Origin Enterprises acquires Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd

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Origin Enterprises acquires Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd: Origin Enterprises plc (’Origin’ or ‘the Group’), the international group shaping the future of sustainable land use, today welcomes the acquisition of Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd (“Elixir”), a UK-based industry leader in online gardening supplies.

Established for over 35 years’, Elixir has extensive expertise in fertilisers, feeds and garden care, delivering the essentials customers need in a fast-growing market segment. Offering a focused product range, the company has built a reputation for quality, expert customer support and a highly responsive supply chain — dispatching up to 20,000 orders across the UK each week, 90% of which are own-brand sales.

Origin Enterprises acquires Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd

Origin Enterprises acquires Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd

Elixir’s successful direct-to-consumer model further strengthens Origin’s expanding portfolio within its Living Landscapes division representing further progress towards the Group’s target for this division to deliver 30% of Group operating profit by the end of FY26. The acquisition enhances Origin’s ability to serve both professional and home gardening customers through a fully integrated supply chain, from raw material through to end user — a competitive advantage that sets Origin apart in the market.

TJ Kelly, Divisional Managing Director of Living Landscapes, commented: “Elixir Garden Supplies is a strong addition to the Origin family, which both complements our existing portfolio of businesses and accelerates our ability to serve the fast-growing online garden care market. By combining Elixir’s direct-to-consumer platform with Origin’s manufacturing scale and supply chain strength, we are positioned to deliver superior product ranges, value and service to customers throughout the UK.”

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Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

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Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open: Get ready—visitor registration for GroundsFest 2025 is officially open, and this year promises to be bigger, better, and bolder than ever before.

Returning to Stoneleigh Park from 9–10 September 2025, GroundsFest is more than just a trade show. It’s a high-energy, hands-on event where the latest kit, expert advice, and industry insight all come together.

Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

Whether you work in landscaping, groundscare, local authority, turf management, estate maintenance, education, or sportsturf—GroundsFest is the one event you don’t want to miss.

Hundreds of brands. One event.

GroundsFest 2025 will bring together one of the most diverse ranges of exhibitors the industry has ever seen. From major machinery manufacturers and cutting-edge tech providers to landscaping tools, turf care solutions, commercial vehicles, and more—you’ll find hundreds of top brands all in one place.

Live, interactive demos

Try out the latest machinery and technology from top brands in real working conditions. You’ll also be able to experience Machinery Nation Live—a high-octane, entertainment-packed demo area brought to you by the team behind the hit YouTube channel Machinery Nation. Expect thrills, power, and plenty of noise as they put kit through its paces in their own unique style.

Free education

Grow your knowledge with completely free training sessions and seminars. Led by industry experts, these sessions cover the challenges and innovations shaping the future of outdoor spaces, turf, and groundscare.

Live music festival

Once the demos and seminars wrap up, the GroundsFest festival begins. Live music, street food, bumper cars and great company—because the best conversations often happen away from the stand.

A place for everyone

From seasoned professionals to students just starting out, GroundsFest is a welcoming, inclusive event designed to inspire. Whether you’re looking for your next purchase, your next hire, or just a great day out with the team—this is your event.

It’s completely free to attend

Registration is quick, easy, and completely free. You’ll get full access to the demos, education sessions, live music, and more.

Whether you came last year and loved it, or this will be your first visit—GroundsFest 2025 is the event to mark on your calendar.

Free parking

GroundsFest 2024 offers free on-site parking for everyone. There is also a dedicated camping area, which should be pre-booked in advance. More information on staying in the camping area is available on the GroundsFest website.

Register for free on the GroundsFest website.

Please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Reesink Turfcare strengthens dealer support

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Reesink Turfcare strengthens dealer support: Reesink Turfcare is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Dealer Development and Key Account Managers, strengthening its support to dealer partners and improving key customer relationships across the UK.

Robert Hogarth steps into the role for the North – covering territory from Cheshire and Lincolnshire up to Northumberland, across into Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man – and replacing Mike Turnbull, who now leads the Reesink Scotland branch.

