Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

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Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary: Green-tech is celebrating 30 years of being the leading supplier to the landscaping industry.

Founded in 1994 from a farm outbuilding in North Yorkshire; today the company is owned by Origin Enterprises PLC and operates from a purpose-built business park, employing over 80 staff and selling over 5,000 different products.

Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

Green-tech has a calendar of events planned throughout the year to celebrate this significant milestone. These range from sales promotions and competitions; to sponsored events, throwback memories, and a celebratory open day at their head office planned for the summer.

The company is widely recognised for its staunch commitment to the industry, supporting a vast number of events and exhibitions. They are the headline sponsor of the prestigious BALI National Landscape Awards for a tenth consecutive year. They are also the headline sponsor of the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: the next-generation initiative; a sponsor of the Pro Landscaper Business Awards as well as the APL awards.

Green-tech is also launching a ‘Challenge for Charity’ campaign; aiming to raise £30,000 for five charities – BALI Chalk Fund, Candlelighters, Macmillan Cancer Support, Perennial and Shelter. Striving to raise £1000 for every year of trading, the Green-tech team has six challenges planned over six months, bringing staff together to take part in events ranging from cycling and endurance to a ‘big sleep-out.’

In 1994 Green-tech was founded with a core range of tree-planting product range. This has expanded over the years to include a comprehensive range of urban tree planting products, soils, and growing media, grass and wildflower seed, fertilisers, grounds maintenance and reinforcement products, and ponds and ecology– the most comprehensive one-stop-shop in the landscaping and forestry industries.

Sales Director Richard Gill has been with the company for 21 years and comments “When I joined Green-tech there were 20 employees.  I, like many others here, have progressed through the ranks and pride myself on staying true to the Green-tech vision and philosophy.  By being forward-thinking, establishing and maintaining great relationships with suppliers and customers, and through continued investment in people, technology, new product development, facilities, and infrastructure, we have achieved great things.  I am incredibly proud to have played a part in this.  Green-tech is a remarkable company – every single person works hard to offer the best products, service, and prices; and I’m looking forward to seeing what the company achieves over the next 30 years”.

Kris Nellist, Green-tech’s Managing Director adds, “I am delighted to be leading the company as we enter our 30th trading year. It’s a significant milestone and one that is testimony to the excellent business model and team at Green-tech.  We have many long-serving team members and customers. Our systems only enable us to go back 20 years but tell us that over 10,000 of our customers have been trading with us since then. Quite an achievement! The founders set up Green-tech with a ‘can do’ attitude, striving to offer the most comprehensive product lines, with the fastest delivery times at the most competitive prices with outstanding customer care.  This is a mantra that holds strong today. We are now part of a PLC that wholly supports this and has additionally opened up new doors to us with other businesses in their portfolio. It’s an exciting time for Green-tech and I’m looking forward to the future as we enter our fourth decade.”

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Greenkeepers set for career-enhancing experience

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Greenkeepers set for career-enhancing experience: The British and Irish greenkeepers travelling to TPC Sawgrass to volunteer at The Players Championship in March met at John Deere’s BTME stand as they prepare for the experience of a lifetime.

The seven-strong contingent was selected to be part of the programme organised annually by John Deere in partnership with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland (ATPI).

Greenkeepers set for career-enhancing experience

Greenkeepers set for career-enhancing experience

At the tournament in Florida they will get the unique opportunity to work alongside greenkeepers from around the world, gaining invaluable experience of elite championship agronomy as they prepare the course for the world’s best golfers.

The 2024 BIGGA volunteers are Aidan Wright (Camberley Heath Golf Club), Adam Brackley (La Grand Mare Hotel), Colin Hopper (Elsham Golf Club), Ian Kirwan (Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club), David Feeney, (Prestwick Golf Club), and Adam Champion (Bearspaw Golf Club, Canada). The ATPI’s chosen representative is Lorcan Finnegan (Malahide Golf Club).

At the BTME event in Harrogate the volunteers from Britain and Ireland met each other for the first time and spoke with John Deere’s golf and turf experts about what to expect from trip.

