Tag Archive for: By

Dealers recognised by Reesink UK

/in , /by

Dealers recognised by Reesink UK: Every year Reesink UK recognises its dealers whose performance in the three areas of Service, Parts and Skills reflect outstanding customer service standards, goals and considerations.  

Reesink awards those dealers achieving the best scores in keeping with its Service Level Agreement, which benchmarks great customer service, and the highest combined score across all three categories wins an overall Dealer of the Year for Excellence in Customer Support. In 2021 that much coveted award went to Lloyd Limited in Carlisle.

Dealers recognised by Reesink UK

Dealers recognised by Reesink UK

Lloyd Limited also won Gold for Excellence in Skills; while Cheshire Turf Machinery topped the bill for Excellence in Service; and Excellence in Parts went to Reesink Turfcare South East.

Reesink Turfcare South East also got a silver hat-trick for Excellence in Service, Excellence in Skills and Aftermarket Dealer of Excellence; and Reesink Turfcare Scotland took home silver for Excellence in Parts.

Lee Rowbotham, service and training manager at Reesink UK, says: “The Aftermarket Dealer Awards are how we thank our service locations for showcasing the high standards for customer service Reesink has. And illustrating to customers that our core customer service standards, goals and considerations reach them.”

Reflecting on the win, Simon Burton, group aftersales manager at Lloyd Ltd, says: “We’re delighted to have won two awards. It’s fantastic to know that our policy for maximising service personnel skills through manufacturer training is being recognised. With the support of our Reesink Product Specialist and Service Manager we have achieved the Aftermarket Dealer Award and this demonstrates the importance of working closely with Reesink and shows what can be achieved from a strong partnership.”

Peter Biddlecombe, aftersales manager at Reesink Turfcare South East says: “The annual awards are really important as they give an immediate indicator of current aftersales service levels and other areas to focus on accordingly. Receiving award/s is an achievement to be proud of and brilliant for staff members to recognise they’re doing a good job. It shows customers you’re a trusted company as an award winner and positions you as one of the best in the field.”

Mark Woodward, service director at Cheshire Turf Machinery, says: “The Toro Excellence in Service award is extremely important to Cheshire Turf Machinery and is our third accolade in succession. This is a testament to all our staff who work incredibly hard throughout the year maintaining consistently high standards and giving peace of mind to all our customers”.

Lee concludes: “Over the years, we have continually invested in our customer service and especially so in our after sales offering and to see that represented by the dealers so brilliantly means we are achieving in our goal to keep on improving the overall experience for all our customers.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Effective swale treatment by Terrain Aeration

/in , /by

Effective swale treatment by Terrain Aeration: When Pennyfarthing Homes called on Land Products (Wessex) Limited to help resolve an ongoing problem, MD Roger Attrill knew exactly who to bring in. It may look to be not much more than a dried-up pond, but this swale plays an important role in the Alexandra Meadows estate in Lymington.

Swales should hold water briefly, then soak away, but this water was retained for weeks after rainfall since the site was completed two years ago as part of the Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS. This is effectively the housing estate’s holding pond to help stop downstream flooding following heavy rain and storm conditions. It was not draining as it should.

Effective swale treatment by Terrain Aeration

Effective swale treatment by Terrain Aeration

“Naturally occurring hard gravels underlying these swales have proved too slow to drain,” says Roger, “we took the opportunity to experiment with Terrain Aeration’s machinery which in a very short period improved permeability greatly.” Land Products provides a comprehensive soft landscaping and grounds maintenance service to Local Authorities, County Councils, the construction industry and commercial clients.

Having called on the services of Terrain Aeration they used their speciality of deep penetration aeration to relieve compaction. The principle works on the basis of penetrating the very hard subsoil with a probe and fracturing it with a blast of compressed air to a maximum of 20Bar (280psi). The process is repeated in spacings so the fissures created interlink and allow full drainage. In this instance, the effect could be seen immediately with a 50mm drop in the standing water in minutes. Within two days, the water had gone completely.

“I’m confident we can make the whole SUDS system work as planned with a bit more time.” Roger says. “I have worked with Terrain Aeration before when they treated compacted gardens for us and they did exactly what they said they would, very straightforward.” Increasingly, Terrain Aeration are called on by housebuilders and landscapers to treat gardens where during construction heavy machinery has compacted the sub soil around new-build properties.

Terrain Aeration 01449 673783 www.terrainaeration.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Toro chosen by West Sussex Golf Club

/in , /by

Toro chosen by West Sussex Golf Club: The intricacies of selecting and installing the right irrigation network are no more pronounced than for West Sussex Golf Club, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which recently completed the installation of a full course Toro irrigation system.

Set on the very rare terrain which is Lowland Heath with extensive heather, Scots Pine and birch, the club had very clear expectations of what it wanted for both the course and its members. The new system also had to meet the specific requirements of Natural England in their approval of the required work.

Toro chosen by West Sussex Golf Club

Toro chosen by West Sussex Golf Club

Kerr Rowan, course manager at West Sussex Golf Club, elaborates: “We are fortunate to be one of a small number of traditional heathland golf clubs in the country. Our players gravitate towards the firm, fiery and fast fairways.

