Tag Archive for: GGM

GGM announce next stage of expansion

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GGM announce next stage of expansion: GGM have begun the next chapter of their expansion in to the agricultural sector, following the recent announcement that it is to widen its Kubota portfolio with higher horsepower M-series tractors and R0 loaders, to sit alongside its existing groundcare business.

Following this exciting news over the summer, the firm has appointed an experienced Sales professional to take this development to its next phase and drive the new area of the business forward.

GGM announce next stage of expansion

GGM announce next stage of expansion

Phil Edmondson, who brings a wealth of expertise having previously been the Sales Director at Spectrum Plant, joins the GGM team at the beginning of October and will be tasked with taking the new offering from the business out into the field and meeting customers.

Phil has vast experience in agriculture spanning nearly 4 decades, having begun his career at Newton Rigg College, been the General Manager of a dairy engineering company, and whilst moving on into contracting and latterly the arboriculture machinery business he has always kept up to date with agricultural developments and found time to help out on the family farm.

When not working Phil loves spending time with his wife Andrea, getting out in the Dales, walking and cycling as well as watching sport; especially Rugby Union.

The extended product range is a logical step for GGM, as it looks to broaden its customer base with a full range of Kubota tractors suited to the agricultural sector. The additional models will include M6001 Utility, M6002 and M7003 models spanning 104-175hp, plus corresponding LK tractor-loader models and R0 pivot steer loaders.

Phil says:

“I am extremely excited about this new role at GGM and the challenge of building our presence in the agricultural sector – an area where I am very much at home.

“I thrive on building relationships, being the main point of contact for customers, establishing new working practices to meet both supplier and customer requirements”.

As a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional groundcare machinery, GGM has a long-standing business relationship with Kubota which spans more than 45 years. Based in Colne, Lancashire, with a second depot at Haydock, Merseyside, GGM are accessible to agricultural customers throughout the North West and areas of North / West Yorkshire.

Accomplished in meeting the needs of horticultural, local authority, estate management, golf and sports turf sectors, this family-owned and run dealership employs a team of over 40 staff, headed-up by managing director Chris Gibson, his wife Hilary and son Thomas.

Chris Gibson said:

“We are delighted to have appointed someone of Phil’s calibre to join the GGM team and build our growth and the Kubota brand in the agricultural arena.

“We already have a strong and competent team that is capable of delivering first class customer service and support, with professional groundcare machinery. “And we’re confident of replicating that same level of support across the farming sector.”

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GGM launch training academy

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GGM launch training academy: GGM Groundscare have unveiled a new LANTRA accredited training academy as the latest offering to their portfolio of services, after identifying a requirement in the industry.

The new courses provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery through courses that deliver both practical skills and health & safety guidance. All training can be carried out either on customers own premises, using the equipment that team members will be using on a day-to-day basis or at GGM’s own impressive dedicated training centre in Colne, Lancashire.

GGM launch training academy

GGM launch training academy

The LANTRA accredited training courses ensure that operators are trained to a national standard whilst fulfilling the organisations legal obligations with regards to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 (PUWER).

GGM Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“After many conversations with our customers, as a business we identified that there was a requirement in the market for a one-stop shop that offers accredited operator training in addition to selling machinery.

“GGM are committed to continuing to strive for excellence in customer service, and the new training academy is the next chapter in this.”

The training covers all makes and models of machinery including:

  • Tractors
  • Ride-On Mowers
  • Walk-Behind Mowers
  • Remote Control Mowers
  • Chippers / Shredders
  • Handheld Equipment

Upon successful completion of the GGM Training Academy courses, all delegates will receive a certificate of competence and for the LANTRA training an accredited certificate and skills card will be awarded (LANTRA registration fees apply).

LANTRA is one of the leading awarding bodies for land-based industries in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

It works closely with industry bodies, employers, governments and educators to provide quality training, career guidance and partnership opportunities, giving employers and learners the skills they need to work safely and productively, while getting ready to meet the challenges of the future.

The training is aimed at any employee either employed in, or who is looking to be employed in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping or grounds maintenance, who is or will be required to operate machinery. It will be run by Gary Taylor, who has over 20 years of experience and an infectious amount of enthusiasm, thriving on training others in operating land-based machinery safely with a wealth of expertise.

Chris Gibson continues:

“After sales and service has always been a key part of our offering and so the launch of the GGM Training Academy was a natural step for the business.

“It’s our aim to ensure organisations have adequate and appropriate training to operate and use work equipment, to fulfil their health and safety requirements and to help to prevent unnecessary accidents. We’re extremely excited to take this forward.”

Bookings are being taken now for June so to book your place or for more information on the training courses please contact Eirian Roberts Tel: 01744 417333 or Email: eirian@ggmgroundscare.co.uk

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GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

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GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge: This year Lancashire based business The GGM Group have pledged to fulfil 12 months of fundraising for their chosen charity the North West Air Ambulance, and have set an ambitious target of £10,000.

Having kicked off this year’s fundraising with a 96km bike ride across the North West from the depot in Haydock back to the Head Office in Colne via the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

GGM Group's charity cycle challenge

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

19 team members, came together from across all departments ranging in age between 18 – 62, and took on the 95 kilometre route, despite sweltering heat, and a number of punctures the team finished the route together and enjoyed a well-deserved team BBQ to celebrate.

