity Perennial

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Green-tech reaffirms commitment to industry charity Perennial

Green-tech has confirmed that it will continue its support for Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people who work in horticulture, by renewing its Platinum Partnership.

Green-tech reaffirms commitment to industry charity Perennial

Green-tech reaffirms commitment to industry charity Perennial

Green-tech has supported Perennial for many years and regularly promotes the charity’s services across its customer and industry networks.

Perennial supports everyone working with plants, trees, flowers or grass, as well as those who have retired from the sector. The charity provides free and confidential advice, information and financial assistance to people in horticulture and their families who may be facing difficult circumstances, such as ill health, financial hardship, bereavement, or workplace challenges.

Green-tech, a leading supplier to the landscaping and horticulture industries, has long supported Perennial and the vital work it carries out across the sector. Kate Humes, Marketing Director at Green-tech, explains, “Perennial provides an essential safety net for those working in horticulture and landscaping. Our industry is built on the hard work and dedication of its people, and it is important that support is available when times become challenging.

We are proud to continue our Platinum Partnership with Perennial and to support the invaluable work they do for our sector.”

Perennial has supported people working in horticulture for more than 185 years and continues to provide a range of services, including confidential advice, caseworker support, wellbeing guidance and financial assistance for those experiencing hardship.

Phil Swainston, Business Development Director at Perennial, adds, “We are incredibly grateful for Green-tech’s continued support as a Platinum Partner in 2026. Without partnerships like this, Perennial could not continue its vital work supporting people across horticulture and landscaping. Green-tech’s commitment helps us reach more individuals who may need guidance or financial support and demonstrates the strength of the industry coming together. We look forward to working closely with them to ensure everyone in horticulture knows that Perennial is here to help.”

Perennial’s corporate partnership programme enables businesses across the horticulture and landscaping industries to support the charity’s work and raise awareness of the help available to those who may be struggling.

To find out how to get involved, visit perennial.org.uk.

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Precision in Every Line: PaintMaster™ Pro at Ratcliffe College

Precision in Every Line: PaintMaster™ Pro at Ratcliffe College

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Precision in Every Line: PaintMaster™ Pro at Ratcliffe College

Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire is home to an impressive range of sporting facilities, supporting rugby, cricket, football, hockey and athletics across its expansive campus.

Precision in Every Line: PaintMaster™ Pro at Ratcliffe College

Precision in Every Line: PaintMaster™ Pro at Ratcliffe College

Keeping those surfaces match-ready is the responsibility of Chris Moody, Head of Grounds, and his small but highly skilled team. Over the past year, the introduction of the PaintMaster™ Pro RLM01 Robotic Line Marker, supplied by Agrovista Amenity, has delivered a significant improvement in efficiency, consistency and presentation across the site.

“I’ve been in the industry a long time and a line-marking robot has been on my mind for a good few years,” Chris explains. “When I first started at Ratcliffe, it was something I raised as a real opportunity for us. As the technology has advanced over the last five or six years, it just made more and more sense to revisit it.”

Responsible for nine rugby surfaces, six grass cricket areas, nets, two full-size artificial hockey pitches, a four-lane 400m track and a range of football pitches, Chris and his team of four manage a demanding programme of activity all year round. Traditionally, the school used external contractors to carry out initial robotic markings at the start of each term before the grounds team took over for weekly over-marking and maintenance.

“That system worked, but it only got us so far,” he says. “We wanted more flexibility, more control, and greater consistency week in, week out. That’s when we decided to properly assess our own robotic line marker.”

After researching the market, speaking with other schools and arranging demonstrations, the PaintMaster™ Pro RLM01 stood out as the clear choice. Supplied by Agrovista Amenity, with technical sales support, training and backup from XDC, the system offered both cutting-edge capability and reliable aftersales support.

“The PaintMaster Pro ticked a lot of boxes for us – including the finance options, which are important in an educational environment. But what really sold it to me was the full package: the machine itself, the user-friendly tablet, the size of the paint tank, and the support network behind it,” says Chris. “The people who already had one couldn’t speak highly enough of it – and now I completely understand why.”

The PaintMaster Pro is a smart, GPS-guided robotic line marker that delivers centimetre-accurate results on a wide variety of sports surfaces. Using dual industrial-grade GNSS positioning and a local base station, it produces straight, consistent lines every time. For more challenging environments, such as areas surrounded by trees or buildings, an optional laser kit ensures reliable performance where GPS may struggle. A 0.5 kWh battery enables marking of up to eight full-size pitches on a single charge, while the 1 kWh upgrade doubles that capacity. A fast-swap battery system also allows for extended operation during busy periods.

