BGL Golf invest in 175-vehicle Club Car fleet

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BGL Golf invest in 175-vehicle Club Car fleet: Club Car, a brand of Ingersoll Rand and Official Supplier to The European Tour, has delivered a new fleet of 175 golf vehicles to leading multi-course owner, Burhill Group Ltd.

The fleet consists of 162 new Tempo golf cars and 11 Precedent cars. It is the fourth Club Car fleet the golf and leisure group has invested in over the past 11 years, underlining BGL’s commitment to maintaining the highest standard of customer experience at its 10 UK golf venues.

BGL Golf invest in 175-vehicle Club Car fleet

Colin Mayes, CEO of Burhill Group Ltd, said: “By upgrading our fleet to the latest Club Car models we know that we’re getting a reliable product that is easy to work with and that our customers will value the comfort and look of the cars.

“Managing the vehicles at each of our venues has been easy and using Club Car has served us well over the course of our partnership. We look forward to that continuing and many more years of a positive relationship.”

Watch Video: Colin Mayes interview

Delivered by Club Car’s UK dealer, Bradshaw, the high-spec vehicles feature a rust-proof aluminium frame, new alloy wheels, premium comfort seats and a spacious dashboard, as well as proven engineering and industry-leading durability, designed to deliver enhanced ride comfort.

In addition to the golf fleet, BGL has taken delivery of two Villager 6 vehicles, part of Club Car’s Carryall range. These utility vehicles include ergonomic seating to accommodate up to six people and a Kohler 429cc overhead valve engine with electronic fuel injection for increased horse power and fuel efficiency.

The new fleet comes on the back of significant investment across the BGL portfolio of golf venues, including enhanced facilities and improved sustainability measures both on and off its golf courses.

The group recently reported an increase of 25% in golf club membership over the past four years.

Kevin Hart, Sales Director Golf for Club Car Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: “BGL is a leader and innovator in the industry, and the root of that success is its clear, customer-centric ethos.

“Club Car has an important role to play in the customer experience at contemporary golf venues and we greatly value the endorsement of the quality and reliability of our products, and the successful long-term commercial partnership we have with BGL.”

For more information on BGL, visit: https://www.bglcompany.co.uk

For more information on Club Car, visit: https://www.clubcar.com

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idverde and TCL Group join forces

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idverde and TCL Group join forces: idverde has acquired TCL Group, the national provider of Landscaping, Play products and Grounds Maintenance services to a diverse UK customer base.

idverde Group is Europe’s leading provider of Green Services with a turnover in excess of €600m, employing over 6,000 colleagues throughout France, Holland and the UK.

idverde and TCL Group join forces

With Regional hubs in Derby, Northampton, Dorking and Melksham, TCL has annual sales of £65m and employs over 850 colleagues, delivering its products and services to a range of Blue Chip and Public Sector clients. This acquisition expands idverde’s UK portfolio of services, providing a complementary offer to existing clients in both companies and further develops idverde’s extensive national coverage delivered by idverde colleagues. idverde UK now has over 3,850 directly employed colleagues across the UK which enables its service capability to be far reaching to serve clients both locally and nationally.

Simon Cashmore, Executive Chairman of TCL, and his executive management team will take up senior roles within idverde UK.

Doug Graham, CEO at idverde UK, commented: “We have been tracking TCL for some time and have been impressed with the way in which the business has developed and are really pleased to have secured the deal to truly make idverde the undisputed market leader in the UK. In addition to its grounds maintenance services delivered through the royal warrant holding Burleys division, with TCL’s Playforce products and services and Housebuilder landscaping services, TCL brings new and enhanced service capability to idverde and it strengthens our strategy to be the green services provider of choice, which is underpinned by our 3,850 directly employed colleagues. I am delighted to welcome Simon and the TCL team to the business as they continue into the next chapter of the journey as part of the idverde team.”

Simon Cashmore, Executive Chairman of TCL added: “Alongside Simon Abley and a number of close colleagues it has been a huge pleasure to have had the opportunity to lead TCL Group since 2007 and build the business from a single site Midlands based operation into a multi-channel / multi-services organisation, operating across a national footprint. Joining forces with idverde represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for colleagues working within the group and indeed for our customers, with many advantages for both as a result of becoming part of the UK market leader.  The range of services provided by idverde and TCL are hugely complementary and combine to create a really compelling proposition for the enlarged group’s many customers. I would like to thank BGF and Investec, and previously Caledonia Investments plc, for the role they have played in supporting the growth of the business and I look forward to being able to play a part in helping the business continue to flourish within idverde.’’

