Complete Weed Control bolsters sales function

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Complete Weed Control bolsters sales function: Complete Weed Control, the longest established amenity weed control company in the UK and Ireland, has announced significant additions to its sales team with the appointment of Mark Pyrah as sales director and Simon Pannell as group sales director.

Mark Pyrah brings a wealth of experience to the role having held a leadership position at ICL, as well as overseeing the team at Amega Sciences. His extensive career within the sector spans nearly four decades, contributing to his deep understanding of the intricacies of the industry.

Complete Weed Control bolsters sales function

Complete Weed Control bolsters sales function

Regarding his move to Complete Weed Control, Mark expressed enthusiasm for the well-respected business, citing a positive and productive working relationship with the company’s leadership. He emphasised the robust service offering, consistency across the network and the commitment to delivering high standards as key factors that attracted him to the organisation.

Mark’s new role within Complete Weed Control will focus on cultivating customer relationships, attracting new contracts and negotiating deals with suppliers. He plans to spend time with individual regional managers to understand their challenges, aiming to facilitate joined-up solutions across the organisation. Mark also looks forward to meeting customers and aiding expansion into new markets.

Highlighting challenges facing the sector, Mark pointed to increasing regulations over spraying activity and sees an opportunity for Complete Weed Control to champion advancements, such as the use of WEEDit technology, to promote best practice.

Joining the team alongside Mark Pyrah, Simon Pannell assumes the role of group sales director, bringing a wealth of experience dating back to 1998. Simon’s proven track record includes significant growth achieved in various roles with Litterboss, CC Cousins, MITIE Landscapes, Integritas Landscapes, John O’Conner GM and at Countrywide GM, where he served as national accounts sales director.

Simon expressed his passion for building relationships and underscored the importance of understanding customer challenges. His goal is to target new business opportunities across the UK, catering to the diverse needs of customers.

The appointments of Mark Pyrah and Simon Pannell signal a strategic move by Complete Weed Control to further solidify its position as the leading player in the amenity weed control industry.

Ian Graham, managing director of Complete Weed Control shared his enthusiasm regarding the dual appointments, stating: “We are confident that the addition of Mark and Simon to our team will greatly enhance our growth trajectory. Their combined experience and deep understanding of the industry will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success.”

He added: “Our nationwide presence aligns seamlessly with the requirements of businesses operating across multiple locations, and this new director-level appointment underscores our commitment to prioritising and fostering relationships with such entities.”

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Bernhard and Company presents BIGGA Award

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Bernhard and Company presents BIGGA Award: Industry-leader in turf sharpening equipment and management solutions, Bernhard and Company, has unveiled Walton Heath Golf Club, as the winner of the ‘Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year’ Award at the 2024 BIGGA Celebration at BTME.

The award – handed over by Bernhard and Company’s Commercial Director, Angelique Crosnier – was presented this evening to Michael Mann and the entire maintenance team at Walton Heath Golf Club for the exceptional conditions displayed when hosting the US Open Golf Championship Final Qualifying in May 2023 and the AIG Women’s Open in August 2023.

Bernhard and Company presents BIGGA Award

Bernhard and Company presents BIGGA Award

Crosnier commented: “It’s an honour for us to again be title sponsor for this significant award as part of BIGGA’s annual celebration at BTME.

“The team at Walton Heath delivered incredibly impressive conditions this year for both the US Open Final Qualifying and one of the most significant events in the women’s game, the AIG Women’s Open. The team overcame a number of setbacks to present the course in great shape on both occasions,” she added.

This award recognises that the success of any tournament depends upon the expertise and dedication of the greenkeeping team. From local club championships through to golf’s professional tours – all are only made possible due to the work of greenkeepers who go above and beyond to present the finest playing surfaces possible.

Also nominated for the award were:

  • Paisley Golf Club – led by Course Manager, Jonathan Caldwell, for hosting the Scottish Golf Men’s Area Team Championship Finals in September 2023
  • Portlethen Golf Club – led by Head Greenkeeper, Neil Sadler for hosting the Scottish Golf Boy’s Under 16 Open Championship in July 2023

Find Bernhard and Company on their official social media channels:

  • Twitter – @BernhardCompany
  • Facebook – Bernhard Company
  • Instagram – @BernhardCompany
  • LinkedIn – Bernhard Company

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Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

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Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year: Professional spray tech, Dan Waring, has won the prestigious title of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY). Managing all the turf and amenity spraying at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter, he was praised for his meticulous attention to detail and adoption of new technologies to assure accurate application.

Dan’s ASOOTY award presentation was made as part of the glittering BIGGA industry awards at BTME in Harrogate this week (23 January 2024), along with the competition’s other finalists, Conrad Cavill of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon and Bryan Ramsey of Complete Weed Control, Scotland South East.

Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

The ASOOTY awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Having worked for six years at JCB Golf, Dan has been the full-time spray tech for the past three seasons. One of the keys to his success has been continuous professional development, including  a year in the US on the Ohio State programme with an intensive focus on application skills.

He also regularly completes on-line sprayer training courses and tailoring the latest spraying technology and innovations from the agricultural sector to be adopted for amenity application. Working closely with course manager, Callum Wark, Dan’s role has been integral in using accurate application to deliver a full spectrum of conventional and biological plant protection products and nutrition, designed for a successful Integrated Turf Management approach to overall plant health and turf quality.

