ICL appoints Simon Barnaby

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ICL appoints Simon Barnaby: ICL is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Barnaby as National Key Account & Business Development Manager UK & Ireland – Stadia.

Simon brings over 25 years of expertise in the sports turf industry, having held a variety of high-profile roles across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, including Agronomist for STRI, Technical Manager for Syngenta, and Technical Manager for Scotts.

Most recently, Simon has been involved in global turf consultancy projects, delivering world-class solutions for prestigious clients and events.

ICL appoints Simon Barnaby

ICL appoints Simon Barnaby

In his new role, Simon will lead ICL’s efforts within the UK and Irelands stadia and training grounds, working closely with clients to deliver innovative solutions tailored to high-performance environments.

Ed Carter, Business Manager, commented, “Simon’s extensive technical and industry knowledge makes him an exceptional addition to the team. His proven track record in delivering world-class results ensures ICL will continue to excel in supporting our stadia customers. We are thrilled to welcome Simon and look forward to the impact he will bring to the business.”

Simon expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to join ICL and work with such a respected team in the industry. This role gives me the chance to use my experience to help clients achieve their goals and push forward the innovative solutions ICL is known for.”

In this role, Simon will collaborate with ICL’s technical teams, distributors, and key industry bodies to drive growth and innovation in the stadia sector.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Turntable GreenMech’s hailed a ‘gamechanger’

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Turntable GreenMech’s hailed a ‘gamechanger’: A pair of QuadChip160D woodchippers from GreenMech have been hailed a ‘gamechanger’ by Community Housing, bringing newfound convenience and safety to domestic tree works.

Purchased in the autumn of 2024, the arborist team of three were impressed by more than just the 360o turntable, with the outstanding manoeuvrability and performance of the QuadChip allowing the operators to simply ‘turn up, turn it and crack on!’

Turntable GreenMech’s hailed a ‘gamechanger’

Turntable GreenMech’s hailed a ‘gamechanger’

Community Housing look after more than 6000 properties in the Wyre Forest, with Arb Team Supervisor Ed Acutt, together with colleagues Adam and Ryan, in charge of all residential tree maintenance across an area spanning Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport on Severn. As a housing association, the fleet of equipment is periodically renewed. Ed explains how, after a look at all the alternatives, the GreenMech machines emerged head and shoulders above the competition.

“We tried various makes and models, but as soon as we demonstrated the turntable QuadChip’s we were sold! We have all-but eliminated issues to do with restricted access, no longer having to compromise operator safety by loading in the road or having to ask the tenant to move their vehicles. With these chippers we can quickly and easily spin the unit to get the infeed at the ideal angle, reducing the time spent transporting material from back gardens to the chipper and completing every job more efficiently.”

Ed continues, “Not only that, but the power from the 25hp diesel engine, large infeed and impressive pull-through means it can handle the wide variety of materials we come across in this job with no issue.” The specification of the QuadChip 160D also features GreenMech’s renowned disc-blade chipping system, which allows for rotation of the cutting edge and extends the time between sharpening.

“We alternate between the machines to manage wear, though we were fortunate enough to have a tour of the GreenMech factory prior to our purchase so we have no concerns over build quality whatsoever” he adds. “GreenMech, in particular Neal Hussey, went above and beyond to ensure we had all the information to hand to make an informed decision. Not only that, but it’s great to be supporting British manufacturing and working with a company just a stone’s throw away from our headquarters, meaning support will always be there should we need it.”

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Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

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Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK: METOS UK introduces a new turf management and business performance solution for golf courses at BTME on 21-23 January 2025.

David Whattoff, Managing Director of METOS UK, says: “We’re delighted to bring a new end-to-end solution to golf courses looking to improve course management and profitability.

Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

Improved Golf Course Performance Solutions from METOS UK

“With market-leading course management software Punctus, combined with a new GIS mapping tool, our Pessl environmental sensors, and the ability to integrate advanced robotic solutions such as Kress mowers, course owners and managers will now have the tools at their fingertips to enhance course playability and improve their bottom line,” David explains.

Punctus is now available to UK golf courses exclusively through METOS UK. Combined, these solutions bring compound improvements in turf care, course management, sustainability, and business profitability, through improving turf health and maintenance efficiency; reducing chemical usage and environmental impact; remotely monitoring and optimising irrigation and energy use; effectively managing people and machinery; and enhancing data-driven decision-making across the business.

“As the market leader in cloud-based greenkeeping software in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Punctus brings it’s 20 years of experience to UK course managers, alongside a range of hardware solutions from Pessl that work together to give a bigger picture of course health and business performance.” says David.

