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The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

December 22, 2025/in Turf Spotlight/by Admin

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL: It’s 22 May and Scott MacCallum has left me a voice mail asking me to give him a ring… I’m out at the RSPB reserve in Loch Leven, just having had a lovely bowl of soup and I head out to phone Scott with […]

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

December 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel: ‘Your environment, our responsibility’ is not just the strapline of contractors GVA – it’s very much a motto the company embody everyday in their operations with National Highways, utility providers, countryside managers and other leading land agencies throughout the UK. Longstanding users of Aspen 2 and […]

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

December 22, 2025/in Turf Spotlight/by Admin

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

December 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

December 22, 2025/in Turf Spotlight/by Admin

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL: It’s 22 May and Scott MacCallum has left me a voice mail asking me to give him a ring… I’m out at the RSPB reserve in Loch Leven, just having had a lovely bowl of soup and I head out to phone Scott with a curious mind.

He asks me if I would attend a press day at STIHL and without a pause, I jump at the chance. He then goes on to tell me it’s in Germany and my excitement grows. I only hesitate to tell him my passport expired a few months ago… but hey, a mere detail!

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

The event is in September, so I have plenty of time to plan.

A new passport and four failed photographs attempts later, I’m off to STIHL!

Arriving at the hotel in Waiblingen, heralds the start of a great adventure as STIHL have even provided chocolates in the shape of chainsaws, dressed in a smart orange ribbon. I demolish the chocolates as the first task on my to-do list.

At the amazing STIHL brand museum, we are introduced to products, personalities and the incredible world of timber sport.

The press gathered today will get to experience several product demonstrations throughout the programme of events.

My particular interest is with the new battery mowers from series 7 and the new FSA70 R battery brush cutter, making lawn trimming easy. Well, I say to myself, I’ll be the judge of that!

We are offered the chance to don the PPE and get cutting and so off I go!

The battery mowers offer low-noise and emission-free power for noisesensitive areas. As a former gardener within a hospital setting, these lownoise options would have been perfect.

The mowers from the 7-series have a power of up to 2.9 kW. They are also equipped with an 8-litre grass catcher box, minimising the need of the operator to stop and empty the catcher as frequently as other mower options demand. On the heavy, wet grass that they are being demonstrated on to today, the RMA 750 and RMA 756 make easy work of the task.

The new backpack BRA 500 and BRA 600, also offer a noise reduction system and a blowing force of up to 32 or 35 newtons, constantly available for the entire battery operating time.

Disruptive frequencies and noise peaks are specifically eliminated, and these powerful battery blowers can tackle heavy, autumn leaves effortlessly.

The BRA 280 B has a blowing force of up to 26 Newtons and a maximum speed of 86 m/s. it is light weight and compact and reduces the strain on the operator. It also has a quick adjustment design of the blowing tube length to allow for varying requirements. Ideal for green cuttings, wet leaves and dirt.

The other item of interest to me is the STIHL FSA70 R battery brushcutter. As someone of a grand height of 5 foot 2 (and a half) inches tall, I am eager to see if this product works well with a smaller operator.

I put on the PPE and harness etc and clip on the strimmer. I’m merrily trimming the lawn for a while when I’m stopped and told it’s time to move on to the next demonstration. I can honestly say, that using that piece of kit was the most enjoyable trimming experience I have had and that it was indeed genuinely ergonomically superior to any other option I have tried.

Don’t get me started on the rapidquick system that allows mowing heads to be replace easily at the touch of a button…I’d be here all day singing its praise. The advanced EasySpool winding mechanism is simply a gamechanger and this piece of equipment is now firmly on my Christmas present wish list.

It is now time for us to head inside the factory where we are told no photographs are allowed. I suddenly feel as giddy as Charlie did when he won the Golden ticket and was about to meet Mr Wonka inside the chocolate factory. Indeed, with the brand’s trademark orange, I wonder for a moment if we will encounter Oompa Loompas…?!?

We head in and there are only professional, highly skilled and passionate employees.

In the “drum testing” room, batteries are placed in a cement mixing drum and left to withstand what damage they can…. We are given a battery to inspect that has endured such an experience. With only a few scuffmarks on its exterior, the batter has survived with operational abilities intact.

