Strategic realignment at AriensCo

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Strategic realignment at AriensCo: AriensCo announces a change of leadership in the EMEAA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia). This is a logical step in the current generational transition of the family business. The EMEAA region is crucial to drive global growth and strengthen international activities.

Jochen Schneider leaves AriensCo

Jochen Schneider (Executive Vice President AriensCo EMEAA) has left the company with immediate effect. AriensCo thanks him for his commitment and wishes him all the best for his future endeavours.

Strategic realignment at AriensCo

Strategic realignment at AriensCo

Jim Young (Chief Financial Officer at AriensCo) will assume interim responsibility for the region in close coordination with Nick Ariens (President AriensCo) and the Ariens family.

“Looking to the future, we are convinced that greater family involvement in the EMEAA region is crucial to realising our long-term vision,” says Nick Ariens.  “In addition to our home market, the EMEAA region is hugely important for our global development. We want to further strengthen our commitment in this region with the AS-Motor and Ariens brands.”

The innovations that AriensCo presented at demopark 2025 in Eisenach, Europe’s largest open-air exhibition for the green sector, emphasise the strength and future potential of both brands. “Together with our EMEAA team, we look forward to further developing the product portfolio, further expanding our sales channels and growing market share throughout Europe.”

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Howardson Group Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility

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Howardson Group Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility: Howardson Group, home to market leading brands Dennis Mowers, Hunter Grinders, and SISIS Machinery, officially opened its new purpose-built facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and investment.

The new building, located on the original Howardson site in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, will serve as a central hub for office space, warehousing, and cutting-edge training facilities, further solidifying Howardson’s commitment to training, education and customer support within the sector.

Howardson Group Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility

Howardson Group Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility

The grand opening commenced with an exclusive press day, offering attendees a unique and engaging experience. Members of the trade media were invited to participate in a variety of activities, including archery, rifle shooting, and clay shooting, fostering a memorable and interactive environment.

The following day, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, with Managing Director Megan Oliver formally inaugurating the impressive new building. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a tour of the modern facility, showcasing its advanced design and capabilities.

A key highlight of the event was a comprehensive round table discussion featuring the Howardson Group’s senior management team. Managing Director Megan Oliver, alongside representatives from sales and marketing, engineering, and HR, engaged in an insightful dialogue with the press. Discussions covered a wide range of pertinent subjects, including future product developments, the company’s enhanced training provisions, broader industry trends, and the market perception and future developments of the esteemed Howardson brands.

“This new building represents a pivotal moment for the Howardson Group,” stated Megan Oliver, Managing Director. “It is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to continued investment in infrastructure, equipment, and new products. This state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance our operational efficiency but also provide an exceptional environment for our team and customers. We are confident that this investment will future-proof our business for years to come, enabling us to continue leading the way in the industry.”

The new Howardson Group building underscores the company’s dedication to providing top-tier machinery and support to the sector globally, reinforcing its position as an industry leader.

For further information visit www.howardsongroup.com

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Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

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Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is taking its inspiring Schools Into Stadia initiative to new turf, literally for the first time, as it heads to the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June for its first ever cricket edition.

Designed to inspire a younger generation of groundspeople, Schools Into Stadia opens the doors to iconic sporting venues, offering local students a rare behind-the-scenes look at the world of grounds management, showing off the wide range of career opportunities in a sector that supports sport, recreation and community spaces across the UK.

Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

From pitch prep to turf science, students will get hands-on with the skills and technology that keep the game running smoothly.

Created by the GMA’s passionate NextGen group – rising stars in the industry – Schools Into Stadia is all about sparking curiosity and showcasing the exciting career paths in grounds management. With support from Reesink UK, the initiative is building a future-ready workforce by championing the vital role of grounds teams in sport, recreation and community life.

Having already inspired students at venues like Wimbledon’s All-England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and the King Power Stadium, the programme now steps up to the crease at Lord’s – cricket’s most hallowed ground.

The event will see local students experience the day-to-day responsibilities of a groundsperson including pitch preparation and understanding the science behind turf care. They’ll also hear first-hand from professionals about the pathways into the industry and how their work impacts everything from elite sport to grassroots facilities.

With workforce development a growing priority across the sector, initiatives like Schools Into Stadia are a vital part of the GMA’s strategy to engage the next generation and build a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “We’re excited to bring Schools Into Stadia to Lord’s and shine a light on the work that grounds staff do in cricket. Events like this give young people a real glimpse into the industry and help us show that this is a rewarding, hands-on career. If we want a thriving industry in the future, it starts with inspiring the next generation today.”

Lord’s Head Groundsman, Karl McDermott, said: “We’re proud to support the GMA and the NextGen group in delivering this event at Lord’s. Grounds staff play a vital role in making sport possible at every level, and we’re pleased to give students a chance to see that in action at the Home of Cricket. We hope it opens eyes and perhaps even sparks some future careers in the industry.”

To find out more about the GMA NextGen group and how they’re shaping the future of the industry, visit www.thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

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From shears to smart technology

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From shears to smart technology: The forestry team at Bathurst Estate and Cirencester Park have credited STIHL’s battery-powered tools and cleaning solutions in helping them to maintain the world’s tallest yew hedge, which is believed to have been planted on the estate back in 1720. 

The hedge, which is a species of Yew (Taxus Baccata), is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for its towering height, reaching 14m. The hedge, which measures 120m in length, was planted by the 1st Earl more than 300 years ago when he redesigned the mansion that overlooks it. Back then, it was cut back by hand with shears by a team of up to four people using ladders.