Chris Meacock, John Deere’s Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, said: “The TPC Sawgrass experience is just a few weeks away so the excitement is building among the group.

“Professional development of greenkeepers is fundamental to both the individual and to the golf courses they will work on during their careers. There can be fewer better ways to test their skills and learn from others than by being part of The Players championship.”

Volunteer David Feeny, who is the Deputy Course Manager at Prestwick Golf Club, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity which I can’t wait to take part in.”

Lorcan Finnegan, who is a greenkeeper and mechanic at Malahide Golf Club in Dublin, said: “To have won a place on this programme feels like a dream. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done and learnt as a greenkeeper so far, but TPC Sawgrass is going to be on a different level.”

Applications for the 2025 John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme will open shortly on the BIGGA website.

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Greenkeeper receives prestigious award

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Greenkeeper receives prestigious award: Golf greenkeepers from across the globe joined together at the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) annual education programme and trade show to celebrate the career of a former head greenkeeper who spent 30 years building a network of turf professionals across Europe.

Dean Cleaver began his career at The Leicestershire Golf Club and later became head greenkeeper at Rugby Golf Club and then Stratford-upon-Avon Golf Club. He first joined the committee of a greenkeepers’ association aged just 17 and in 1996 became BIGGA’s youngest-ever chairperson, aged just 38.

Greenkeeper receives prestigious award

Greenkeeper receives prestigious award

In 1996 he led the formation of the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations and has acted as executive officer ever since, building a network of organisations to promote greenkeeping and enhance the support available to turf professionals, whether a country has thousands of golf courses or just one. Today FEGGA unites 23 associations around the world, including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Turfgrass Managers Association of South Africa.

Dean will step down from his post when he retires later in 2024.

At the BIGGA Celebration sponsored by Jacobsen, hosted on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), Dean was presented with the Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by Jacobsen, in recognition of a half century of commitment to supporting his fellow greenkeepers.

BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton said: “During a 50-year career, Dean Cleaver has shown an unwavering commitment to uniting greenkeepers, no matter their golf club’s location or standing in the game. Possessing a work ethic instilled in him at The Leicestershire by his mentor, Paddy McCarron, Dean spent decades supporting the activities of first the British Golf Greenkeepers Association and then BIGGA when it was formed in 1987.

“His commitment to a Europe-wide project led to the formation of FEGGA in 1996 and that has provided a network that links established associations such as ours with those in countries where golf is still an emerging sport.

“Dean’s legacy will be felt for decades to come and in this, the year of his retirement, BIGGA could not be prouder to present him with our most prestigious accolade, the Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by Jacobsen.”

Also scooping top prizes at the BIGGA Celebration and showcasing the broad range of clubs represented by members of the association, were two clubs at either end of the golfing spectrum.

The team at Dudley Golf Club received Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions. Leading a team of just three, Stewart Marshall has brought the Midlands golf club back from the brink by using innovative and often cost-free sustainable solutions. From being on the verge of closure prior to the pandemic, the team has transformed Dudley with little or no budget into a thriving venue, just in time for the club’s 130th anniversary.

Examples of development work include:

  • Asking for unwanted wooden planks from a local timber yard for the construction of bridges and reusing old materials to create flower beds and pathways
  • Engaging with local schools to enhance and promote the ecological offering of the site
  • Hosting fun social events in the clubhouse to raise money for equipment.

Stewart and his team have shown what can be achieved through innovative thinking and greenkeeping expertise, highlighting the key role greenkeepers play in the success of any golf club.

Also receiving a BIGGA Award was Walton Heath Golf Club. Following the successful hosting of US Open qualifying and the AIG Women’s Open, Michael Mann and his team were awarded with Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Bernhard & Company.

