Tag Archive for: Drives

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

/in , , /by

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity: Managing three separate sites with just four full-time staff would stretch almost any grounds team – but at Leicester Tigers, the introduction of the RM21 Combo robotic marker and mower, supplied by Agrovista Amenity, has transformed efficiency, quality, and day-to-day workflow.

For Head Groundsman Ed Mowe, who oversees the stadium pitch, three pitches and an indoor facility at the training ground, plus the women’s training centre at Oakes Park, the time spent on routine pitch marking alone had become a major pressure point.

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

“We were spending around seven hours a week just marking out,” Ed explained. “That’s one person’s full working day gone. With only four of us across three sites, we needed a smarter way of working.”

A trial of several robotic systems followed, but the RM21 Combo, supplied by Agrovista Amenity with full technical support, training, and backup from XDC, stood out immediately.

While Ed initially sought a robotic line marker, the multifunction capability of the RM21 quickly set it apart.

“It gave a really good mark, and the lines were spot on,” he said. “But the added benefit of the mowing deck and the fact we can add attachments like a dew brush made it a no-brainer. Instead of just being a marker, it’s a multi-tool we get far more out of.”

The team now uses the robot to mark four pitches across the men’s and women’s training facilities and to cut surrounds and soil-based training surfaces when staffing is tight.

This has had a dramatic impact on productivity:

“Three or four hours of robotic marking gives us three or four hours back,” Ed said. “That means we can cut a pitch, strim, fertilise – and carry out other pitch management work. It’s also helped us claw back some lieu time for the team, which we couldn’t before.”

One of the biggest challenges for any grounds team is the initial mark after renovations. With three-point data setup and highly accurate RTK navigation, the RM21 has made that process almost instant.

“The initial mark was always the longest,” Ed said. “Now, every mark is as accurate as the first. Even if there are no lines on the ground, the robot puts them in perfectly. It’s massively simplified things.”

The robot’s precision also extends beyond standard pitch layouts.

“We can programme it for grids, lineout areas, whatever we want. If something isn’t on the system, Agrovista and XDC get it mapped and send it straight over to us.”

For a machine expected to work autonomously across multiple sites, reliability and safety were essential. Ed admits he was initially cautious about the RM21’s weight – especially on damp soil-based pitches – but has been impressed.

“I was a bit sceptical at first, but there have been no wheel marks and the quality of cut is brilliant.”

The RM21’s ability to map complex or irregular areas has been another surprise:

“We’ve even mapped banks on site and it cuts them autonomously now. It saves us struggling to walk them.”

Ed is quick to praise the support from Agrovista Amenity and XDC.

“No issues whatsoever. They’re always at the end of the phone or a message. They’ve gone above and beyond.”

With future attachments already in development, Ed sees the RM21 as a long-term asset.

“We’ve got this machine now; why not use it to its full ability? The versatility is one of its biggest features, and the potential for even more is really appealing.”

As Leicester Tigers continue to push standards across all their facilities, the RM21 Combo has become an integral part of how the team works. For Ed and his staff, it’s not just a machine but a smarter, more reliable way of managing an ever-growing workload – and one that promises even more capability in the seasons ahead.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.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

Agrigem drives profitability with Orderwise

/in , /by

Agrigem drives profitability with Orderwise: Agrigem, one of the UK’s biggest distributors of plant protection products, has grown turnover by 80% and increased profit margins by 40% after adopting Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

Agrigem offers thousands of products, including weed killer, moss killer, fertiliser, grass seed, biological controls, and equipment to homeowners, and those working in the horticulture, equine, forestry, sports and amenity sectors. Given the breadth and depth of its product range, Agrigem needed to streamline operations by managing these product lines, multiple payment methods and different customer requirements, which had previously been a significant challenge.

Agrigem drives profitability with Orderwise

Agrigem drives profitability with Orderwise

“We were in desperate need of greater efficiencies and to streamline our processes,” said Dave Best, Operations Director, Agrigem. “We had ambitious growth plans, and the set-up at the time was not going to support that growth. Not only is Orderwise inherently scalable but it has all the functionality we required to get on top of our operational organisation.”

Orderwise is an ERP solution deployed by wholesalers, distributors, retailers, manufacturers, and other businesses with complex requirements. It helps connect processes, optimise workflows, and revolutionise stock management.

