Tag Archive for: 50%

Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

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Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe: Kubota marked a significant milestone of 50 years in Europe, by hosting an exclusive event themed “It’s All About People.” at PortAventura in Spain.

The event welcomed over 900 attendees, including dealers, distributors, partners, international media and employees, showcasing Kubota’s status as a leading manufacturer in Agriculture, Groundcare, and Construction equipment.

Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

Kubota Celebrates 50 Years in Europe

The event offered a chance for celebration, networking and insights into Kubota’s future. Attendees were introduced to exciting new additions to Kubota’s expanding portfolio, including the launch of the M7004 tractor and a limited-edition anniversary model, of which only 50 units will be produced. A unique “1 of 1” edition was also unveiled signed by Jean Alesi, the special guest of the evening, who drew fascinating parallels between Formula 1 and Kubota’s success, highlighting the contributions of the people behind it.

From a Groundcare perspective, Kubota unveiled an upcoming 44hp Front Centre Collect machine, contributing to the rapid growth in this sector. Additionally, building on the success of the EK1 series across Europe, a hydrostatic version is set to increase the entry-level compact tractor range.

The event also highlighted Kubota’s commitment to future technologies, such as automation and connectivity. Attendees witnessed live demonstrations of the KFAST, a self-propelled sprayer developed for autonomous spraying solutions in orchards and vineyards alongside a M7 and a L1 Series tractor, equipped with an autonomous kit from AGC (Agreenculture), designed to address industry challenges such as labour shortages.

The evening concluded with dynamic entertainment at the PortAventura Park, featuring light shows, live music, and a variety of activities, making it a fitting celebration of Kubota’s legacy and future in Europe.

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50 years of excellence

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50 years of excellence: Irish Farm & Garden Machinery (IFGM) celebrates 50 years of business this year. The company, one of Europe’s leading independent distributors of outdoor power equipment, remains family owned and run, now managed by second generation Paul Butterly (Managing Director), and brother Kieran (Technical Director). Although retired, Mum (and co-founder) Eileen, continues to pop into the Dublin office around three days a week – just to ensure that the business continues to operate smoothly.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone” says Paul. “This is a tough industry and the fact that we’re here in 2024, bigger and stronger than ever, is simply amazing”.

50 years of excellence

50 years of excellence

Asked how IFGM has successfully navigated multiple recessions, turbulent trading conditions and technologically driven changes in consumer demand over the past 50 years, Paul says: “We’ve always focused on keeping the company very nimble and this gives us a lot of flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. We’ve been careful in the rate of our expansion, gradually building the business over time, only working with the very best brands in the industry. No matter what is happening in the economy, people will always buy quality product that offers the best value-for-money.”

In 2006, the business purchased U.K distributor Claymore Grass Machinery, now known as FGM Claymore, an acquisition that greatly extended the reach of the company. In 2022, the business was awarded U.K distribution rights for ECHO which, following the appointment in Ireland a few years earlier, made IFGM the third largest ECHO distributor in Europe.

The team at IFGM celebrated the anniversary during a special event held on the 28 February in Athlone. Dealers from all over the country, alongside special guests from Briggs & Stratton and Yamabiko, joined the Butterly family to celebrate this important anniversary.

Paul gave a special presentation that covered the history of the company, sharing anecdotes alongside the major milestones that made up the IFGM story. There were congratulatory video messages from garden machinery suppliers in New Zealand, Japan, and Italy, alongside special in-person presentations from Briggs & Stratton and Yamabiko.

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On your side for 50 issues, and counting…

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On your side for 50 issues, and counting…: When we launched Turf Matters back at the beginning of 2014, we had high, but realistic, hopes. We hoped that our readership would appreciate what we had to offer and that, perhaps, we might grow over the years to be a well-respected title.

With this, our 50th issue, we can look back with pride at having achieved that goal. We are definitely a respected title. We have won awards for our writing and our design and we are thrilled that more and more companies within the industry are deciding to share some of their marketing and advertising budgets with us. That is not something we ever take for granted, particularly in these tough times.