Reesink Turfcare strengthens dealer support

Reesink Turfcare strengthens dealer support

Darren Anderson will take responsibility for the South of England, Wales, the Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey.

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager for Reesink Turfcare, comments: “Our dealer partners are essential to Reesink, and we want them to feel integral to our shared success and to know how much we value their contribution. The added support from these new roles will help us achieve this and further demonstrate our commitment to helping our dealers grow their businesses.”

By dividing Mike Turnbull’s former role into North and South, Reesink aims not only to reinforce the company’s dealer-focused strategy but also to offer an additional layer of support and attention to customers within dealer territories.

With the country now split into two regions, Robert and Darren will each be responsible for managing the dealer network within their designated areas and unlocking new local opportunities.

Their goals include creating strategic call plans for key accounts, supporting dealers in sales and aftersales activities and maintaining high standards of customer service for the Toro and Reesink brands.

With over 40 years of experience in the golf sector, Robert Hogarth brings a wealth of industry knowledge to his new role covering the North territory. His background spans greenkeeping and course management through to sales leadership for turfcare companies such as Hydroturf International and Fairways GM – giving him a well-rounded perspective on both the operational and commercial sides of the business.

Speaking on his new position, he says: “I’m excited to be taking on this role and working closely with our dealer partners in the North. This is a fantastic opportunity to build strong relationships and deliver value to both the dealers and our key account customers.”

Equally thrilled to take the lead for Reesink’s South territory is Darren Anderson MG, who brings 33  years experience in the golf sector gained through course and club management roles at Abergele Golf Club, Bromborough Golf Club and The North Wales Golf Club. Darren joins Reesink as a double national award winning course/club manager, also gaining Master Greenkeeper status in 2007.

He adds: “It’s a real privilege to join Reesink in a role so focused on partnership and performance. I’m looking forward to supporting our dealers and ensuring they have everything they need to succeed with our products and services.”

Both new appointments report directly to Jon Cole and are part of a wider strategy to drive growth and help Reesink provide world-class support through its dealer network.

Robert and Darren are only a phone call away: you can contact Robert at 07780392199 and Darren at 07780392180. To find your nearest Toro dealer or Reesink branch, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Suståne supports sustainability goals of Mjölby Golfklubb

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Suståne supports sustainability goals of Mjölby Golfklubb: GEO Certified and described as an ‘outstanding role model for sustainability in golf’, Sweden’s Mjölby Golfklubb provides an interesting mix of nine holes played on open former-farmland and nine holes in dense parkland – all maintained to the highest environmental standards. An important part of this is a nutritional programme orientated around organics – more specifically, 6-2-4 Turf Revival® and 5-2-4+Fe from Suståne.   

Sustainability is a priority across many aspects of the club operation, a philosophy shared and implemented by Course Manager Peter Ihrebrink and the greenkeeping team of four. The work to protect and develop nature and community, while being sympathetic to water, energy and material resources has seen Mjölby highly ranked in a number of global golf club awards, including in the ‘International’ category of the highly prestigious ‘Golf Environment Awards’.

Suståne supports sustainability goals of Mjölby Golfklubb

Suståne supports sustainability goals of Mjölby Golfklubb

“We had been using organic fertilisers for a number of years before making the switch to Suståne – a decision we made after thorough discussion with our local distributor CropHealth AB” describes Peter. “After conducting soil analysis we settled on a programme of two or three applications of Suståne 6-2-4 Turf Revival® during the main growing season, followed by one application of 5-2-4+Fe to provide an extra boost of nutrients and long-lasting slow-release nitrogen as we head into the winter months.”

Suståne Turf Revival® 6-2-4 is designed to replenish the soil with a rich supply of humus and mycorrhizal fungi, to improve the uptake of nutrients and boost overall plant health. Particularly beneficial for us around renovations or intensive maintenance, the mix of macro and micronutrients contributes towards optimal plant establishment and quick green-up, followed by up to eight weeks of uniform growth and colour.

“This is something we have certainly noticed – that we achieve greener grass without the lateral growth creating a healthier turf surface that looks and performs better.” In addition, Peter notes the reduction in disease activity the team have noticed since switching to Suståne. “Overall we have also seen a decrease in disease activity, though the ever-changing climate does mean we are constantly monitoring this.”

