Tag Archive for: Industry

Kubota discusses challenges facing construction industry

/in , /by

Kubota discusses challenges facing construction industry: Leading mini-excavator manufacturer, Kubota, discusses what the construction industry is likely to face in the coming months, with changes to legislation expected and disruptions to materials and supply chains rife in 2021 set to continue. Geoff Smith, Dealer Manager at Kubota UK explains.

Industry data tells us while commercial construction was slightly hampered in 2021, overall construction industry growth was in fact driven by residential building and public infrastructure projects. This helped account to a significant growth as an industry average. Of course, this was achieved through a number of difficult circumstances; the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and a shortage of materials to name a few. These resulted in trying times for the industry – a perfect storm. Isolating staff, transport delays, shortages of materials to transport and labour gaps all contributed to industry disruptions and seemingly had an effect on pricing too, with some suppliers looking to cover themselves in difficult times.

Kubota discusses challenges facing construction industry

Kubota discusses challenges facing construction industry

After a tough previous year, industry growth is forecasted to continue increasing at around 5%. Some of the key drivers of industry change are foreseeable. Legislation will continue to impact trends and most noticeably the Building Safety Bill, expected to become law in Summer 2022, and the Red Diesel usage changes in April. Unfortunately, the issues of last year are not immediately ceasing to exist, as this recovery will take time. Furthermore, a spike in Covid-19 cases saw a surge of positive tests in the first few weeks of 2022, isolating key workers and staff. Supply chain issues are expected to continue fluctuating parallel to this due to driver availability and ongoing staff shortages.

These uncertain challenges highlight the need for foresight and importance of partnering with a supplier or manufacturer with industry expertise, to help manage fluctuating lead times and negate any foreseeable disruptions to projects.

Furthermore, sustainability will continue to increase in popularity as projects, suppliers and manufacturers look to hybridize their efforts, readying for a more sustainable future. Of course, Kubota has already made strides in this field with its Smart Energy Solutions range that includes LPG and electric powered machines offering high levels of productivity, reduced downtime and low to zero emissions. Perfectly suitable for projects within low emission zones and city centres.

Alongside sustainability, alternative fuels are expected to be high on forthcoming agendas, with reform and entitlement restrictions on the use of red diesel coming into law from April. This huge change to construction is anticipated by Kubota, who is well placed to help customers with this transition, further supporting the idea of partnering with a trusted, industry expert to negate challenges faced across the industry.

A positive for the industry is the expectation of growth around public infrastructure works, which naturally fosters a demand for digging and mini-excavator equipment. This growth is fueled by regional and national infrastructure projects such as HS2 and National Highways construction plans, such as Smart Motorways, as the country continues its efforts to be better connected. Of course, the longevity of projects this size leaves availability for dealers to target the regionalised market to help with local requirements around civil and other works.

So, with the hangover of 2021 to see off, and a wide range of expected fluctuating challenges expected throughout this year, Kubota suggests partnering with an industry expert like itself in order to be fully prepared and have the expertise and foresight needed to approach any difficulties faced. The additional benefit of such a partnership of course means having access to the latest innovative mini-excavator technologies from the number one trusted manufacturer in the U.K.

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.

Course manager receives industry award

/in , /by

Course manager receives industry award: Royal Cinque Ports course manager James Bledge continued a fantastic month for links venues in Kent after being awarded top prize at the BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards sponsored by BIGGA Partners Campey Turf Care Systems.

James was presented with a £750 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Florida, when restrictions allow, on the Campey Turf Care Systems stand at Festival of Turf, which took place on 21 and 22 July 2021 at the Warwickshire Event Centre.

Course manager receives industry award

Course manager receives industry award

Located just a few short miles along the coast from this year’s Open Championship venue, Royal St George’s, the team at Royal Cinque Ports has developed a culture of education and strong communication, led by course manager James, 41.

BIGGA is the members’ association for golf greenkeepers in the United Kingdom and the BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards recognise those BIGGA members who have undertaken outstanding work to further the cause of greenkeepers by promoting their activities through various channels, including the creation of thought-provoking articles for Greenkeeper International, the monthly journal of BIGGA.

