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GGM Group celebrate charity success

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GGM Group celebrate charity success: A Lancashire based business is ending the year on a high and celebrating raising over £10,000 for charity over the past two years – despite the restrictions caused by the global pandemic.

Colne-based GGM Group selected three charities to support, pledging to raise over £10k through an intensive programme of activity. After a great start in 2019, the business was determined not to be hampered by lockdown restrictions in 2020 and came up with their own ingenious ways to fundraise.

GGM Group celebrate charity success

GGM Group celebrate charity success

The businesses annual charity walking event was rethought with MD Chris Gibson travelling from his home town of Lancaster to the businesses’ head office in Colne and then back again covering a distance of 104 miles –  through a combination of cycling and walking. He was joined at different points on his journey by different members of staff undertaking different legs in pairs, to enable social distancing.

The business has thought further outside of the box in it’s fundraising efforts with a team of staff pledging to lose weight in aid of charity.

The fundraising has raised money for charities who are finding themselves cash-strapped during these difficult times. Greenfingers is the company charity for the second year running,  dedicated to supporting children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens for them to relax in. In addition, funds have also been raised for St John’s Hospice in Lancaster and Pendleside Hospice in Burnley.

Chris Gibson explains more:

“It’s a key part of our ethos at The GGM Group to give something back to the community and we are delighted to have been able to achieve our charity target, despite these difficult times. Now, more than ever, charities need our support and we are delighted to have still been able to help”.

The GGM Group has worked hard to find ways to keep the business operating this year, and  throughout the pandemic has worked hard to keep the whole team together, maintain its commitment to excellent customer service, and, where it was safe to do so, keep machines operational for professional and domestic customers throughout the season.

The company has also started recruiting again and are aiming to help some of the younger members of the local community with apprenticeship opportunities.

In addition, the business made a pledge during lockdown to become an eco-friendly organisation and strive to improve its green credentials even further, through a range of initiatives including electric vehicles, a wildlife wellbeing oasis at the Haydock branch and the recent installation of solar panels.

The GGM Group consists of two businesses across two depots. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment, including AS Motor and Eliet, Koppl and TS Industrie. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use. Servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Amazone.

Chris Gibson concluded:

“There is no dispute that this has been an incredibly challenging year for most businesses. I’m incredibly proud of how our team has pulled together and hitting our charity target really is the icing on the cake. Like most people, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel and I’m confident of a bright 2021.

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CleanShield – a peace of mind

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CleanShield – a peace of mind: Amega Science’s CleanShield – an alcohol-free, multi-surface cleaner, offers peace of mind at a time when it is most needed according to Martin Ford, UK Sales Manager for Agrigem.

It is widely documented that the most common way that microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are spread and cause infection is on hard surfaces and carried on people’s hands. Preventing infection and managing the spread of germs from hands and surfaces is therefore important in all environments.

CleanShield – a peace of mind

CleanShield – a peace of mind

CleanShield is designed to bring broad spectrum pathogen protection and biological cleanliness to large areas in an instant. This high-performance sanitising solution has been independently proven to be effective against a wide variety of germs including Norovirus, Ebola, MERS, Swine-Flu, Covid-19 and many more.

Martin from Agrigem claims that he has seen an increasing demand for CleanShield, particularly over recent months. He also had no hesitation in using the product at his local football club (Rastrick Junior FC in Yorkshire) where he is also manager and chairman.

“Since the pandemic we have obviously had to put many safety measures in place. When we were able to restart after the initial lockdown, we were told by the FA that we needed to disinfect all of our equipment after every session – our goal posts, the footballs, the bibs, the cones – pretty much everything.

“At our club, there are over 350 players and 70 coaches – so it was essential that we carried out the necessary measures. When CleanShield was released we knew it was going to be a reputable product and it was going to do exactly what it claimed to do.”

CleanShield is alcohol free which has many advantages over alcohol-based products: it kills spores or non-enveloped viruses unlike alcohol-based products; alcohol hand gels and surface wipes can dry the skin causing hands to crack and bleed – but with no alcohol content, CleanShield will not irritate the skin at all and is proven to be effective for up to 45 minutes on hands and 3 days on surfaces after its application.

Furthermore, it can be mopped, sprayed or wiped onto floors, walls, surfaces and equipment providing easy instant protection to any environment where the transfer of germs is a concern. It is ready to use immediately with no preparation or mixing – something which Martin is particularly impressed with.

