KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

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KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager: KAR UK has announced the appointment of Oliver Paton as Area Sales & Accounts Manager for Southern England and South Wales, further strengthening its regional support and customer-facing expertise.

Oliver joins the team with over eight years’ experience across irrigation, water treatment and filtration, bringing with him a strong understanding of both the technology and the practical demands faced by customers operating in the field.

KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

KAR UK welcomes new Area Sales & Accounts Manager

“I’ve been working in irrigation and water treatment for a number of years now, so the industry itself is very familiar to me,” Oliver explained. “I understand how systems are put together, how different components work together, and, most importantly, how they’re used in real-world applications.”

Having worked closely with products from the KAR portfolio for several years prior to joining the company, Oliver is already well placed to support customers from day one.

“I know the products, I’m used to selling them, and I’ve dealt with many of the people who are using them,” he said.

In his new role, Oliver will act as a key point of contact for customers across Southern England and South Wales, offering technical guidance, product advice and tailored solutions.

“A lot of the focus in the first six months is about meeting people and making myself known,” he said. “I want to be that first point of call – offering assistance and advice and working closely with the wider KAR team to make sure customers get the best solution for their needs.”

Oliver’s background in delivering bespoke and turnkey projects is expected to be a major asset, particularly as systems continue to become more advanced.

“Technology has moved on massively,” he added. “It’s about understanding the application and matching the right solution to how it’s actually going to be used.”

With KAR’s extensive product portfolio, Oliver is confident he can help customers navigate those choices.

“Meeting people, understanding their challenges, and putting together solutions that really work for them is what I am really looking forward to.”

Outside of work, Oliver enjoys spending time with his young family and playing rugby.

KAR UK looks forward to welcoming Oliver to the team and supporting customers across Southern England and South Wales with his experience, insight and hands-on approach.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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DLF’s strongest ever seed line-up showcased

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DLF’s strongest ever seed line-up showcased: With the turn of a new year, comes the delivery of the new Johnsons Sports Seed brochure and two updated wildflower guides from DLF, packed with new formulations for the season ahead. The updated ranges showcase the latest advancements in seed breeding and mixture development, including ten new fine turf formulations from the industry-leading Johnsons range and a brand-new wildflower mixture designed for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) in Pro Flora 17.  

The Johnsons Sports Seed range continues to set the standard for turf quality, sustainable management and reliable results 365 days of the year.

DLF’s strongest ever seed line-up showcased

DLF’s strongest ever seed line-up showcased

Highlights from the updated golf range include the new formulation of J Green which includes 20% Sybille. In the pursuit for ever-improved sustainability, Sybille is a highly ranked slender creeping red fescue which demonstrates exceptional shoot density and disease resistance – helping to supress unwanted weeds and diseases and reducing the need for chemicals. Sybille is also incorporated in the 2026 formulations of J Ultrafine Rye Green, J Fescue, J Links, J Premier Fairway, J Sustain Fairway, J Ultrafine Rye 25 and J Ultrafine Rye 50.

The 2026 Johnsons fine turf range also incorporates browntop bent into the popular J Fairway and J Premier Fairway mixtures. Recognising the risks to pure fescue swards under hot, dry conditions, the inclusion of browntop bent contributes to fairways with improved sward density, tolerance of close mowing and the ability to tolerate longer spells of drought and/or higher temperatures.

Not content with refining mixtures for fine turf, the 2026 Johnsons range continues to deliver class-leading formulations for winter sports. The 2026 J Premier Pitch mixture blends six top-rated perennial ryegrass cultivars, ideal for natural and hybrid pitches and providing significantly improved Brown Patch resistance thanks to the addition of Monroe and Gildara.

While new formulations of J Premier Pitch and J 4Turf 50 promise enhanced performance for winter sports pitches, J Premier Wicket continues to lead the way as a class-leading mixture for cricket – with four top-rated cultivars promising rapid establishment, high disease resistance and camera appeal as standard.

Turf managers, contractors and conservationists looking to enhance biodiversity and increase visual merit can find all of the answers to wildflower seed selection in the new Colour Boost and Pro Flora brochures. Those after high-impact, amenity flower mixtures have nine mixtures to choose from in DLF’s popular Colour Boost range, with Pro Flora complementing the line-up with 18 native origin wildflower mixtures.

New to the range is Pro Flora 17, blending moisture tolerant grasses and native wildflowers to create a resilient, diverse sward able to withstand fluctuating water levels, extended dry spells and nutrient-poor soils. With mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain now shaping planning decisions, Pro Flora 17 offers a practical way to deliver ecological uplift in situations like swales, infiltration basins and multifunctional wetland landscapes while keeping specification simple and implementation effective.

To view the new 2026 brochures, visit dlf.co.uk or speak to your local DLF Technical Manager to receive a copy. 

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Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

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Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance: The arrival of the new Kress Mega 600 robot mower marks a pivotal moment for sports turf management.

The KR238E Kress Master series Mega 600 has been developed for continuous, overnight operation across large and demanding turf areas autonomous mowing system delivers tournament-quality results while addressing the persistent challenges of labour costs, environmental impact, and consistency that have long plagued groundskeepers.

Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

What sets the Mega 600 apart is its precision engineering tailored specifically for sports surfaces. The 620mm deck with on-board roller paired with high-speed blades operates at 3,800 rpm, creating professional striping patterns between three and six meters wide that rival traditional mowers. But unlike conventional equipment, this robotic solution maintains these standards autonomously, completing 22,000 square meters in just twelve hours with remarkable consistency.

