Etesia dealer network continues to grow

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Etesia dealer network continues to grow: The Etesia UK dealer network continues to grow and the company is delighted to strengthen its relationship with current dealer Sharrocks and welcome Powercut to the family.

Sharrocks continues to go from strength to strength as an Etesia and Pellenc dealer. The company is a specialist machinery supplier of tractors, professional and domestic turf machinery and both agricultural and arboricultural kit. For over fifty-five years the family owned business, which is now in its 4th generation, has delivered a well trusted and respected service.

Etesia dealer network continues to grow

Etesia dealer network continues to grow

The company was first appointed as an Etesia dealer back in 2017 and saw instant success – so much so, that just last year the company expanded its areas.

This second expansion now sees Sharrocks supplying the full range of Etesia and Pellenc equipment to the areas of Birmingham, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, and West, East and North Yorkshire.

Commenting on the company’s second expansion in three years, managing director James Sharrock said: “It has been a very busy year and the Etesia and Pellenc sales have increased substantially – as such, our areas have also increased. Both brands have been an exceptionally good fit for us.

“Local authorities and contractors have been the largest growth areas and certainly the Etesia brand is once again being recognised as the market leader in those sectors. In addition, there has been more of a demand for Etesia in the domestic market with many choosing Etesia models to help maintain their gardens.

“We’ve also seen strong growth in Pellenc as groundscare companies look to move away from petrol. Both Etesia and Pellenc are investing heavily in battery-powered equipment and they have some exciting new releases on the horizon. The battery-powered market is growing all the time and it certainly will be a huge market in the future as fossil fuels continue to become less accepted.

“This expansion is part of our continued growth and we are glad to be associated with companies like Etesia and Pellenc, who have the same shared vision of the future as us.”

In further good news, the Etesia dealer network continues to grow after Powercut, based in Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen, was announced as a new dealer for the full range of Etesia pedestrian mowers.

Powercut started trading in 1984 and as well as new and used equipment sales, covering everything from strimmers to lawnmowers and tractors, the company offers a huge array of parts on site and a comprehensive service facility offering diagnostics, scheduled maintenance and repairs for all types of horticultural machinery.

Renowned for first-class customer service, Powercut insists on working only with the highest quality brands, and when a void in their pedestrian mower portfolio arose, there was only one option – according to Sean Brown, commercial equipment specialist.

“A manufacturer we were working with pulled out of the pedestrian mower market and we were looking for something to fill the void,” he said. “We know that the Etesia pedestrian models are very good.

“Etesia was always our main competitor in the commercial mower market so we knew the brand very well indeed. From a business point of view, it made complete sense and we are pleased to be working with Etesia.”

Etesia pedestrian mowers provide absolute efficiency, excellent ergonomics and top-quality standards. The mowers are designed to offer unique cutting capabilities in all weathers – even the wet, comfort and safety at work and unrivalled reliability and productivity.

The full range of Etesia pedestrian mowers are now available from Powercut with immediate effect.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk

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

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Crews Hill Golf Club invest in Jacobsen

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Crews Hill Golf Club invest in Jacobsen: Precise contour following, quality of cut and exceptional service from Ernest Doe led North London based golf club, Crews Hill, to invest in their first ever Jacobsen fleet.

The Harry Colt designed course features extensive areas of ridge and furrow, making it a challenging cut for Course Manager Nick Street and the greenkeeping team. Using a combination of the LF570 high-performance ride-on reel mower and AR522 contour rotary mower has made the job easier while features on the GP400 and the back-up service from Jacobsen dealer Ernest Doe sealed the deal for the Nick.

Crews Hill Golf Club invest in Jacobsen

Crews Hill Golf Club invest in Jacobsen

“It’s the first time we’ve had Jacobsen mowers, but we tried all of the machinery, and we thought they suited our course the best,” Nick explained. “We weren’t looking for specific features, but more at the units. With our ridge and furrow, Jacobsen were the best machines with the best quality of cut.

“I find the staff check the GP400 units a lot better because the back unit swings out, so you’ve got more access to it. We don’t have as many problems as we’ve had with previous brands now, and it gets us out cutting quicker.

“Also, the back-up service is second to none, and it’s one of the reasons why we went with Jacobsen and Ernest Doe. It’s very important knowing that you’ve got someone that can be there in 24-hours because things do wrong and you need someone there straight away to get you back on the course. We’ve had the machines for six months now, and they’ve been perfect, we haven’t had to use the back-up service once.”

The deal for the mowers was set to be completed just before the United Kingdom went into lockdown due to COVID-19, which put the financial viability of the package in question. However, Ernest Doe Field Sales Manager, Eddie Jack, along with his colleagues, put a package together that ensured financial security and set costs for the club.

