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Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

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Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company: Foley Company is gearing up for an exciting showcase at BTME 2026, promising to turn heads with its innovative product line-up for the golf and sports turf industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss the range of SALSCO advanced Gas and Electric Greens Rollers, now part of the Foley portfolio available in the UK.

BTME 2026 attendees are invited to visit Foley’s stand to experience the first-hand, a range of cylinder and bedknife grinders designed to suit every club and budget. We will be delighted to demonstrate how Foley is redefining turf maintenance with practical, time-saving innovations.

Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

Discover the Latest Advancements from Foley Company

There is also the chance to see the revolutionary 642 Quick Spin Reel floor Grinder which offers a fast and user-friendly option for touch-up spin grinding between scheduled relief sessions. The advantage of the 642 is the unique roll-on roll-off floor action making it especially effective for sharpening extra wide and heavy mowers commonly used on sports fields and pitches. Please visit Stand 528 and we will be delighted to talk you through our latest products.

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Transitioning from tanks to tractors with John Deere

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Transitioning from tanks to tractors with John Deere: From frontline tank repairs to supporting farmers at harvest, Chris Giles has carved out a career in the civilian world by transferring his military engineering skills to John Deere’s dealership network.

After serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Chris was unsure of his next step until he attended an open day about the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.

Transitioning from tanks to tractors with John Deere

Transitioning from tanks to tractors with John Deere

Today he is a Technical Communicator and Certified Dealer Instructor at the Tallis Amos Group Leominster depot, and his journey is about to come full circle as he prepares to explain military personnel have the ideal skillset to resettle,

Chris will be one of the speakers at a John Deere Military Hiring Programme webinar taking place on 3 December at 7pm.

“In terms of the kit, going from tanks to tractors is a completely different world,” says Chris. “The hydraulics, for example are completely different.

“But there wasn’t much of a transition when coming to the John Deere brand, as the level of high readiness is the same. The kit needs to be fixed and out the door as soon as possible, much like in the army.

“While the machinery is different, the basics of the work are the same. You’re looking to apply that pre-existing training and knowledge to a different kind of machine.”

Chris joined REME as a vehicle mechanic in 2012, working extensively on tank engines and transmissions before moving into several front-line units from 2015. Stationed in Hereford, he was deployed around the world repairing everything from quads to heavy armour.

He attended the John Deere open event for military technicians at Langar shortly before the pandemic and met a John Deere employee who had also served as part of REME. After putting him in contact with the right people, Chris made the decision to pursue a career at John Deere.

After completing his training and work experience at the Tallis Amos Group Leominster depot, Chris began employment as a technician but has since progressed to a Technical Communicator and Certified Dealer Instructor role. He explains that at first he worked in the workshop diagnosing issues, servicing and repairing crucial kit like combines and tractors, but now he helps technicians from the office and across different depots in the dealership network and trains the new staff who are coming through.

“As a Technical Communicator, if the technicians go out to a job and struggle to diagnose it or need extra information, then they’ll get in touch with me as I have access to the information or people that are needed, and then I’ll pass that information back to the technicians,” he says.

“As a Certified Dealer Instructor, I deal with the new technicians that are coming through and doing their training, including the level one and two training that the Military Hiring Programme applicants will receive, which is all online. I mainly teach electrics, hydraulics, and the service advisor side.”

Open to servicemen and women who are looking for new careers after they leave the armed forces, attendees of the online event on 3 December will have the opportunity to listen to Chris and others who have been through the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.

John Deere’s ground-breaking resettlement programme for military service personnel offers new career opportunities working on some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates for their unique skill sets and the experience they bring to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships. Many have already worked with some of the systems and products John Deere use on their agricultural and turf machinery, making the transition straightforward.

Those who enrol onto the programme are put into contact with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled previously. They guide them through the next steps which includes free training courses before finding employment with a John Deere dealer.

Interested service members and ex-service members can find out more and apply to the John Deere Military Hiring Programme by visiting www.deere.com/JDMHP.

The online event is free but pre-registration is required at https://jdmhp.eventbrite.co.uk/

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David Withers Announces Retirement from ISEKI

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David Withers Announces Retirement from ISEKI: David Withers, Managing Director of Iseki UK and Ireland, will retire at the end of 2025 following a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in the turf care and grounds maintenance industry.

Speaking at the SALTEX show in 2025, David reflected on his time at ISEKI, describing the process of building the brand as “one of the most fun and satisfying things I have done in my career.” Under his leadership, the company has doubled its sales over the last eight years and continues to grow.

