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Agrovista Amenity boosts export potential

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Agrovista Amenity boosts export potential: Agrovista Amenity has further underlined its commitment to export by becoming a corporate member of the Institute of Export & International Trade.

Since Agrovista Amenity was launched many UK customers have benefited from a wider breadth of innovative products and specialist technical expertise. UK sport is a global spectacle and sets the standard for first class agronomy intelligence and natural playing surfaces.

Agrovista Amenity boosts export potential

Agrovista Amenity boosts export potential

There is, however, increasing pressure on grounds managers to produce the best playing surfaces and this in turn sees more demand for companies like Agrovista Amenity to provide new and innovative technologies.

With an experienced and motivated management team, the plan was always to explore new opportunities, and export was high on the agenda for Agrovista Amenity.

Although a vast range of the company’s products have already made an impression in various global markets, Export Manager Tom Challinor has revealed that the plan is to go even further.

“We want to grow export and the potential is absolutely there,” he said. “In the UK we are already one of the biggest amenity providers and now is the time to push on globally. I am fully focused on gradually building the export side of the business.”

With the company’s focus on sustainability, products such as those in Agrovista Amenity’s WhiptecBio range are becoming more sought after – especially due to the global initiative to reduce plastic waste. WhiptecBio tree and hedge guards are perfect for European nurseries and landscapers.

Agrovista Amenity’s diverse product range gives international customers a ‘one stop shop’ supplying everything from fertilisers, bio stimulants and micronutrients through to line marking paint, professional tools and equipment.

With excellent international logistics partners Agrovista can send products into Europe and Worldwide competitively and in good time.

The Institute of Export & International Trade is renowned for enhancing the export performance of the United Kingdom by setting and maintaining professional standards in international trade management and export practice. This is principally achieved by the provision of education, training and practical business support services.

“Having the corporate membership status gives us credibility, certainly when we are dealing with overseas customers. It shows that we are trusted exporters, which is essential especially in these current times.”

Tom admitted that the membership has come at a welcome time due to challenging and often complex trading conditions in international markets. He claims that the role of the Institute of Export & International Trade has never been more vital.

“With Brexit and the pandemic, export has become more complex,” he said. “The workload has increased, and everything is checked a lot more stringently now. Being up to date on changing legislation and customs formalities is crucial in successfully servicing our overseas customers and making sure our goods leave the UK and on to the destination country efficiently. This is where the support of the Institute will be beneficial with specific departments where we can access a host of information, such as legislation and customs advice.

“Overall, this membership is a very positive step forward and I believe it will continue to help us export our products into Europe and worldwide.”

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

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Mowing a million to fund raise

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Mowing a million to fund raise: Groundsman Mo Robson is mowing one million steps to raise money for children with life-limiting conditions.

Read the full article from Northampton Chronicle here

Mowing a million to fund raise

Mowing a million to fund raise

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Unique self-watering grass system

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Unique self-watering grass system: The newly opened Ångfärjeparken has already become popular among the people of Helsingborg. The park has a world-unique self-watering lawn that uses technology found only here and in Hong Kong.

The first ever hydroponic lawn has deeper roots and better wear-tolerance. The technology in combination with a soil moisture sensor in the lawn means that residents get a healthier, denser and greener lawn for a few extra months a year. In addition, the city saves costs on excess irrigation and there is zero leaching of nutrients.

Unique self-watering grass system

Unique self-watering grass system

The lawn in Ångfärjeparken is self-watering through the patented Capillary Hydroponics, the world’s first hydroponic system for lawns, and a Swedish invention. By allowing water to be quickly emptied and filled by capillary force, the roots ‘breathe’ while always having perfect moisture content without the need for sprinklers above ground.

“This system uses about 15 per cent of normal water demand on a lawn, and there is no leakage of nutrients or other agents to the environment, which are really sensational improvements from yesterday’s systems. It can also take much more wear and tear, making natural grass a viable option instead of artificial grass”, says Martin Sternberg, CGCS, CEO and founder of Capillary Concrete.

Soil moisture sensors from Sensefarm measure moisture levels in the sand under the lawn. Using a mobile phone, you can also view the water data in the Capillary Hydroponics system, such as oxygen levels and fertilizers. “Hydroponics is potentially a transformational technology for anyone trying to grow grass,” Sternberg adds. “In sports fields, and areas of golf courses such as tee boxes, it could save huge amounts of water, and thus of money.”

