Firm expands product offering

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Firm expands product offering: A Haydock business continues to demonstrate its commitment to the surrounding area with the launch of a new franchise that will benefit local people, in terms of both employment opportunities and access to an exciting range of garden machinery.

After 5 years in Haydock, GGM Groundscare, are continuing to grow and are delighted to announce their appointment as a Honda authorised dealer for the lawn and garden range, which includes walk-behind lawn mowers, ride-on lawn mowers, robotic mowers, tillers and a range of handheld equipment including brushcutters, hedge trimmers and blowers.

Firm expands product offering

Firm expands product offering

The new Honda business is focussed on serving customers in Warrington, St Helens and Wigan and has just invested over £50,000 in a new customer experience as part of the appointment, and has redeveloped it’s showroom and storage facilities at it’s premises located on the Haydock Industrial estate on Winchester Road.

Already providing an exceptional level of service, the business will now be able to enhance this offering with latest additions to the range which are ideal for discerning gardeners.

As a result of this announcement, GGM will be recruiting for several new roles including sales, service and admin, offering additional local employment opportunities.

GGM is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use across the North-West, Cheshire and Merseyside, with depots in Haydock and Colne. With a proven record of delivering a trusted service and exceptional after sales support, driven by a set of deep-rooted values, GGM takes pride in building long lasting customer relationships, based on anticipating needs, solving problems and delivering on time, every time.

The development of the new Honda franchise and newly improved Haydock showroom offering is overseen by Thomas Gibson who has been involved with the projects from the start and has been instrumental in GGM securing the Honda opportunity.

Thomas said:

“This is an extremely exciting time for the business to coincide with our five years at Haydock. As a customer and staff centric organisation, it gives us the means to offer new opportunities to local people in the form of both job opportunities and service levels. We’re looking forward to developing the Honda brand and welcoming customers into our showroom.”

Honda has an established reputation for its commitment to producing high-quality and durable equipment that are built to last. Honda lawnmowers are particularly popular and are known for their highly-efficient cutting and easy-to-use design. They have a variety of options, including self-propelled, push, and robotic mowers, as well as different engines, cutting widths and other features.

Honda ride-on mowers are also highly rated for their dependability, performance, and ease of use. There is a comprehensive range to choose from including compact models to heavy-duty models that can handle large lawns and gardens.

Overall, the Honda garden machinery range is known for its quality, durability and reliability, making them a popular choice among professional landscapers and homeowners alike.

Stuart Edgar, Honda Dealer Manager said:

“We are delighted to establish this franchise with GGM Groundscare. As a forward-thinking organisation, we are confident that they are a great choice to represent our lawn and garden product range, drawing on their expertise and knowledge of garden machinery and their excellent customer service reputation with customers. We’re impressed with their facilities and urge customers to visit their Haydock showroom and see the machines for themselves”.

The new Honda business comes hot on the heels of GGM’s expansion in to the agricultural sector, following the recent announcement that it is to widen its Kubota portfolio with higher horsepower M-series tractors and R0 loaders, to sit alongside its existing groundcare business.

Chris Gibson, Managing Director of GGM Groundscare said:

“This an extremely exciting time for the GGM Group. We already have a strong and competent team that is capable of delivering first class customer service and support, with professional groundcare machinery and the Honda business will only add to this”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT GRIEVE MARKETING MANAGER

TEL: 01282 856813   MOB: 07957 308373

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Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

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Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost: Initial marking for athletics and other sports used to be a source of anxiety and stress at Dollar Academy, but since using the Turf Tank One, the mindset of the team has been positively transformed.

Situated in the town of Dollar, Central Scotland, the co-educational day and boarding school occupies a 70-acre site at the base of the Ochil Hills. It is there Head of Grounds, John Vaughan-Davis, and his team strive to provide the best surfaces possible for the 1300 children aged 5-18.

