Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits

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Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits: Minimising downtime is something turfcare professionals actively guard against – and rightly so – but how much is maximising uptime considered? With Toro there are numerous ways to do this – and a small way that can make a significant difference. 

Maintenance, value, performance – the three top priorities for turfcare professionals all wrapped up in one time-saving, budget-stretching package. Toro MVP kits provide all the parts for over 100 different maintenance issues in one box, helping to maximise uptime in multiple ways.

Maximise uptime with Toro's MVP kits

Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits

Lasts longer

They are the same MVP kits everyone is used to with one significant difference – now the contents can cover longer hours, starting at 400 hours with some covering up to 1000.

Savings on individual parts costs

Not only are these maintenance parts competitively priced, but the total cost of each kit is significantly less than what it would be to purchase each part separately.

Streamline the process to save time

Toro understands that maintenance teams and workshop managers have lots of tasks to prioritise and these kits take several steps out of the process. With the maintenance task list listed on the box, it’s easy to stay on track and eliminate the guesswork.

Make planning easy

Why complicate maintenance? These kits bring peace of mind that the workshop is fully stocked all the time. They eliminate the need for much of the workshop planning and streamline the shopping list – and now there’s no need to look up the individual parts numbers!

Guarantee factory line specifications

MVP kits are designed to make it easier for technicians to maintain Toro equipment to factory specifications – every part fits perfectly and everyone can rely on the fact that the equipment is always properly maintained.

No downtime, only uptime

There’s no need to worry about missing that vital part right when it is needed and putting a hold on the machine incurring lost hours. Pretty much every eventuality is covered Toro’s MVP kits from rebuilding rollers and replacing hydraulic hoses to overhauling cutting units – making sure that no matter what the issue uptime is maximised and the machine keeps up with the turf’s demands.

Michael Hampton, Purchasing and Sales Process Manager at UK Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare, says: “It’s important for a machine’s performance and longevity that genuine parts are used with the exact engineering specifications for the machine. By choosing Toro MVP kits customers can be sure they get the best performance now with fewer problems down the line, all at the best possible price.”

Contact a local dealer to take advantage of Toro’s MVP kits, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

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All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage: This September, a landmark moment for Rugby will take place at the Twickenham Stadium as an all-female team of grounds professionals will prepare the pitch for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Final and Bronze Final, marking a historic first for the sport.

Led by the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group, alongside England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the initiative aims to champion female representation in the sector and promote the diverse career pathways that grounds management has to offer.

All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

Applications are now open for women working in the industry to join the 15-strong matchday team. These professionals will be responsible for managing the playing surface in the lead-up to, and during, two of the most high-profile fixtures in the women’s rugby calendar – both broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 27 September 2025.

With women still underrepresented in the grounds management sector – making up less than 10% of the professional workforce – this initiative directly tackles the need for greater visibility, inclusion and long-term workforce sustainability.

Jim Buttar, Head of Grounds and Technical Operations at Twickenham Stadium, and GMA Board Member said: “We’re really proud to be hosting this initiative at Twickenham Stadium and to support the team delivering the pitch for such a major occasion. It’s no secret that our industry needs greater visibility and diversity, especially around female representation, so to see an all-female grounds team leading on one of rugby’s biggest stages will be a huge step forward. It sends a clear message about the opportunities that exist in grounds management, and we’re excited to play a part in that.”

It builds on the momentum of recent GMA initiatives designed to spotlight including the all-female grounds team that prepared the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for the Women’s Super League North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham in March 2024.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the leading membership organisation representing grounds personnel in the UK, the Grounds Management Association, says: “We’re incredibly proud to work with England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to champion visibility and representation of our industry and the career opportunities that it presents. With women’s sport growing rapidly, it’s time the teams behind the scenes reflect that progress too. We want this to inspire more opportunities for women to consider careers in grounds management and to increase awareness of what a great opportunity a career in sports turf management offers, and to see that anything is possible.”

The opportunity is open to women across the sector with relevant experience, and successful applicants will take part in pre-event training and preparation ahead of matchday.

If you’re working in grounds care and want to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment, register your interest here. 

