AriensCo – Change at the top

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AriensCo – Change at the top: Nicholas Ariens has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ariens Company with effect from 2 October 2023. He will take over from Larry Weyers, who will remain with the company as a consultant until the end of the financial year and will take his well-deserved retirement at the beginning of July 2024.

“Larry has succeeded in driving forward three extremely important aspects of our company. With a strong customer-centric focus, the opinions and needs of our dealers and end customers have become even more important. He also attaches great importance to strategically well thought-out planning and has thus made AriensCo even more disciplined. He has also succeeded in further improving the quality of our products thanks to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes,” emphasises Dan Ariens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

AriensCo - Change at the top

AriensCo – Change at the top

Nicholas Ariens, the eldest son of owner Dan Ariens, has now taken over the position of President and COO. “I am proud that all five of my children, and therefore the fifth generation, are now involved in key positions in our family business. I wish Nicholas every success in his new role.”

Nicholas Ariens has previously held various management positions in the company. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President for the North and South America region.

Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President EMEAA and therefore also responsible for the European locations of the Ariens Company, will report directly to Nicholas Ariens in future.

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Power anywhere with Makita’s BAC01

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Power anywhere with Makita’s BAC01: In a move that further supports professionals with convenient and unrestricted access to power, Makita has announced the launch of its new BAC01 36V Power Converter.

This useful solution turns DC power into AC power and is suitable for battery charging or the use of corded tools in outdoor job sites where an AC outlet is not available.

Power anywhere with Makita's BAC01

Power anywhere with Makita’s BAC01

Specifically, the new solution converts power from Makita’s 36V battery packs to AC power for a wide range of applications – simply by connecting the PDC01 or PDC1200 battery pack to the power station.

The power converter has been designed to support a variety of requirements, offering multiple outlets that include two AC outlets, two Type-A USB output ports, two Type C USB outlet ports and one DC12V cigar socket. Collectively, users have access to a wide range of options to power multiple items when out on site and it can also be used to recharge Makita’s batteries for use with its cordless power tools or outdoor equipment.

Runtime is application dependent. For example, the PDC1200 will power a 1000W load for about 56 minutes, and the PDC01with 4x BL1860B batteries will power a 750W load for approximately 20 minutes.

Owing to the focus on portability and functionality, the power converter is also compatible with Makita’s Makpac system to allow for easy transportation. Measuring just 39.5cm by 34.5cm by 16.3cm and weighing 7.3 kilos, it can otherwise be handled using the built in carrying handles located on both sides of the unit which are retractable when not in use.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK, commented: “We’re always looking for opportunities to meet our customers’ needs, with our new BAC01 Power Converter doing just that. We foresee this being a highly useful and complementary piece of equipment for tradespeople working on large sites, or in remote areas where there isn’t a power supply available. It’s an easily transportable, highly effective source of power that is compatible with a variety of tools and lighting equipment.”

With a nominal battery voltage of 36V, the BAC01 has a maximum power output of 2,800 W and continuous rating output of 1,400 W.

To discover more about Makita and explore its full range of products including batteries, chargers and adapters, visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Dig deep for Perennial’s Christmas donation appeal

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Dig deep for Perennial’s Christmas donation appeal: With Christmas just around the corner, Perennial is appealing to the industry to grow wellbeing and support people working in horticulture this season by making a goodwill donation.

36% more people turned to the charity for help this year. With the winter months and festive season ahead, demand for support is expected to continue to increase.

Dig deep for Perennial’s Christmas donation appeal

Dig deep for Perennial’s Christmas donation appeal

“We rely on support from people like you to help us be there. Every day people get in contact either for themselves, to help a loved one or on behalf of a colleague,” says Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising Anita Bates, stressing that “Whilst this is a time for family and celebration for many, we appreciate that for lots of people – in horticulture and elsewhere – times are difficult and that money may be tight. But, if you can, please donate today. Thank you and from all of us here at Perennial we wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year.”

As the only UK charity helping everyone working in or retired from horticulture and their families, there are lots of reasons why people turn to Perennial such as bereavement, the impact of an accident, health issues or a family breakdown. Many also access Perennial’s free advice and information online and via their free health & wellbeing and money management tools.

