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VoltWorx26 brings industry together

August 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

VoltWorx26 brings industry together Industry professionals gathered at Plumpton College for VoltWorx26, where some of the latest electric machinery, commercial vehicles and autonomous groundcare technology were showcased alongside expert discussions on fleet decarbonisation, renewable energy and sustainable operations. Held at the AgriFood Centre at Plumpton College on 28 July, VoltWorx26 brought together representatives from local […]

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

August 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens Having spent 38 years at Grimsby Golf Club, Head Greenkeeper Scott Vincent has seen every challenge the British climate can throw at a golf course – particularly during wet winters. With member expectations for year-round play, and only four greens equipped with drainage systems, achieving consistency […]

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

August 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

August 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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VoltWorx26 brings industry together

August 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

Industry professionals gathered at Plumpton College for VoltWorx26, where some of the latest electric machinery, commercial vehicles and autonomous groundcare technology were showcased alongside expert discussions on fleet decarbonisation, renewable energy and sustainable operations.

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

Held at the AgriFood Centre at Plumpton College on 28 July, VoltWorx26 brought together representatives from local authorities, education, professional sport, groundcare, agriculture, construction and fleet management.

Organised in partnership between Crawfords Group and Plumpton College and powered by Kress, the event was created to help organisations move beyond broad sustainability ambitions and consider the practical steps involved in adopting electric machinery, vehicles, robotics and supporting energy infrastructure.

Electric machinery and vehicles take centre stage

A major focus of VoltWorx26 was the opportunity for visitors to see and discuss a diverse selection of electric machines and vehicles representing the changing requirements of agriculture, groundcare, construction and commercial fleet operations.

Among the event highlights was the Fendt e107 V Vario, a fully electric specialist tractor designed to combine the familiar capabilities of a conventional tractor with quieter, locally emission-free operation. The model is particularly relevant to municipalities, groundcare operations, specialist agriculture and organisations working in noise- or emissions-sensitive environments.

The material-handling sector was represented by the Manitou MT 625 e, a compact, fully electric telehandler offering a 2.5-tonne lifting capacity and a maximum lifting height of 5.85 metres. Its reduced noise and absence of local exhaust emissions make it suitable for indoor, urban and environmentally sensitive sites.

Visitors could also explore the potential of electric pick-up vehicles through the Isuzu D-Max EV. The all-electric, four-wheel-drive pick-up combines a one-tonne payload with a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, demonstrating how electric vehicles are beginning to meet the operational requirements traditionally associated with diesel workhorses.

The MAXUS electric commercial vehicle range provided further insight into the expanding choice available to businesses seeking to reduce emissions across delivery, service and operational fleets. MAXUS was one of several leading vehicle and machinery brands represented at the event.

For construction and estate-management applications, the Komatsu PC33E-6 electric mini excavator demonstrated the potential for low-noise, zero-local-emission excavation. The 3.6-tonne-class machine features a 35kWh battery and is designed for applications including urban sites, indoor work and projects with specific environmental requirements.

Autonomous technology was represented by the Kress Voyager KR800E commercial robotic mower. Using RTKn navigation and a combination of cameras, LiDAR and ultrasonic sensors, the Voyager has been developed to undertake commercial mowing without an onboard operator, helping groundcare businesses reconsider how their teams, machinery and working hours can be deployed.

Together, the exhibits demonstrated that electrification is no longer limited to smaller handheld products or passenger vehicles. Electric technology is increasingly being developed for tractors, telehandlers, excavators, commercial vehicles, pick-ups and large-scale professional mowing operations.

Expert insight from sport, transport and renewable energy

Alongside the machinery and vehicle displays, the keynote programme brought together specialists with direct experience of sustainability, transport decarbonisation and renewable energy.
Tom Harris, Sustainability Manager at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, discussed sustainability from the perspective of a major professional sporting organisation, offering insight into the environmental considerations associated with operating complex venues, facilities and grounds.

Mark Smith, Transport Decarbonisation Consultant at Energy Saving Trust, provided guidance on the transition to lower-emission transport and the practical considerations organisations should assess when reviewing their fleets.

