Avant Dealer Awards 2025

Avant Dealer Awards 2025: The 2025 Avant Tecno Dealer Awards brought together the top-performing dealers and sales teams from across the UK to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

Hosted at the All Saints Hotel in Bury St Edmunds, the event highlighted the pivotal role that dealers play in Avant Tecno UK’s continued growth and success.

Avant  Dealer Awards 2025

Avant Dealer Awards 2025

The Awards followed an exciting day where dealers were given an exclusive tour of Avant Tecno UK’s brand-new headquarters in Bury St Edmunds, offering a glimpse into the company’s ambitious future.

The newly opened Avant HQ is a testament to the company’s forward-thinking approach. Designed to enhance operations, the state-of-the-art, 32,200 sq ft facility boasts modern offices, a spacious showroom, dedicated training spaces, an advanced warehouse, and a cutting-edge technical workshop.

The evening Awards ceremony was a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and achievements of Avant’s dealers over the past year. This year’s winners showcased remarkable success across various categories:

  • Dealer of the Year: Essener Equipment
  • Recognition Award: Coppards
  • Most Machines Sold: Essener Equipment
  • Sales Competition Winner: Chris Slane, Essener Equipment
  • Best Newcomer Award: Lister Wilder
  • Marketing Award: Global
  • After Sales Support: Avant Southeast Ltd
  • Leguan Dealer of the Year: Coppards
  • Best Newcomer of the Year Award: DM Forklifts
  • Leguan Sales Person of the Year: Francisco Wingrove

Essener Equipment stood out as a top performer, earning both Dealer of the Year and Most Machines Sold, while their Managing Director Chris Slane secured the Sales Competition Winner title. Coppards also made a significant impact, winning the Recognition Award and Leguan Dealer of the Year.

Avant Tecno UK Managing Director Raimo Ala-Korpi emphasised the importance of Avant’s dealer network. “Our dealers are more than just partners,” he said. “Their expertise, dedication, and passion for our products are what enable us to grow and deliver exceptional value to our customers. These awards are a way of acknowledging their tremendous efforts.”

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use: Scottish Premiership team, Dundee FC’s new Infinicut SM 34 rotary mower, which arrived in October, has considerably upgraded their mowing processes.

Speaking after a particularly hectic three-week period where the Dens Park side hosted five games, including both Rangers FC and Celtic FC, and neighbours Dundee United FC, twice, Paul Murray, head groundsperson, said:

Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

Dundee FC’s Infinicut SM34 brings quality and ease-of-use

“Our Inifinicut has been transformative in so many ways.

“If we start with the way I use it, the design focusses on ergonomics: handlebars are narrower, your arms are positioned more naturally, elbows tucked in so there’s less strain on your muscles, especially on turning. Operator experience is a priority, and it just feels much kinder.

“The quality of cut is exceptional; it’s almost as good as a cylinder mower, just a little bit to go. A rotary is used traditionally for clean-up but the quality of cut on this machine means you can use it up until match day -1 and just put the cylinder out for the final cut before the game.

With other rotaries, it would be usual to bring the cylinder mower out three or four times before match day, to get the desired quality, but the Infinicut cuts so well we can use it far more on the lead up. The cut is so clean and precise that there’s less chance for disease, which is another huge plus.”

“The third really crucial factor is transportation, and the dedicated transport wheels, so no strain on the back roller, you just engage the separate wheels.  This brings me the luxury of parking on the stadium concourse, putting it on charge as needed. I couldn’t do that with a heavier, less manoeuvrable mower, just on the back roller

“Finally, the app technology is on a different level. You can set traction speed, cutting speed, a boost mode and all your cutting parameters from an app on your phone, which is blue toothed to the machine. I can revise things according to the conditions, so if its dry you go a bit faster, wet then more slowly, and you can boost if its wet and there’s lot of debris, you ask for more revs and increased airflow so you can pick it up a little better. The height of cut is still manual- that’s just one spanner and one lock-in nut, but having everything else on your phone is just so professional.”

The lithium- powered 34-inch model chosen by Paul is specifically aimed at those managing pitches.

Fairways GM’s, Area Sales Manager, Mike Lindsay, based nearby at Kinross, and exclusive Scottish dealer for Infinicut, helped facilitate the demo and the installation with Infinicut National Sales Manager, Alan Jack, on hand, too.

Alan Jack said:

“Paul was genuinely enthusiastic for his new rotary. The demo went exceptionally well, and he had high expectations. Five months down the line, it’s great to know that he feels entirely the same way, that it really does do what he was promised, and the flawless finish he asked for, is now part of his routine.”

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Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA: The Toro Company is pleased to announce that Richard Walne has been named managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for its International Business. In his new role, Walne will have leadership responsibility for the company’s equipment and water businesses in the region with a focus on advancing strategic customer priorities, strengthening its market positions and evolving the portfolio of innovative solutions.

Walne’s impressive career at The Toro Company spans 45 years, during which he has held various roles across the International Business. His journey with Toro began as a technical representative in Europe and from there he has had responsibilities around the world. He held senior marketing and product development roles in the United States, demonstrating great versatility and leadership. He then transitioned to the Asia Pacific, Australia and China (APAC) region, ultimately serving as managing director, APAC, a position he had held since 2000. With a deep passion for helping customers and a proven ability to inspire teams, Walne has made significant contributions to Toro’s growth and success throughout his career which he now brings to the EMEA region.

