The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

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The compact choice for quick, clean cutting: Makita has added two new pruning products to its ever growing outdoor product range. Powered by Makita’s 18V LXT battery system, the new DUP180 Brushless Pruning Shear and the DUC150 150mm Pruning Saw offer a comfortable and powerful solution to make quick and light work of repetitive or heavy pruning jobs.

With an adjustable shear blade opening angle, the new DUP180 18V LXT Brushless Pruning Shear accommodates four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm and provides up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge (when used with a 6.0Ah battery).

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

Thanks to a brushless motor and belt holster to carry the battery, this tool is extremely lightweight and comfortable to use at just 0.68kg (without battery). To further minimise user fatigue, Makita has engineered the tool so that the control of the shear blade is interlocked with the trigger, meaning the blades will only open and close depending on the degree the trigger is depressed or released.

Additionally, an external oil port is designed for easy blade lubrication without disassembly, enhancing the tool’s durability.

Joining the outdoor line up is the DUC150 18V 150mm Pruning Saw. Operating with a chain speed of 8m/s, this compact machine offers excellent cutting performance despite its lightweight design, making it ideal for general garden applications or orchard maintenance.

Additional comfort and efficiency-enhancing features include tool-less chain tensioning and automatic chain oiling, while a brushless motor ensures low maintenance requirements and a longer working motor life.

The DUC150 is available as a kit with a BL1850B Battery and DC18RC charger, or as a standalone tool body only.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “Whether it’s for making light work of clipping back shrubs and hedgerows, or trimming branches and small trees, the DUP180 and DUC150 are convenient tools that are designed with simplicity and ergonomics in mind. At Makita, we continue to apply our heritage and expertise in battery technology and tool engineering to develop essential kit items such as these, so that the professional sector has access to a vast range of battery powered tools that meet every daily demand without the constraints of cords or petrol.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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All-female grounds team revel in derby delight

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All-female grounds team revel in derby delight: Last weekend, history was made for the grounds management industry. For the first time in Football, an all-female grounds team prepared the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, a sold-out crowd of over 60,000 fans flooded into the Emirates Stadium to watch the game, making it the highest attendance of a women’s domestic football match in the UK. It was also the most-attended sports fixture in London that weekend, including Premier League games, putting the grounds management industry firmly in the spotlight, highlighting the vital role of grounds staff in making sport possible.

All-female grounds team revel in derby delight

All-female grounds team revel in derby delight

Not only was history made off the pitch but also on the pitch, by the grounds team who prepared it. Thirteen trailblazing women from various grounds management settings, from cricket and football to educational facilities, worked hard over the days leading up to the match to prepare the pitch.

With women making up less than 2% of the grounds management industry, the all-female grounds team’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed and received praise from across the sporting world, with support shared by Lionesses legends, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead amongst many others, as well as widespread media coverage.

This historic moment was the result of collaboration between the Women’s Super League, Arsenal FC, the Grounds Management Association and Women in Football, and put women in grounds management at the centre of one of the greatest sporting stages in the country.

Leading the GMA’s involvement in the project, Director of Communications, Jennifer Carter was proud of the day:

“To see a team of thirteen experienced and talented women prepare the iconic Emirates Stadium pitch in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and viewers across the UK, was a highly significant moment in the GMA and grounds management industry’s history.

“The lack of visibility of women in this field remains a significant barrier, but we’re confident that moments like these, and more in the future, will be pivotal in convincing more young people, especially females, to explore this promising career path. Those who took part are incredible ambassadors for the industry, and I have no doubt that their work will have inspired many and shed light on the grounds management profession.

“We’re hugely grateful for our partners at Arsenal, the WSL and Women in Football for working with us to make this happen and we’re immensely proud of the thirteen inspirational grounds women.”

Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s Chief Executive, was full of praise for the grounds team’s efforts:

“This is a celebration of what’s been achieved for women in sport, but also serves as a reminder of the work we need to do together to ensure more young girls are encouraged to break into the game. It’s important we continue to build on these moments to inspire the next generation and accelerate the sustainable growth of the game.”

The Grounds Management Association is encouraging sports fans to share their appreciation for grounds staff during #GroundsWeek, the association’s annual awareness week, from 18 – 24 March 2024. For more information about #GroundsWeek and how to support it, visit: thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

If you’re interested in working in grounds management, you can find out more about careers and training at thegma.org.uk/learning.

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Baroness expand into Scotland

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Baroness expand into Scotland: In a move to support their continued expansion, Baroness UK are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Area Sales & Service Manager for Scotland.

With more than 18 years of industry experience under his belt, Richard Connell is well placed to provide sales and technical support to customers and the dealer network across Scotland – proudly becoming the first dedicated Baroness UK representative for the region.

