Tag Archive for: Joins

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

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Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare: Jon Lewis, one of the premier groundscare equipment salesman in the West Midlands, has joined Price Turfcare, in a regional sales management role. Price Turfcare are the UK distributor of the Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor and associated attachments.

Jon has enjoyed a successful 22-year career in the groundscare industry, starting as an operator mowing grass for grounds maintenance contractor Smart Cut, before moving into his first sales role with Parks & Grounds Machinery. He later joined TH White, operating out of their Redditch depot, where he spent five years as area sales manager before joining Lely (now Reesink). After a successful nine years selling Toro products, he moved on to John Deere dealer Farols, again in an area sales management role, before making his latest move to join Rupert Price and the UK Ventrac operation.

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

“I have nothing but praise and respect for Rupert for the way in which in he has bought the Ventrac product to market here in the UK. I have supported him since he launched the business because of his integrity; he simply does right by the customer, they always come first.

“He leads a small but flexible group of people and thoroughly deserves the success he has achieved. To have sold a significant number of machines in the UK from a standing start in 2017 is some achievement, especially when you take into account two years of Covid.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, but also to the opportunities it brings; this is an incredibly versatile machine with a range of attachments that work brilliantly and has so many applications across multiple sectors of the outdoor industry.”

Rupert Price added,

“I’m delighted to have secured Jon’s services and welcome him aboard; he is very well known, not only across the West Midlands, but also throughout the industry. He’s a larger-than-life character and a shrewd businessman who knows this industry inside out! We recently returned from the SAGE event where he slotted into the team perfectly. I have no doubt that he will be a great asset as we grow the business.”

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community: Ariens, a leader in outdoor power equipment, is delighted to announce that it’s joined Made in Britain and will now proudly adorn all petrol zero-turn mowers for the EMEAA market with the iconic Made in Britain mark.

Ariens has an illustrious history of manufacturing machinery in the United States, but, to better meet the needs of its European customers, opened its first zero-turn production line at its UK plant over three years ago. This huge milestone means Ariens is able to manufacture its complete petrol zero-turn line-up of EDGE, IKON XD, APEX and ZENITH mowers – for the EMEAA market in Oxfordshire.

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Made in Britain brings together the best of British manufacturing and only accredited organisations that meet its high standards can use its mark. There is also a growing awareness among consumers of the importance of buying local as recent Covid-19 and Brexit issues have caused supply chain concerns and impacted the quality of imported goods.

Darren Spencer, VP of EMEAA is proud to be part of Made in Britain, “Although we find ourselves in uncertain times, both here and abroad, investing in manufacturing in the UK is critical to ensuring our EMEAA customers continue to receive the quality machinery they expect from Ariens. Being able to brand all of our petrol zero-turn mowers with the Made in Britain mark shows them just that.”

For more information on Ariens and Made in Britain visit ariens.eu

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Craig Housley joins East Riding Turfcare

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Craig Housley joins East Riding Turfcare: We would like to welcome the latest addition to the East Riding Turfcare team, Craig Housley. Craig has joined East Riding Turfcare with a wealth of experience having spent his career working as a groundsman.

Arriving from Lincoln Football FC where he was Head Groundsman for two seasons. Along with his team at Lincoln, Craig was awarded ‘highly commended’ pitch, and achieved ‘Grounds Team of the Year’. Previous to his time at Lincoln, Craig has served as Heads Groundman at Scunthorpe FC and Barnsley FC before previously being Assistant Head Groundsman at Doncaster Rovers for eight years where Craig obtained his sports turf qualifications.

Craig Housley joins East Riding Turfcare

Craig Housley joins East Riding Turfcare

Craig’s long career either as Assistant or Head Groundsman have filled him with the product know-how and knowledge to managing sports turf, We asked Craig what he has learnt most from his time as a groundsman, “In this role I have learned a lot about using the right product at the right time, and how this can be detrimental in the overall look and quality. I also understand the implications that the Great British weather can bring, including forever changing forecasts which can lead to diseases. This knowledge has allowed me to implement a pro-active approach, rather than reactive.”

Craig joins East Riding Turfcare at a really exciting time for the company, joining us as our Winter Sports Area Sales Manager. Following his appointment Craig said, “I now feel as though I am in a position where I have the experience and qualities to assist, advise and guide others in the same or similar roles of my previous job. East Riding Turfcare seemed like the perfect opportunity where I will be able to utilise my football knowledge and transfer my skills set into something different.”

