Tag Archive for: Future

York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

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York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech: The award-winning grounds team at York Racecourse have gained two new recruits, in the form of an Echo TM-1050 and Echo TM-2050 robotic mower from GroundTech.

In the few shorts weeks since their delivery, the pair have been well received by Head Groundsman Adrian Kay as well as visitors to site who have commented that the enclosures and other perimeter areas have never presented better at this time of year.

York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

With a busy race season from May to October, and a calendar compromising of weddings and corporate functions, the maintenance is a year-round operation for Adrian and his team of seven. Like many in the sector, York Racecourse have found recruitment to be a challenge, particularly since the pandemic. They’ve decided to turn to technology to provide a helping hand. “We recognise that people don’t want to be working 60-70 hours per week, or at unsociable hours, much of which was attributable to the time it takes to mow our expanses of lawn. By investing in this pair of robotic mowers, I can redeploy my skilled team to other maintenance tasks, ensuring we can maintain presentation levels” Adrian explains.

Following advice from Echo’s Sam Daybell, they opted for the Echo TM-1050 and TM-2050. “We worked really well together, assessing the size and specification of the prospective areas to find the right fit. The TM-1050 is primarily used on our premium grass car parking areas, and the TM-2050 on the enclosures, parade rings and a number of medium and high spec lawns.”

“We’re already benefiting from all the well-documented advantages that robotics brings – mowing through the night and at weekends, in all manner of weather conditions.” Adrian continues, “It’s also meant that we’ve been able to retain presentation over a difficult, wet winter with the light footprint of the robots. This has not gone unnoticed by visitors to the course.”

“Considering the wider benefits, it means less need to turn to our petrol or diesel mowers which is a big plus from an environmental sustainability standpoint. In 2023 we launched ‘Green Knavesmire 300’ demonstrating our commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2040, with these new editions from GroundTech playing their part in this wider goal.”

Together with the expert support from the team at GroundTech and Echo, Adrian is enjoying exploring the full functionality of the software, allowing him to monitor the robots 24/7. “I’m not sure I should admit this in print, but I find I’m on the app at four in the morning, making sure everything is going according to plan!” he laughs. “But it is very useful, being able to see things like the battery life etc. Every day we’re taking the opportunity to learn more about them and really bed them into our routine before the season kicks off in May.”

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NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

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NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon: As part of #GroundsWeek 2025, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) NextGen group will host a Schools Into Stadia event on Thursday 20 March at the iconic All England Club.

This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of grounds professionals and showcase the exciting opportunities within the sector.

NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

The GMA NextGen group, sponsored by Reesink UK, is comprised of talented young grounds professionals who represent the grounds management industry. Acting as ambassadors for the GMA, their mission is to encourage more young people to consider a career in grounds management.

With workforce development becoming a pressing priority, this event highlights the importance of engaging with younger generations to secure the sector’s future. The proportion of under-35s involved in the industry has risen significantly in recent years, from 19% in 2022 to 31% in 2024. Events like Schools Into Stadia play a crucial role in sustaining this positive trend by informing young people about careers in grounds care.

Jack Langley & Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chairs, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host another Schools Into Stadia event as part of #GroundsWeek 2025. The success of the previous two events has been incredible, and we’re incredibly grateful to Wimbledon for hosting us this year. This initiative is a great opportunity to showcase the rewarding careers young people can have in the grounds management industry. We’re excited to inspire the next generation of grounds professionals and highlight the role they play in maintaining some of the UK’s most iconic spaces.”

During the event, a group of local secondary school students will experience the day-to-day responsibilities of a grounds person at the world-renowned All England Club. They will also learn about the career paths available in the grounds care sector and the impact these careers have on sports, recreation and community spaces.

Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and GMA Board Member, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming local students to Wimbledon as part of this year’s School Into Stadia event. Initiatives such as Schools Into Stadia ensure that as an industry, we are continuing to promote pathways and careers in grounds management, which is crucial to establishing the next generation of Grounds Managers for years to come. As a year-round team of 18 Groundstaff, we are looking forward to hosting students at SW19 and teaching them how we look after our 18 Championship and 20 practice courts both in and outside of The Championships.”

#GroundsWeek, taking place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March 2025, celebrates the vital work of grounds staff across the UK and highlights opportunities to get involved in this rewarding profession. The week is a chance to raise awareness, share stories, and inspire the workforce of the future.

For more information about #GroundsWeek 2025 and how you can support the initiative, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek/.

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Experience the Future of Lawn Care with Harrier Pro® Tour

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Experience the Future of Lawn Care with Harrier Pro® Tour: We are thrilled to announce the Harrier Pro® Tour, an exclusive event designed for landscape professionals to experience the next generation of lawn care. This tour is a unique opportunity to see how your valuable feedback has shaped the Harrier Pro® series, and to witness the innovative advancements we’ve made.

Discover the Latest in Harrier Pro® Innovation

Join us to explore the groundbreaking new rear roller design that brings a whole new dimension to lawn striping. This innovation sets a new industry standard and promises to make a significant impact on your landscaping projects.

Experience the Future of Lawn Care with Harrier Pro® Tour

Experience the Future of Lawn Care with Harrier Pro® Tour

Craig Hoare, Sales and Marketing Manager, shares his excitement: “We are incredibly excited to bring the Harrier Pro® Tour to landscape professionals across the country. Your feedback has been instrumental in shaping the new Harrier Pro® series, and we can’t wait to show you how these innovations can make a real difference in your work. This tour is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together.”