“CleanShield can be used straight out of the bottle which is great,” he said. “This makes it easy for the coaches at the end of each of the sessions just to spray everything down. It also goes an exceptionally long way which a huge benefit because it is so cost effective.

“In this day and age, you need to take the necessary precautions and keep everyone safe. You need something that will work effectively and not give you any problems further down the line – CleanShield gives you peace of mind because it does exactly what it claims to do.

“I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this to anyone, and I have already. My wife is the Operations & Welfare Manager for Leeds United Sports College and even she has bought some CleanShield. This proves how good the product is, because if I can sell it to my wife – then I can sell it to anybody!”

Please contact Agrigem:

Web – Agrigem.co.uk

Phone – 01522 246491.

Twitter – @AgrigemLtd

Facebook – Agrigem-Ltd

Linked IN – Agrigem-Ltd

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WINSTONgolf deploys Soil Scout sensors

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WINSTONgolf deploys Soil Scout sensors: WINSTONgolf, Germany’s number one golf venue in 2019, has announced a new partnership with wireless underground soil monitoring solution Soil Scout to further its vision of becoming Europe’s forerunner in greenkeeping technology.

After an initial pilot using 27 sensors in one green at three different depths to find an optimal all-round wetting agent, WINSTONgolf will deploy Soil Scout’s sensors to its Open and Links course greens.

WINSTONgolf deploys Soil Scout sensors

WINSTONgolf deploys Soil Scout sensors

WINSTONgolf in Vorbeck, Germany, home to the WINSTONgolf Senior Open, is well known for its unique topography. Often nicknamed the “moonscape” course after its unusual hills and crater-like bunkers, the course presents moisture retention challenges for Head Greenkeeper Erwan Le Cocq.

“Soil Scout has been a game-changer for us in our search for the perfect wetting agent, which are notoriously difficult to program. Our main aim was to find the perfect wetting agent that holds enough moisture at high points but also drains enough moisture lower down. The only way to efficiently understand the physics of the green and moisture penetration was to measure at 6.5 cm, 15 cm, and 25 cm depths using Soil Scout’s underground soil monitoring solution,” says Erwan Le Cocq, Head Greenkeeper at WINSTONgolf.

Unlike above-ground solutions, Soil Scout’s sensor is the only system capable of transmitting moisture, temperature, and salinity data in near real-time from up to 2 meters below the surface, for up to 20 years, maintenance-free.

“Because we’ve had so much rainfall recently, it would be impossible to accurately sample and measure moisture levels without Soil Scout – by the time you start taking samples and the time you finish, your data is redundant. With the sensors in place, I can get an accurate near real-time snapshot on my phone while I’m in the office or at home,” continues Le Cocq.

Using soil data to find the perfect wetting agent is just one method WINSTONgolf utilizes that fits in their technology program to become one of Europe’s leading tech leaders in golf agronomy.

“In addition to overseeing a truly aesthetically outstanding course, Erwan has grasped the importance of data-driven technology with both hands – from understanding how healthy the grass is on the fairway by cutting it with Autocut’s solar-powered autonomous robots to controlling moisture flow through the green’s soil with our sensors. There are very few people in the world right now with the ability to collate data effectively and make insight-driven decisions,” says Adam Sedgwick, VP of International Sales at Soil Scout.

Using the wrong wetting agent and holding moisture in the wrong layers can change the uniformity of the playing surface, and need reactive maintenance changes.

“When a product is this expensive, it is important to get the application right and assisted by the Soil Scout data I knew I was applying it at the most effective times by using it at the correct soil moisture instead of guessing or sampling and guaranteeing a greatly improved effect,” concludes Erwan Le Cocq.

Recently backed by Husqvarna last year’s seed funding round, Soil Scout was co-founded by Finnish agrotechnology Ph.D. and 19th generation farmer Johannes Tiusanen and electronics expert M.Sc.Eng Jussi Sirkiä with a mission of giving soil experts the information they need to effectively manage their lands. Erwan Le Cocq is the head greenkeeper at WINSTONgolf, overseeing the implementation of data collection and technology installation, under the direction of course manager Jordan Tschimperle.

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Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

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Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council: Luton Borough Council has been reaping the benefits of using innovative Mankar spraying units in its weed control programme.

The promising results come after Agrovista Amenity won a contract for the supply of weed control products to Luton Council. The tender was based on Roundup glyphosate and Mankar ULV spraying units.

Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

Mankar spraying units are professional systems for effective, environmentally responsible and economical weed control, with Roundup glyphosate being applied without water. All the spraying units are based on ULV technology which stands for ‘ultra-low volume.’

The primary area of application for Luton Council is pavement weed control, but the units can be introduced for use on highways, parks, grounds, public gardens, cemeteries and educational establishments.

Duncan Stirling, Street Spraying Manager at Luton Council, was attracted to the many benefits of the Mankar spraying system. He said: “A 50% reduction in the amount of herbicide required to maintain these areas will provide an immediate economic benefit, both in purchasing herbicide, and reduction in disposing of plastic containers.

“The ease of use with the Mankar system, in that the herbicide can be applied neat, is of continual benefit to us as it negates the need to pre-mix into knapsacks or source water supplies. This will provide a noticeable benefit to operatives in time efficiency.

“The battery life of the machine provides more than enough charge for each period of use and if required, batteries can be easily switched. Feedback from all our operatives has been extremely positive, particularly in relation to ergonomics; the 3.4kg spraying unit is a lot more comfortable in comparison to knapsack and other spraying systems, which can weigh over 20kg. The team has also commented on how quiet the device is when operating, causing minimal disruption to members of the public.

“Not only will we be saving money, but we will also see an improvement in the quality of the areas we maintain.”

Following the award of the contract, Agrovista Amenity delivered a training session to the team of operatives. Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity is delighted to see the Mankar systems making a difference for Luton Council.

“It’s been fantastic to see Luton Council report such positive results from using the Mankar sprayers,” he said.

“Not only are they a cost-effective solution, but they are more environmentally friendly, more comfortable for the operatives and ultimately, they achieve a high level of weed control in comparison to other spray systems available.”

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

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Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

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Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder: Leading Belgium manufacturer Eliet have announced the launch of an innovative new overseeding machine, the  DZC450, a more compact counterpart to the popular DZC overseeder.

Over recent years, there has been continued demand for growth maintenance and renovation solutions. With the launch of the popular DZC 600 Overseeder, Eliet have firmly established themselves as an industry leader, and the patented overseeding concept for the ELIET DZC 600 has been showered with innovation awards. In response to customer analysis and demand, the manufacturer identified a requirement for an even more compact, cost effective, entry-level model.

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Smaller than the DZC 600, the DZC 450 is highly effective machine and is designed to make overseeding more accessible. With a usable width of 45 cm, the DZC450 is lighter and more compact that it’s “big brother”, with dimensions that make it perfect for use in smaller and less accessible contemporary gardens.

Just like the DZC 600, this newcomer is equipped with the patented ELIET Helix Seed DuctTM seed distribution system and the residual seed can easily be removed from the machine when the work is complete. The 45 Permanently Sharp BladesTM, with 27mm spacing, ensure perfect performance for overseeding. The DZC450 features an exclusive rubber ejection paddle that efficiently discharges any materials removed by the blades and spreads it evenly as topdressing behind the machine.

Why overseed?

As the years go by, all grass is subject to ageing and scarifying and spraying can help to briefly interrupt the decline, however the only long-term solution is to fully rejuvenate the grass, through overseeding.

During the process, new grass seeds are sown into the existing grass and the germinating seeds fill the open space between the old grass plants with healthy young ones. Enhanced germination is encouraged via the powered rubber roller which immediately follows the seed distribution process and ensures that there is good contact between the soil and the seeds by pressing the earth down.

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Overseeding not only restores the diversity of grass varieties, but also increases the plant density and rejuvenates the lawn. Two weeks after the treatment, the grass will look fuller and greener. The lawn’s resistance to drought and pathogens is also much higher and mosses will have practically no chance anymore. An overseeding treatment is the quickest and cheapest way of giving grass a total make-over.

With the Eliet DZC overseeders you can renovate tired and thin grass in no time at all. This inexpensive alternative can take place quickly and guarantees a visible result in less than a month. The grass will be available for normal use immediately after overseeding which for some customers, including golf clubs, cricket clubs and football clubs, is extremely important.

As with all Eliet machines, operator safety and comfort is key, and the handlebars are fitted with anti-vibration dampers that are variably adjustable to the correct height, while the working depth of the blades can be quickly and easily altered.

The new machine is available from PSD Groundscare through their network of specialist Dealers. PSD Groundscare are the exclusive UK distributor for innovative European manufacturers AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl & TS Industrie.

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