New Etesia fleets for two Welsh councils

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New Etesia fleets for two Welsh councils: Terry Harrison Machinery has recently equipped two of the largest councils in Wales with new fleets of Etesia PRO 46 pedestrian mowers.

After previously working in the groundcare industry for 23 years, Terry Harrison formed his company in 2012. Terry started his career as a service engineer before progressing into a management position, gaining experience and knowledge in every aspect of running a groundcare machinery business.

New Etesia fleets for two Welsh councils

New Etesia fleets for two Welsh councils

Over the years the company has witnessed continuous growth and is renowned for its excellent aftersales support and customer service. Terry has also worked hard on adding several market leading machinery franchises to its portfolio – one of which is Etesia.

Etesia UK is a company that specialises in building high quality grass cutting machinery for both the professional and domestic market. Started in 1995 with only one walk-behind and one ride-on machine, Etesia UK has grown rapidly and now offers a wide range of products that include a variety of walk-behind, ride-on mowers and the widely praised Attila range of brushcutters.

Terry has been an Etesia dealer for the last seven years and predominately distributes the equipment to councils, contractors, and local authorities. Just recently, he sold 34 machines consisting of PRO 46 PHTS3 single speed self-propelled and PRO 46 PHE3 push pedestrian mowers, to two of the largest councils in Wales.

Following the same concept of the PRO 46 range of pedestrian mowers first launched in the early 1990’s, both models feature Xenoy cutting decks for increased strength, shear washer crank protection, individual height of cut adjusters, a new 22mm handlebar design, the latest Honda GCV170 engine and are supplied complete with 80 litre grass box and rear deflector as standard.

The design has been proven over many years and has an unbeatable record of quality and performance unrivalled in its class. It provides outstanding collection performance, even if the grass is long and wet – something that Etesia has prided itself on over the past 30 years.

One main feature of these models is the ‘one cut’ principle. This means the grass is only cut once before being sent to the grass box. The benefits of this are reduced power consumption from fast deck material ejection and secondly, as it is not multi-chopped, the grass does not stick to the cutting deck in the same way as multi-cut grass does preventing unwanted blockages. The grass box is manufactured for maximum strength and comes complete with a fill indicator.

Commenting on his recent business with the councils, Terry said: “The Etesia brand is hugely popular with our customers. They are comfortable for operators, well balanced and they do the job they are supposed to do.

“Their ability to cut and collect and cut and drop in all weathers is an enormous benefit because there are not too many mowers that can do this. The Etesia machines are incredibly robust and reliable. Users find that they do not break down and they do not need to buy parts or take them to workshops. It is for this reason why they are so good for councils and local authorities, especially with the amount of use they have. In fact, the councils tend to order new fleets of Etesia every year – which shows just how good they are.

“The PRO 46 pedestrian mowers are incredible,” he continued. “They can deal with a wide range of grass areas and verges. They can also be used in small areas where tractors cannot get to.

“Working with Etesia UK means a lot to me.  We have had a great relationship with the company for many years and Les Malin (Managing Director of Etesia UK) has always been one of the most helpful people I have ever dealt with in this industry. I couldn’t say enough good words about Les and Etesia UK.”

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

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

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The Worker Is King: An insight into GKB

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The Worker Is King: An insight into GKB: From COVID-19 discussions to company values and worker experience, GKB offer an insight into their company

GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are offering you a closer look into their company and an employee spotlight on Tom Shinkins, the UK’s Operations Director.

The Worker Is King: An insight into GKB

The Worker Is King: An insight into GKB

Tom Shinkins has worked at GKB Machines since GKB Machines Ltd founded in 2015. Tom offers some knowledge from his past experience, his love for the company and how the UK side has had to adapt during COVID-19.

How has GKB Machines Ltd had to adapt the business during COVID-19?

We’ve had to do online training and sales calls using digital channels such as Zoom, which has proven to be a manageable alternative given the circumstances.  Demos have become very different with social distancing. There have been fewer people on site during the demonstrations and we’ve been prioritising essential meetings that allow us to work within government guidelines. Now the rules have been relaxed slightly, we’re able to travel further and showcase our products throughout the entire UK. The main issue has been that I’ve had to drive to and from each meeting on the same day as I don’t have the luxury of staying in a hotel after a long journey.

