Integrated Weed Management Conference 2025

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Integrated Weed Management Conference 2025: The inaugural conference on Integrated Weed Management for the Amenity Sector is to be hosted by Kersten UK on Thursday 5th June in Birmingham’s Highbury Hall.

The conference couldn’t be more prescient with the publishing of the National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan in February and the new Pesticides National Action Plan being finally published just last month. The new Pesticides National Action Plan particularly highlights Integrated Management, a sustainable strategy using biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to manage pests including weeds to minimise the reliance on conventional chemical pesticides, and the conference aims to inform and discuss the diverse ranges of weed management practices within the UK Amenity sector.

Integrated Weed Management Conference 2025

Integrated Weed Management Conference 2025

Presentations will include speakers from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the implications of the new Pesticide National Action Plan for the Amenity sector and from Cambridge City Council on a case study in becoming pesticide free and developing their Herbicide Reduction Plan after declaring a Biodiversity Emergency in 2019.

Parks for London will also be unveiling its Updated Integrated Weed Management Guidance and LANTRA will be launching its new qualification in Integrated Weed Management at the conference.

As part of the conference, attendees will be able to learn about the latest technological advancements in weed control such as various thermal and electrical weed control methods. Manufacturers from across Europe will be present to showcase how “mechanical alternatives can effectively maintain urban green spaces while minimising environmental impact” (UK Pesticide National Action Plan).

Attendees will also be able to participate and answer important questions in an audience-led discussion panel hosted by Bradley Tennant of International Greenkeepers for Hire with panellists including Professor John Moverley OBE, FRAgs, previously the independent chairman of UK Amenity Forum now running JMMSolutions Consultancy, and Nick Mole of Pesticide Action Network UK.

The conference hopes to bring together stakeholders of our amenity spaces, from council parks, streetscene and highways teams to Grounds Maintenance Contractors to exchange expertise and discuss the management of green urban spaces.

Sean Faulkner, the integrated weed management specialist from Kersten UK, who kicks-off the conference with an introduction to Integrated Pest Management says “My hope for the conference is that this will be a fertile ground to share how an integrated pest management philosophy can deliver a cost effective and sustainable weed control solution for the amenity sector.”

Tickets can be found on eventbrite, with early bird registration ending on the 5th May at which time tickets become full price.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/integrated-weed-management-conference-tickets-1111246049849?aff=oddtdtcreator 

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Green-tech Announces Back-to-Back Wins

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Green-tech Announces Back-to-Back Wins: Green-tech is delighted to announce that they have been named Supplier and Service Provider of the Year at the 2025 Pro Landscaper Business Awards.

The awards ceremony, held in London on Friday, April 25th, celebrated the very best of the landscaping industry. Now in its seventh year, the Pro Landscaper Business Awards recognise companies that consistently raise the bar in professionalism, innovation, client service, and commitment to the sector’s future.

Green-tech Announces Back-to-Back Wins

Green-tech Announces Back-to-Back Wins

Following their 2024 success as Pro Landscaper’s Employer of the Year, this latest win reinforces Green-tech’s reputation as the leading supplier and service provider to the landscaping industry.

Pro Landscaper’s judging panel praised Green-tech’s 2025 award entry for demonstrating “a strong commitment to industry leadership, sustainability and client satisfaction, with well-documented initiatives and impressive client retention.”

Commenting on the win, Green-tech’s Managing Director Kris Nellist said, “I am thrilled to have won this award. To be recognised two years running at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards — first as Employer of the Year, and now as Supplier and Service Provider — is an incredible achievement and a real testament to the dedication and passion of the Green-tech team. Strong leadership, sustainability, and looking after our clients are fundamental to everything we do, and I couldn’t be prouder to see that recognised by the judging panel.”

Green-tech’s recognition at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards highlights its commitment to excellence across every part of its operation. 2025 is a year of further innovation with ambitious plans to strengthen its urban tree planting and closed-loop irrigation solutions, reinforcing its dedication to encouraging sustainability and enhancing green spaces in urban environments.