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

A significant part of that task is pitch presentation and line marking. Previously, the job of initial line marking for athletics, in particular, brought a lot of stress to the team, creating a negative environment to work in. But with the Turf Tank robot at their disposal, that’s all changed.

“I think the mental health of our team has improved because of the Turf Tank,” John begins. “Historically, leading up to athletics marking, initial rugby marking, and football initial markings, there’s always been a bit of anxiety, a bit of stress, and it was a really, really anxious environment to be around.

“Now that we’ve got the Turf Tank, it’s completely changed the team’s mindset. It’s gone from being tense to just relaxed and having faith and trust in the Turf Tank. It just eased everyone’s concerns. It’s made a much better working environment for all of us, leading up to those points by removing an added stress and taking it away.

“So mental health is probably one of the biggest benefits that I’m not sure people talk about enough.”

As well as benefitting the existing team, John has also seen an impact when recruiting. In his experience, the use of innovative technology has interested potential candidates and should be used as a tool to attract people into the industry.

By attracting new staff and boosting the morale of the existing team, the Turf Tank is helping John achieve his goals for the site and add finishes like school logos and numbers on rugby pitches, which they couldn’t do without the robot.

“Having pride in what we do reflects across the whole school, and that’s very much at the core of our working process,” John explains.

“We want to try and produce the best pitches that we can in the conditions we are given, and the Turf Tank certainly helps us present the pitches in the best way possible.

“We can’t do a lot of the things that the Turf Tank does by hand. For example, the numbers that we did today, the school badge or a lacrosse pitch at short notice that we can now do within 20 minutes. We’ve marked small football pitches for charity days and other events that we couldn’t have done without the Turf Tank.

“So for us to produce the best pitches we can is one thing, but being able to do things on short notice is another thing that we keep on having to do. The Turf Tank takes all the pressure off of that element of it, but also knowing that when we do put it out, it’s going to do a 100% job.

“It is correct every single time we put that machine out, it’s spot on. Regardless of the event, it is always, always 100% right.”

Dollar Academy Video Interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NC6cGNsO1A

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DTA delivers robust reliability

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DTA delivers robust reliability: Tasked with delivering reliability and efficiency for both contracting and self-drive hire, a Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) from GKB Machines has so far ticked every box for Cleveland Land Services in Teesside.

Purchased to replace another aerator in the summer of 2021, the robust versatility of the 2.1m DTA has seen it well used on a variety of projects and sports surfaces including football, racecourses and golf course fairways.

DTA delivers robust reliability

DTA delivers robust reliability

Cleveland Land Services have earned a reputation for industry-leading innovation and outstanding customer service across their three divisions – CLS Landscape & Earthworks, CLS Sports and CLS Selfdrive – providing a high-standard of completion on all projects, undertaken nationwide, for over 50 years. With an equipment bank spanning the group, it was the task of Andrew Willis, General Manager of the Selfdrive division, to find the replacement for a well-utilised aerator on their hire fleet.

He explains, “We had a good look at the alternatives and, following a demonstration of the DTA 210 from local dealers Russells, decided that the price, the build quality and the specification of the DTA was a great fit for us. With a range of operators and applications, we could tell this would be capable of delivering any and every task we put it on.”

The DTA 210 combines a 2.1m working width and maximum working depth of up to 40cm (16”) making it an excellent solution for large and/or heavy compacted applications. One of a range of deep tine aerators from GKB, the DTA features hydraulic height adjustment and a range of tine options for complete versatility – making it a popular choice with contractors.

“We’ve been using it on our own contracting work, primarily football pitch maintenance, and when not used internally it’s been on hire with a whole host of turf managers who all find the machine incredibly efficient and simple to operate.” Andrew continues, “One thing we really noticed was how smooth the DTA runs. There isn’t the typical ‘bouncing’ you get with some brands.”