The technology behind this efficiency is equally impressive. Centimetre-level RTK satellite positioning eliminates the need for boundary wires while ensuring systematic coverage in parallel lines. Terrain-adaptive dual floating decks adjust automatically to undulating surfaces, preventing scalping and delivering an even cut regardless of ground contours. The system achieves an industry-low 10mm cutting height with millimetre precision, crucial for sports fields where playing surface quality directly impacts athlete performance and safety.

Perhaps most significant for facilities managers is the operational flexibility. Fast 30-minute charging cycles with nearest-dock return functionality maximise working time, while the quiet electric operation allows nighttime mowing without disturbing neighbouring communities. This scheduling freedom means sports fields can be maintained during off-peak hours, eliminating conflicts with practice schedules and events.

The environmental benefits are substantial. Zero emissions, reduced noise pollution, and elimination of fuel costs align with growing sustainability mandates facing the industry. For sports turf professionals seeking to elevate surface quality while controlling costs, the Kress Mega 600 represents not just an equipment upgrade, but a fundamental reimagining of what’s possible in field maintenance.

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Allett Omnia draws strong interest at BTME

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Allett Omnia draws strong interest at BTME: Allett Mowers has celebrated a very successful launch of the battery-powered Allett Omnia at BTME 2026 in Harrogate, UK. The new pedestrian mower range attracted a mass of attention from turf professionals across the UK and overseas.

Visitors praised the Omnia’s innovative features, in particular the Nexus™ Hitch System for fast and easy cutter head changes, the Smart Steering Assist™ direct drive dual motor system, and the Vanguard commercial battery system. Live demos and technical discussions highlighted the Omnia’s precision engineering and suitability for sports turf applications. Following the show, Allett has received a high level of enquiries for demonstrations, pricing, and distributor opportunities.

Allett Omnia draws strong interest at BTME

Allett Omnia draws strong interest at BTME

“The response has exceeded expectations, and we are very excited about the prospects for the Omnia, which is a truly unique machine,” said Dave Allett, “it really is a major step forward in battery-powered mowing and cultivation for stadiums and high-quality sports turf.”

Early interest is now progressing into evaluations and demonstrations, with plans for a full 2026 rollout in partnership with distributors. The company also received strong interest in the Ledmaster UVC 100 light bar, a sustainable new turf disease management tool that integrates directly into routine mowing operations.

For further information, please contact Allett on sales@allett.co.uk or telephone 01889 271503

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Ecological green space maintenance requires clear priorities

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Ecological green space maintenance requires clear priorities: How can green space maintenance be made ecologically sound and practical at the same time, without losing sight of functional requirements? This question was the focus of a discussion round to which AS-Motor invited representatives from science, practice and the trade press.

The initiative was prompted by AS-Motor’s long-standing commitment to ecologically oriented green space maintenance. Since the public debate surrounding the Bavarian referendum “Save the Bees” in 2019, mulching technology has also come under increasing criticism. For AS-Motor, this was an opportunity to critically examine its own role as a equipment manufacturer and to take a closer look at the ecological impact of different maintenance decisions. The discussion panel picked up on this and brought together perspectives and experiences from science, practice and the media.

Ecological green space maintenance requires clear priorities

Ecological green space maintenance requires clear priorities

The discussion made it clear that there is no single goal for ecological green space maintenance. Instead, there are several ecological targets, including the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of biotope networks and landscape connectivity. Maintenance always takes place within clear framework conditions, for example with regard to traffic safety, legal requirements, economic efficiency and social acceptance. Prioritisation is unavoidable. Maintenance must be planned on an area-specific and target-dependent basis.

Areas with low usage but high connectivity are of particular ecological importance. These include roadside greenery, field margins, forest edges, orchard meadows, municipal green spaces and private gardens. Linear structures in particular play a central role in the biotope network.

Maintenance is essential

There was agreement that non-maintenance is not a viable option. As cultural landscapes, many areas depend on targeted maintenance to prevent scrub encroachment and loss of species and function. The timing of mowing, mowing frequency, cutting height, area division and rotating and mosaic-like maintenance approaches are crucial. Alternating maintenance was considered particularly practical: intensively maintained areas where necessary and extensively maintained, deliberately staggered sub-areas in adjacent areas.

The role of technology was also considered in a differentiated manner during the round table discussion. Machines are a means to an end, not the solution itself. Bar mowers can offer advantages in terms of nature conservation, but are not economically viable or suitable for use in all areas due to terrain conditions. Mulchers and rotary mowers can be ecologically beneficial when used appropriately. It is not only the type of machine that is crucial, but the entire maintenance concept and its consistent implementation.

In practice, it has also been shown that ecologically oriented green space maintenance does not necessarily entail higher costs. Reduced mowing frequency can offset additional expenses. Challenges remain in the disposal of clippings and limited investment opportunities in new technology.

Communication is key

Communication has been identified as a key factor. Conflicts often arise less from technical reasons than from aesthetic expectations. Areas that appear unfamiliar or untidy are met with rejection without explanation. What is crucial is explanatory, continuous communication that creates understanding and highlights positive examples. The model of “orderly unrest” was mentioned several times in this context.

The role of employees is equally central. Change can only succeed with the people who carry out the maintenance. Knowledge, involvement and appreciation promote responsibility and motivation. Many practical solutions arise directly from experience in the field.

In the discussion, AS-Motor was perceived not only as a manufacturer of equipment, but also as a source of knowledge and a catalyst for professional exchange. Training courses, practical guidelines, tried-and-tested practical solutions and the further development of technology with a view to ecological application were identified as useful starting points.

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