“By their very nature, these areas turn brown, particularly in summer, and there was concern from the club that a new irrigation system would make them too green. However, the incredibly hot summer of 2018 proved that rather than turning areas green, irrigation was vital to keeping those naturally dry areas alive. As a result of that hot dry weather, we lost a lot of grass and it highlighted the importance of having a premium irrigation system in place.”

The system was designed by irrigation consultants, Irritech Limited, who used their expertise in understanding the resident natural flora and fauna to handle the challenges of the course.

Roger Davey, managing director at Irritech Limited, comments: “The project required an advanced level of diligence and care. This is because a large part of the course is within a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and therefore Natural England insisted that water should not be sprayed or allowed to leach on to the heather areas, falling only on the fine grass fairways.

“Water throw had to be carefully calculated so a three-row system was installed on the fairways instead of a two-row alternative. This provided greater accuracy and efficiency. We couldn’t simply install pipe wherever we liked, it had to be planned with precision and out of respect for the natural surroundings. For example, we had to be mindful of large, deep tree roots when installing pipework along the tree lines. Plus, as the site is not blessed with an incredible amount of water, we had to design a system that was efficient and sustainable for the club.”

With these considerations in mind, the club, led by the Green Committee, undertook a thorough process to find the right products to replace the old system which at 40 years old didn’t cover the fairways. After a series of meetings, presentations and sourcing references from other clubs, the board at West Sussex opted to use the market-leading equipment offered by Toro.

Kerr continues: “What impressed me most about the Toro irrigation products was the Lynx central control system. Five of our greenkeeping team use the control system app, enabling us to do so much at the touch of a button including operating the sprinklers remotely.

“I like how Toro has constantly evolved its products, making them as efficient as possible. You can stop the sprinklers within a second which reduces water wastage, and if there are any technical issues the sprinklers are top-serviceable thus minimising disruption to our course and members.”

With Toro chosen and the design finalised, Irritech Limited worked alongside West Sussex Golf Club to appoint a contractor to handle the installation of the system. This was handled by Lancashire-based, Reesink-approved contractor, LS Systems, starting in October 2020 and finishing in May 2021. Despite some weather days which presented challenging conditions with heavy winter rainfall and spring frosts, the installation was mostly completed during weekdays, avoiding the club’s busy weekend periods. An unscheduled government-enforced winter lockdown also presented additional quiet spells for progress to be made.

The installation included over 27,000m of pipe, 27,000m of cable, 958 sprinklers and the state-of-the-art Lynx Smart Module; the brain of the system. Infinity sprinklers were used on the fairways, greens and approaches as well as the larger tees. T5s and T7s were used on the smaller tees.

Tim Griffiths, project manager from LS Systems, comments: “What’s key for an irrigation system of this kind is accuracy of application. In making this investment West Sussex Golf Club is now better able to manage its water resources, bringing about both environmental and cost saving benefits whilst allowing them to maintain the character of the course with pinpoint precision.”

When asked about the impact the new system has had on the club, course manager Kerr is resoundingly positive: “It has the precision we need to tailor the setup to suit the varying areas of the course. We can spot-target areas that need it and when we do water, we water less so the water goes exactly where we want it. This makes a significant cost-saving to the club.

“We appreciate the speed, responsiveness and ease of the entire system. With the Lynx app on my phone I’m able to turn on tailored irrigation as and when we need it, something which gives us ultimate control and flexibility.”

To find out more about the Toro range or the finance options available, call Reesink Turfcare on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

3% pay rise recommended by GMA

/in , /by

3% pay rise recommended by GMA: Following research commissioned by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), conducted by Myriad Research*, a recommendation of a 3% increase in national minimum salary bands for all levels of grounds staff is being recommended this year by the not-for-profit membership organisation.

In addition, the GMA suggests that the ‘bonus’ amounts paid in recognition of those with GMA qualifications should increase to £675 per band – a rise of 3.8% – extending from £675 for Level 1 accreditation up to £4,050 for Level 6.

3% pay rise recommended by GMA

3% pay rise recommended by GMA

The increases outlined in the GMA’s 2022 National Salary Framework report are made against a backdrop of forecast growth in the economy (of 6.5% in 2021 and 6% in 2022), as well as projected increases in both CPI (Consumer Price Inflation) and RPI (Retail Price Index) inflation.

The GMA’s recommended national basic salary bands, with effect from 1 January 2022, relate to the minimum basic salary and are not ‘salary ranges’. There is no maximum salary specified for grounds staff as experienced staff in some sectors (notably professional sports) would be expected to earn well above the average in other sectors. If this is the case, these recommendations can be used purely as a recommendation for annual uplift. Bonuses, overtime, and subsistence payments have not been included and are therefore additional. Regional pay variations have been considered, with higher cost areas of the country expected to make salary awards at the upper levels of the appropriate band.