Oliver Tucker, Director of Green Bulb Energy, explored the wider infrastructure required to support electrification, including renewable generation, battery storage and electric-vehicle charging.

The keynote programme helped connect the machinery on display with the operational planning, energy supply, infrastructure and organisational changes required to make electrification successful. Focused breakout sessions explored a range of practical technologies and operational considerations. Paul Larsen and Kress examined turf quality and performance using Kress robotic mowers, while Ed Dennett discussed where electric tractors could support low-emission grounds maintenance in public-sector and professional turf environments. Will Clarke of Direct Enviro Services presented the role of VM-AI in vegetation and green-space management, and Darren Newman explored how MAXUS electric commercial vehicles could help organisations future-proof their fleets.

Wes Crawford of Crawfords Group said:

“VoltWorx26 was created to move the conversation around electrification from ambition to practical action. By bringing such a broad range of machinery and vehicles together, visitors could see that electric technology is now being developed for serious professional applications across amenity and fleet operations.

“The Fendt electric tractor, Manitou telehandler, Isuzu D-Max EV, MAXUS commercial vehicles, Komatsu excavator and Kress robotic mowing technology each demonstrated a different part of the transition. Just as importantly, our speakers helped organisations consider the infrastructure, planning and cultural changes needed to introduce these technologies successfully.

“We are incredibly grateful to Plumpton College, our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions throughout the event.”
The event concluded with a panel discussion, networking and further opportunities for visitors to speak directly with manufacturers, suppliers and sustainability specialists.
Crawfords Group and Plumpton College will continue to build on the conversations and connections established at VoltWorx26, supporting organisations as they assess the machinery, infrastructure and operational changes required for a lower-emission future.

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ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

August 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

Having spent 38 years at Grimsby Golf Club, Head Greenkeeper Scott Vincent has seen every challenge the British climate can throw at a golf course – particularly during wet winters. With member expectations for year-round play, and only four greens equipped with drainage systems, achieving consistency and keeping on top of organic matter accumulations was becoming a particular problem. That was until Scott trialled ThatchEater from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS).

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

Built in 1922, Grimsby Golf Club provides players with a parkland challenge – the 18-holes traversing rolling hills and valleys which is rather unique for the area. With a small team of just three greenkeepers, Scott has traditionally focused on tried and tested practical solutions to common maintenance challenges, with hollow coring forming a major part of the club’s thatch management strategy, often carried out three or four times a year. While effective, the disruption caused lead Scott to a conversation with OAS Technical Manager Greg Milton about potential, less invasive alternatives.

“Being completely honest, having done the job for a long time and using products that haven’t turned out to deliver what they say they would, it takes a lot for me to try something you can’t physically see working”, admits Scott. “Greg did a great job of explaining how the product works, which encouraged me to give it a try.”

“I think the fact that Greg was a greenkeeper in a former life and was armed with all the information regarding the product really reassured us that he’s not just trying to make a sale. He has our course’s best interests at heart.”

ThatchEater is a biological solution designed to degrade thatch with bacteria, causing minimal disruption to play. Traditionally applied in spring, the humus, humic and fulvic acids produced convert thatch into plant-available nutrients, creating a freer-draining rootzone and encouraging sustainable plant growth through the season.

After just one application, and another very wet winter, Scott says the results became quickly noticeable. “We definitely saw a marked reduction in thatch accumulations compared to previous years and I strongly believe ThatchEater played a role in keeping us off temporary greens for the first year in a long while.” He continues, “The members also noticed the difference, especially because we haven’t been conducting the disruptive hollow coring.”

Independent sampling carried out by Greg echoed the results seen by the team, showing continued improvement in the greens’ condition and giving Scott further confidence of the longer-term benefits. “Now into the second year of the programme, we’re excited to build on the results and, all being well, see this becoming a key component of our wider OAS nutritional programme which is already delivering fantastic results in other areas of the course.”

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

VoltWorx26 brings industry together

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

ThatchEater provides a biological solution for better winter greens

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