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Well-known and respected in the golf and premium sport markets for his extensive product knowledge and expertise, Walne played a key role in founding the Asian Golf Industry Federation and continues to drive education as chairperson of the Certificate in Greenkeeping Committee. A passionate supporter of Variety, The Children’s Charity, Walne has participated in the Annual Variety Bash since 2001, raising significant amounts to help children in South Australia who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability.

“Richard’s industry knowledge and impressive career at The Toro Company have been nothing short of exceptional,” said Amy Dahl, vice president, International at The Toro Company. “His contributions have significantly shaped our international business across the globe, and his dedication to our customers and teams is unparalleled. We are thrilled that Richard is moving into this role and are confident that he will help expand our market leadership and accelerate growth in this region moving forward.”

Walne will relocate to the United Kingdom over the next few months, marking a return to where he first began his storied career with The Toro Company.

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2025 Johnsons Sports Seed range

2025 Johnsons Sports Seed range: In their pursuit of high performance, sustainable seed solutions, DLF have introduced a number of new mixtures and formulations across the Johnsons Sports Seed range – all outlined in the brand-new 2025 catalogue.

In a particularly exciting expansion of their fine turf range, 2025 brings two new mixtures and seven new formulations, while research across DLF’s global breeding centres has contributed to their strongest ever line-up for sports turf.

2025 Johnsons Sports Seed range

2025 Johnsons Sports Seed range

Building on the success of Johnsons J Ultrafine Rye 100, 2025 brings increased versatility with the introduction of J Ultrafine Rye 25 and J Ultrafine Rye 50 – new 25% and 50% perennial ryegrass mixtures ideal for close mown applications such as greens, tees, and bowling greens, as well as high-traffic areas like fairways, pathways, tennis courts and cricket outfields. Blending highly ranked ultrafine ryegrass cultivars on the STRI close mown table, the range offers multiple benefits including fineness of leaf, wear tolerance, quick recovery, rapid establishment and sustainable performance.

Other highlights from the updated golf range include the new formulation of J Green which includes 20% Sybille, a new, No.1 ranked slender creeping red fescue for close mown turf. With its high density and disease tolerance, Sybille helps to supress unwanted weeds and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. Sybille is also incorporated in the 2025 formulations of J Fescue, J Links and J Premier Tee.

For sports turf, the 2025 Johnsons range utilises the latest global research on disease trends and resistance to give turf managers mixtures that help to protect their surfaces by choice, not by chance. Demonstrating exceptional disease resistance from Brown Patch and Grey Leaf Spot in trials, along with superior drought tolerance and reduced requirements for water and fertiliser, 4turf® mixtures remain a trusted and reliable partner to high performance maintenance programmes. 4turf® is available in 25, 50 and 100% formulations within the 2025 Johnsons Sports Seed range.

Johnsons also continues to lead the way with class-leading mixtures for cricket. The new 2025 formulation of J Premier Wicket promises to deliver class leading wear tolerance, rapid establishment and high disease resistance for village squares to county quality cricket squares.

In addition, DLF have invested heavily in their in-house production of native-origin wildflowers. A dedicated area at their Inkberrow site now spans over 80 acres, helping to sustain the increase in demand for mixtures from their ProFlora range.

More details on all the new additions are available in the new 2025 Johnsons Sports Seed brochure, or by visiting the website www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

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Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course: A rare chance to lease an established golf course has arrived on the market through national property consultancy Carter Jonas on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council.

South Buckingham Golf Course in Stoke Poges boasts a well-maintained 18-hole golf course with a modern clubhouse, together with ancillary buildings and an adjacent playing field complex.

Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

Tenant sought to run South Buckingham Golf Course

Available to let as a whole or in parts, there are also facilities supporting several other sports including rugby, football, softball and baseball, as well as martial arts facilities.

“The course has many established trees and ditches crossing the fairways, plus a small practice area, two practice nets and a practice putting green,” says Carter Jonas Head of Rural Agency, Andrew Chandler.

“It has lovely scenery, a great variety of holes and several subtle elements that make every round both enjoyable and challenging.”

A modern single-storey clubhouse extends to 6,776 sq ft (629.55 sq m) and boasts a bar and restaurant, meeting rooms, golf pro shop, changing rooms, showers and associated offices.

“Padel Tennis UK has installed two courts on a sub lease at the course too,” explains Mr Chandler. “One of the world’s fastest-growing sports, these courts have proven to be extremely popular.”

Altogether the golf course stretches to 131 acres (53 ha), with the total site covering 204 acres (83 ha).

Farnham Park Playing Fields is 73 acres (30 ha) and has a wide range of sports pitches and facilities located on the site, together with clubhouses, changing facilities and car parks. There is a children’s playground operated by Farnham Royal Parish Council, a fenced-off area that is used for the grazing of horses and a small area of woodland to the north.

“The site boasts six adult-size football pitches, two youth pitches, two junior pitches and two small training pitches that are available to hire,” says Mr Chandler. “There are also two rugby pitches and purpose-built baseball and softball pitches – which are only purpose-built pitches of their kind in the UK.”

There is a range of buildings on site, including a martial arts centre and associated facilities.

The property is offered to let and expressions of interest together with proposals should be submitted by 28 February 2025 to the Carter Jonas Oxford office.

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