He adds, “We really value the advice and close working relationship we have with CropHealth AB who conduct regular soil samples to make sure the programme is on track and delivering the results we expect. We are seeing improvements in the composition of our profile which is giving us the strong foundation we need to support more sustainable grass species and create top-level playing surfaces without the need for artificial chemicals or products.”

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The Workhorse Behind Toberona Stables’ Success

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The Workhorse Behind Toberona Stables’ Success: For Paul Nolan and his team at Toberona Stables in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, the Avant 423 compact loader has proven to be an indispensable asset in managing their busy equine operations.

Specialising in training racehorses, Toberona Stables accommodates over 60 horses in training, with an additional 50-60 horses on-site for resale. The farm transitioned from sheep and tillage farming to a full-fledged racing yard just a few decades ago, and the Avant 423 has been essential to their ongoing success.

The Workhorse Behind Toberona Stables’ Success

The Workhorse Behind Toberona Stables’ Success

“We’ve been doing this for 30 years now,” explains Paul. “We used to farm sheep and do tillage, but we decided to make the switch to horses. We are now a full horse farm with a training yard, focusing exclusively on racehorses.” With such a busy operation, efficiency is key, and the Avant 423 has become essential in helping the team streamline daily tasks.

The Avant 423, a compact and highly versatile compact loader, is used extensively throughout the year at Toberona Stables. The machine’s hydrostatic drive system, with just a forward and reverse pedal, makes it incredibly easy to operate, even for those without prior machinery experience.

“We had heard about the Avant and saw one in action, and we really liked what we saw,” says Paul. “We had another machine here before, and it wasn’t nearly as versatile. It was awkward to use, and compared to the Avant, it didn’t match up at all. Now, we couldn’t imagine managing without the Avant. It’s the best machine we’ve ever had on the farm.”

The Avant 423’s compact size makes it ideal for manoeuvring in tight spaces, such as in the stables or along narrow pathways, yet it packs enough power to perform a range of tasks efficiently.

“We use the Avant for a whole range of duties,” Paul notes. “We use it for feeding the horses, pulling trailers with hay, loading barrows with wood chips or shavings, and sweeping the yard. It does a lot of hours every day and is used 365 days a year without fail.”

One of the standout features of the Avant 423 is its versatility, made even more efficient by its range of attachments. Paul and his team use several attachments to tackle the different tasks required on a horse farm.

“We have a brush, a bucket, and a grab,” explains Paul. “The grab is great for mucking out the stables. The brush attachment is a game changer—it sweeps the entire yard and deposits everything into the dung heap. It doesn’t leave anything behind.”

Before acquiring the Avant, the team used other equipment, such as road sweepers, but none proved as effective as the Avant’s brush attachment.

“Before, one man would need a whole day to sweep the yard,” Paul recalls. “We had brushes on the back of the tractor, but they didn’t work half as well as the Avant. It does the work of 3-4 men and gets the job done in no time.

Paul also credits Ferrybridge, the authorised Avant dealer, for providing exceptional service and support. When Ferrybridge first became an Avant dealer, Paul was the first to purchase an Avant machine in the area, and he has never looked back.

“Service is crucial, especially these days when it’s hard to get people round for repairs or maintenance,” Paul says. “Having a good dealer like Ferrybridge has been a blessing. Any issues we’ve had have been resolved within a day, and their service is always first-class. We know we can always count on them.”

The Avant 423 isn’t just about feeding horses and cleaning stables. Paul’s team also uses it for specialised tasks like maintaining the gallops, which are crucial for the horses’ training.

“We use an electric sprayer, which we put in the bucket on the Avant,” says Paul. “We use it to spray the sides of the gallops to control weeds. It’s so easy to drive along with the Avant and spray.”

The Avant 423 has proven itself as a vital tool at Toberona Stables. Its combination of power, versatility, and ease of use has made it the go-to machine for a variety of tasks that keep the yard running smoothly. For Paul and his team, the Avant is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s an essential part of their daily operations.

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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