David Withers Announces Retirement from ISEKI

David Withers Announces Retirement from ISEKI

David  began his career demonstrating verti-drains for Charterhouse Turf (now Redexim), followed by 25 years at Jacobsen, including six years as President. His eight-year tenure at ISEKI UK & Ireland as a stand-alone entity marks the culmination of his full-time professional journey.

“I feel it is time to finish full time work… I may still do a bit of consulting and advise for a couple of companies, but plan to end serious work and focus on developing a golf swing and a tan!” he said.

Expressing confidence in the future of ISEKI UK & Ireland, David said that he had worked with Alan Prickett for around 30 years and am very comfortable leaving the business in his hands to keep it growing and prospering for many years to come.

He also extended his gratitude to dealers, customers, and fellow manufacturers for their support and partnership throughout his career, wishing them continued success.

In addition to his role at ISEKI, David has been an influential figure within the industry, serving as a director of the Agricultural Engineers Association for many years and as its president in 2022. During the recent AEA 150th celebrations, he spoke at an event in the Houses of Parliament.

He has also recently taken up a Directorship at the Grounds Maintenance Association and intends to continue contributing to the organisation in his retirement.

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GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

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GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success: As the operations of family-run arb firm Koala Tree Care have grown, as has their relationship with GreenMech – with two efficient and easy-to-maintain woodchippers working hard on jobs across North Somerset.

The most recent addition to their fleet is the turntable Eco 135TT which, running alongside a gravity-fed CS100, provides an economical and safe solution to domestic tree work.

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

Callum Emery founded Koala Tree Care in 2019 and, with the assistance of twin brother Aaron, provide a one-stop shop for all aspects of tree, hedge and general garden maintenance to customers in and around Bristol. With client demand increasing, the business quickly outgrew its small initial chipper and needed equipment that could keep pace with their growth.

Their first upgrade was to a compact, yet capable, CS100 from GreenMech. Ideal for working in tight spaces such as residential gardens, the CS100 offers the quick processing of branches and brash of up to 4”. But with workload still on the rise, the time was right to add an even bigger machine to their fleet in the form of the Eco 135TT.

“Our GreenMech machines have made a massive difference to our workflow” comments Callum. “While the CS100 is still used frequently because of its ability to be wheeled through a house where no external access is available, the investment in the Eco 135TT makes light work of larger jobs. The turntable is such a useful feature – this machine is used most days and is rarely ever used in the straight position! We can alter the chipper to any angle for safe and convenient feeding, and ensure the chippings cleanly make their way into the truck.”

Another thing Callum praises is the ease of maintenance. “Looking after both of these machines is incredibly simple. The Eco 135TT features their disc-blade chipping system which enables me to turn the blade three times before the need to resharpen – which I can also do myself with GreenMech’s disc blade sharpener. This means we can keep downtime to a minimum and keep our busy diary on schedule.”

Processing large and heavy branches with ease, it isn’t just the performance of the ECO 135TT that has impressed the brothers – the service from local GA Groundcare has also been ranked as first rate. “Everything with the purchase and the delivery of the machine in May was really simple.” He adds, “The team at GA, especially Matt Textor and Ashley Stevens, go above and beyond to make sure we’re getting the most out of our machines and are quick to answer any queries or questions we might have.”

For more information on the cost-effective Eco woodchipper series, visit www.greenmech.co.uk

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Something new is coming from Redexim

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Something new is coming from Redexim: Following an overwhelmingly positive response at last year’s event, Redexim is heading back to GroundsFest 2025 – and this time, they’re bringing fresh innovations that promise to create excitement.

Visitors to Stand OSA230 can expect to see a wide selection of industry-leading products, from proven performers to brand-new launches that will be revealed exclusively at the show.

Something new is coming from Redexim

Something new is coming from Redexim

While full details are still under wraps, Redexim has confirmed that there will be new additions to some of its popular existing product lines – offering exciting advancements in sweeping, scarifying and aeration. Whether you’re working on fine turf, sports surfaces or hard-wearing grounds, there’s something in the range that could transform your maintenance routine.

As always, Redexim’s team of product experts will be on hand to talk through the machinery, help match the right kit to your site, and offer practical advice based on years of experience in the field

Don’t miss your chance to be among the first to see what’s new – and what’s next – from one of the most trusted names in turf care. Just head to Stand OSA230.

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/ 

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