“There’s no complicated setup,” Chris adds. “Once the aerial and base points are in place, everything is controlled through the tablet. Getting the base points for our first pitch took about 15 to 20 minutes, and in a day we had the whole site mapped and saved. Now those pitches are always stored in the system, ready to go. We could take the robot out of the shed and have a full-size pitch marked in around 90 minutes, perfectly to our exact dimensions.”

For the team, the biggest benefit has been the time saved and the flexibility it brings.

“It frees us up to improve other areas of the site,” Chris explains. “We can be setting up posts, pads, flags and barriers, or working on another pitch while the robot is marking the first one. That efficiency has definitely enabled us to provide a better surface and a better overall experience for students and staff. We take huge pride in our work, and knowing the lines will always be spot on adds to that professional finish.”

Beyond the machine itself, Chris has been particularly impressed with the support from Agrovista Amenity and XDC.

“The backup has been brilliant,” he says. “They even set up a WhatsApp group so if we have a question or need a tweak, it’s dealt with straight away. The software is always being updated and improved based on user feedback. In terms of customer service, it’s second to none.”

For Ratcliffe College, the PaintMaster Pro has become an important asset in raising standards and supporting a busy sporting calendar.

“We don’t see it as replacing skills – it’s enhancing what we do,” Chris concludes. “It’s helping us deliver consistency and quality across the whole site, and that’s exactly what we aim for here at Ratcliffe.”

As the exclusive distributor of the PaintMaster™ Pro RLM01, Agrovista Amenity continues to support facilities of every level in raising standards of precision, efficiency and presentation in sports line marking.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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

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Exhibitor Line-Up Expands as Industry Support Grows

Exhibitor Line-Up Expands as Industry Support Grows

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Exhibitor Line-Up Expands as Industry Support Grows

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) is pleased to confirm an expanded line-up of exhibitors and sponsors for the 2026 TGA Demonstration Day, taking place on Thursday 2 July 2026 at Grasslands Turf, Kent.

Exhibitor Line-Up Expands as Industry Support Grows

Exhibitor Line-Up Expands as Industry Support Grows

The Demonstration Day is the Association’s flagship technical field event, bringing together professional turfgrass growers, suppliers and industry specialists from across the UK for a full day of live demonstrations, knowledge exchange and networking.

The event is expected to attract around 150–200 delegates from across the industry.

The TGA is delighted to confirm the following exhibitors:

• Campey Turfcare
• Trimax
• Brocks Wheel & Tyre
• Industrial Pallet & Transport Services Ltd
• Rovadi Turf Equipment
• LS Products BV
• Tama UK
• Trebro UK Ltd
• Wessex International Machinery
• ICL
• Perennial
• Barenbrug UK

Exhibitor interest remains strong, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks.

The TGA extends its sincere thanks to event sponsors for their support in helping deliver the 2026 Demonstration Day. In particular:

• Agrigem Ltd – Show Programme Sponsor
• ICL – Registration and Lanyard Sponsor

Their support is key to the continued success of the event and reflects strong industry backing for the TGA and its work across the turfgrass sector.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The event will feature:

• Live machinery and equipment demonstrations
• On-field trials and technical showcases
• Trade stands from leading industry suppliers
• Networking opportunities with growers, agronomists and manufacturers

Discussion aligned with TGA production standards and sustainability priorities The Demonstration Day forms a key part of the TGA’s ongoing commitment to supporting professional turf production, promoting best practice and strengthening collaboration across the supply chain.

The TGA welcomes delegates from across the professional turfgrass industry to attend and encourages early booking to secure a place at this key industry event.

Tickets are now on sale, with strong early interest from across the industry.

For tickets, exhibitor bookings or sponsorship enquiries, visit www.turfgrass.co.uk or contact the TGA office.

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

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New lightweight battery mower from Dennis

New lightweight battery mower from Dennis

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New lightweight battery mower from Dennis

Dennis Mowers has unveiled the newest addition to its range of high-performance professional mowers: the lightweight ES-34SL battery-powered mower, designed for everyday use and flawless finishing.

New lightweight battery mower from Dennis

New lightweight battery mower from Dennis

A dedicated, battery-powered finishing mower using the latest lithium-ion battery technology, the ES-34SL is perfect for use on stadium pitches and training grounds in professional sports like football, rugby, hockey and baseball. It is also ideal for use on squares and outfields in cricket, as well as at schools, universities and other municipal facilities.