As a reminder of why the charity is here and a way to spread goodwill, you can see and share Perennial’s videos on social inspired by real-life stories, highlighting the different types of help the charity is approached for.

Everyone in the horticultural community can play their part this Christmas. Your support – whatever the amount – will help Perennial to be there for your colleagues and maybe your own friends and family this season and beyond. You can make a difference, big or small, as a one-off or regular gift.

Donate at perennial.org.uk/donate

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Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

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Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain: After 15 years of reliable service running a fleet of smaller Redexim Verti-Drain® models Martin Guy, owner of Grass Plant Ltd, comments that the addition of a high-speed Verti-Drain® 2519 has brought new-found efficiency to both internal contracting operations and external hire projects… so much so, that plans are already in the pipeline to add more!

Martin leads a team of 25, undertaking construction and ongoing maintenance of all types of natural turf sports surface, working with venues across the Southeast. “Across the board, agronomic expectations are on the rise but due to play demands and climatic conditions, the time available to deliver these standards is getting ever smaller” he explains. “This meant increasing demand was placed our high-speed aerator, but the competitor model we were running was not delivering what we needed it to. As soon as the 2519 was introduced we were straight onto our local Redexim Partner Tuckwells, and we were one of the first to try it.”

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

Offering a PTO speed of up to 540rpm, the Verti-Drain® 2519 can cover up to 8739sq.m per hour when spaced at 165mm making it the most productive aerator in its category. Its ability to accept a range of tine options and working to variable depths of up to 250mm mean the 2519 is well suited to an array of applications – something thoroughly tried and tested by the Grass Plant team.

“It’s adaptable, which is critical for us considering the broad spectrum of places we work at” Martin explains. ”On a golf course for example you can start on a tee, then use the same machine to aerate the fairways and the greens. There are very few machines that allow you to do that.”

He continues, “You tend to find that the higher speed these machines operate at, the more there is that can go wrong, but the build quality of the Verti-Drain® is as solid as ever and, since taking delivery of the 2519 close to three years ago, we’ve seen very little downtime.” This reliability has found favour both internally and with self-drive hire customers. “We get a lot of repeat business on our hire fleet and we wouldn’t get that if we were giving them machines that weren’t fit for purpose or were falling apart in front of their eyes! Trouble is, everyone is so impressed with just how much the 2519 can do that now we need more of them!”

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JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

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JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record: JCB’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal is set to deliver a sackful of festive cheer to children in Staffordshire and Wrexham thanks to a record number of gift donations.

The appeal got under way in November with the installation of 14 collections points at JCB plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham. Today it was revealed that a total of 1,242 gifts had been donated as George Burton, aged five, and brother Henry, aged three, handed over the final two toys for the appeal to JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford in the reception at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester where all the presents are assembled.

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

Now the gifts are being handed over to the NSPCC, the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation and Wrexham-based Yellow and Blue charity, for distribution to children at Christmas. As well as huge support from JCB employees, the GMB Union also donated £1,250 to buy toys, the JCB Academy raised £300 for the purchase of gifts and IT specialists Cap Gemini donated 40 toys.

Lord Bamford said today: “When it comes to supporting a good cause, JCB employees are second to none. Every single one of the gifts donated will make a difference to a child this Christmas and it is heart-warming to see that everyone has given so generously.”

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer of the Hubb Foundation, said: “I can’t thank everyone at JCB enough for what they have done. I can say without any doubt that The JCB Christmas Toy Appeal really does make Christmas so much brighter for many hundreds of children in Staffordshire. I saw that for myself last year, which is why we are so grateful for every single gift which is donated.”

Rachael Holdcroft, NSPCC Strategic Service Manager (Together for Childhood, Stoke), said: “It is so heart-warming to see more than 1,200 gifts which have been donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal because I know just what an impact this will have on the children this Christmas. I know that this year has been difficult for so many, so it really is incredible to know that even though times are tough, people still care about children and want to do their bit to ensure that all children receive a gift at Christmastime.”

Employees at JCB’s plants in Rocester, Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Hixon, Foston and Wrexham all took part in the appeal, helping beat last year’s donation total of 1,000 gifts.

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