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Fun in the sun events raise vital funds for Perennial

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Fun in the sun events raise vital funds for Perennial: June was a great month for fundraising in support of Perennial, with nearly £10,000 raised by footballers and golfers showing off their skills at two inaugural events.

Eight teams took on the ‘Kick for a Cause’ five-a-side football tournament at Fulham FC Training Ground and 60 golfers teed off at Pyrford Lakes Golf Club, all battling all battling to be the winners in aid of the charity which supports everyone in horticulture.

Fun in the sun events raise vital funds for Perennial

Fun in the sun events raise vital funds for Perennial

Kick for a Cause

The grounds maintenance teams from Fulham and Reading FCs were joined by teams from supporting event partners Wildwood Machinery and ICL, along with Perennial Partner teams from Kingston Landscape Group, Wood Environmental Services, Neville Stein Horticultural Business Consultancy and Grange Travel Coach Hire, each entering teams of up to 12 players.

There were some close matches throughout the day, with each team giving it their all in the sweltering heat. The action-packed semi-finals saw Mow Money, Mow Problems (Fulham FC Grounds Maintenance Team) take on ICL and Royally Turf’d taking on KLG FC (Kingston Landscape Group).

The eventual winners were KLG FC with just a 1-0 win over host team.

Having shown off their skills on the pitch, the footballers enjoyed pizza and refreshments to celebrate their efforts, whilst continuing to raise further funds for Perennial through raffle ticket sales.

Following the event Stuart Mackley and Stanley Hayden from the Grounds Team at Fulham FC Training Ground said: “This was a great way to raise the profile of Perennial within the club and amongst the players and also raise funds for our industry charity. Whilst it was hot weather to play in, the teams took on the challenge with great enthusiasm and played their best games. We look forward to hosting the event next year.”

Thanks go to grounds care experts Wildwood Machinery and ICL who we welcomed onboard as supporting partners for this event.

Wildwood Machinery – Hampshire’s leading groundcare business – said “We were delighted to support Perennial for this inaugural event. Our team enjoyed the tournament and supporting people in the horticultural and groundcare profession.”

ICL also said “We were pleased to support Perennial and their Kick for a Cause initiative. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to promote wellbeing through sport and make a positive impact in the process.”

Charity Golf Day

Just two days after the footbal tournament the Perennial charity golf day, in partnership with Renson, took place at the stunning Pyrford Lakes.

Players were treated to a bacon butty and coffee before teeing off for 18 fabulous holes, followed by a BBQ on the clubhouse patio.

Fittingly the team from principal sponsors Renson UK took 1st prize in the team competition, with Renson’s Tina Mott winning the individual Stableford.

Perennial Partnership Manager, Phil Swainston commented, “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for taking part and supporting the inaugural Perennial Golf Day.  Everyone’s enthusiasm and generosity made the day a fantastic success and resulted in us raising over £3,500!”

Through ticket sales, sponsorship and fundraising on both days, these fun and informal events provided networking opportunities and most importantly, raised vital funds to support Perennial so we can be there when needed.

Chief Executive of Perennial, Jamie Gault commented “At Perennial, our mission is to ‘Build Better Futures’ for horticulturalists and their families. We cannot continue without funding to support our vital work, so fundraising events like these, that help raise the profile of the support we offer, have an essential role to play. Thank you to those who instigated these events and supported Perennial through taking part, sponsorship and promotion. Don’t forget the charity is here for you, whether you need some guidance, feel a bit stuck or are facing one of life’s big challenges, we’re here for you.”

Visit perennial.org.uk/ways-we-help/ or call our helpline 0800 093 8543

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Management change at Reform

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Management change at Reform: Reinhard Riepl hands over the sole management of Reform-Werke Bauer & Co Holding Aktiengesellschaft and the Chair of the Executive Board of Reform-Werke Bauer & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H. to Markus Wieshofer.

Leading Austrian specialist tractor manufacturer Reform has announced a change of management.

Management change at Reform

Management change at Reform

On June 30, 2025, CEO Reinhard Riepl will hand over his responsibility to Markus Wieshofer. He will remain with the Reform Group in an advisory capacity until the end of the year.

Markus Wieshofer takes over the sole board of directors and forms the management board together with Wolfgang Zauner.