GKB have recently launched the Deep Tine Aerator (DTA), how has launching a new machine gone during COVID-19?

Very well, we have had lots of enquiries and interest for demos and seeing the product. We’re now able to follow up on these requests and are still receiving new enquiries daily. As an innovative company we are continually striving for success and this was a big factor in the launching of the DTA during this time. We were determined to not let the current crisis stop us from celebrating our successes in product engineering. We believe a time like this is perfect for driving forward and offering customers the best machines yet. In terms of the actual of launch of the product, we had to adapt. Usually we would have invited lots of dealers and customers to see the machine first hand however, instead we sent out videos to our dealers of the new machine and complete video training of the product. With any new launch we also do social media and PR around this and this didn’t change.

In your opinion, what do you think life will look like for the sporting industry post COVID-19?

I believe that golf has the potential to cash in and reset itself. This is simply due to more people not having the access to other sports for prolonged periods. It’s more likely for both men and women to be dusting off their golf clubs and finding their local course to play. Having said this, I think it may be a more difficult time for greenkeepers. As footfall increases, hours may change, and it will become hard to keep maintenance up. Equipping themselves with the most efficient and effective equipment is key.

In terms of football and cricket, I cannot see these happening on a local level for a while, however maintenance of the ground will still continue. It’s great to see local clubs getting help from larger clubs in ensuring their grounds are kept in the best possible condition.

As the only UK Sales Director and Operations Manager, are you able to explain more about you?

I started helping my dad when he worked at BLEC Machinery, I was 15 years old and helped during school holidays, evenings and often weekends. When I left school at 16, I was given the opportunity to join Peterborough Milton Golf Club as an apprentice, where I studied an NVQ in sports turf management and greenkeeping. At just 20 years old, I spread my wings and ‘officially’ joined BLEC as a sales demonstrator. I spent working here for 15 years and I found my passion and love for demonstrating, travelling worldwide and selling turf equipment. In 2006, BLEC became the UK distributor for GKB equipment. This allowed me to develop a long working relationship with the directors at GKB and their robust products. I also was able to gain a full understanding and experience the true reliability of the machines for when I started GKB Machines Ltd in 2015.

What is a ‘day in the life’ like for you?

Definitely early starts and late finishes, as well as many miles and constantly charging my phone. But in all seriousness, it’s a way of life for me. I love visiting my customers, making new deals, doing demos and looking at the latest product developments.

GKB Machines praise themselves for being a contracting company, what is the benefit to this?

We’ve got a team of nearly 200 people across the road from the factory in Holland whose sole responsibility is maintaining sports fields and landscaping throughout the city of Rotterdam. Having these guys doing the job every single day means when we design and a build a new machine, we take the advice, knowledge and experience from these people and use that to build the ultimate machine. After all, The Worker Is King!

Offering a full suite of extensive turf maintenance machines, if you had to pick your favourite GKB Machine what would it be?

Apart from all of them being amazing, my favourite would be the GKB Sandfiller. This is simply because it encompasses a long-term concept and takes on a completely new innovation. I love demoing this machine, looking back at customers faces and seeing them in awe of how simple yet effective this machine is. To sum it up in three phrases what I love about GKB Machines would be build-quality, ease of use and affordability.

Having worked with GKB Machines in some form since 2006, how has the range developed?

When GKB started in the early 2000s, we had only 4 machines. The GKB Combinator, Ecodresser, Drainmaster and Dragframe. Today, we have a full range of natural, synthetic and hybrid turf maintenance for sports fields and golf courses. Adding the GKB DTA to the range this year is a key part of our development, giving customers their complete maintenance package.

GKB pride themselves in company values, what is a key value of GKB that you believe in and why?

To me, being a family company is incredibly important. We believe our customers are an extension of that family. That’s why we work with our customers on a daily basis to keep them onboard and in the loop of all of our engineering progresses.

How does social media and PR play an important role in supporting you?

Social media is very influential in the turf industry and therefore it is critical that I have the best team to support me in relaying professional messages. The turf industry relies on not just our word but user feedback and by being able to share our customers experiences through social and PR, it reinforces our brand messaging and robust machinery. We also receive a lot of enquires through social media as we’re able to showcase the latest innovations through video and imagery to all of our followers.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617 to enquire about the GKB Sandfiller to help give you the best playing surfaces possible. 