Join Us on the Harrier Pro® Tour

The tour will take place across 8 venues from March 3rd to March 14th, 2025. Each event will be informal and relaxed, with light refreshments provided. You will have the chance to meet our engineering and design team, who are eager to discuss how these advancements can help your business thrive.

Make It a Day to Remember

This event is not just about showcasing a product; it’s about giving you the opportunity to get hands-on, ask questions, and connect with the team behind the innovation. We are excited to hear your thoughts and are confident that you will leave with a fresh perspective on how the Harrier Pro® can elevate your work.

Event Details:

Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Venues:

  • March 3rd: Toro UK Limited, Bishops Stortford
  • March 4th: Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club, Ticehurst
  • March 5th: The Hamworthy Club, Bournemouth
  • March 6th: Fulford Heath Golf Club, Birmingham
  • March 11th: Heyrose Golf Club, Knutsford
  • March 12th: Pavilions of Harrogate, Harrogate
  • March 13th: Newark Showground, Newark

Secure Your Spot Today

We would love to see you there. Visit our website to reserve your place and for full details on each venue. Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

For more information, please visit www.hayter.co.uk

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME: Golf course management has entered a new era of efficiency and innovation, the very best of both will be showcased by Baroness on stand 624 at BTME 2025.

Two never-before-seen machines will be making their global debut in Harrogate – combining the craftmanship and industry-leading cut quality renowned with the Baroness brand, with the technology of tomorrow.

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Due for release later in 2025, but being showcased at BTME in January, will be the LMB12 battery mower. The LMB12 is a lightweight, battery-operated pedestrian mower, compact at just 42cm in width and ideal for the delicate cutting on slopes such as steep bunker edges or the delivery of precise presentation on ornamental lawns and gardens. Providing the epitome of operator safety, the LMB12 promises the renowned Baroness samurai-sharp cylinder cut in a package which all-but eliminates noise and harmful emissions.

There will also be a first glance at an incredibly exciting expansion to the Baroness portfolio, in the form of the fully-autonomous ULM272 fairway mower. While it remains in early prototype phase, attendees at BTME will be able to see this first machine from their Unmanned Machine Series which is set to become the new industry standard.

Scheduled for launch in 2026, the ULM272 pairs 110-years of manufacturing experience with cutting-edge GPS technology to create a machine that will bring labour savings, boost efficiency and maintain the availability of your expertly skilled workforce.

The solutions for tomorrow will sit proudly alongside the best of what Baroness has to offer today, with machines including the LM551B fairway mower, GM2810A five-deck rotary mower and LM311 all-hydraulic triplex also on display. Another highlight is set to be the AgriMetal GR-660 greens roller. The high-spec yet affordable GR-660 model features a 66” roll width and is equipped with the solid, low-maintenance synchro belt drive system which allows smoother direction transitions.

More information on the entire Baroness range is available by speaking to the technical team, on hand to assist visitors to stand 624 across the three days.

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Landcraft Secures Future for Employees and Operations

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Landcraft Secures Future for Employees and Operations: Inscapes is excited to announce the purchase of the business and assets of Landcraft Projects Ltd, a well-established name in the landscaping industry.

This marks a significant milestone in Inscapes’ growth, allowing us to expand our portfolio of services while maintaining the exceptional standards that clients of both companies have come to expect. With our shared values and commitment to quality, this partnership is built on a foundation of mutual respect and vision for the future.

Landcraft Secures Future for Employees and Operations

Landcraft Secures Future for Employees and Operations

Inscapes, with over 50 employees and more than 25 years of experience, specialises in designing and maintaining highly engineered sports grounds, creating new landscapes, protecting existing ones, drainage and irrigation design and installation. Its clients include Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Bristol Football Club, Eastleigh Football Club, The Vale Resort, The Celtic Manor, and numerous domestic and commercial properties across the UK.

Gareth Rees, Managing Director of Inscapes “We are very pleased to announce that we at Inscapes have taken the exciting step of agreeing the purchase of the business and assets of Landcraft Projects Ltd. This acquisition represents a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of service we provide our clients, whilst continuing to supply the same great service Barry, Tony and the team has provided over the years. With Landcraft’s esteemed reputation, we look forward to building on their success and expanding the hard landscaping side of our business. This will allow us to offer a comprehensive range of services including both hard and soft landscaping, the design and maintenance of natural and synthetic sports surfaces, the design and installation of drainage and irrigation systems, a full suite of arboriculture services and supplying specialist plant and equipment through our Hire division”.

Barry Upton, Managing Director of Landcraft “we’re really pleased that all our staff have been offered the opportunity to join Inscapes, once their time with Landcraft Projects Ltd comes to an end and so Tony Evans (Contracts Director) and James Law (Finance/Office Manager) will be taking things forward with Inscapes together with the majority of our workforce team members, operating out of our existing Cardiff premises. Inscapes will also acquire our vehicles, plant and specialist equipment and so moving forward it should be very much ‘business as usual’. We’re really pleased that through this agreement with Inscapes, we’ve been able to offer a secure future to all our staff and we hope that all our clients, suppliers and subcontractors will support us and Inscapes in this new venture”.

For more information visit: https://www.inscapes.org.uk/

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