“The benefits are extensive, with data helping to inform decisions on water usage, fertilisation, and overall course management through real-time environmental monitoring, customisable alerts for irrigation or maintenance tasks, and integration with precision equipment such as environmental sensors and robotic mowers,” David explains.

“We’re already seeing the benefits where courses are investing in remote sensors for turf management, including soil moisture monitoring at depth, which provides a more accurate picture of drainage across different soil types and green constructions than traditional irrigation sensors,” says David.

Integrated Pessl sensors provide real-time environmental and soil moisture data that can be tracked over time, and a new GIS mapping tool provides a visual representation of drainage and water use across the course, which can help improve course management, irrigation planning, and improvements.

Course owners and managers can learn more about Punctus and the customisable management solutions available, by visiting the METOS UK stand 174, in Hall 1.

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Happy New Year start for Yanmar and BOSS

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Happy New Year start for Yanmar and BOSS: BOSS Off-Road Vehicles have kicked off the New Year with a great start, announcing their appointment as UK and Irelans distributors for Yanmar Agribusiness.

The contract was finalised at the recent EIMA exhibition in Bologna in November 2024 and they have been completing the final details since then. YANMAR was founded more than 100 years ago and states the corporation has been driven by a pioneering spirit for world-leading technology. Their key aim is realising a sustainable future through technological development; an ideal fit with BOSS’s own development as distributors of practical yet ecologically sustainable machinery for groundscare, agricultural, and amenity businesses. BOSS will use Yanmar Turkey Marine A.S. to manage sales and distribution of the Yanmar Agricultural equipment. They will focus initially on the compact range of tractors from 22hp to 60hp for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Happy New Year start for Yanmar and BOSS

Happy New Year start for Yanmar and BOSS

“We will be establishing a dealer network over the next few months,” says BOSS ORV Managing Director, Phil Everett, “so I will be pleased if interested dealers contact me directly for more information. Alternatively, visit us at the upcoming LAMMA Show exhibition at the NEC on the 15th to 16th of January, where we have our main stand No. 6.830 Hall 6 or the Yanmar Agri stand No.12.130 Hall 12, where there will be a BOSS representative on the stand. We are exceptionally happy to become the UK and Irelans Yanmar Agri distributors and share the same philosophies of striving to exceed customer expectations and deliver exceptional value while maintaining sustainable prosperity.”

BOSS has also announced the appointment of the first two dealers for Yanmar Agri, Neil Peachey and Used4Turf Ltd. In East Anglia and Phil Davey at Machine Serve in the South West of England.

For more information on BOSS products you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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GKB Deep Tine Aerator receives glowing review

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GKB Deep Tine Aerator receives glowing review: Ask Nigel Willis of N&E Grounds Maintenance what he thinks of their Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) from GKB Machines and he may well tell you it’s the best machine he’s ever purchased!

It’s certainly been put through its paces since its delivery in May 2024 as the company ramps up aeration work on a variety of fine turf and winter sports surfaces. In those few months, the DTA 210 has cemented its status as one of the strongest, quickest and most reliable maintenance machines on his fleet.

GKB Deep Tine Aerator receives glowing review

GKB Deep Tine Aerator receives glowing review

Located on the outskirts of Belfast, N&E Grounds Maintenance have been conducting the full range of nutritional and mechanical maintenance services for customers spanning both natural and artificial turf for the last 22 years. It was on his annual trip to SALTEX in 2023 that the DTA first caught Nigel’s eye. “My aerator at the time was giving me a lot of bother so I was on the look out for alternatives. I was immediately impressed with the robustness of the GKB DTA and Tom Shinkins put me in touch with their dealer for Northern Ireland, Laird Grass Machinery.”

“I didn’t even feel the need to have a demonstration of it, I just asked them to order me one and the rest is history!” he exclaims.

The GKB Deep Tine Aerator does exactly as the name suggests, tackling compaction down to depths of 400mm (16”). Available in working widths from 1.2m up to 2.6m, there’s a model in the range to suit all types of natural turf surface.

“We opted for the 2.1m model which suits the variety of facilities we visit, and it’s already been well utilised on football and rugby pitches as well as work on several golf courses.” Nigel continues, “It does a fantastic job and is much faster and smoother than our previous machine. It’s easy to hook up to the tractor, simple to use and the daily checks are quick with very few grease points. The hydraulic depth control is another feature I really like giving us easy and accurate control over the job at hand.”

“As we move through the winter months, the DTA will be out near enough every other day as demand for aeration work continues to increase to cope with the increased rainfall.” He adds, “I’ve been so impressed with the machine I felt compelled at SALTEX 2024 to go back to the GKB stand just to tell Tom and the team that it’s honestly been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made!”

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