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

This level of testing to ensure the consumer and prosumer, have only the very best quality of product, is awe-inspiring and the commitment to the buyer is in a class of its own. Batteries with long life and durability are certainly on show today.

One of my favourite parts of the STIHL factory must be the sound room. My imagination is running away with me as we enter the sound room, and I am anticipating Gene Wilder stepping out and singing “Pure Imagination”. They really shouldn’t have given me those chocolates; I think the sugar has gone to my head!

Anyway, in this room the decibels of each machine are measured, and tests are carried out to make noise reduction possible.

Other products that cannot be left without commenting on is the vast range of chainsaws and I was given the opportunity to use a chainsaw for the very first time during the workshop outside. The power is impressive and so is the effort gone in by STIHL to ensure safety is paramount.

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a couple of groundsmen, and one asked the other why is a STIHL saw called a STIHL saw, the answer was simply “because the best made saws are arguably made by STIHL”. It is engrained on our mind that STIHL make saws and with the emergency services opting for STHIL over other manufactures, that is truly a testimonial. The STIHL MSA 300 Rescue and STIHL TSA 300 Rescue are ideal for fire brigade and disaster relief teams and are available on the market now.

When I left Wonka-world, sorry I mean STIHL world and got back to the UK, I made a trip to an event called “Farming of yesteryear”. Among all the tractors, old ambulances and antique fire engines, was an old STIHL chainsaw… this is truly a brand that has withstood the test of time and has a well-deserved place in the hearts of those who are dependent on its power and performance to get the job done well and safely.

STIHL understand the people they create their products for, and every effort goes in from start to finish, to ensuring that the quality of manufacturing is unsurpassable.

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

December 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel: ‘Your environment, our responsibility’ is not just the strapline of contractors GVA – it’s very much a motto the company embody everyday in their operations with National Highways, utility providers, countryside managers and other leading land agencies throughout the UK.

Longstanding users of Aspen 2 and Aspen 4 across their machinery fleet, their confidence in the environmental and operator benefits of alkylate fuel has moved from being simply their fuel of choice to a core element of their brand new GVA Training school.

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

Already familiar with the firm from over 20 years’ experience in the arboricultural industry, Andrew Fletcher joined GVA in September 2024 to become their new Corporate Training Instructor and Coordinator. He came with a clear vision – to build a training centre that reflects best practice across the industry and just a few short months later, and with LANTRA qualifications to teach across 10 specialist disciplines under his belt, that vision became a reality in the form of GVA Training.

“It’s been incredibly exciting – to develop this new project within such an established and well-respected business” Andrew explains. “Because of GVA’s growth, we see a steady stream of new recruits so it made complete sense to develop a training model to run alongside our operations which supports our clients and demonstrates our commitment to continual professional development and high safety standards.”

Courses are open to anyone, and include a dedicated segment on fuelling – focussed on the science, environmental and operator health benefits and practical advantages of Aspen Fuel over regular petrol. “We see it in our day-to-day business – the reduction in smoke/haze, the lack of strong odour, the benefits it brings to engine life and equipment performance. It’s now about informing the next generation, many of whom have heard about Aspen but some who only experience it hands-on for the first time when they come and learn with us. They notice the difference straight away” he adds.

“During the morning maintenance session, trainees get the chance to inspect machines from GVA’s own fleet which is where they can clearly see Aspen’s cleaner burn and reduced carbon deposits. Come the afternoon, its outdoor training using both battery tools and conventional equipment fuelled exclusively with Aspen.” This combination of theory and practice, Andrew says, helps to overcome any perceived barriers some of the attendees sometimes have. “Cost always comes up, but when you factor in that Aspen is pre-mixed with 2-stroke oil, the reduction in machinery maintenance, downtime, not to mention the health benefits, it pays for itself. We’re fully converted which makes it easy to present with confidence.”

With support from their local Aspen distributor Stuart Taylors International, GVA Training has welcomed over 100 students since the scheme launched in April 2025 and with demand steadily increasing, they expect numbers to grow rapidly over the coming year. “We use Aspen because it works. Now it’s brilliant that we can teach so many others why!”

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL

The day I sampled a commitment to quality forged in STIHL: It’s 22 May and Scott MacCallum has left me a voice mail asking me to give him a ring… I’m out at the RSPB reserve in Loch Leven, just having had a lovely bowl of soup and I head out to phone Scott with a curious mind.

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

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