Hervé Lançon, President at idverde Group, remarked: “We are very proud to welcome TCL to the idverde Group. idverde UK is a very important contributor to the success of the idverde Group pan-European strategy. Under the leadership of the UK CEO, Doug Graham, the team are driving the UK development through a successful build up strategy in addition to solid organic growth. Simon Cashmore and his TCL colleagues demonstrated to us that they share many of the values that we promote at idverde and I look forward to continuing to work with the team.”

Doug Graham, CEO at idverde UK, went on to add: “The acquisition of TCL marks the fifth transaction that Livingstone has advised us on and they have played an integral role in delivering our ambitious international growth strategy. We highly value their sector insight, ongoing advice and hands-on execution support and we look forward to continuing our working relationship.”

Karen Dawaf Harron, Director at Livingstone, concluded “Livingstone is delighted to have played a part in delivering the TCL acquisition – our fifth transaction advising idverde in four years. The UK Green Services sector is a vibrant, thriving arena and TCL significantly enhances idverde’s presence in the private sector presence, its capabilities around landscape construction and its geographic coverage.”

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GaNTIP programme reports another year of progress

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GaNTIP programme reports another year of progress: New statistics show that the pitch improvement strategy instigated by the Premier League, The Football Association, the Government’s Football Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) continues to have a massive impact on football and cricket participation in England.

The organisations’ joint Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP), which is funded by the Football Foundation and ECB, and led by the IOG, seeks to raise the quality of natural turf pitches to enhance player experience and increase capacity and participation levels.

GaNTIP programme reports another year of progress

And with over 2,890 pitches assessed by GaNTIP regional pitch advisors between April 2018 and March 2019, the results continue to impress, in terms of football, having:

  • Boosted pitch match capacity by 28% – from an average of 2.5 games per pitch to 3.2;
  • Reduced postponements by 24%;
  • Increased pitch quality levels – 83% of the 2,890 pitches assessed have improved; and
  • Engaged with 1,082 volunteers, of whom 192 have received training to boost knowledge levels and improve their pitch maintenance techniques. Indeed, the programme has engaged with volunteer time valued at over £3 million (if their time/value were calculated), based on minimum wage and average number of hours contributed (most volunteers work six-10 hours a week).

This, in turn, has enabled more than four million players to enjoy the game – calculated using 9 versus 9 pitches over a 40-week season; 18 players plus officials x 2,890 pitches and two games per week/weekend.

In order to increase pitch capacity, GaNTIP’s work with grassroots football has also involved the development of The Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community – a platform to provide expert advice to grounds staff – the development  of a digital pitch assessment tool and the implementation of online modules (via the IOG website), as well as ‘traditional’ attendance courses/modules to support Football Foundation funding criteria.

Interestingly, GaNTIP’s inspections reveal that 82% of the pitches tested had below standard levels of compaction. “A common issue throughout GaNTIP’s history,” says IOG director of technical & learning Jason Booth, who is responsible for GaNTIP.

In addition, in collaboration with the ECB to develop and initiate a structured approach for local grounds staff, GaNTIP has:

  • Serviced 38 County Cricket Boards and 38 County Grounds Associations/support groups, working with nine ECB Regional Club and Facilities managers to develop and deliver plans locally;
  • Revitalised the County Pitch Advisor programme by supporting more than 70 Advisors;
  • Developed a ‘toolbox’ to enable County Pitch Advisors and County Cricket Boards deliver a consistent approach to support;
  • Trained 233 delegates (via the IOG’s online and day attendance cricket courses); and
  • Assisted and developed the ECB’s new junior format for pitch sizes.

GaNTIP is monitored and supported by Sport England and the programme is now in year three (April 2019-March 2020) of Phase 2 (Phase 1 was 2014-2017) with two key account managers – Tom Rowley for football and Ian Mather-Brewster for cricket.

Jason Booth points out that the programme continues to increase awareness of the importance of the sustainability of natural turf pitches and hopes to invigorate more education and learning over the next 12 months.

“The programme is successfully achieving its aims of improving grassroots pitch quality and the education of the people who maintain those pitches, enabling the national governing bodies (NGBs) of football and cricket to provide clear direction on their grass pitch strategies,” he says.

“GaNTIP is making great strides and the programme and its RPAs are regarded as an integral part of the strategies of the NGBs currently within the programme. But the implications and benefits of GaNTIP could – and should – impact all grass sports and it is reassuring that other NGBs are monitoring our progress and showing great interest in what has been achieved and what GaNTIP could contribute to their sports.”

He adds: “Importantly, GaNTIP is also providing the grassroots and volunteer community with access to unrivalled training and education, which is proving indispensable in terms of pitch care. The programme is working hard with the NGBs and stakeholders to align volunteer training with the likes of coaching, because playing surfaces are equally as critical to participation levels.”

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idverde signs contract with Toro

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idverde signs contract with Toro: Europe’s largest provider of grounds maintenance and landscape construction services, idverde, has signed a contract with The Toro Company today. The contract establishes a three-year partnership with Toro as a preferred supplier to idVerde’s network of locations throughout France, the UK and the Netherlands.