It reduced the need for Agrigem to take on additional administrative resources as it grew by automating report generation, data imports, and other manual tasks. Furthermore, by having data presented automatically, Orderwise allowed them to make critical decisions faster and more efficiently, contributing to overall business growth.

“Investing in the right technology can set a business up for long-term success, and Orderwise undoubtedly falls into that category,” continued Dave Best, Agrigem. “It takes away unnecessary decision-making and reduces reliance on manual processes, both of which have been highly beneficial to our ongoing growth trajectory. It has also made it much easier for us to offer overnight delivery throughout the UK, which is critical for customers.”

Since implementing Orderwise, Agrigem has also benefited from complete visibility into its operational metrics. This allows the company to act quickly and effectively, such as adjusting pricing or changing product ranges, thereby avoiding delays that could impact the business negatively.

“When customers use our technology in this way, we feel like we have made a major contribution to their growth,” said Tom Price, Director, Forterro. “Orderwise is especially suited to retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers. It’s very much our core user base, and we are constantly and iteratively improving the product based on the ongoing feedback we get from customers. Agrigem is a leader in its field and precisely the type of business we love to work with.”

Read the full case study: https://orderwise.co.uk/en/resource/agrigem

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.

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

/in , /by

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA: Focusing on power, performance and versatility, BRP is showcasing the new Can-Am Traxter HD7 and Can-Am Traxter HD9 at LAMMA 2022 in hall six stand 6.850. These SSVs highlight that Can-Am’s off-road line-up continues to prioritise the user, as they have been designed to handle the job demands of utility riders as well as the challenging conditions they face on a daily basis.

The Can-Am Traxter HD7 is a work ready vehicle that provides the user with consistent performance, no matter the terrain. With the help of the new HD7 Rotax engine, the vehicle has been optimised for off-road use and produces 37 per cent more power than the HD5 engine it has replaced.

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

The Can-Am Traxter HD9 offers class-leading power and low-end torque through the new Rotax HD9 engine, so travelling up the side of hills or towing and carrying cargo on the flat is now easier and more efficient.

The other vehicles on show are made up of Can-Am’s most popular models. The price competitive Can-Am Outlander 450 is built with class-leading performance, no matter the rigours of any situation put in front of it. The Can-Am Outlander 570 XU combines controlled handling, power and performance, enabling the user to travel across multiple terrains with ease and efficiently tow and carry cargo.

A selection of Can-Am Traxter SSVs, built to take on the toughest jobs quickly, easily, efficiently and safely, will also be present on the stand.

To support the vehicles, the Can-Am off-road team will be on hand to highlight its exclusive partnership with the NFU; to communicate the importance of ATV and SSV security and the benefits of Can-Am’s Digitally Encoded Security System (D.E.S.S.) Key, which restricts access to the bike’s electronic ignition system; to highlight its responsible rider programme; and promote its road legal vehicle line-up, and the exclusive finance offer run by Société Générale.

James Dalke, BRP commercial manager UK and Ireland, says, “We are excited to physically be back at LAMMA to showcase the latest additions to our growing off-road line-up to an engaged and interested audience who use ATVs and SSVs on a daily basis. Over the last two years, the line-up has continued to evolve with the help of the BRP R&D team, who have been working tirelessly to meet the constantly changing demands of the UK utility market. This is highlighted by the new Can-Am Traxter HD7 and Can-Am Traxter HD9 models and we believe that they will provide utility users with class leading performance, power and versatility, so that jobs are completed quickly, easily, efficiently and safely. In addition, we also see this show as a great platform from which to promote and highlight the importance of rider safety to visitors and as part of this we will be hosting the Farm Safety Foundation on our stand.”

For more information visit https://uk.brp.com/off-road/ https://www.lammashow.com/

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.

Ford Ranger fleet drives Campey customer service

/in , /by

Ford Ranger fleet drives Campey customer service: As the post-COVID market approaches, Campey Turf Care systems has ensured their Product Specialists stay on the road with a new fleet of Ford Rangers.

Campey has successfully navigated what has been a difficult time for the industry and has strived to keep providing outstanding customer service and support in accordance with changing regulations over the last 18 months.