To date the cycle ride has raised over £2,600.00 and is continuing to rise, for this year’s chosen company charity partner The North West Air Ambulance, which are much needed funds during these difficult times. The business will be running further initiative over the coming months with their aim to raise £10,000 for the charity over the year. Since the launch of the charity in 1999, it has continued to operate 365 days a year and has responded to over 24,500 missions across the Northwest. The charity receives no government or NHS funding and must raise over £9.5m each year to remain operational.

GGM Group operates across the North West, is following hot on the heels of previous year’s highly successful charitable efforts, where the organisation raised over £10,000 for charities across the North West, and is keen to build on this success and keep the momentum running.

Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“Every year we carry out a physical challenge to raise funds for our chosen company charity and it’s a huge highlight in our calendar. Previously we have completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and in 2020 we didn’t let lockdown dampen our spirits, carrying out a charity walk and cycle ride in socially distanced stints.”

“I am hugely proud of what our staff have done in this year’s charity cycle and it is teamwork in the truest sense. Not everyone regularly cycles, yet they have committed to taking part in this challenge for our charity. As a family business, it’s fantastic for us all to come together.

“It’s a key part of our ethos at The GGM Group to give something back to the local community and North West Air Ambulance provide an essential service. Amazingly they receive no government or NHS funding so every penny we and others raise for the charity makes such a lifesaving difference.”

About GGM Group

The GGM Group operates two businesses across two sites. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use, servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Amazone. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment, including AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl and TS Industries.

To support the team and make a donation visit the Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-ggm-group

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GGM Group get on their bikes

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GGM Group get on their bikes: A Lancashire business has demonstrated that it will always go the extra mile for charity, as the team at Groundscare specialist the GGM Group have committed to a year of activity to support the North West Air Ambulance.

The activity kicks off with a company-wide sponsored cycle, with staff getting on their bikes and riding between their two depots in Haydock and Colne along the Leeds-Liverpool canal on Friday 12th August.

GGM Group get on their bikes

GGM Group get on their bikes

Over 20 team members, from across all departments, will take on the 95km route, finishing off with a well-deserved team bbq to celebrate.

The business, which operates across the North West and Yorkshire, is following in the footsteps of last year’s highly successful charitable efforts, where the organisation raised over £10,000 for charities across the North West, and is keen to build on this success and keep the momentum running.

Managing Director Chris Gibson explain more:

“Every year we aim to carry out a number of physical challenges to raise funds for our company charity and it’s a huge highlight in our calendar. We’ve previously completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and in 2020 we didn’t let lockdown dampen our spirits, carrying out a charity walk and cycle ride in socially distanced stints. We’re very much looking forward to this year’s event and it’s great so many team members want to get involved.”

The event will raise money for the organisations chosen company charity of the year, the North West Air Ambulance, to help raise much needed funds during these difficult times.  Since the charity launched in 1999, it operates 365 days a year and they have responded to over 24,500 missions across the Northwest and must raise over £9.5m each year to remain operational.

The GGM Group consists of two businesses across two depots. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment including award winning innovative manufacturers Eliet and Koppl. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use. Servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Amazone.

Chris Gibson concluded:

“I am hugely proud of what our staff have committed to do and it is teamwork in the truest sense. Not everyone regularly cycles, yet they have committed to taking part in this challenge for our charity. As a family business, it’s fantastic for us all to come together.

“It’s a key part of our ethos at The GGM Group to give something back to the local community and North West Air Ambulance provide an essential service. Amazingly they receive no government or NHS funding so every penny we raise for the charity makes such a lifesaving difference.”

To support the team and make a donation visit the Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-ggm-group

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GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders

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GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders: GGM Groundscare, the trusted, leading supplier of fine-turf machinery and after-sales support has made a £60k investment in two new professional blade grinding machines for their Haydock depot from market leading manufacturer Foley.

The investment comes as GGM reports seeing significant growth in the golf and fine turf areas of the business with both Baroness and Dennis machinery. This has led to a requirement for the organisation to double their grinding capacity and it is now able to offer first class grinding at both its Colne and Haydock depots.

GGM Groundscare's state-of-the-art blade grinders

GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders

GGM Groundscare specialise in helping golf clubs across the North West and Yorkshire to become more efficient in their operation by using the best machinery available. With the new investment, customers will benefit even more, with improved response times, back up support and a high quality of grinding, resulting in blades that are returned to “good as new” condition.

Managing Director Chris Gibson said:

“As a company, we are committed to offering an excellent after sales offering and this investment means customers can reap the benefits of premium grinding and get a first-class level of cut.

We recognise that an important factor in achieving a first-class quality of cut is to ensure blades are kept in optimum condition with precision relief grinding, something that is essential to golf clubs. This investment will allow us to offer this service to even more golf clubs.”

GGM Groundscare have installed the two new grinders at its Haydock branch:

The 633 Accu-Pro from Foley is engineered to blade grind to the customers exact specification, both spin grinding or returning the reel to manufacturer specifications, with a focus on quality and efficiency.

The second grinder, the Foley 673 Automatic Bedknife Grinder, is one of the fastest of its kind in the world without compromising on quality of results.

Chris Gibson continued:

“Following our previous investment in our two Foley Grinders at our Colne depot in 2018, we quickly saw an upturn in the efficiency and demand of our blade grinding offering.

This investment is on the back of our commitment in growing and developing our Haydock depot offering and the two new Foley grinders enable us to offer our Merseyside and Cheshire based customers a local first-class service with a quicker turn-around. Foley grinders return blades to manufacturer standard and provide customers with unmatched results.”

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