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Greenkeeper celebrates 30 years

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Greenkeeper celebrates 30 years: Darren Hargreaves is celebrating 30 years as the deputy head greenkeeper at Skipton Golf Club.

He has been involved in golf as an occupation virtually since leaving Greenhead Grammar School in Keighley, now University Academy Keighley – although he did initially “dabble” with a course in engineering.

“I soon realised engineering wasn’t for me as no way did I want to be tied to a bench all my life,” he said.

Darren instead teed-up a lifetime career in golf by embarking on an 18-month Youth Training Scheme at Riddlesden Golf Club.

He then became a greenkeeper at Chorley Golf Club in 1984 – following his parents, who had moved to live on the other side of the Pennines.

But Darren was keen to return closer to his roots, and secured the deputy head greenkeeper post at Skipton.

Over the past three decades, he has been involved in all aspects of course management and maintenance at the Short Lee Lane site, as well as ongoing improvements.

He and head greenkeeper Ian Brown have between them been responsible for maintaining the course in peak condition during the coronavirus lockdown.

Darren said the closure of the course had enabled them to “crack on” with work, but that they were delighted play had resumed.

Tributes to Darren and his 30-year achievement have flooded in.

Mr Brown said: “Darren is a highly-experienced and key member of the team.

“He also has a great sense of humour, which makes him popular with the other greenkeepers.

“He’s a real attribute to both course and club.”

And the club tweeted: “We want to pay tribute to Darren Hargreaves, a member of our greens team who has just completed 30 years’ service at the club. Outstanding and a great credit to his profession. Thank you Darren from all the members.”

The club’s board is planning to mark his milestone.

Darren also enjoys a round of golf himself.

He first started playing at the former Riddlesden club, winning a major trophy there as a 15-year-old.

He says he plans to play more when he retires ­– hopefully when he turns 60, in five years’ time.

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Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

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Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’: The Air2G2 GT Air Inject from Campey Turf Care Systems has played a significant role in transforming the greens at the La Grande Mare Golf Club in Guernsey.

When he arrived at his new job two-years ago, course manager, Rick Hamilton, spoke to the members about their main concerns and the quality and playability of the greens was top of the list.

Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

Air2G2 proves to be a ‘game changer’

Because the course is built on marshland, the soil is very silty heavy clay, making it a problematic soil profile to produce a healthy root zone. The dense profile was causing the greens to hold moisture in the winter and hardpan in the summer, meaning there was little control of how they performed throughout the year. From his previous experience in Asia, Rick knew the Air2G2 was precisely what was needed to open up the soil profile and bring life back into the greens.

“When I first analysed the greens, I knew we had to take action,” Rick explained. “It was at the point that when we tried to change the holes, we would sometimes snap the blades in the hole cutter because the greens were that hard. The greens are old, they are 25 to 30-year-old push-up greens, so there is no drainage, and the soil type doesn’t help with that.

“For me, the Air2G2 is a game changer. Every now and then over the years, different machines come into the industry, and I would say it is one of those game changing machines. I brought it over on hire from a dealer in Jersey and went out, and I could hardly get the probes to inject at first because the surface was that hard. But I managed to do it with the deep probe and close spacing to really get through into the greens and loosen them up to get water and wetting agent in.

“The first afternoon after we did it, the members came out and played and couldn’t believe there was no disruption to the surface at all, and they were surprised with how clean it was. A few weeks later on we had a bit of rain, and we had a competition and the good golfers couldn’t believe how receptive the greens were with the ball holding.

“The difference in the greens is massive in terms of playability, root development, the health in the root zone and getting the water to penetrate. And in the winter when it’s a bit wetter and softer, it helps to release some of the water and get the greens to drain.”

For Rick, the impact of the Air2G2 was immediate, and after using his own machine for a year, the difference is obvious for everyone who plays La Grande Mare. Because of the course construction and location, there is an extensive aeration programme in place that sees the Air2G2 used regularly along with needle tining, a combination that has made members the happiest they’ve ever been with the greens.

For more information about the Air2G2 or the new Air2 Hand Probe visit www.campeyturfcare.com.