Ford Ranger fleet drives Campey customer service

Ford Ranger fleet drives Campey customer service

Now, the company is looking forward to restrictions ending, and with the anticipation of higher demand, has ensured Product Specialists will always reach customers with the fleet of eight new vehicles.

Providing on-site support has always been a cornerstone of the Campey experience, from machinery recommendations to installations, and the importance of those visits to the end-users is often highlighted.

Maintaining that contact during the pandemic whenever possible was crucial for grassroots and professional clubs alike as they continued to work. Working tactfully during this time ensured Campey maintained their existing markets while concentrating on a sharp increase of interest in the second-hand market, a sector that Campey, while already established in focused on to meet the constantly changing requirements of 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.

SALTEX Drives Year Round Leads

/in , /by

SALTEX Drives Year Round Leads: Since SALTEX 2017 took place last November at the NEC, Birmingham, a number of exhibitors are still generating business as a direct result of the show – re-affirming that the exhibition is the must-attend event for any company involved in the grounds care industry.

Fivesquared, a brand of Earlsmere, is a leading vibration management provider to the grounds care industry. After exhibiting at SALTEX 2017, the company reported a 15 per cent increase in stand enquiries compared to the previous year with a number of significant leads coming from professional sports clubs, schools, universities and colleges.

SALTEX Drives Year Round Leads

The company now boasts a number of prestigious clients such as English Heritage, Southampton FC, Manchester United FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Manchester City FC, Wimbledon (The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club) and Merchant Taylors School – all of which were a direct result of exhibiting at SALTEX.

“Predominantly I would say that the majority of our overall business comes from exhibiting at the show,” says director Jeremy Hoyle.

“We have been exhibiting at SALTEX for about eight years now and since it moved to the NEC we have found a location that we are really happy with. In my opinion you can’t just exhibit at a show like SALTEX the once and not return. You need to establish a presence year-on-year because that is when you see an upward increase in business.

“It is not just after the show that you see the results – business continues to come in throughout the year. In fact, we are still getting enquiries from people who visited our stand – literally on a weekly basis.”

SCH Supplies, specialists in attachments and accessories for garden tractors and ride on lawnmowers, reported that SALTEX 2017 significantly helped increase its European dealership network.

“SALTEX is very important to us because we don’t employ any outside sales representation,” says managing director Andrew Rodwell. “The event is our only vehicle for engaging with potential customers face to face, while showcasing our products, which is enormously important.

“We already have numerous dealers in the UK but as a direct result of the 2017 show we appointed several new dealers from Europe, which is a trend that we’d like to continue.

“SALTEX is usually the only show that we have a presence at. It provides a focal point for the company and allows us to consider the direction the industry is taking which in turn informs the decisions we make regarding development of new machinery.”

Market-leading machinery manufacturer, Kubota UK, used last year’s SALTEX as the ideal platform to showcase its latest range of innovative and high-performance compact tractors and ride-on mowers.

“SALTEX is a great platform to showcase new solutions to groundsmen, greenkeepers, estate managers and turf professionals,” says Adrian Langmead, business development manager for Kubota UK’s Groundcare Division. “We had a fantastic time meeting with everyone to discuss our current and latest product ranges.”

The results of the SALTEX 2017 exhibitor survey is further testament to the success of the show with over 95 per cent of SALTEX exhibitors’ generating new sales leads while 83 per cent took direct orders on the show floor.

No doubt these statistics are a reflection of the growing trend in new exhibitors to this year’s show. Honda Engines and Honda UK, Case IH UK and ISEKI UK are just some of the newcomers in 2018.

David Withers, managing director at ISEKI UK, is certainly looking forward to exhibiting at SALTEX for the first time.

“As we continue to grow our ISEKI business in the UK we are always looking for relevant opportunities to meet with existing and potential customers to understand their needs and share the latest technologies that our product range has to offer. As such SALTEX offers us a great opportunity to meet a wide and diverse group of customers in one place. We look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at the NEC later this year.”

Commenting on the growing trend of new exhibitors Charles Neale, event sales manager, says: “The show continues to grow and we are receiving new enquiries every week alongside existing exhibitors investing in bigger stands. Demand at this period in the sales cycle has never been higher.”

To view show highlights and key interviews please visit www.youtube.com/MyIOG

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

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 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.