Origin Enterprises acquires Suregreen

Origin Enterprises acquires Suregreen: Origin Enterprises plc, (“Origin” or “the Group”) the international Agronomy-Services group, providing specialist advice, inputs and digital solutions to promote sustainable land use, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the business and operating assets of Suregreen Limited (“Suregreen”) from its Administrators Messrs. De’ath, Gardiner and Provan of Begbies Traynor, who were appointed as Administrators of the Company on 24 August 2023.

Suregreen is a UK based landscape supplier specialising in landscaping products, ground reinforcement solutions, wire products, fencing and timber posts, timber sleepers and garden supplies. Supplying both trade professionals and DIY customers, via its online store at www.sure-green.com, Suregreen also offers a click and collect service from its trade counter in Finchingfield, Essex.

Origin Enterprises acquires Suregreen

Origin Enterprises acquires Suregreen

Suregreen complements Origin’s Greentech business, in addition to the more recent acquisitions of British Hardwood trees and Agrigem and also further strengthens the Group’s amenity, environmental and ecological portfolio. Landscaping, urban greening and habitat creation will continue to play an important role in sustainable land use to help tackle climate change, restore biodiversity, and create recreational spaces to promote social wellbeing. We welcome our new Suregreen colleagues to the Group and look forward to working with their highly experienced team.

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Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards: Highly respected and award-wining sports broadcaster, Hayley McQueen, has been announced as host for this year’s GMA Industry Awards, held at the iconic Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November 2023.

With a career spanning over 20 years, Hayley is best known for her work as lead anchor of Sky Sports News. As a well-established and highly respected TV sports presenter, reporter, award-winning producer, and event host, the GMA is delighted to have Hayley on board to host its prestigious annual awards ceremony.

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

Hayley has experienced life both in front of and behind the camera, having excelled in presenting and producing the news, daily talk and match day live build up as main match day anchor at Manchester United TV between 2006-2010.

Hayley’s work has taken her across the globe, reporting on some of the most high-profile sporting events in the world such as Champions League, World Cup, European Championships, and the Olympic Games. Having interviewed sporting royalty such as David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Jose Mourinho and Lord Sebastian Coe, Hayley has gained a reputation as a fun, warm and respectable broadcaster.

Other notable credits include Premier League TV, Fox Sports and Al Jazeera Sports as well as various hosting duties for Radio X, BBC 5 Live and flagship Football First Premier League highlights show, Match Choice and Sportswomen programmes. She is also one third of the award-winning podcast The Offside Rule, an all-female football podcast which has been running successfully for 10 years.

On presenting the awards Hayley said:

“I’m delighted to be hosting this year’s GMA Industry Awards. With a true love of sport, I know only too well the invaluable work grounds staff put in to making sport possible.

“To be able to celebrate the achievements of those who work tirelessly to produce such exceptional results is something I’m very much looking forward to. It’s going to be a great evening!’

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association said:

“To have such a well-respected industry talent in Hayley hosting the Industry Awards is so exciting for the GMA. She is a trailblazer in her field and is therefore the perfect complement to a prestigious evening of celebration.”

Tickets to attend the awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November are now on sale at gmaindustryawards.uk/ticket-packages/

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Sales Manager Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk. 

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Cobra expands cordless offering

Cobra expands cordless offering: Following extensive customer demand, Cobra has introduced a new model to its ever-popular 24-volt range of battery-powered equipment.  

The cordless range, which currently consists of a GT3024V  Grass Trimmer, LB45024V Leaf Blower, CS1024V Chainsaw, and H5024V  Hedgetrimmer with a range of 50cm, has been expanded with the introduction of the new HT50LRH24V Long Reach Hedgetrimmer (RRP £134.99).

Cobra expands cordless offering

Cobra expands cordless offering

Cobra’s current cordless hand tool ranges are powered by both 24-volt or 40-volt models, with the 24v collection proving to be incredibly popular with gardeners. Compact, reasonably priced yet powerful, the range is ideal for gardeners with typical sized gardens and those looking for a tool that’s simple and easy to use.

The brand’s new Long Reach Hedgetrimmer is designed to tackle the most awkward jobs, with the versatility to change from a standard 50cm cutting length to the longreach option. The extension pole simply clicks into the main body of the tool before attaching the standard hedgetrimmer blade, granting an additional metre to help reach taller hedges. To further aid this, it also has an articulating head that moves through 90 degrees, with a dual handle switch, and is light and easy to use weighing just 3.34kg.

It has a double-sided reciprocating precision cutting blade with a tooth spacing of 20mm, along two-speed modes (eco and turbo), making hedge shaping and tidying even easier. Not only that, but all the tools in the 24v range operate off the same interchangeable battery, meaning buyers no longer need to worry about finding a plug socket or tripping over wires, all while powering one tool from one battery.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, said: “We are continuously looking for ways to expand the 24v range, creating more commercial opportunities for dealers and providing gardeners with useful, compact tools that stand the test of time. Our standard 50cm hedgetrimmer has proven to be very popular with buyers, but we noticed that many gardeners required a model with a longer reach – so we knew we wanted to create a product to fill that gap in the market. The demand for cordless tools continues to grow, as people seek convenient, hassle-free options.”