“I would urge all sprayer operators to undertake as much training as possible, to gain more knowledge on the products being used and the application technology,” he advocated. “That will enable people to be more confident in what they are doing, and give the spray tech’s role the credit it deserves.”

One of his top tips would be to lay out all the products required for the following day’s spraying, in the order they will be mixed, before leaving – so they can be methodically checked again and then added to the tank quickly and efficiently. He will also half fill the tank with clean water and pressure test for any visual leaks, before adding any chemical.

Presenting the award at BTME, Ian Graham, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “The skills required to competently apply professional plant protection products are often overlooked. Along with the formal training and accreditation process, there is the experience that takes years to acquire.

“Winners of this award have elevated the application process to an art, be that with a knapsack or a boom sprayer, to help maintain the amazing playing surfaces that sport has become used to enjoying all year round,” he added.

“The Amenity Forum is delighted to work with ICL and Syngenta as the sponsors of this award and would like to congratulate Dan for upholding the highest of professional standards.”

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Development Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Sean Loakes, Syngenta Technical Manager, advocated the awards reflect the importance of an Integrated Turf Management (ITM) approach to responsible and sustainable turf and landscape maintenance.

“The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications are essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry,” he advised.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and for everyone to learn from their experience.”

Look out on the Amenity Forum website for more details and entry form for the launch of next year’s ASOOTY and your chance to win.

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Green-tech’s Jordan Webster takes a step up

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Green-tech’s Jordan Webster takes a step up: Green-tech is delighted to announce that Jordan Webster has been promoted to a Sales Manager.

The former Key account manager has stepped up to manage a sales team of eight from a larger sales team of circa 30 people.  Jordan will be helping to maintain the key account relationship whilst mentoring other members of the team and developing other accounts.

Green-tech’s Jordan Webster takes a step up

Green-tech’s Jordan Webster takes a step up

Along with the two other Sales Managers in the business, Jordan will support the management team to set and achieve company budgets whilst managing the day-to-day running of his team.

Green-tech has ambitious sales targets and Jordan will be responsible for his team’s. He will have responsibility for signing off customer quotations and orders to meet this target, whilst keeping his team engaged and motivated, maintaining relationships with other departments, and delivering the exceptional service levels that the company is renowned for.

Well-known and respected in the industry, Jordan has recently celebrated his ten-year anniversary with Green-tech.  He is a former Pro Landscaper the next generation 30 under 30 winner and is a recognised face at industry events and exhibitions.

Jordan is heading up the newly refurbished Green-tech trade centre that is based in North Yorkshire.  He oversees the team who are tasked with identifying local growth opportunities and driving sales through new and existing customers.

Commenting on the appointment, Sales Director Richard Gill said, “I am thrilled for Jordan. He is a key person in our sales team and it’s great that he has stepped up to take a management role. Jordan has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and this coupled with his commitment and enthusiasm will stand him in good stead to lead his team and be successful in his new role. I am confident that he will make a great contribution to the future growth and development of Green-tech.”

Remarking on his new role, Jordan adds, “I am delighted to have received this promotion and I’m looking forward to developing this role. It’s a new challenge for me but I feel I have a lot to add and I’m excited about taking an active part in the management side of the business as well as being instrumental in growing sales.”

If you are interested in joining Green-tech and building a career within the landscaping industry, click the link below to check out their careers page with all current vacancies.

https://www.green-tech.co.uk/about-us/careers

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Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

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Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational: Initially purchased to overcome conditions described as a ‘worm cast factory’, a Redexim Top-Brush is proving to be a true multi-tasker for the team at Malton & Norton Golf Club.

Head Greenkeeper Richard Jacques admits that prior to the purchase, the club underestimated how fundamental the 6m wide brush would become to the maintenance, with it successfully removing organic matter, improving cut quality and boosting presentation in twice weekly passes around the 27-hole complex.

Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

Redexim Top-Brush proves transformational

Malton & Norton opened its doors in 1910 and its popularity with golfers in Yorkshire and further afield has seen the expansion of the site, to 27-holes of parkland play. “Like most venues, the restrictions on chemicals left us trialling all types of brushes and mats to overcome our worm problem and we didn’t find anything that really worked until we demonstrated the Redexim Top-Brush” explains Richard. “It was evident from the get-go that, used in the right conditions and at the right time, the Top-Brush could effectively remove worm casts better than any of the alternatives we’d tried so we decided to purchase one through Ripon Ground Care in October 2022.”

“We had no idea until we had it in the shed, how many uses we would find for the Top-Brush around the maintenance calendar. On top of dispersing worm casts, its out twice a week between March and October to stand the plant up on the fairways, improving the quality of cut and enhancing definition. There aren’t many pieces of equipment you get that can transform turf density and quality as much as this one has in such a short period of time.”

At 6m wide, the Top-Brush is a highly productive maintenance solution. As well as changing brush direction, working depth can also be adjusted, making it a versatile tool for a light surface brush – suitable for clearing dew, incorporating topdressing material or removing clippings – or a deeper, more aggressive surface agitation to effectively rid large areas of organic matter.

“Having used the Top-Brush for over a year, we’re now in a position of managing worm casts preventatively – by reducing OM and improving density – resulting in fewer instances, which is a big positive.” Richard continues, “That’s on top of hugely elevating the turf quality and appearance, not just on fairways but also approaches and semi-rough which is giving us a better product in the summer and one that’s more resilient to host play going into the winter months.”

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