From shears to smart technology

From shears to smart technology

Given the feature’s historical and cultural importance, the hedge is carefully maintained annually. In a bid to preserve it, Bathurst’s four-strong forestry team, which includes Forest Manager, Iain Garret, and Lead Forester, Oliver Murray, monitor both the inside and outside of the growth regularly to check for any issues that could result in degeneration.

The most common issues that occur are browning due to needle blights and insects, and a specific type of fungus named Laetiporus Sulphureus, which can cause cuticle root inside the stem. When these problems do occur, the affected areas and surrounding growth are cut to prevent the spread.

The Yew hedge is trimmed once per year, not only is this required to maintain its classification as a hedge, but it also provides an opportunity to look for defects and disease.

The task is no small feat. At 3000 square metres, it takes a team of two a fortnight to complete the maintenance, which sees the professionals trim around 300 square metres from the hedge each day.

Before work gets started, the Bathurst forestry team make sure that its equipment, a selection of STIHL hedge trimmer blades are sharp and clean, thoroughly disinfecting the machines using methylated spirits.

STIHL’s SUPERCLEAN, is also used to spray the equipment’s blades. This prevents resin build-up and keeps blades lubricated to support productivity and preserve hedge health. Daily checking of equipment is also required to guarantee that tools remain in the best condition for cutting.

With such an important and arduous task at hand, Oliver Murray and his colleagues require the best quality tools available on the market. The criteria? Hedge trimmers that are easy-to-use, lightweight, robust, and reliable.

The mammoth assignment is achieved by starting at the bottom using a STIHL battery-powered hedge trimmer, the HSA 130 T. Starting at the bottom and working upwards in the cherry picker, before making a switch to the STIHL HLA 86 Cordless Long-reach Hedge Trimmer, which is used for the top. Its adjustable head allows the team to follow the natural shape of the hedge over the top and achieve the right angle as they reach across the hedge’s width.

The HSA 130 T cordless hedge trimmer offers a high-performance and robust experience for professional users, with a high blade speed for precise, neat and powerful cutting. Its rotatable multi-function handle enables comfortable work, depending on whether trimming the tops or sides of hedges.

The HLA 86 is a telescopic long-reach hedge trimmer, designed for professionals working on tall hedges where extra length is required to master cutting, trimming, and maintenance work. The perfect choice for the largest Yew hedge in world.

The hedge trimmer, which is powered by a 36V lithium-ion battery, is light and easy to handle, whilst the extendable length makes it hugely versatile. Given that it is powered by battery, the machine is quiet too, ideal for noise-sensitive areas, such as those around the Bathurst Estate.

Both machines are compatible with STIHL Connected, a smart fleet management system that allows teams to digitally manage machine fleets and workflow, with the STIHL Connected Portal providing a detailed overview of the status of the fleet, as well as information such as the duration of use.

Here, Oliver comments on the further advantages of STIHL’s battery-operated tools:

“We are using STIHL battery-powered hedge trimmers as they are quieter and don’t produce any emissions, and in order to get a full day’s work done, we just need to charge them once on our lunch break. This avoids the need for us to get in and out of our cherry picker. 

“The quiet operation of the tool is also important to us as we are based in the centre of town and don’t want to upset the neighbours, or residents of the Bathurst Estate.” 

The Bathurst Estate is located at the heart of the Grade I listed Cirencester Park. It is a destination rich with heritage, open to visitors every day of the year for a host of leisure activities.

Sir Benjamin Bathurst purchased the Cirencester Estate, which lies in the Cotswolds, in 1695. It still belongs to the Bathurst Family today, 330 years later, and is home to the 9th Earl and Countess Bathurst.

To watch how the team tackle the annual trim, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s32U3fmfIWE

For more information on STIHL’s wide range of professional power tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk

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ISEKI dealership signals further expansion

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ISEKI dealership signals further expansion: Wildwood Machinery, which launched just three years ago, has continued to expand its product range with the addition of a prestigious dealership contract. Japanese manufacturer ISEKI manufactures world-leading compact tractors and mowers.

In the UK, ISEKI is especially prominent in golf clubs, schools, sports clubs, landscaping businesses and small landholdings. ISEKI equipment is adaptable, reliable and compact.

ISEKI dealership signals further expansion

ISEKI dealership signals further expansion

“The ISEKI principle is to exceed customer expectation and we expect our dealers to provide the best possible advice, support and maintenance so that they can get the absolute best from their groundcare machinery. We’re delighted to be working with Wildwood Machinery, who share our values and commitment to quality,” commented Alan Prickett, Sales Director at Iseki UK & Ireland.

Wildwood Machinery managing director James Bastian says he is delighted to be able to offer ISEKI’s high-quality groundcare equipment.

“This new dealership complements our existing product portfolio perfectly,” says James. “Our aim is to recommend and supply groundcare equipment that is perfect for the task, whether that is cutting a large lawn or maintaining a Premiership football club pitch. With a range that includes other premium brands such as INFINICUT, Stogger, DeWalt, Wessex International and now ISEKI, we are a one-stop shop. Clients know they can come to us whatever the nature of their business or groundcare requirements.”

Just as importantly, Wildwood’s reputation for reliable and fast-response servicing of machinery continues to grow.

“For a world-renowned manufacturer such as ISEKI, one of their biggest demands is that dealers must have the capacity to keep equipment properly-maintained at all times, and to respond quickly and efficiently to call-outs. Our mix of mobile and workshop-based servicing has a growing reputation for rapid response and fast turnaround.”

Wildwood – who have their main headquarters at East Horton Golf Club in Winchester increased their personnel across engineering, maintenance, customer service and sales in 2024, enabling the company to buck the trend across the economy as a whole with rapid growth.

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