Cobra is the leading name in garden machinery and has the UK’s largest range of powered lawnmowers. For further information about Cobra, please visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.

To add the new Long Reach Hedgetrimmer to your existing Cobra stock, contact your Cobra sales representative, or to become a Cobra stockist please contact Andy Marvin on 07771 581296 or am@hentonandchattell.co.uk.

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Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City: They say that good things tend to come in threes, which is certainly the case for Norwich City FC following the recent addition of a third INFINICUT® SM34 rotary mower to their fleet at Carrow Road.

Giving the team of three outstanding versatility and quality of finish, Head of Grounds Adam Grantham adds that the delivery in June 2023, has also significantly improved efficiency when it comes to that all-important post-match cut.

Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

Adam’s first INFINICUT® delivery came shortly after taking the reins in January 2022, following an assessment of the current fleet shared across both the stadium and club’s Lotus Training Centre. “I’d used INFINICUT’s at my previous venue and had always been impressed with their performance” he explains. “I put in a request for two SM34 rotary mowers which the club backed, and these proved to be a brilliant investment. The pair gave us a vastly improved battery-life and quality of finish compared to our previous units.”

Used initially and primarily for debris clearance and the post-match clean-up cut, Adam could see the possibilities a third SM34 could bring to the efficiency of operations, with the latest machine delivered in time for the start of the new season. “The trio have become a big part of our preparations as we move through the week, particularly during periods where we want to let the pitch ‘be’ for a little while – cutting with the rotaries to remove quantity ahead of a final cut with the cylinders.” He continues, “They’re bullet proof in their build and the set up couldn’t be simpler, literally one spanner and you’re away!”

Adopting many of the principles of their renowned collection of cylinder mowers, the SM34 from INFINICUT® delivers millimetre precision adjustment and strong vacuum performance for powerful debris removal, cleanness of cut and an immaculate finish – driven by a long-lasting and reliable 105Ah lithium-ion battery.

“Post match training is quite a regular thing here at Norwich so frequently the team and I are having to wait close to an hour following the end of a match before we can get on and cut. This extra machine not only knocks 20 minutes off the job but now means we can each go a bit slower to achieve a really clean, crisp finish.” He concludes, “Normally you get speed or finesse with a machine, but rarely both. With the SM34’s we can tick those boxes to the benefit of my team and the pitch quality alike.”

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour: A superintendent at a historic, Limerick golf club has been using Green Lawnger for vibrant and healthy greens on the course which was voted as ‘Best Hidden Gem in Ireland’ in the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards, 2013.

Brian Dunne, Golf Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Golf Course, has been using BASF’s Green Lawnger for over two years alongside a topical fungicide or liquid feed for optimal lawn health and colour.

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

The club’s history dates to the late 1890s when the 4th Earl of Dunraven employed Scottish professional, Ben Sayers to design a 9-hole golf course on the estate in Adare. The club went on to many successes including winning the All-Ireland Final of the Pierce Purcell shield in 1985 and producing one of the most accomplished Irish amateur golfers, Jackie Harrington. In 1992, the club reopened as an 18-hole course, designed by Eddie Hackett and went on to celebrate its centenary year in 2000, but still boasts relics of its original layout.

The remains of Desmond Castle (1200AD) create a magnificent backdrop for golfers, as well as the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464AD) which dominates the centre of the challenging, but scenic course. The quality and vibrancy of the turf complements the historic parkland course, so colour management and upkeep are vital.

Brian said: “I apply Green Lawnger to the course twice a month, either alongside a fungicide or a liquid feed to maintain the colour and quality of the course. The turf pigment contains a high concentration of pigments based on turfgrass colourants, as well as Colourlock technology to ensure a long-lasting effect.”

Brian believes that his use of Green Lawnger at Adare Manor Golf Course has vastly improved the appearance of the course, saying: “Opposed to other dyes I have tried, Green Lawnger holds the colour for a long time after application and the greens look fantastic afterwards. I have also found it aids recovery from disease.”

Green Lawnger contains agronomic colourants to improve the quality of the turf as well as a resin technology to ensure strong leaf adhesion, meaning each application sticks directly to the leaf and is not transferred to skin or clothing, ensuring an even and vibrant green coverage.

The additional benefits of Green Lawnger include an instant green up, a flexible rate to achieve the required colour and a long-lasting effect. Green Lawnger can be used on any type of turfgrass and as a divot mix or sand colourant. It is the only choice turf colourant for use on stadia sports turf or for areas of use where an instant green up is required, and impact sports are played.

Brian concluded: “Green Lawnger is an effective and great product for turf colour and longevity, I highly recommend it to everyone within turf management for effective and long-lasting results.”

To find out more about Green Lawnger or to view the wider range of turf colourants, please visit: https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Turf-Colourant/index.html

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