The DTA was the first GKB machine purchased by Cleveland Land Services, more recently joined by an SPM 400 topdresser. “This is another fantastic piece of kit – high capacity and high productivity which is just what we need to ensure jobs get completed on time, and to a high spec.” He adds, “The support from GKB and Russells is also brilliant, quickly answering any questions we have and providing valuable advice to keep everything ticking along as it should.”

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry: SALTEX 2023 welcomed over 7,900 visitors to the bustling two-day exhibition. But it’s not just the quantity of visitors that was so impressive in the face of Storm Ciaran but the quality, say show organisers, the GMA.

Geoff Webb, CEO, Grounds Management Association says: “The show data demonstrates that SALTEX continues to deliver on an extremely high level of quality attendees: 25 percent of visitors hold senior managerial positions at their place of work and nearly 80 percent play a role in the purchasing decision-making.”

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

It’s certainly a view held by exhibitors too as Rob Edwards, marketing manager of tractor business unit at Kubota, confirms: “Without doubt, SALTEX ‘23 was a great success for Kubota. As the leading event in the UK for grounds management, it was the ideal way for us to showcase our range, as well as launch our innovative new products to the market.

“The format, where products, services, forums, and training are brought together in one place attracts the right customers and we were very busy throughout the show. The GMA does an excellent job of delivering SALTEX, and we are very pleased with the sales, press and marketing opportunities that the show delivered.”

This year, visitors attended from every corner of the UK, as well as a growing international attendance from across the globe. It’s clear that the global appeal of the show continues to grow, with a 20 percent increase in international exhibitors attending SALTEX this year.

The addition of new feature areas including The Clubhouse brought together people from across different sporting communities including women in turf and the cricketing world. The exciting new Community Sports Zone, also saw buoyant business which proved of great benefit to the grassroots and volunteer audience.

Geoff Webb adds, “SALTEX has delivered for the industry once again – it’s the perfect platform to showcase the UK turf sector globally and is a success story for the UK as a whole. For the show to maintain its position as the leading free grounds management show in Europe is testament to how highly regarded and valuable the show is perceived to be in the industry.”

SALTEX will be back at Birmingham NEC on 30-31 October 2024.

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Reesink and Toro working with 59club

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Reesink and Toro working with 59club: In their continuous drive to maintain and improve standards within the golf community, Toro and Reesink Turfcare are working with leading customer service management specialist and training provider; 59club.

The relationship with 59club focuses on the continuous efforts required to produce the best playing surfaces possible.

Reesink and Toro working with 59club

Reesink and Toro working with 59club

59club provides mystery shopping audits and satisfaction surveys at participating golf clubs to help measure standards. Their insights and expertise are utilised to upskill and train employees, all with a focus on improving customer satisfaction.

Jon Cole, business divisional manager for Turfcare at Reesink Turfcare, explains: “59club supports continuous improvement in the industry, placing the importance on the customer’s experience.

“A big part of the process is looking at the consistency of the tees, greens, fairways and bunkers. An unbiased look at course performance is always a good thing and the results provide valuable feedback on the processes, procedures, methods and equipment used to keep the course inline with expectations.”

While Reesink is one of the best placed suppliers to help with course maintenance and improvements, its involvement with 59club doesn’t stop there.

Will Hewitt, general manager 59club UK, explains: “Our latest brand alignment with Toro and Reesink Turfcare is really exciting, they’re a great match for our values and ethos to provide a measurement of quality across the industry. We’re delighted to announce that they will also sponsor the Greenkeeper of the Year at our annual awards.”

Jon continues: “We’re always looking to shine a light on those working across the UK to create the best fine turf they can. The future of the industry relies on those professionals, and we consider it an honour to create opportunities and be approached to support initiatives to recognise the skill it takes, promote progression and ensure the future of turf management is bright.”

59club have nine territorial divisions serving the UK, Ireland, Europe, USA, Canada, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. They are endorsed and supported by governing bodies such as the PGA, The Asian Industry Golf Federation and the French Golf Federation, 59club are also a chosen partner of the CMAE, European Tour Destinations and PGA Branded Properties.

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