On a single charge, the new battery mower can cut for up to 10 hours – equivalent to 40 kilometres – with its rapid, two-hour recharge costing as little as £1.58*. Its ultra-low noise and vibration technology, meanwhile, allows for operation near areas of play without disturbance, improves operator health and safety, and is perfect for schools and universities where noise disturbance is of paramount importance during spring and summer.

At around 50 kg lighter than Dennis’ existing ES-860 battery mower, the ES-34SL is ideal for daily use and minimising soil compaction. The combination of reduced weight, reduced rear roller diameter, click adjustable Weile roller and intermediate grooming brush, allows for greater ease of use and control over the final finish, which serves to produce the flawless stripes that Dennis’ product range is renowned for.

The mower’s clip rate can be defined by the user to suit their specific surface and preferences and, once set, remains consistent, even if the machine speed is adjusted or a colleague takes over.

Furthermore, the ES-34SL is fitted with a weatherproof, colour LCD programmable display and keypad that operate the machine and relay real-time information to the operator, including ground speed, battery charge level and machine settings.

Megan Oliver, managing director at Dennis Mowers, said: “We are delighted to be launching the ES-34SL professional battery mower, which we’ve developed in response to direct feedback from grounds professionals. In addition to the popular features in our range, our challenge was to design a lightweight machine that helped to reduce soil compaction and was therefore suitable for everyday use, while still delivering the flawless presentation stripes relied upon for match days.

“Designed with day-to-day use in mind and supported by the service and consistency that our customers value, it’s another step forward in professional mowing.”

For more information on the Dennis range of mowers, visit https://dennisuk.com/.

To find out more about Howardson Group, go to https://howardsongroup.com/

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Timely application gives the best lawn service results

Timely application gives the best lawn service results

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Timely application gives the best lawn service results

New sprayer technology is enabling Norfolk lawn care specialist Will Dunger to achieve more timely applications for customers across a wider area, at a time climate shift is reducing spraying opportunities this spring.

Timely application gives the best lawn service results

Timely application gives the best lawn service results

“We seem to be getting fewer windows for ideal spraying conditions at the optimum timing for treatments. Being able to cover a larger area more effectively, and with greater accuracy, ensures when we’ll get the best results from every application,” advocates Will, owner of Will’s Norfolk Lawns.

With soil temperatures warming up and growth potential rising, herbicide application will soon be a priority on lawns where it’s needed, but that also coincides with the busy spring period for other lawn activities.

“For herbicide applications we’re looking to apply in the narrow window when growing conditions are good to get rapid uptake of product, but before established weeds get too large that makes them more difficulty to control. In recent seasons we’ve also seen conditions can quickly turn too dry for optimum control.

“Being able to spray large areas quickly and accurately means we can achieve better results for customers,” he says.

With his Techneat SPPS (Self-Propelled Pedestrian Sprayer) Will reports they can easily cover a hectare of more lawn spraying in a day across three to four sites. For larger scale jobs, he’s previously sprayed 1.4 hectares in less than three hours.

He calibrates the spray to operate at 400 l/ha, operating with 04 nozzles. “It’s a good compromise between optimum leaf coverage and comfortable spraying speed, with minimal risk of drift.

“We want to make sure that we get the maximum product onto the target, which is better for efficacy and minimises any risk of off-target effects or environmental loss,” he highlights. However, the sprayer’s multi nozzle bayonets allow a quick switch to larger nozzles for drift reduction or higher water volumes, particularly if soil target treatments are being applied.

“We are always looking at new innovations in turf agronomy from golf or sports pitch management, and how that might benefit lawn care quality. That’s where the accuracy and consistency of sprayer applications can also help,” he says.

Previously they have relied on granular wetting agents to counter hydrophobic soils, where dry patch is an issue on sandy sites, for example, but the advent of new longer-lasting liquid wetting agents could offer a spray treatment in the future.

Plant growth regulators, biostimulants and fungicides could also become more important in integrated lawn management strategies, where climate shift is creating new challenges and issues for customers, Will believes.

It’s his second Techneat SPPS sprayer, but with the advent of front folding booms he can now transport it in the company’s van, rather than requiring a trailer with the previous machine. That makes it quicker to move around and access more sites.

“We are solely focussed on giving the best lawn care service possible, where having the latest equipment ensures we can provide more customers with an efficient and effective complete service all through the season,” he adds.

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