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Kioti UK acquired by SMT GB

Kioti UK acquired by SMT GB

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Kioti UK acquired by SMT GB

SMT GB has completed the acquisition of Kioti UK, bringing the distribution and technical support for the compact tractor, utility vehicle (UTV), and zero-turn mower brand onto British soil after 25 years operating in the UK.

Kioti UK acquired by SMT GB

Kioti UK acquired by SMT GB

Previously a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Pols Group, Kioti UK will now leverage SMT GB’s domestic resources. The move is designed to streamline the supply chain by handling machine preparation and administrative support from within the UK, rather than from overseas.

Kioti UK further benefits from SMT GB’s logistical, financial, and technical strengths as part of the global SMT Group, which employs more than 2,000 people in 30 countries.

Kioti customers will continue to receive equipment, parts, and technical support as usual through the established network of 58 independent dealers in the UK. However, they will start to see the SMT GB name on transactional documentation, such as invoices and warranty claims.

Ryan Hollebone, director of compact equipment at SMT GB, said: “The same Kioti team will support their dealer network exactly as they always have, while gaining the additional resources and stability that come with being part of the wider SMT organisation. Ultimately, SMT is here to help all of our partners grow their businesses.”

Patrick Desmond, general manager of Kioti UK, added: “As we celebrate 25 years of Kioti in the UK, it’s the perfect time for our next chapter. Our customers will still deal with the same team they know and trust, but with the added weight of SMT’s infrastructure behind us.”

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New location and total Toro solution for Maidenhead

New location and total Toro solution for Maidenhead

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New location and total Toro solution for Maidenhead

The Maidenhead Golf Club has embarked on the next era of its 130 years by relocating to Ascot. Supporting plans to update and improve the new course, it invested heavily in a Toro machinery five-year rolling lease programme and committed to the future by signing a Toro Total Solutions Agreement with distributor Reesink UK to include a new irrigation system.

New location and total Toro solution for Maidenhead

New location and total Toro solution for Maidenhead

With 36 extra acres and a more demanding layout, the club’s new home has the potential for not only a significantly enhanced golfing experience but realistic ambitions to make a top 100 golf club in the UK.

But first there’s some work to do and that is the responsibility of Course Manager Martin Dearlove.

“The new course layout is fantastic but there is work needed to bring it back up to standard and reinstate its original features,” he says. “That process is well underway. We’ve invested £1 million in fairway drainage, there’s a significant bunker renovation planned, we have a brand new fleet of turfcare equipment from Toro, and installation for a new Toro irrigation system planned to start this summer.

“We’re working with Reesink Turfcare for our machinery and irrigation and the service is spot on. We ordered our machinery in October and the fleet arrived in December just in time to start fresh at the new course in early January. It really couldn’t have gone any better.”

Working with Paul Bell from Reesink Southeast branch, the club has received three Greensmaster Triflex 3420 mowers, a Reelmaster 5610 and Reelmaster 3100, a MultiPro 5800 sprayer, the MDX and HDX Workman utility vehicles, a ProPass 200 topdresser, and for the very first time a ProCore 648s.

All but the ProCore 648s are replacement mowers for a previously ageing fleet, says Martin, and while it is the first time the club has owned a ProCore aerator, it is not the first time Martin has used one.

“I love that machine; we’ve always used it but up until now we’ve hired one when it was time to aerate. However, with the new course clay based and susceptible to waterlogging, we knew we’d need to aerate more often to ensure standards are maintained throughout the year.”

With 16 years of experience working at top British golf clubs and time spent experiencing life on the course in Australia, Martin knew the Toro brand well and when it came time to decide on who to commit to for a lease deal it was “the first choice”. At the same time, he knew he needed to invest in the team to help with the increased workload and he’s expanded the team from eight to 11.

“The next 5 to 10 years will be crucial in setting the foundations for taking the course forward. There’s a lot of work to do but we have the right machinery and manpower to support it.”

The next priority is the irrigation system. The inherited system is 35 years old and doesn’t have the precision, reach or capabilities Martin requires for the site: “The system in place is causing us issues, we need the reliability of a modern irrigation solution. We’ve opted for Toro Lynx Central Control with Infinity sprinklers for the greens, tees, approaches and all the fairways with work starting July.”

