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NEWS ARTICLES

Turf health expert joins Agrovista Amenity

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Turf health expert joins Agrovista Amenity: As part of a commitment to providing the best in professional turf care solutions and expertise, Agrovista Amenity is delighted to announce the appointment of Alistair Eccles.

Perth-based Alistair joins the team as an amenity specialist for North Scotland, where he’ll be contributing more than 30 years of industry experience.

Turf health expert joins Agrovista Amenity

Turf health expert joins Agrovista Amenity

Previously, he worked for grass seed company DLF as a technical sales manager, and prior to this, spent 12 years working for Germinal. Earlier in his career he also progressed through a range of commercial and technical roles within the crop protection industry.

Alistair, who is BASIS and FACTS qualified, said: “Turf has essentially been my life for the past 14 years. Throughout this time I’ve explored many issues associated with turf health – from nutrition management and improving disease tolerance, to environmental implications of product selection and managing the loss of key chemistry.

“My experience combines both technical and commercial knowledge across a range of business types. I believe this will benefit customers as not only do I understand the challenges they face, but I can break down technical product information and make it relevant to them.

“I’m delighted to be joining Agrovista Amenity – a progressive business with a strong scientific background. This, coupled with their drive to provide customers with the best in agronomic advice, has made it a perfect fit.”

As part of its key values, Agrovista Amenity strives to provide a modern, technical approach to professional turf care and amenity solutions. This is something that Ramsay MacGregor believes will be further supported through the appointment of Alistair.

Ramsay, Scottish Regional Manager for Agrovista Amenity, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alistair to the team in Scotland. Alistair brings a wide knowledge of the industry with him, in particular, his specialty of grass seed which will be invaluable to us.”

Head of Amenity, John Marland, added: “Alistair is high quality addition to the business and demonstrates our continued investment in the amenity industry.”

When he isn’t pursuing his work passion for turf health, Alistair enjoys golf, mountaineering and gardening.

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

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Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

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Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away: Former SISIS sales director Arthur Harrison has sadly passed away earlier this month, aged 88.

His career at SISIS spanned over 30 years, beginning in 1960 initially as assistant sales office manager when the company was based at Cheadle, Stockport, before being appointed sales director in 1979 until his retirement in 1996.

Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

Arthur was renowned as being one of the turfcare industry’s true gentlemen and largely responsible for building a strong SISIS dealer network throughout Western Europe in the 1970’s and expanding export into Asia, Canada, South Africa and Australia.

Arthur had since enjoyed the 24 years since his retirement caravanning, cruising and spending time with family and friends before passing away peacefully on 2nd November 2020.

Everyone at SISIS wish to extend our condolences to his family at this sad time.

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Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

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Makita launches new brushless disc cutter: Suitable for dry and wet cutting, the Twin 18V DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter is Makita’s latest addition to its world renowned LXT range. Powerful, compact and packed with safety features, this new construction tool is ideal for heavy-duty applications.

The new cordless DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter features a powerful 36V brushless motor with a no-load speed of 6,600rpm and maximum cutting capacity of 88mm, and is powered by two 18V LXT Lithium-ion batteries.

Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

The tool has been designed with safety in mind and includes Makita’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) which shuts down the current to the motor if the rotation speed suddenly slows down, as well as an electric brake, a soft start feature that gradually increases speed to eliminate start-up shock, and a lock-off button to prevent accidental start-up.

In addition, the tool will alert the user to any risk of motor burnout caused by overloading, with its in-built overload indicator lamp. If the user continues, the electronic current limiter will cut off the power to protect both the batteries and the tool from damage.

With a fully loaded weight of just 6.3kg, the disc cutter is easy to manoeuvre and includes a rubberised ergonomic, soft grip for further user comfort. For wet cutting applications, the tool can be connected to a water supply kit for effective dust suppression, whilst the plastic battery cover (included) protects the batteries from water contact.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK says, “The Twin 18V DCE090 joins the line-up of over 250 cordless products within our LXT range, offering users wider flexibility on site and the ability to switch between jobs easily. The tool has been engineered with user safety and productivity in mind as well as incorporating features that optimise battery and tool performance, so that users benefit from an extended life cycle.”