Baroness expand into Scotland

Baroness expand into Scotland

After obtaining qualifications in land-based engineering, Richard worked for a number of leading manufacturers and turf care dealers – in both workshop and mobile service engineer roles. Most recently, he brought together his technical understanding and passion for the game of golf in the position of Head Mechanic/Workshop Manager at North Berwick Golf Club. On joining Baroness UK in January 2024, he brings both hands-on experience and a technical mind to the table as he oversees the sales, service and workshop operations of the established dealer network within his area.

“Before coming on board, I had started to see the Baroness brand more and more here in Scotland and my inner mechanic immediately took an interest in the machinery! I loved their approach and what their portfolio of machines offered to the market” he explains. “It is a huge honour and privilege to be entrusted as the first Baroness representative in Scotland and, after solidifying a number of relationships with those I saw at BTME in January, I look forward to exploring new opportunities and driving business forwards in the months and years ahead.”

Those wishing to get in touch with Richard can do so via 07933 182743 or Richard.connell@baronessuk.com

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Be in it to win it

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Be in it to win it: Entries for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2024, the industry’s most recognisable and longest standing awards for student greenkeepers, are now open.

One of the key prizes awaiting the winner of the awards is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at one of the world’s most innovative universities.

Be in it to win it

Be in it to win it

There are extraordinary benefits to attending the online course at The University of Massachusetts Winter School for Turf Managers, says Toro and Reesink Turfcare who between them cover the costs of all the prizes.

“We always knew the prizes for this award needed to carry weight and this one has a century-long legacy behind it,” explains Alastair Rowell, managing director, Reesink Turfcare. “By sending the winner on this course we are investing in the promise they demonstrated in the awards process.

“The nine-week course brings significant benefit to the winner and the club they work at. They will learn to convey concepts that are essential to producing and maintaining high performance turf, with an emphasis on enivironmetal stewardship, input reduction, efficiency and fiscal responsibility.”

It’s easy to see how this is one of the biggest prizes available in the industry: the course fees alone amount to almost $3000 including tuition and all course materials; an all-exenses paid trip to America to visit the Toro headquarters, research and development facilities and manufacturing plant, plus a one-week work placement at a golf club at home or abroad.

James Gaskell, winner of the 2022 award who has recently completed the course, says: “It is a great learning tool to advance your knowledge and it always stands out on a CV. It has been the most insightful and enjoyable learning experience.”

If that wasn’t enough to convince student greenkeepers to enter the awards, there are plenty more! The awards provide the opportunity to meet and compete with the best student greenkeepers in the country and network with influential industry leaders. Participants can increase skills and knowledge to enhance professional development and build lasting relationships in the greenkeeping community, too.

As Alastair concludes: “That’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the investment we make in these student greenkeepers. There are also international trips for the young award winner too, plus prizes for the runners up and those who endorse the winners’ applications. It’s an investment worth making in the futures and potential these young people demonstrate.”

The finals for the 2024 event will be held at Oulton Hall in Leeds. Apply online at bigga.org.uk/education. All appplications need to be endorsed by your college tutor/assessor or employer. Closing date for entries is Friday 12 April 2024.

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50 years of excellence

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50 years of excellence: Irish Farm & Garden Machinery (IFGM) celebrates 50 years of business this year. The company, one of Europe’s leading independent distributors of outdoor power equipment, remains family owned and run, now managed by second generation Paul Butterly (Managing Director), and brother Kieran (Technical Director). Although retired, Mum (and co-founder) Eileen, continues to pop into the Dublin office around three days a week – just to ensure that the business continues to operate smoothly.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone” says Paul. “This is a tough industry and the fact that we’re here in 2024, bigger and stronger than ever, is simply amazing”.

50 years of excellence

50 years of excellence

Asked how IFGM has successfully navigated multiple recessions, turbulent trading conditions and technologically driven changes in consumer demand over the past 50 years, Paul says: “We’ve always focused on keeping the company very nimble and this gives us a lot of flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. We’ve been careful in the rate of our expansion, gradually building the business over time, only working with the very best brands in the industry. No matter what is happening in the economy, people will always buy quality product that offers the best value-for-money.”

In 2006, the business purchased U.K distributor Claymore Grass Machinery, now known as FGM Claymore, an acquisition that greatly extended the reach of the company. In 2022, the business was awarded U.K distribution rights for ECHO which, following the appointment in Ireland a few years earlier, made IFGM the third largest ECHO distributor in Europe.

The team at IFGM celebrated the anniversary during a special event held on the 28 February in Athlone. Dealers from all over the country, alongside special guests from Briggs & Stratton and Yamabiko, joined the Butterly family to celebrate this important anniversary.

Paul gave a special presentation that covered the history of the company, sharing anecdotes alongside the major milestones that made up the IFGM story. There were congratulatory video messages from garden machinery suppliers in New Zealand, Japan, and Italy, alongside special in-person presentations from Briggs & Stratton and Yamabiko.

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