With a complete Toro package plus support from Reesink, The Maidenhead Golf Club can begin the next era knowing technology, quality and precision are on its side.

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Origin Amenity enters exclusive partnership with ZymeCo

Origin Amenity enters exclusive partnership with ZymeCo

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Origin Amenity enters exclusive partnership with ZymeCo

ZymeCo, the innovators behind a range of novel enzyme technologies, are pleased to have formed an exclusive partnership with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) to lead product distribution in the UK and across the EU. In addition to offering ThatchZyme this season, the partnership will grant OAS sole distribution of new enzyme products currently in development, to help turf professionals achieve their agronomic goals.

Origin Amenity enters exclusive partnership with ZymeCo

Origin Amenity enters exclusive partnership with ZymeCo

ThatchZyme is a proven sprayable thatch control that offers a new approach to organic matter control that reduces the reliance on labour intensive and disruptive mechanical operations such as scarification or hollow coring. By targeting the most resistant components of thatch, ThatchZyme’s patented formulation accelerates natural breakdown processes, helping to reduce organic matter accumulations and improve the play performance of fine turf surfaces.

Ideal for golf greens and tees, sports surfaces and sites where disruption needs to be kept to a minimum, ThatchZyme works by harnessing the power of Laccase, a naturally occurring enzyme that breaks down the toughest and most resistant component of thatch – lignin. While soil biology naturally produces this enzyme, modern turf practices, particularly nitrogen inputs, can limit its activity. ThatchZyme supplements this by delivering an effective dose directly into the thatch layer, accelerating its breakdown through natural biological pathways – working in conjunction with existing spray programmes.

In extensive field trials, ThatchZyme demonstrated a 15.8% reduction in organic matter accumulations compared to untreated turf across multiple sites. Treated areas showed stable or reduced thatch levels and a visible reduction in thatch layers within a single season. In controlled studies, it has also shown a 21% increase in root length in creeping bentgrass.

“We’re delighted to start an exciting new partnership between ZymeCo and OAS which focuses on offering innovative, data driven products to the UK and European markets” comments Nutrition & Speciality Products Manager for OAS Jamie Lees. “The first step is to introduce ThatchZyme into the UK turf industry which provides turf managers with a tried and tested solution in organic matter management. We believe ThatchZyme will provide a vital tool in following an integrated approach to reduce thatch accumulation, whilst improving both soil health and playing surfaces, but more importantly backed by extensive research and data.”

Those wishing to learn more about ThatchZyme can do so in a free webinar, taking place on Tuesday 19th May. To register to attend, or for more information, visit originamenity.com/thatchzyme

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ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

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ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

ICL Turf & Landscape UK & Ireland has introduced H2Pro TriSmart Granules and H2Pro TriSmart Tablets, extending its TriSmart surfactant technology beyond liquid applications.

ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

The new formulations provide turf managers and landscapers with additional options for managing localised dry patch and improving water distribution in turf surfaces.

Both products are based on ICL’s TriSmart triple-action surfactant technology, designed to help water spread more evenly, penetrate the soil profile and be retained for longer.

This supports more consistent moisture levels, slows the rate of dry-down and aids faster rewetting in affected areas.

H2Pro TriSmart Granules offer a new delivery method for surfactant technology through a patent-pending polyhalite mini-granule carrier, developed by ICL’s research and development team at AmegA Sciences.

The compacted granule incorporates the surfactant within a polyhalite-based core, allowing for accurate and consistent application from a stable, free-flowing product.

In addition to delivering the surfactant, the polyhalite carrier provides background levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium, with the surfactant aiding their movement into the soil. The granules are designed to withstand handling and spreading, while breaking down effectively once wetted to release the active ingredients.

Field trials conducted in the UK, Spain and Australia have demonstrated increased rootzone moisture content compared to untreated areas following dry-down and rewetting cycles. These improvements were supported by observed gains in turf colour and overall surface quality.