To accompany the recommended salary bands, the GMA publishes sample job descriptions that reflect the typical job responsibilities and experience required for each level within the industry career hierarchy. The GMA recommends that competent and effective job performers whose job content relates closely to the ‘standard’ position description should be paid at the mid-point and upper pay levels of the bands.

Following the GMA’s research, the recommended salary bands for 2022 are:

Job Level National Basic Salary Bands Per Annum (lower end) National Basic Salary Bands Per Annum (upper end)
Grounds Manager £38,230 £59,224
Head Groundsperson £32,605 £44,750
Deputy Head Groundsperson / Sole Charge £26,675 £34,045
Groundsperson (Skilled) £24,946 £31,823
Groundsperson £19,986 £25,496
Junior Groundsperson (aged 17) £16,993 N/A
Junior Groundsperson (aged 16) £14,112 N/A

 In addition to the updated salary bands, it is recommended that all grounds staff receive financial recognition within the salary scale for successful completion of a relevant professional qualification, such as those offered through GMA learning. The total amount received should be directly linked to the highest level of qualification attained, with the highest amount, awarded for those who hold a GMA Level 6 qualification, being an additional £4,050 to the individual’s existing salary.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA says:

“The GMA is working to elevate the sector and its perception so that, in turn, grounds staff get increased recognition and reward – such as salaries that meet the level of skill or demand.

“With a stagnant economy riding the pressures of COVID-19, many industries are facing economic challenges, but our National Salary Framework is imperative to shaping the future of grounds management.

“But we can’t do this alone. We must all work together to educate those outside of our sector to help understand it’s value. You can visit our website to find out more about the practical ways this salary framework can support your role or recruitment.”

GMA members can access the full report via their online member portal at: https://thegma.org.uk/user

The GMA’s Training Needs Analysis service is designed to support managers and grounds staff in mapping out a training and education journey. To find out more, visit: https://thegma.org.uk/learning/training-needs-analysis

To improve your knowledge and develop the skills needed to receive a higher salary, see our training options at: https://thegma.org.uk/learning

Gain access to our full report, as well as a wide range of other member-exclusive benefits, by becoming a GMA member. Find out more at: https://thegma.org.uk/membership

*The research was carried out independently by Myriad Research (www.myriadresearch.co.uk) using several data sources for analysis.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

/in , /by

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors: The SALTEX 2021 post-show survey confirms the exhibition’s place as the must-attend event for everyone involved in grounds management and turf care.

This year, 93% of exhibitors said SALTEX generated new sales leads, while 96% believed SALTEX was perfect for promoting and maintaining their company profile. In addition, 81% of exhibitors said that exhibiting at SALTEX was important to their overall business strategy and 82% believed it was a perfect opportunity to meet existing customers.

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

When asked to rate their primary target audiences, the below sectors received the highest number of responses

  • Professional sports – 48%
  • Local authorities, councils, parish, town planning – 48%
  • Contractors – land construction, grounds – 41%
  • School, colleges, universities – 40%
  • Dealers, distributors, retailers – 40%
  • Landscapers – 33%

Furthermore, 71% of exhibitors stated that they will be returning to exhibit at SALTEX 2022.

In fact, many have already rebooked with a large percentage increasing the size of their stand. An influx of debut exhibitors has also been reported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA).

“For us it is the number one grounds industry show,” said Les Malin, managing director of Etesia UK. “There are a number of other exhibitions, but they tend to have their own sector that they work in. SALTEX on the other hand attracts a mix of customers right the way through the entire grounds industry.”

Ray McNally from AS Tractors chose SALTEX to launch Mitsubishi Tractors to the UK market and wasn’t disappointed. “This is our launch, and it has gone beyond our expectations,” he said. “Everyone in the horticultural and grounds industries attend this show and these are the demographics Mitsubishi Tractors is targeting. It’s the perfect platform for us and it has been wonderful.”

It was the first SALTEX for Origin Amenity Solutions since bringing together four major industry brands and Richard Fry, marketing manager, was feeling positive. “There was a lot of soul searching and sleepless nights before the opening day of SALTEX, but wow, it has been fantastic. There has been a two-year break since the last show, but the industry has responded. We are very pleased and there has been great footfall from the get-go.”

SALTEX 2021 celebrated its 75th anniversary and remarkably there were two companies on the show floor that have exhibited at all 75 shows – Lloyds & Co and Dennis Mowers.

“We value the loyalty that the Grounds Management Association has always shown us, and we’ve always stuck with them,” said Clive Nottingham, managing director of Lloyds & Co.

“I’m pleased that so many people have come through the door, and it has been a lively show. We’ve had lots of conversations, and there will be lots of quotations, enquiries and work to follow up.”

Ian Howard, managing director of Dennis Mowers also underlined the importance of exhibiting at SALTEX. “I think it is critical to come and meet existing customers, to meet new customers and to listen to what people have got to say. It is the customers that come up with the innovations at the end of the day and every Dennis product that we have got, both petrol and electric, is a result of what customers have said to us. SALTEX is an investment for the future.”

SALTEX 2022 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.