For more information on Makita’s range of power tools, please visit www.makitauk.com.

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New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

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New Reesink sales manager for Midlands: Daniel Tomberry is relocating to the Midlands from South West Scotland to take on the role of sales manager for the area.

Daniel has almost fifteen years’ experience in sports turf management in various roles including head groundsman at East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and three years sales experience working with all Reesink brands in Glasgow and West Scotland. It is this mix of sales set against a practical background ‘in the field’ that Daniel, and Reesink Turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair Rowell, say will benefit customers in the Midlands.

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

Daniel comments: “My time in various greenkeeping positions and as a head groundsman has certainly enabled me to relate to customers in my sales role with Reesink over the last few years. It’s given me a practical understanding of what they want to achieve, and which products will best suit their needs.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Reesink in Scotland and I feel fortunate that my experience and sales record affords me this new opportunity to work with Reesink customers in the Midlands. I’m excited about making a new home in the area and look forward to carrying on the good relationships the company has with existing customers and creating new ones with those who have not benefited from fantastic brands such as Toro before.”

Daniel’s role covers both fine turf and grounds customers and turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair says Daniel is ideal to cover both markets: “The Midlands is a key area for us, so it was imperative we get the right person in the role. The remit includes all turfcare customers from golf clubs and sports venues, to local authorities and contractors, which matches with Daniel’s experience to date. He not only understands sales, but also the pressures and requirements of all those working in the turfcare sector. I believe he is a strong replacement for our open sales area.”

Daniel can be contacted via Reesink HQ from 1 November on 01480 226800.

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Greensward supporting local clubs

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Greensward supporting local clubs: A southwest contractor is doing his part to help clubs at all levels come through turbulent times

Andy Boyce, Director of Greensward sports consultancy, based in Bath, says if pitches are playable for whatever part of the season that remains, then officials can more easily focus on business matters and financial survival.

Greensward supporting local clubs

Greensward supporting local clubs

“Every effort must be taken to ensure surfaces are optimal prior to Christmas. Effective deep aeration and recovery time will rejuvenate turf in preparation for the coldest and wettest part of winter that lies ahead.

“We’re keeping our rates as keen as we can and supporting existing customers who are having it tough. When halted matches are able to resume we want everyone to get back into their sport and start enjoying life again,” he said.

A former greenkeeper for 15 years, nine of those as Course Manager at The Bath GC, Andy set up Greensward in 2008.

“A background in golf genuinely does prepare you for most turfing matters; all the H&S protocols transfer across and experience of dealing with committees comes in handy. I just fancied steering my career in a slightly different direction with more renovation and construction projects.  Gradually we’ve built to a team of eight and we have a lot of repeat business.

“Aeration is probably the most significant intervention you can make to a turf surface to keep it healthy.  I’ve been in the industry 30 years and I don’t think anything has come along to surpass the effect of deep aeration.  In the early days, as an apprentice greenkeeper, the contractor would come in once a year and spike your greens but gradually more and more golf courses have access to their own machine.

“Regular aeration is vital for rugby, football and cricket outfields. Much of our work is for local clubs, we’ve probably aerated nearly 30 different sites across October, then there are maintenance contracts for schools and for Parish Councils.

“We use a Wiedenmann Terra Spike XF8 paired to New Holland T495 tractor which covers it out perfectly and has the right amount of power. We spike a full size pitch to a depth of 220 mm in less than three hours, which suits us fine as much of the ground is bult on stone with fairly  shallow rootzone.

“Across 2019 there was huge amounts of rainfall and lying water; when the rain started it never seemed to stop.  But in this part of the world, the weather here has been kinder, so this season’s winter maintenance on a firmer footing. But it’s still a bit of a patience game doing spiking in the right conditions. When the prevailing conditions are right you need to take full advantage.” said Andy Boyce.

GreenSward can be contacted on 07972 630518 info@greenswardsports.co.uk

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