H2Pro TriSmart Tablets introduce a hose-end application method, offering a practical solution for targeted treatment without the need for spray equipment. Designed to disperse during normal hand watering over a 20 to 30-minute period, the tablets enable efficient delivery of the surfactant to localised dry areas. This makes them particularly suitable for use on greens, surrounds, lawns and landscape areas where precision application is required.

ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

ICL Expands H2Pro TriSmart Range

Aimee Davey, Marketing Communications Manager for ICL Turf & Landscape UK & Ireland said: “The addition of granule and tablet formats gives turf managers greater flexibility in how they apply TriSmart technology. These options allow for more targeted management of dry patch, particularly in areas where liquid applications may not be practical.”

H2Pro TriSmart Granules and Tablets can be integrated alongside existing TriSmart liquid programmes, enabling users to select the most appropriate application method for different conditions and site requirements. Both products are recommended for use from March to October on turf and landscape areas prone to moisture stress.

ICL continues to expand its range of turf management solutions to support efficient water use and consistent playing surfaces across the UK and Ireland.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com

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The first AS 920 ESherpa 2WD mowers in practical use

The first AS 920 ESherpa 2WD mowers in practical use

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The first AS 920 ESherpa 2WD mowers in practical use

The AS 920 ESherpa 2WD electric ride-on mower for tall grass is going into series production. The first machines are currently rolling off the production line and are already being delivered to customers. AS-Motor is thus the first manufacturer to bring a production-ready, battery-powered ride-on mower for tall grass with a swappable battery system to the market.

The first AS 920 ESherpa 2WD mowers in practical use

The first AS 920 ESherpa 2WD mowers in practical use

The AS 920 ESherpa 2WD operates with a powerful 56-volt swappable battery system and a total capacity of 16 kWh. The electric drive and blade system delivers a mowing performance that even exceeds that of a combustion engine. 13 kW peak power at the mower deck ensures enormous cutting force and an excellent cut. The AS 920 ESherpa 2WD also impresses with its powerful and efficient two-stage wheel drive, delivering a torque of 600 Nm.

A key advantage of Ariens’ powerful FusionCore battery system is the ability to use it across multiple machines. The interchangeable batteries of the AS 920 ESherpa 2WD are compatible with the professional zero-turn mowers Zenith E and Arrow E from sister brand Ariens. This allows for optimal seasonal use and utilisation, thereby significantly reducing the investment costs.

Innovative energy and charging management

When it comes to charging options, the engineers have taken their cue from the classic electric car standard. With the integrated 3.3 kW fast charger, the charging time for a full 16 kWh charge is just under five hours. The Type 2 charging socket allows charging at a wallbox, at public charging points or, with an adapter, at a standard 230-volt socket. This means the E-Sherpa integrates seamlessly into existing charging infrastructures. The optionally available mobile charging station allows additional batteries to be charged separately from the machine.

Sustainable for the long term

The E-Sherpa operates with zero emissions and significantly reduces its carbon footprint, depending on the energy mix. The reusability of the batteries and the extensive avoidance of plastic parts also contribute to sustainability. The electric drive reduces the noise level by 69 per cent to just 72.9 dB. Combined with reduced vibrations, this significantly improves user comfort during daily use.

Compared to combustion engine models, maintenance costs for a battery-powered mower are considerably lower. The wheel and blade drive systems of the AS 920 ESherpa are maintenance-free. The mower is also ideally suited for using self-generated solar power, thereby saving further operating costs. Funding opportunities for electrically powered machinery should be explored.

Tried-and-tested high-quality components

The combustion engine model AS 920 Sherpa 2WD serves as the basis for the E-Sherpa. Many components have proven themselves there and are also found in the battery-powered E-Sherpa: the mechanical differential lock, the double blade bearing and the overload protection of the cross-blade system. The high-quality wraparound steel tube frame, the tyres in combination with a pendulum front axle ensure very agile handling and a turning circle of just 0.65 m. The floating mower deck compensates for uneven ground and the rear axle track widening ensures improved stability. In terms of comfort too, the E-Sherpa fits perfectly into the successful Sherpa family with its comfortable seating position, adjustable seat suspension and the comfortable drive lever with parking brake and cruise control function.

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