On your side for 50 issues, and counting…

On your side for 50 issues, and counting…

We are also pleased that so many have opened their doors to enable us to produce interesting features and over the last eight years these open doors have allowed us to showcase extraordinary work at virtually every major sporting venue in the country – not to mention the odd overseas assignment, which included a preview to the Ryder Cup matches at Golf National, in Paris.

We have also seen our digital presence grow and we now have over 22,000 on-line followers.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make Turf Matters what it is today and the promise that I make to you is that we will continue to work hard to produce the magazine you want to read and the digital platforms you want to visit.

Scott MacCallum, Editor/Publisher

On your side for 50 issues, and counting…

On your side for 50 issues, and counting…

Makita UK marks 50 years

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Makita UK marks 50 years: Makita UK is celebrating 50 years of trading in the UK. With over 100 years of heritage and since entering the UK market in 1972, Makita UK has been at the forefront of innovation and delivered a wide range of high-quality, durable tools that tradespeople across the country can rely on to tackle any job.

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Makita’s first UK office. For half a century, the company has forged a strong presence in the UK with a national network of distributors and merchant partners, as well as investment into four purpose-built Factory Service Centres and training facilities throughout the UK.

Makita UK marks 50 years

Makita UK marks 50 years

Makita is recognised as a market leader in the power tool market having built a reputation for delivering best in class, quality products for professional (and personal) use, to cover a wide range of construction sector applications as well as garden maintenance, landscaping and grounds maintenance tasks.

With over 100 years of experience, the company’s dedication to and investment in product development has resulted in a vast range of cordless machines that deliver the flexibility and safety needed for regular, professional use. Today, the company offers over 270 LXT and 50 XGT cordless models in its portfolio – a huge collection of highly durable machines that can tackle any task. With long battery life and short charge times, the LXT and XGT ranges ensure faster and more efficient work.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “We are delighted to be marking our 50th year of trading in the UK. We are incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve since 1972 – and the vast array of cordless products and new technologies that we can offer tradespeople to aid their productivity and efficiency on site.”

To mark its 50th anniversary, Makita UK will be announcing a number of exciting promotions and product launches throughout the year.

To find out more about Makita UK and its wide range of cordless products visit: www.makitauk.com

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Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

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Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years: Ransomes Jacobsen has marked Dmytro ‘Mick’ Klipalo’s 50 years of service at the Ipswich Turf Centre of Excellence with an event to commemorate his time at the company.

Dmytro’s family and colleagues gathered at the Ransomes and Jacobsen factory for a surprise celebration, where his outstanding service and contribution was recognised.

Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

Dmytro’s father, Peter, moved to England after the Second World War having chosen England as his new adopted home, and it was in Ipswich where he met his wife, Patricia, and had two children, Dmytro and Marika.

In August 1971, when all mower production was moved to the current site in Ipswich, Dmytro joined Ransomes as an apprentice. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked his way through the ranks to become Quality Systems Engineer before taking on his current role as Quality Manager in October 2020.

His time with Ransomes and Jacobsen has coincided with significant company landmarks such as the London 2012 Olympics and the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National and numerous successful model launches – all of which Dmytro had a hand in preparing machines for.

Speaking about Dmytro’s time at the company, Vice President of Turf Simon Rainger said: “Dmytro is part of the fabric of Ransomes Jacobsen, and we are delighted to mark his 50th year here with this celebration.

“In this industry more than most, experience is vital, and we’re lucky to have a person working with us who knows so much about the factory, the products and the processes. Dmytro’s contribution really has been invaluable to us, and it will continue to be for as long as we have him here.

“I think it’s also important to mention his impact on our workplace socially. He’s always played in our inter-department five-a-side football tournaments and coached our staff team for the annual match against the Ipswich Town Football Club ground staff. He’s always willing to get involved and give up his time, and that’s part of what makes Dmytro so popular with everyone here.”

Dmytro has worked at Ransomes Jacobsen throughout a transformative time. When he began in the early 1970s, a Ford Cortina cost £968, the Ransomes Ajax just over £14, Intel released the world’s first microprocessor, and Texas Instruments released the first ever pocket calculator.

In that time, those different technologies have been amalgamated and have led to pedestrian and ride-on mower technology taking huge steps forward with the introduction of the fully electric Jacobsen Eclipse range and several advancements in engine technology that have led to cleaner running machines.

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