For more information about Green-tech please visit www.green-tech.co.uk

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STIHL’s most powerful battery-powered hedge trimmers

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STIHL’s most powerful battery-powered hedge trimmers: Designed for professional landscapers, the HSA 140 R and HSA 140 T are the most powerful battery-powered hedge trimmers in the STIHL AP System, comparable in performance to the popular petrol HS 82.

Alongside its impressive performance, the HSA 140 also offers high levels of operator comfort. The new hedge trimmer weighs just 4.3 – 4.6 kg (without battery) and is comfortable to hold, balanced in operation, and features a rotating rear handle that locks into three positions across a 180-degree range, reducing wrist strain when working for extended periods of time on the same side of a hedge.

STIHL's most powerful battery-powered hedge trimmers

STIHL’s most powerful battery-powered hedge trimmers

The HSA 140 is quiet in operation, and thanks to the highly effective anti-vibration system, is suitable for long periods of use too. When cutting hedges with a petrol machine, the fumes can often collect within the hedge, resulting in a poor working environment for the user. Battery-powered machines such as the HSA 140 can eliminate this problem entirely.

Featuring 38mm tooth spacing, the HSA 140 R is best suited to annual pruning or hedge reduction work. Its lower maximum RPM of 3,200 also allows thicker branch material to enter the cutters efficiently. Alternatively, the HSA 140 T has a higher maximum RPM and smaller 30mm tooth spacing, making it better suited to ornamental or fine leaf hedges such as taxus, buxus or privet, where a fine finish is required.

The HSA 140 benefits from a new gearbox design, consisting of a two-step planetary gear. This results in exceptionally high cutting performance and fast cold start-up, as well as improved protection of the internal components thanks to the integrated slip clutch.

To help prevent the blades from jamming, the HSA 140 features an innovative anti-blocking system that reverses the motors rotational direction to unblock the blades, minimising product downtime and enhancing the efficiency of the tool.

The HSA 140 utilises the same friction optimised, double edged blades that feature on the HS 82 professional petrol models, resulting in long lasting sharpness, a consistently clean cut, and ample durability for long cutting seasons.

When used with the recommended AP 200 S battery, the HSA 140 R has a maximum working time of 150 minutes, while the HSA 140 T’s maximum working time is up to 140 minutes.

To find out more about the STIHL HSA 140, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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ISEKI and Ipswich Town FC: A Winning Combination

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ISEKI and Ipswich Town FC: A Winning Combination: For over 20 years, Ipswich Town Football Club has trusted Iseki to help maintain pristine playing surfaces, ensuring every team at the club trains and plays on world class pitches.

This long-standing relationship has been built on quality, customer service, and a collaborative approach to finding the best solutions to evolving ground care demands. As Grounds Manager Ben Connell explains, Iseki’s proximity to the club has strengthened the bond, but the machines’ performance and reliability keep Ipswich Town coming back.

ISEKI and Ipswich Town FC: A Winning Combination

ISEKI and Ipswich Town FC: A Winning Combination

“The relationship with Iseki began before my time here, but it’s a strong working relationship that’s been going on for over 20 years,” Ben explains. “We’re not just using Iseki because they’re local, but because we’re very happy with all of the machinery and the versatility and quality it provides.”

From routine pitch maintenance to major renovations, ISEKI’s versatile range of tractors and mowers ensures Ipswich Town can maintain the highest standards across Playford Road training ground and at Portman Road.

SXG327: Elevating Presentation and Efficiency

One of the latest additions to Ipswich Town’s fleet is the Iseki SXG327, chosen specifically to enhance the presentation of areas surrounding the pitches at the training ground.

Ben explains: “We wanted a slightly different approach to tidying up the off-pitch areas. We’ve been using the TXG for many years with the under-slung mower, which doesn’t collect, and we really wanted to improve the presentation.