James produced a feature that was selected for inclusion in the October 2020 edition of Greenkeeper International. The article touched upon the daily maintenance of the golf course and whether asking golfers to contribute to a course’s upkeep through activities such as raking bunkers detracts from the activities of the greenkeeping team.

Each month BIGGA encourages its members to submit articles for inclusion in Greenkeeper International, with a monthly prize of a £100 education voucher up for grabs, to be redeemed at BIGGA’s annual education programme Continue to Learn, held each January in Harrogate. James was kind enough to donate his voucher to another BIGGA member who would otherwise have been unable to attend.

From the 12 features that were selected for inclusion in the magazine throughout 2020, James’ piece, entitled “The Sands of Time: Should we dump the bunker rakes for good?” attracted praise from the competition judges for discussing a topic that stands in contrast to traditional thinking and sparked debate among readers.

The feature is available to read online here: https://www.bigga.org.uk/news-listing/should-we-dump-the-bunker-rakes-for-good.html

James said: “I was really shocked because I’ve never won anything like this before. I read every new entry that comes in, but I never thought my article was in the same calibre as those. How the article came about was I had a Sunday off, I got up and had a coffee and had a feeling that I wanted to write something. I turned the laptop on and wrote a few words and before I knew it I had enough words to submit for the magazine. It was never intended to enter a competition, it was just something I wanted to get off my mind. There are other guys and girls out there who have a lot to say and I would really encourage them to give it a shot.

“The prize is pretty exceptional and so my thanks go to Campey. We’re lucky in our industry that there are so many manufacturers and sponsors who put a lot of money into things like this. It’s phenomenal that we have all this support and we couldn’t do it without them.”

The BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards continue throughout 2021 with BIGGA members encouraged to submit articles for inclusion in upcoming editions of Greenkeeper International. Head to the BIGGA website for more information.

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.

Kawasaki launches industry first

/in , /by

Kawasaki launches industry first: Kawasaki Motors Europe has launched a resource on its website that makes it easier and quicker for professional gardeners, landscapers and groundsmen to find machines and equipment Powered By Kawasaki wherever they are in Europe.

In an industry first, Kawasaki Motors Europe has introduced a section on its website to showcase participating OEMs ranges of Powered By Kawasaki machines. Meanwhile having a section of the website dedicated to OEM products means customers can see the range of Kawasaki powered machines available from different OEMs all in one place.

Kawasaki launches industry first

Kawasaki launches industry first

Louise Topp, Marketing Manager for Kawasaki Motors Europe who has co-ordinated the unique project, says: “What we wanted to do is streamline the purchasing process for customers. We appreciate how busy professional gardeners, landscapers and groundmen are and how any way to work more efficiently is valued. This is a resource that brings value to both the distribution network and its customers. It’s the only place online where customers can go and see what Powered By Kawasaki product lines are available, from which brands and from where, all on one website. It saves time researching their next purchasing decision and makes the process so much easier and quicker.”

In a nutshell, this resource removes the guesswork, as Louise explains: “If you are looking for a specific brand of mower or brushcutter with a Kawasaki engine you can rely on, then this new functionality makes finding it so much simpler. It can even help you find a brand using a specific engine type, such as Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) engines.

“When the customer identifies a brand and product line they’re interested in, it’s only a couple of steps to enquire and be led to a dealer locator. There’s also the option to enter an ongoing prize-draw to win a powerful brushcutter.”

Most of Kawasaki’s European OEMs are participating, says Louise: “When we explained the concept to them, they responded really favourably, and within weeks over 80 percent wanted to be involved. We have a wide-reaching European professional audience network and we wanted to be able to bring that together with us and our customers. We’ve got a strong platform to do this and it’s been well received. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

One of the OEMs involved is Husqvarna. Kawasaki powers an impressive range of lawncare products from Husqvarna – professional lawn mowers, garden tractors, ride-on mowers and commercial front mowers; and all these lines appear on the Kawasaki website.