Eddie explained: “The deal was agreed just as we were going into the lockdown period and we had various discussions with Club Manager, Paul Day, as to how we were going to continue the deal forward. We’ve tailored the finance plan accordingly to help the golf club and see them through the first few months of a difficult period, so obviously they’re open now, and they’re trading well, so it gave them the stability that they needed and the peace of mind to know that the finance deal was going to work for them.

“Along with the machinery, there is also a five-year service plan which is built into this on a monthly basis. David Walker at our head office put the plan together, which again suits Nick very well. He knows he’s got the back-up and support from us every day so he can call us out any time of day and we’ll be on site. We try and get there the same day, if not we’ll be there the following morning to rectify any issues that he’s got. He’s also built five-year warranties into the plan, so he’s got peace of mind that they’ve got set costs for the next five years, which again was another big selling point for the golf club.”

For more information on the Jacobsen range of golf course mowers, visit www.jacobsenbuilt.com.

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ECHO makes leaf clearing a breeze

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ECHO makes leaf clearing a breeze: Take a lightweight carbon fibre frame and build in a 79.9cc two-stroke engine producing an air volume of 1818m3/h, airspeed of 94.5m/sec and a blowing force of 44N.

Add a cruise-control throttle, ventilated backpack pad, an anti-vibration system and heavy-duty straps and you have the PB-8010, ECHO’s largest and most powerful backpack blower. Delivering an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the PB-8010 weighs just 11.2kg with an output of 4.2kW. Part of ECHO’s X Series range of ‘best in class’ products, the PB-8010 is one of a series of ECHO power blowers designed to make easy the job of clearing stubborn autumn leaves and garden debris.

ECHO makes leaf clearing a breeze

ECHO makes leaf clearing a breeze

For those seeking a hand-held blower look no further than the ECHO PB-2620 which is ECHO’s most powerful two-stroke blower and one of the highest powered in its class. It’s also packed with features designed to increase the productivity of the professional user, with its 25.4cc pro-grade engine and improved power-to-weight ratio compared to previous models. Rotational control design reduces the gyro effect on the wrist for user comfort and reduced fatigue. Grouped controls are easy to reach and include ‘Cruise Control’ allowing the operator to lock the throttle on a variety of settings. The PB-2620 is also part of ECHO’s X Series, the range of ‘best in class, products that are industry-leading in terms of performance and durability. ECHO says each model has specific features designed to help professionals perform their jobs more efficiently.

What could be easier than ECHO’s ES-250ES Shred ‘N’ Vac® when faced with piles of leaves to be disposed of?  Powered by a 25.4cc two-stroke engine and featuring Easy Start for almost effortless starting, the Shred ‘N’ Vac® clears leaves and other garden debris quickly and efficiently. It also shreds the material, reducing its volume 12:1 ready for the compost heap. The ES-250ES can also be converted into a blower.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly zero emissions blower then the ECHO DPB-600 will suit you. It is a lightweight, battery-powered blower and ideal for anyone wanting an easy-to-use product, with low noise, low vibration, low running costs and zero emissions at the point of use. It features a 50V system using the latest Lithium-ion technology. This produces high-density energy, compared to traditional heavier, less powerful battery technology. A professional-grade maintenance-free brushless motor ensures long-lasting performance and the blower comes with a 4Ah battery which offers extended run-times. The rapid charger ensures the 4Ah battery is boosted to 80% capacity in just 48 minutes – meaning you experience less downtime. These blowers and more are part of a complete range of ECHO power blowers designed to meet the needs of the operator. Each comes with a two-year professional or five-year domestic warranty, and a 2-year warranty on batteries, showing ECHO’s own confidence in their machines. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer. You can also visit echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800 for more information.

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A spotlight on Siân Workman

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From Agrovista Amenity

A spotlight on Siân Workman: Siân had not initially envisioned herself in a marketing role. As a child she dreamt of being a veterinarian and an affinity for nature and animals led her to embark on a Zoology and Conservation degree at university. A notoriously difficult industry to land a career in, Siân had to reassess her career path. Little did she know that a fulfilling opportunity was around the corner – one which would allow her natural skills to flourish.

“While it may seem unrelated having a Zoology and Conservation degree and be working in the amenity sector, it has actually been very beneficial,” said Siân. “Just having that background and interest in science and biology translates for a greater understanding of my role.

A spotlight on Siân Workman

A spotlight on Siân Workman

“My degree underpins my natural scientific interests, being fascinated by biology and the chemistry behind a lot of the products we encounter. I’m always talking to the technical team to try and understand how everything works better.”

This inquisitive interest in biology has resulted in an oasis of plants being grown around her desk.

At the time, Siân was undertaking various roles at a local sports centre and when the opportunity arose to join Agrovista Amenity, she did not think twice about applying for an interview. This was, in part, fuelled by her love for Welsh rugby.