Mr Riepl has played a key role in shaping the company‘s strategy and will continue to support the Reform Group in an advisory capacity until the end of 2025.

Reinhard Riepl originally joined the company, based in Wels, more than a quarter of a century ago as Head of Finance. In 2005, he was appointed to the Executive Board of Reform Group as Managing Director of Reform-Werke Bauer & Co GmbH. Appointment as CEO of the Group followed in 2019.

“Reform Group was always more than just a place of work for me during these years that have seen some exciting major changes and successful re¬organisation. I would like to emphasise in particular the cooperation, based on trust, with the main owner of the company, Clemens Malina-Altzinger,” said Mr Riepl. “I am very pleased to know that this responsibility is now in the good hands of Markus Wieshofer.”

Chairman of the Supervisory Board Dr Clemens Malina-Altzinger pays tribute to Mr Riepl’s commitment: “Reinhard Riepl has led the company through many dynamic years with vision and a steady hand. We thank him very much for that!”

Markus Wieshofer has been with the company since 2023 and is the experienced and successful CSO who will assume the role of sole member of the Executive Board of Reform-Werke Bauer & Co Holding Aktiengesellschaft and Chair of the Executive Board of Reform-Werke Bauer & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Reform’s specialist tractors, which offer a range of features for operation in steep and challenging conditions and can be used with a multitude of implements, are distributed in the UK by Simon Richard Ltd.

For more information contact: simon@simon-richard.co.uk

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Centre of Excellence Celebrates First Year

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Centre of Excellence Celebrates First Year: The UK’s first Centre of Excellence in glasshouse growing has celebrated a fruitful opening year, with some of its produce being showcased at this weekend’s Kent County Show.

The Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College, which was officially opened in June 2024, is an education centre developed to inspire and train the next generation of UK salad and vegetable growers.

Centre of Excellence Celebrates First Year

Centre of Excellence Celebrates First Year

It is based at Hadlow College’s state-of-the-art glasshouse and sees horticultural students working directly with Thanet Earth, the UK’s largest glasshouse salad supplier, to develop their skills and grow tomatoes in a commercial crop environment.

It has had a successful first year and the fruits of its labours will, quite literally, be on display at the Hadlow College marquee at the Kent County Show this weekend, where visitors will be able to try tomatoes freshly grown at the facility.

After being officially opened in June 2024, it was announced in December that it had donated a tonne of its produce to the food charity FareShare during 2024, providing the equivalent of 2,260 meals and supporting 27 charity and community groups as a result.

The Centre of Excellence has gone on to feature on both BBC and ITV in the intervening period, and in February horticulture students planted the 2025 crop, with hopes for another bumper year.

The facility plays an integral part in horticulture courses at the College and features cutting edge technology including: suspended gutters running hydroponics for the tomatoes, LED and high-pressure sodium lighting and a vertical growing farm.

Alan Harvey, Hadlow College’s Head of Curriculum for Horticulture and Floristry, says: “Our first year has been a fantastic one, where students have benefited enormously from the Centre of Excellence in developing their skills in glasshouse technology and growing. In addition to this we are very grateful to all our partners who have engaged with students over the year providing guest lecture spots, visits, practical workshops and coaching opportunities.”

Sally Channon, Senior Technologist (Innovation) at Thanet Earth, adds: “It has been remarkable to see the effort and enthusiasm shown by the students, their commitment to learning about how we grow crops in a protected environment using advanced techniques and sustainable practices has been inspirational.

“At Thanet Earth, we’re passionate about producing food efficiently and responsibly, and it has been rewarding to see young people engaging with these principles. This has all been proudly supported by our Sponsors who have enriched the learning experience for the students.”

To find out more about the Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College, and everything else the College offers, visit the Hadlow College marquee at the Kent County Show this weekend or visit the projects page of Hadlow College website.

The Kent County Show, held annually in July, is the region’s premier event for farming, agriculture, and countryside life. For three days, the Kent Showground comes alive with animals, horses, vintage vehicles, retail stands, and much more, celebrating the best of the county.

This year it runs from Friday 4 July to Sunday 6 July. To find out more visit the Kent County Show website.

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