Through this contract, all idVerde branches will have access to the full range of Toro products, including reel mowers, rotary mowers, flail mowers, and small-area and wide-area mowers, as well as landscape contractor equipment. Toro’s extensive product portfolio also includes irrigation and snow removal products, and its equipment is widely used at notable sports venues and historic sites around the world.

idverde signs contract with Toro

The decision to work with Toro complements idverde’s ongoing strategic expansion plans, aimed at adding to the company’s capabilities and geographical coverage. “We were looking for a reliable partner with a strong presence, both at the local level and throughout Europe as we continue to expand,” said Pascal Amico, director of purchasing at id verde. “With Toro’s distributor network, we will have full coverage in terms of product, service and support. It’s exactly what we need to ensure consistency in quality and performance across all of our branches.”

“Toro is an ideal partner for id verde, not only because of our presence throughout Europe, but also because of our shared values,” said Andy Brown, corporate accounts manager at The Toro Company. “Both companies have a long history of being committed to quality, environmental responsibility, customer relationships, and putting safety first. We’re looking forward to supplying idverde with the products and support they need to build on that legacy moving forward.”

According to Anthony Nadalin, senior marketing manager at The Toro Company, idverde will also benefit from Toro’s current focus on developing new products for the landscape contractor market. “Toro is investing heavily in new products so we can offer a total solution for contractors of any size, whether it’s a small independent business or a large group like idverde,” Nadalin said. “From clearing and preparing the site to landscaping and maintaining it, Toro has equipment solutions for virtually every aspect of grounds’ care. Our partnership with idverde is a real proof that Toro has the broad product portfolio that contractors can count on to get the job done right From Start to Finish.”

Beyond access to Toro’s wide portfolio of product, the partnership also relies on the network of support that Toro offers in France, Holland and the UK through its dedicated and long-term distributors in each country.

“We have processes in place throughout France to handle best-in-class parts delivery, local training and technical support” says Jean-François Larvor, commercial director at Solvert, Toro’s distributor in France. “We are here to ensure that the Toro equipment always delivers peak performance and optimal productivity to all idverde customers.” Toro’s distributors Jean Heybroek in Holland and Reesink Turfcare UK, echo the same best in class support in their local markets

Toro’s strong commitment to developing innovative and safe products that yield performance, productivity as well as Toro’s relentless pursuit of eco-friendly and sustainable practices are a perfect match with idverde’s values around eco-responsibility and passion for delivering landscape beautification and maintenance.

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SISIS set for SALTEX

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SISIS set for SALTEX: Long-term SALTEX exhibitor SISIS will be bringing their expertise and a selection of their renowned product range to this year’s show.

For over 80 years SISIS has been designing and manufacturing a range of professional groundcare equipment which is ideal for the maintenance of sports and amenity turf and artificial playing surfaces.

SISIS set for SALTEX

Synonymous with exceptionally dependable, durable equipment, visitors to the SISIS stand (E070) will get the opportunity to see how the products could make a significant difference to their maintenance operations.

The SISIS range of pedestrian scarifiers come highly recommended by those responsible for the maintenance of sports turf, and two of these products will be featured on the stand – the Rotorake 600HD and the Auto Rotorake MK5. With a range of interchangeable reels consisting of thatch removal, thatch control and a range of brush reels, the Auto Rotorake MK5 can be used for several different tasks including scarifying, verticutting and brushing. From the same range, the Rotorake 600HD is a heavy duty pedestrian scarifier and linear aerator. This versatile machine is equally at home when used for regular routine use at a shallow setting or a deeper setting when required. It also contributes to aeration and compaction relief by cutting clean, continuous slits to assist water and air absorption.

For further scarifying requirements, SALTEX visitors will be pleased to see the new SISIS Veemo HD. This tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier provides increased hydraulic power, an easier connection to the tractor to save time, and new twin oil coolers which will improve the cooling process in hot climates. Ultimately, these upgrades will provide more power to cutting heads, enabling the blades to go deeper, whilst maintaining a fast work rate.

Aeration is vital to the health of sports turf and the tractor mounted SISIS Multitiner (available in 1.8m and 1.2m working widths) will significantly help to reduce turf compaction, thatch build-up and boost the overall health of the turf. It has three drums with independent rotation and is low maintenance and its interchangeable tines with a maximum depth of 100mm ensure excellent fine turf care when the time comes to aerate.

SISIS’ experienced and knowledgeable members of staff will also be on hand throughout the two days to offer valuable advice about turf maintenance programmes.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter @DennisMowers and SISIS @SISISMachinery. You can like the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK and www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest Dennis and SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers and www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery.

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