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Drive, determination and MM seed

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Drive, determination and MM seed: Broomfield Bowls Club is considered to have one of the best surfaces, if not the best in the Midlands. The immaculate green is thanks to the drive and determination of a volunteer greenkeeper and a little help from Limagrain UK’s MM range of grass seed. 

Jonathan Blakeman has a long affinity with his beloved bowls club dating back to when father Steve joined in 1985. Steve tended the green at Smethwick Cricket Club between 1988 and 2006 with Jonathan taking the reigns during the 2008 season, he then proceeded to continue to maintain the green to the high standards that the club had come to expect.

Drive, determination and MM seed

Drive, determination and MM seed

Two years later and the club was forced to start looking for a new home. After a lengthy search they eventually moved to the nearby Mitchells & Butlers Bowling Club, Portland Road – who were more than happy to accept their neighbours. The former Cape Hill Brewery Sports Ground was opened in August 1930 and once boasted three crown green bowling greens. Broomfield was given its own green for its members but unfortunately it was not exactly at the standards they were used to.

“I think it is fair to say that the green we were given had fallen into disrepair,” said Jonathan. “The members of the club had tried their best to maintain it but unfortunately it needed a lot of work.”

Jonathan, who was also working full-time, came up with a plan. Armed with the knowledge passed onto him by dad Steve, Jonathan began working round the clock to transform the green.

Ten years later and the green is regarded as one of the best with many players praising its immaculate surface. It’s no surprise to see why the green is so widely lauded when you consider how much time Jonathan puts into maintaining it.

“In the growing season it is cut four times a week and we do verticutting once a month depending on conditions. Then there are the usual treatments and taking the dew off in the mornings.

“Rather than leaving work and doing a hobby somewhere else my interest just happens to be looking after the green for Broomfield.”

Ever the perfectionist, Jonathan decided to start looking for a grass seed which would help the green stand up to such heavy usage, and that was when he first became acquainted with Limagrain UK.

“At Broomfield we have eight league teams so that amounts to about 80 or 90 visiting clubs and that’s just competitive use. On top of that, we have internal competitions and players practicing or playing socially. It’s safe to say that the green has a lot of use between April and September.

Drive, determination and MM seed

Drive, determination and MM seed

“Historically I had always used another brand, but I eventually started looking elsewhere. I knew Mark Allen from Agrovista Amenity and he highly recommended the seed mixtures from Limagrain. That was five years ago, and I have been using the MM range ever since.”

Jonathan relies on both the MM10 and the MM11 mixtures – both of which are traditional 80:20 Fescue and Bent mixtures ideal for overseeding, renovation and construction. The cultivars used in these mixtures have low nutrient and irrigation requirements but still produce a fine, dense sward which creates a superior playing surface. The mixtures are tolerant of close mowing and have excellent disease resistance. Good tolerance to wear makes both MM10 and MM11 suitable for use in high traffic areas.

Although similar mixtures, a variance in the formulation brings out the best in Broomfield’s green according to Jonathan.

“We are always trying to introduce different cultivars and finer species into the surface and the reason for rotating between MM10 and MM11 is because each mixture has a different make-up of cultivars. I just think that the more you have in your surface, the more resilient it can be against the challenges of disease, wear, and drought tolerance. They also produce a fantastic colour all year round.

“One application of either the MM10 or MM11 is all we need and that sees us through the season. We tend to overseed with the mixtures after end of season renovations which are normally within the first ten to fourteen days in October. We’ve got a routine which has worked incredibly well. Firstly, we will scarify heavily and then we overseed with MM10 or MM11. Finally, we top dress and then we don’t have to use any more seed throughout the season because we maintain a good coverage.”

Given the level of commitment and technical excellence Jonathan has demonstrated over the past twelve years, it is obvious that he needs little guidance. However, he was still keen to praise the service and support provided by both Agrovista Amenity and Limagrain UK.

“Their collaboration makes for a great team,” he said. “I frequently see Mark from Agrovista Amenity and then twice a year both him and Matt Gresty from Limagrain will visit me at Broomfield. They will look closely at how the greens are performing and will always offer sound advice. It’s great customer service and I always receive my delivery quickly and efficiently.

“I would absolutely recommend MM10 and MM11 to other crown green bowling clubs – because they really can make a difference.”

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.lgseeds.co.uk/mm – you can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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