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SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

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SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands: SBM Life Science, the group behind the iconic fertiliser brands, Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, has announced significant investment into its marketing strategy ahead of the key spring season this year, to support its new product launches and network of retailers in 2022.

With both brands set to release new products next month, SBM will deliver a host of activity throughout 2022 to increase brand awareness, drive footfall through retailers and boost sales, strengthening their industry-leading positions in the home and garden arena.

SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

Amongst the activity planned, SBM has announced the appointment of a home and garden specialist communications agency, Honest Communications, which has joined the team to manage its PR, influencer marketing and social media platforms.

Further investment includes an extensive digital advertising campaign across Google, YouTube and social media, and print advertising in key lifestyle and trade titles for both brands, whilst Phostrogen® will debut its first broadcast campaign, with TV advertisements aired across various lifestyle channels including ITV.

SBM will also launch a new in-store incentive across Phostrogen® products from March, offering consumers a variety of exciting redeemable offers once they purchase any Phostrogen product.

To support retailers, SBM will introduce a range of exciting new in-store point of sale display units to command space, attract interest and catch the eye of consumers, including archways, pallet wraps, hot spots, and gondola ends.

It comes as Baby Bio® prepares to introduce an Organic Houseplant Food, while Phostrogen® will expand its product range to include a line of new organic fertilisers, including an Organic All Purpose Food, Organic Tomato Food, Organic Lawncare Food, and Organic Ericaceous Food. The launch also coincides with the rebrand of Phostrogen®’s popular All Purpose Plant Food, which will unveil a fresh, modern look for the iconic original fertiliser.

Both Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® have decades of British heritage behind them, with the much-loved brands having helped generations of gardeners and houseplant parents reap the rewards of their horticultural efforts, establishing them as market leaders in the home and garden sector.

James Ramnought, Marketing Director for SBM Life Science commented, “This year is going to be an incredibly exciting one for Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, with the launch of our first organic products. Our investment in a holistic marketing approach will bolster the awareness of the popular products these two iconic brands offer, whilst making noise about the new organic products.

“The combination of digital and print advertising, in-store POS, and the appointment of a PR and social media agency will drive our vision for the brands, allowing us to continue to lead the way in the market.”

For more information, please visit https://www.solabiol.com/en

Follow Baby Bio® on Instagram and Facebook, and follow Phostrogen® on Instagram and Facebook.

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Change, change and more change

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Change, change and more change: For virtually all businesses this is a time of major change and challenge and not least in the world of amenity management. Steeply rising input prices, continual change to the restrictions imposed because of COVID, major economic pressure on both users and providers – the list goes on. Yet despite this, the need to keep our amenity and sports surfaces fit for purpose, healthy and sustainable as never been more important.

In terms of weed, pest and disease management, significant policy change is afoot. With our withdrawal from the EU, new regulations are emerging regarding the approval and use of plant protection products. In addition a new UK National Action Plan is to be issued setting out the requirements going forward. We already know that this will have a major focus on integrated management approaches and greater enforcement and standards. Then there has been the implementation of the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 (OCR). This has already legally required all suppliers of plant protection products (PPPs) to register their locations and stock carried. From June 2022, such a legal responsibility will also apply to all users of PPPs backed up by increased inspection and enforcement.

Change, change and more change

Change, change and more change

Early in 2022, the Amenity Forum is holding a series of Updating Events across the UK to address such policy issues and their implications along with presentations on all other topical matters and issues impacting upon amenity management. It is vital that all involved in such activity keep fully updated and these events provide an excellent way of doing so. The programmes will also include presentations and demonstrations from host organisations as well as chance to network with fellow professionals.

Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’Our free Updating Events are always popular but in 2022 take on even greater significance with all the changes impacting upon the sector’’

Whilst free events, pre-registration is needed by contacting Kate at admin@amenityforum.net . As some locations have restricted places, early registration is recommended. Full programme information is available from Kate at the same email. The locations and dates are as follows:

ENGLAND

Knaresborough, Yorkshire                           9th February
Manchester City FC                                         24th February
Leicester City FC                                               25th February
London                                                                 9th March
Throws Farm, Essex                                        17th March         

NORTHERN IRELAND

Belfast                                                                  23rd March                                         

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh                                                           4th March                                            

WALES

Cardiff                                                                  16th February

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FGM Claymore to distribute Echo and Shindaiwa

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FGM Claymore to distribute Echo and Shindaiwa: FGM Claymore have announced that it will now be the distributor of the popular Echo and Shindaiwa brands commencing on the 1st January 2022 for the UK market.