Following the news the club would be hosting the only UK-based women’s Major championship in 2023, a pest infestation and prolonged drought devastated turf quality at the historic Surrey venue, ultimately leading to the installation of a new irrigation system. Vandalism further damaged playing surfaces but the team worked extra hours – often working under floodlights – to repair the damage. Delays slowed progress but the greenkeepers stepped up and took on responsibility for reinstating turf on top of daily maintenance and other project work, eventually completing installation a full 12 months after the contractual end date.

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the team, both US Open Qualifying and the AIG Women’s Open were successfully staged, with the greenkeeping team receiving widespread plaudits for the immaculate presentation of the course despite all the challenges they had overcome.

Nominations for the BIGGA Awards were submitted throughout 2023, with a judging panel meeting to decide the finalists and overall winners.

The other finalists were:

Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Origin Amenity Solutions

  • Basingstoke Golf Club
  • Sandiway Golf Club

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard & Company

  • Paisley Golf Club
  • Portlethen Golf Club

More information about the BIGGA Awards and the finalists can be found on the BTME website.

BTME continues until Thursday 24 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.

Nominations will reopen for the 2024 awards following the conclusion of BTME.

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Training to support safe and productive golf

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Training to support safe and productive golf: Lantra will be showcasing the breadth of training options available for safe and productive working in golf greenkeeping and sports turf management at the upcoming leading industry show, BTME on 23-25 January.  

Lantra’s suite of pesticide training is designed for both novices and experienced users, providing the knowledge and skills that are needed for the safe and effective application of pest management measures. The Lantra team will be exhibiting at stand 146 in Hall 1 at Harrogate Convention Centre to provide information on pesticides and other relevant training courses.

Training to support safe and productive golf

Training to support safe and productive golf

The use of equipment for the management of productive golf courses and sports-turf is commonplace, therefore operating them safely and efficiently is vital. Lantra has a range of training courses, ranging between 1-5 days in length, to ensure equipment is used safely and with confidence, which will also be promoted at BTME.

Lantra’s Head of Industry Partnerships (Landscaping & Rural), David Fisher said: ‘’The Lantra team is excited to be at the show to highlight our leading training courses and qualifications in the Landscaping and Sports Turf sectors at BTME’’.

‘’At the show, we will also be actively recruiting for instructors to deliver pesticide training, as we have a lack of them in Northern England. As a Lantra Instructor, you’ll enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working for yourself in the great outdoors, as well as playing a crucial role in delivering essential skills, training and qualifications to a diverse group of learners.’’

Lantra instructor and provider, Ian Sumpter, is also delivering sold out training sessions from the Groundcare Machinery Maintenance suite at the event, as part of the ‘Continue to Learn’ education conference, with Lantra accreditation and CPD points available.

You can find out more about the benefits of being a Lantra instructor here: Become an Instructor – Lantra  

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register: Green-tech, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, reinforces its commitment to investing in its people and the industry by sending another team member on the rigorous BASIS training course.

Jamie Peacock from the sales team has successfully completed and passed the BASIS Certificate in crop protection (Amenity Horticulture) and has been added to the BASIS Professional Register, strengthening the company’s in-house expertise.

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

This course provides training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those advising on their use in amenity. It means Green-tech has even more people available to advise their groundsmen, greenkeepers, and landscaper customers working in the amenity sector.

The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection for Field Sales and Technical Staff (FSTS) was established in 1978 and has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Control of Pesticide Regulations for certification of those involved in the sale, advice, and supply of pesticides.

Jamie is now proficient in the choice and application of professional chemical products, with the know-how to protect people, animals, and the environment. He can advise on weed, disease, and pest control. He is also competent in the application, safe use, handling, transport, and storage of Pesticides.

Green-tech’s Head of Sales Dean Jackson comments, “Green-tech sells a wide range of chemicals.  The advice we give must be correct and most important current.  This qualification has enhanced and broadened our in-house expertise which will naturally benefit our customers. Jamie is now better placed to help and direct our customers on their choice of professional chemical products. He has a wealth of industry and product knowledge and will help a customer decide the most appropriate product for their project. This is quite rightly, a tough course as the standards set by BASIS are high, but Jamie has worked hard and I am delighted for him.”

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