Michael Axelsson, Product Marketing Communication – robotics and wheeled of Husqvarna, said of the pages Kawasaki produced for Husqvarna for the initiative: “This looks really good! Impressive ambition from your side – I hope it will be successful for both of us!”

Alongside Husqvarna, taking advantage of this service are many other industry leading turfcare brands.

Louise concludes by saying it’s all about working in partnership: “It’s great working together like this, we have a common goal to make sure customers get the machines they need in the easiest way possible and this provides that.”

The resource is supported by Kawasaki with an advertising and social media campaign to help inform professional gardeners, landscapers and groundsmen across the continent. To find out more visit Kawasaki-engines.eu/en/powered-by-kawasaki

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.

BIGGA & Syngenta to host major industry event

/in , /by

BIGGA & Syngenta to host major industry event: This summer will see the return of BIGGA’s popular Continue to Learn Extra webinar series and kicking off the programme of learning is a talk with industry expert Glenn Kirby about the high levels of leatherjackets and chafer grubs that have caused tremendous damage to many courses during the early part of 2021.

A recent social media survey by BIGGA Partner Syngenta found that during 2020 just 1% of UK golf courses reported no damage due to these insects. Hidden below the surface of the nation’s golf courses, leatherjackets are threatening the enjoyment and economic viability of the sport. Of the 400 course managers who responded to the survey, almost all reported that their course was negatively impacted by an infestation of the larvae of craneflies – also known as leatherjackets – and chafer grubs.

BIGGA & Syngenta to host major industry event

BIGGA & Syngenta to host major industry event

On 13 May BIGGA will be hosting an important industry event, when Syngenta Technical Manager Glenn Kirby will explain the reasons behind the damage and why it is important for the golfing industry to unite to support golf club teams during this distressing time.

Extensive damage to sports turf is caused by the larvae feeding on the turfgrass, while predators can also cause significant and widespread damage as they hunt for these larvae. The impact on a golf course can be serious, with increased costs as greenkeeping teams battle against the damage and the potential for large losses in revenue as golfers choose to play at courses that have been unaffected by the pests. However, unaffected courses are increasingly in the minority.

Alongside the webinar, BIGGA and Syngenta will be distributing a white paper to the golf industry that will provide an in-depth study of the situation including its causes, impact and potential solutions and will also be encouraging golf’s leading bodies to share this information to a wide audience.

This Continue to Learn Extra webinar is free to attend for anyone involved in golf club our course management. You can register for this vital industry event online now on the BIGGA website.

Syngenta’s Glenn Kirby said: “My goal when I started investigating the problem of leatherjackets was to get all golf courses to zero damage, as that’s what is being expected of course managers. But it has become increasingly clear to me that we are going to have to adjust our expectations. We all want perfect surfaces year-round, but without additional tools in our armoury I suspect that may not be a realistic goal.”

The ‘Managing the Leatherjacket Challenge’ webinar kicks off a summer of online learning for BIGGA members, with other webinars being hosted from May until September 2021. Taking a leading role will be management expert Tyler Bloom, while other topics for discussion will include golf course ecology, Women and Girls’ Golf Week and representatives of the European Institute for Golf Course Architects discussing ways of making golf courses more appealing to a wider audience. Head to the BIGGA website for more information.

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.

KAR’s guide for the irrigation industry

/in , /by

KAR’s guide for the irrigation industry: KAR UK, the leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment in the UK, has announced the launch of its new product brochure for 2021/2022.

The new 2021/2022 brochure is now available to download on the KAR UK website or from a company representative.

KAR's guide for the irrigation industry

KAR’s guide for the irrigation industry

From hoses, hose reels, lances and fittings to valves, meters and controllers. From filters and fertigation to drip irrigation and sprinklers, the new brochure features products from the world’s best-known names in water management such as:

  • Hunter
  • Kasco
  • ODIS
  • Amiad
  • Lowara
  • Grundfos
  • Perrot
  • Bermad
  • VDL
  • Rivulis
  • Unidelta
  • Hansen
  • NaanDan
  • Tefen
  • Even Products

Not only does the new brochure contain detailed information about the products but they also include valuable technical advice and prices.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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.