“When this interesting new Capillary Hydroponics project came up, we were asked if we could measure the moisture content in the lawn. And of course, we jumped at the opportunity! We have acted as a development partner and supplier of the measurement technology, which we could call ‘the lawns Internet of Things’,” says Anders Hedberg, CEO of Sensefarm.

Residents will experience a lawn that can be used for a few extra months a year and that stays healthy even during difficult weather, such as drought or heavy rain, which is expected to increase in line with rising global temperatures.

“The technical advantages of this project are that those who take care of the grass get a very good control over the most important parameters that affect the grass throughout the year, from the temperature in the soil to the nutrients. Maintenance will be more efficient,” says Andréas Hall, development engineer at the city planning and technical services department in Helsingborg.

In terms of design, self-irrigation and measurement are neither seen nor heard, which contributes to a better visitor experience. In addition, no one risks getting wet feet from walking on the grass!

“It’s challenging and exciting to test completely new technologies, but at the same time it is completely in line with the City of Helsingborg’s values of ‘dare, test and do’. This is how we evolve the city for the better, “ says Elisabeth Möllerström, landscape architect at the city planning and technical services department in Helsingborg.

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New welding jobs at JCB

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New welding jobs at JCB: JCB is recruiting 100 new welders for its Staffordshire factories as demand for its products continues to soar, the company announced today.

The recruitment drive has just got underway for the permanent jobs at JCB’s World Headquarters and its plants in Cheadle and Uttoxeter.

New welding jobs at JCB

New welding jobs at JCB

In September, JCB will also welcome an additional 15 new recruits on to its fabrication and welding apprenticeship. In the past three years, almost 70 welding apprentices have passed their courses – and all gained permanent JCB jobs.

The news comes as demand for JCB machines reaches historic highs with most products now sold out until next year. It also comes in a year when JCB has recruited 1,350 new shop floor employees and handed permanent JCB contracts to 1,000 agency employees.

JCB Chief Operating Officer Mark Turner said: “Over the past five years the number of welders in the UK has shrunk, which presents businesses with a big challenge at times of high demand. JCB has been working very hard over the past few years to tackle this shortage and attract new entrants to this highly-skilled job with its apprenticeship and training programmes, which have been very successful. We are delighted to be building on that success with the creation of 100 permanent new welders’ jobs. We offer some of the best conditions and pay rates in the region and with opportunities for nightshift work and overtime, this is great news for welders in the area looking to join a successful global company.”

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Streamlined TYM range from Reesink

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Streamlined TYM range from Reesink: Reesink Turfcare introduces the new generation of TYM tractors in a streamlined range with new engines and a new look, following market feedback and TYM’s own rebranding.

The range from Reesink is now comprised of four customer favourites, including subcompact and compact models, and offers a wide range of solutions for the UK’s sports venues and golf courses, contractors, landscapers and equestrian customers.

Streamlined TYM range from Reesink

Streamlined TYM range from Reesink

In response to EU’s emission regulations, three of these models – the T255, T395 and T555 – come with a Stage V compliant diesel engine, which limits the amount of particulate matter produced in an effort to reduce air pollution.

Steven Haynes, tractor sales manager at Reesink, TYM’s official UK distributor, says: “TYM went through a major overhaul at the end of 2020 to prepare for the next 70 years, showing its commitment to investing in engineering that drives performance, and the result is a customer-focused redesign that provides versatility and value.

“At Reesink we went through a similar process of listening to our customers and streamlining our offering into four favourites. There’s a horsepower option suitable for all fine turf and sports requirements and attachments available from Reesink to ensure all jobs are catered for.”

Available from Reesink are the 19hp T194, the 25.3hp T255, the 37hp T395 and 55hp T555.

Steve continues: “There are some clever features to the range. The T255, for example, is Stage V compliant but avoids the need for expensive exhaust treatments such as a DPF filter, keeping costs down for the customer. It’s also now able to synchronise the HST pedals with the engine throttle for much simpler, and less tiring, operation. Plus, following customer feedback, it now comes with one set of spool valves as standard, rather than as an optional accessory.

“The T555 produces more power than its predecessor while still maximising on fuel efficiency, while the updated panel has a new digital element that shows the tractor hours, fuel gauge and information on the engine and emission system make for much-improved user control.”

What all four have in common is a new look, Steven comments: “The new look is sleek, bold and eye-catching and will appeal to all customers, while the redesign brings superior ergonomics and operator-focused interiors with robust and aesthetically designed exteriors to set TYM apart.”

To find out more about the TYM range and the tractor attachments available from Reesink call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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