Commenting on Craig’s appointment, Steve Watson, Head of Turfcare & Landscaping for East Riding Turfcare, said: “Craig is a great addition to the East Riding Turfcare team, we’re delighted to welcome him to our team. He has great knowledge of industry products as well as the right experience and passion for the role.”

Outside of work Craig can be found somewhere in his active lifestyle, playing 5 a side football, squash or golf on the odd occasion, whilst enjoying time with his partner and newborn baby.

East Riding Turfcare is a leading provider of professional products, advice and solutions for the Sport Turf industry throughout the UK. Craig started his new role with East Riding Turfcare in May and will be offering technical advice and product recommendations as well as creating tailored sports turf programmes for nutrition and disease control. To arrange a meeting with Craig or to have a chat with him, call 07546 307052 or email craig@eastridingturfcare.co.uk

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Liam Rowlands joins ICL

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Liam Rowlands joins ICL: ICL has appointed Liam Rowlands as a Technical Area Sales Manager, covering South West England and South Wales.

Liam arrives with good knowledge of the industry after working as a greenkeeper for a period of twelve years. Upon leaving school he started his career at Abergele Golf Club, North Wales, under the stewardship of Darren Anderson. He then went onto work at several distinguished clubs including Chester Golf Club, The Grove, and Golfpark de Turfvaert, in the Netherlands. Before joining ICL he progressed to the position of a Deputy Head Greenkeeper.

Liam Rowlands joins ICL

Liam Rowlands joins ICL

“During my twelve years in greenkeeping, I have been fortunate to experience golf courses of many shapes and sizes all with varying levels of expectation,” said Liam. “I feel this gives me a good ability to understand the customers varying needs”. “I’m sure that my experience paired with my education in technical areas will enable me to provide excellent service for both turf managers and distributor partners alike.”

Liam also studied a BSc in Sports Turf Science and Management at Myerscough College where he achieved an impressive 2.1. As part of his degree, Liam conducted a highly regarded dissertation which focussed on the effects of ICL’s Vitalnova SMX on root growth and development on perennial ryegrasses.

“I feel honoured to be representing ICL,” he said. “The company gave me the opportunity to study its SMX product for my thesis when I was at Myerscough College and Andy Owen (International Technical Manager at ICL) was extremely influential throughout the process. It now feels as though my career has come full circle. I am incredibly passionate about ICL products and have seen first-hand how they perform. I hope to take this passion into my role and the regions in which I am operating.”

Outside of work, when Liam is not playing golf, he can be found following Bristol City FC and he also enjoys hiking and camping.

Commenting on Liam’s appointment, Ed Carter, National Sales and Development Manager for ICL, said: “Liam is great addition to the ICL team. He has great knowledge of

our products as well as the right experience and passion for the role. I’m sure he will contribute superbly to driving growth and supporting ICL customers in South West England and South Wales.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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John Deere Gator joins James Martin’s collection

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John Deere Gator joins James Martin’s collection: Renowned chef and television presenter James Martin has become the proud owner of a new John Deere Gator.

Supplied by John Deere dealer Hunt Forest Group from its Chilbolton branch in Hampshire, James now has a 4×4 road legal utility vehicle which is perfect for his outdoor pursuits.

John Deere Gator joins James Martin’s collection

John Deere Gator joins James Martin’s collection

The XUV865M model has a towing capacity of 907kg and has a maximum load weight of 454kg – perfect for heavy or bulky loads. Additionally, it reaches a top speed of 31mph.

Ed Smales, Turf & Construction Sales Director at Hunt Forest Group, said: “It was great to see James and help facilitate him with a machine suitable for exploring the great British countryside that he is such an advocate of.

“The XUV865M Gator is absolutely perfect for James to get around in the Hampshire countryside where he is based. Featuring on-demand 4WD and the highest ground clearance of any of our crossovers, the vehicle frees the driver to focus on what’s ahead and go to places other models can’t in tricky conditions.

“With fully independent suspension, power steering, and top-of-the-line power, capacity and comfort, we think James will be perfectly equipped for new adventures and exploring a variety of terrains in his new vehicle.”

At the handover, James was very pleased with his new purchase, giving it a ringing endorsement in his own personal way.

“It’s a proper piece of kit,” he said.

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