“We are delighted with this appointment which will further strengthen our position in the UK market. We have a long history of importing and distributing 2-stroke hand-held product and our aim is to build the Echo and Shindaiwa brands to significant levels through a network of independent servicing dealers.” Explains Paul Butterly, Managing Director, FGM Claymore.

FGM Claymore to distribute Echo and Shindaiwa

FGM Claymore to distribute Echo and Shindaiwa

The company will be launching a new 40V range of consumer products including lawnmowers and hand-held products which will be available Spring 2022. As well as providing the range of X Series “best in class” products with emission compliant petrol products and its 56V battery, both for use in the professional market.

In addition, the company have announced that Neil Turner will be joining the team as its new Sales Director to focus on their existing dealer network and new appointments in the coming months.

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BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

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BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and its Partner Bernhard & Company have revealed the 10 sports turf managers who will be heading to San Diego, California in February 2022 for the GCSAA Conference & Show.

The delegates will represent the UK greenkeeping industry as they network with peers from around the globe and sample the education on offer at the world’s largest golf course management event.

BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

BIGGA and Bernhard & Company reveal representatives

Each of the delegates was chosen after demonstrating their commitment to professional development and a passion for the greenkeeping industry. This year’s delegation will mark the 200th BIGGA member participating in this incredible initiative, which was first introduced in 2001. As such, BIGGA is tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of Bernhard & Company, which hosts this invaluable opportunity for 10 members of the association each year.

The members selected for the 2022 BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show are:

  • Joe Curtis, head greenkeeper at Diamond Club Ottenstein, Austria
  • Matthew Dobbs, course manager at Ringway Golf Club, Cheshire
  • Allan Duncan, head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club, Edinburgh
  • Craig Haldane, golf course manager at The Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Courses, Perthshire
  • Colin Hopper, head greenkeeper at Elsham Golf Club, Lincolnshire
  • Matthew Houseman, head greenkeeper at Scarcroft Golf Club, West Yorkshire
  • Chris Low, head greenkeeper at Walsall Golf Club, West Midlands
  • Darren McLaughlan, course manager at North Berwick Golf Club, East Lothian
  • Scott McTaggart, course manager at Sandyhills Golf Club, Glasgow
  • Andrew Wilson, deputy course manager at Whitecraigs Golf Club, Glasgow

The BIGGA delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is considered one of the leading opportunities available to greenkeepers and the experience can be truly career-defining.

For Allan Duncan, the head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club, a place on the delegation is reward for nine years of investment in his own professional development. Allan had been a greenkeeper for 20 years but had never really attempted to progress his career, until he considered the future he could provide for his children.

Allan explained: “I took stock of my career nine years ago. I had two young sons and I realised that in 10 years they would be learning to drive and going to university. The position I was in at the time wouldn’t have enabled me to support them, so I went to my boss and asked for a pay rise, but the club couldn’t afford it. I decided to go back to college and get myself the qualifications I needed to progress my career and since then I’ve done so many amazing things.

“To say that I am excited is an understatement. I come from a smallish town in Scotland and I was in the same job for 20 years, just going through the motions. Now, a few years later, everything has changed and I am overwhelmed to have been selected for the delegation. I don’t think it’s ever too late if you apply yourself and I hope I can inspire others to do the same.”

Bernhard & Company Director Steven Nixon said: “We are very proud to have been supporting the delegation for so many years. The quality of applicants is always incredible, making the selection process quite challenging. We are looking forward to taking our 200th delegate in 2022 and offering the 10 successful candidates a fantastic career opportunity.”

The BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is just one of countless exclusive opportunities that have been specifically tailored to help BIGGA members achieve their professional ambitions and fulfil our overarching ambition of raising standards of greenkeeping in the UK and creating a stronger and more dynamic golfing industry. For more information about BIGGA, head to www.bigga.org.uk

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TLM robot saves time and money

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TLM robot saves time and money: The Lilywhites’ home ground, Deepdale, holds the title of the ‘world’s oldest professional footballing site in continuous use’ with Preston North End FC (PNE) remaining loyal to the plot of land that [former cricket] club members leased in 1875.