“I am a big Welsh rugby fan and I had heard that some people within the company had been involved with the Principality Stadium pitch – which is what my dad calls The Cathedral! There was a lot going on at the time and they were starting to do the synthetic threading into the natural pitches. It just so happened that we were talking a lot about that process in my circles and amongst our family. It sounded like a good company to work for, so I applied and fortunately was offered the role.

“Yes, it was different to what I originally set out to do, but it turned out that I really enjoyed doing something with so much variety. I felt that I was good at the role so I invested all my efforts into doing the best job I could.”

Siân quickly discovered that the company culture and its values would enable her to thrive. It was the perfect fit and with the support of the company she set about obtaining some esteemed qualifications – something which she pinpoints as a proud moment in her career history.

“From the moment I walked in, I could tell that they were incredibly supportive and would work with you to help progress your career. They want their staff to learn and develop and, for me, being science-based, it suits the way I work – I am always eager to learn.

“I’ve received fantastic on-the-job learning; I’ve completed a number of online seminars, learnt basic HTML, completed a CSS course and I also achieved all of my Google qualifications.  I’m particularly proud of my Google qualifications because they were very intense and trying to juggle those with my workload wasn’t easy.”

Siân uses these qualifications to the company’s advantage. She manages e-commerce activity for the amenity side of the business including pay-per-click campaigns, online adverts, integral analytics and gets involved in various projects that are related to e-commerce.

“My role involves disseminating content from the technical team to our product pages, social channels and other marketing literature and keeping in mind the audiences and restrictions of those. My interests and science background helps me fully understand what I am trying to communicate better.

“It’s also about recognising any trends or issues in the marketplace and catching them early. The technical team play a big part in this respect and can predict when certain products will be of interest. This corresponds with what I am seeing through the online statistics or searches, and what customers are saying on reviews or comments on social media.

“We ping ideas back and forth in our marketing meetings and I’ll present them with monthly reports. If we notice a drop in something, then we will investigate the reasons behind it. We make a good team and it helps us to produce marketing that is transparent, valid for the relevant platform and relatable to online content.”

The importance of teamwork and collaboration is an essential ingredient of any business, and furthermore, Siân believes that Agrovista Amenity boasts an environment which promotes an atmosphere that fosters friendship and loyalty.

“There was a friendly atmosphere as soon as I arrived, and now some of my closest friends are people I’ve met here. Everyone is extremely easy to work with and I would struggle to leave for anywhere else.”

Perhaps it is this environment which has enabled Siân to thrive – in her five years at Agrovista Amenity she has received two promotions. She has found purpose, fulfilment, and happiness in her role. Outside of work, Siân has a keen interest in strength and fitness for gymnastic discipline and she still has a love for animals – as she explains.

“I have a snake and a Snow Bengal cat at home which resembles a leopard, so he needs a lot of exercise. He comes out on walks with us and we get horrendous looks from neighbours – which my partner is absolutely mortified about!”

Let’s just hope Agrovista never has a bring-your-pets-to-work day.

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BIGGA teams up with new online conference

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BIGGA teams up with new online conference: This autumn BIGGA is proud to partner with the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association in an online conference to satisfy members’ ongoing education needs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Known as Conference Comes to You, the programme will deliver 30 distinct seminars scheduled – one a day – over 30 weekdays starting 2 November 2020. There will be a one-week break for Thanksgiving in the US from 23 to 27 November.

BIGGA teams up with new online conference

BIGGA teams up with new online conference

Using a tailored Zoom platform, the two-hour seminars will be presented live each day at 1pm EST by some of the leading researchers, scientists and experts in their field. All seminars will carry GCSAA education points and BIGGA CPD credits.

As official partners with the Carolinas GCSA in this effort, BIGGA members will receive designated member pricing for every seminar using the promotional code UK2020.  This will give a discount from $70 US to $40 US.

In addition to first-class education, members will also be able to share in $30,000 US worth of cash giveaways. A total of 82 prizes, ranging from £100 US to $2,500 US, will be drawn live on the Carolinas GCSA Facebook page at 1pm EST on 21 December. Each seminar taken qualifies you for one entry, so the more seminars taken, the more chances to win. Entries must be validated by watching a series of brief messages from industry partners.

Our association benefits from your participation. A portion of each registration fee paid for by a BIGGA member will come back to BIGGA. So the more seminars you take, the more our association ‘wins’.

Registration and complete conference information will be available beginning on Friday 25 September via www.ConferenceComestoYou.org

To date, more than three dozen chapters across the United States have become official Conference Comes to You partners.

Carolinas GCSA president, Brian Stiehler, CGCS, MG from Highlands Country Club in North Carolina said: “This platform benefits everyone involved and the more people who participate, the more benefit there will be for everyone. We see many visitors from across the country and overseas at our traditional conference and show each year. So, in these extraordinary times, when we can’t be face to face, it made sense for our conference to go ‘see’ them.”

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