“So, we’ve gone for the SXG327 with the collector on the back, and the suction is fantastic. It keeps everything very tidy when we’re cutting, and it can get into every area we need it to. The team was thrilled when we got one, and they were all really happy to work with it.”

Beyond aesthetics, the SXG delivers significant time savings, especially during peak growth seasons.

“It’s not just about presentation; it’s also about efficiency,” Ben continues. “Instead of raking up excess grass, the SXG collects as it cuts. It’s a game-changer, particularly in the spring when the growth really takes off, and you’re cutting the off-pitch areas for the first time.”

TG Series: The Workhorse of the Grounds Team

While the SXG keeps off-pitch areas immaculate, the TG series takes care of the heavier lifting across all Ipswich Town’s grounds. They offer the versatility needed for a wide range of tasks, and the ability to quickly switch implements is an indispensable asset.

“The TGs are the workhorses of the grounds team,” Ben begins. “They’re incredibly versatile. We don’t need a specialist tractor for every job because we can just switch the implement and keep going.

“We use them for aeration, pitch maintenance, renovations, and seeding. Whether we’re stripping pitches with a Koro, sand spreading, or seeding, the TG handles it all. The tractor has good space, and the team really appreciates the air conditioning in the summer.”

TH Series: Power and Precision for Heavy Lifting

The TH series brings essential lifting and loading capabilities to the Ipswich Town grounds team. Designed for versatility and efficiency, this tractor plays a vital role in handling bulk materials, moving essential equipment, and assisting with pitch renovations. Its powerful front loader allows grounds staff to quickly and efficiently scoop and transport grass, sand, and other materials.

Durability is crucial for Ben and his team, and the TH series is built to withstand the rigours of daily use in a demanding environment. Its compact size makes it ideal for navigating the club’s grounds without causing unnecessary damage to the pitches. Whether preparing the stadium surface or maintaining the training ground, the TH’s reliable performance ensures the team can focus on delivering top-tier playing conditions for the players.

Stadium Tractors: A Tailored Approach

With Premier League football at Portman Road in the 2024/25 season, every match is watched by millions, making pitch perfection a top priority. Working with local Iseki dealer Ernest Doe, Ben wanted to address the weight of the machines and decided to use a cabless tractor on the stadium pitch with galaxy flotation turf tyres to eliminate any wheel marks.

“We’ve got two Isekis at the stadium—a TXG for smaller jobs like pulling trailers and a slightly larger 35-horsepower TH for more demanding tasks,” Ben explains. “The TH is fitted with galaxy turf tyres to minimise the impact on the pitch because we sometimes put a small seeder on the back of it. So, having those tyres allows us to maintain the playing surface with confidence that we won’t cause any damage.”

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Makita doubles battery warranty

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Makita doubles battery warranty: Leading power tool manufacturer Makita UK is enhancing its standard factory warranty policy on batteries from one to two years. Since the 1st April 2025, any genuine Makita battery purchased will automatically qualify for a two-year standard warranty without requiring any product registration, and this applies to XGT, LXT and CXT battery platforms.

Makita offers an extensive collection of power tools, cleaning machines, landscaping equipment, and more. Developed using market leading battery technology, the Makita range provides professionals with the ability to work flexibly, and for long periods of time. The increase in the standard factory warranty offers further confidence to users in the quality and reliability of Makita batteries.

Makita doubles battery warranty

Makita doubles battery warranty

“Makita batteries are developed using the latest technology to ensure products are powerful and built for tough, long-term professional use,” commented Tony Coleman, Technical Services Manager at Makita UK. “The new warranty applies to all genuine Makita batteries purchased in the UK from 1st April 2025 onwards and these batteries will automatically qualify without the need to register them. This is a clear indication of our confidence in the technology that underpins all of our products, as well as our commitment to supporting tradespeople across the UK.”

For more information about the warranty terms and conditions, or to explore Makita’s extensive range of products, visit: www.makitauk.com or speak to your local Makita merchant.

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