Today, PNE Head Groundsman Pete Ashworth and his team of six, are ensuring that the site continues to remain ‘fit for purpose’ by maintaining excellent pitch standards at Deepdale – as well as those at the club’s Springfields academy site and newly acquired first-team training ground in Euxton.

TLM robot saves time and money

TLM robot saves time and money

Both sites feature four, natural turf and fibresand pitches and are located a few miles apart, which can cause a time-management issue for Pete, although he’s now able to reduce pitch-marking man hours – thanks to Rigby Taylor’s robot line-marking technology.

Team work

Pete’s team includes Sam Newton who oversees the Deepdale stadium, 19-year-old Luke MacDonald looks after the Springfields site, while Dean Ash and Dan Mahoney manage the new Euxton site – assisted by two willing apprentices, Harry Duckworth and John Paul Mcavoy, who are given work experience across all sites, as and when required.

When the club took over the Euxton pitches in September last year [it was previously owned by Bolton Wanders and more recently Wigan Athletic FC] Pete says the site hadn’t been renovated, there was a high population of meadow grass and no fertiliser had been applied since February that year.

Dan, a former Wigan Athletic FC groundsman joined the grounds team around the same time and Pete says his knowledge of the site helped to get the pitches back on track with an agreed well-balanced fertiliser programme that mirrored the one used at the Springfields site – before raking out and lightly top dressing the pitches ready for use.

This programme included Rigby Taylor’s Activate biostimulent, ConVert and ConVert Gold, Apex and Nutri-Link liquid fertiliser – and this, plus other turf-related issues are discussed on a regular basis by Pete and former Preston Golf Club Course Manager, Andy Merry, who is now Pete’s local Rigby Taylor Sales Technician.

“I’ve worked with Rigby Taylor for most of my time at Preston and trust the products because they have always performed,” Pete says. “Andy and I have a great relationship. We have regular sit-down chats and plan what we think the pitches need the month ahead. We look at the weather forecast, compare it with the year before, and decide which products to use.”

Pete uses Rigby Taylor R14 grass seed on the Deepdale pitch and likes to mix up the grass seed on training ground pitches to “see what works best” – using Rigby Taylor’s R140 grass seed on half of the natural turf and fibresand pitches. Andy is also working with Pete to get the best product colour and longevity by conducting trial plots on the Springfields and Euxton sites.

Time efficiency

Regarding grounds team time management across the extended training ground sites, Pete says available man hours can be a problem – particularly when marking pitches in the height of the summer when the grass growth meant cutting the lines out every day.

He saw a potential solution when he was introduced to Rigby Taylor’s robotic Tiny Line Marker (TLM) at SALTEX 2019 and after subsequent demonstrations, advised the club that it would be a cost-effective time saver for the grounds team.

“Getting the robot is quite innovative for us and we’re pleased the club supported us,” Pete says. “We now take the TLM to mark out twice a week at each site – it’s used on the first team training ground on a Monday and Thursday, and the academy on a Tuesday and Friday. If there’s only one lad at the academy site, he can just set it off while he gets on with the cutting or vertidraining – it’s definitely helping us a lot.”

When the TLM Sport arrived, Pete and his team had a ‘hands-on’ TLM Sport training day at Euxton. Andrew showed the team how to use the accompanying tablet, access the football pitch templates and how to plot bespoke pitch markings. “We literally turn on the tablet, click on the required pitch template and press start – it’s so easy,” Pete says, adding that he also uses Rigby Taylor’s IMPACT paint for vibrant lines.

“Now all the pitch templates are stored in the tablet for each site, if we ever lose one – for example, if we were cutting and didn’t mark it, we know we can put the robot back out and it will mark it up from scratch within half an hour.”

The grounds team’s hard work doesn’t go unnoticed either. West Ham FC’s first team recently trained at the Springfields site before their mid-week game against Man United FC and their Saturday fixture with Leeds FC and as well as some of the players, West Ham manager David Moyes remarked on how good the pitch was – compared to when he was managing the club 20 years ago.

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