Tag Archive for: Launches

Bernhard Academy launches Turf Equipment Technicians Conference

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Bernhard Academy launches Turf Equipment Technicians Conference: The Bernhard Academy is excited to announce the launch of its first-ever Turf Equipment Technicians Conference. The dedicated one-day event is designed to support and celebrate the vital role of turf equipment technicians, equipment managers, and professionals in greenkeeping and grounds maintenance.

Taking place on Tuesday, 23 September, at the Bernhard Academy located within Bernhard and Company’s manufacturing headquarters in Haverhill, this industry-focused conference is officially endorsed by the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO) and aims to deliver specialist education and training tailored to the unique needs of turf equipment professionals.

Bernhard Academy launches Turf Equipment Technicians Conference

Bernhard Academy launches Turf Equipment Technicians Conference

Conference Programme Highlights

  • The importance of being sharp – A presentation by Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, highlighting the importance of education in supporting the dedication of turf professionals.
  • Cutting Unit Adjustment – Led by Stuart Hall, Customer Services Manager for Bernhard and Company, and former Equipment Manager, offering hands-on tips and techniques.
  • Electrics Fault-Finding Masterclass – Hosted by Barry Drennan, Programme Leader for Technical and Equipment Management at Bernhard Academy.
  • Effective Communication Techniques – An interactive session led by Phil Helmn, Programme Leader for Agronomy, Leadership, and Management.
  • Manufacturing Facility Tour – An inside look at the process behind Bernhard’s market-leading grinders.
  • 2025 US Open Insights – A special session with James Breeze, recipient of the Bernhard Academy Technical Support Volunteer Initiative, discussing his experiences at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, hosted by Phil Helmn.

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy emphasised the importance of education in industry growth: “At the Bernhard Academy, we’re committed to investing in professional development and working collaboratively to advance the turf industry. This conference not only provides vital training but also presents invaluable networking and shared learning opportunities.”

The TETO leadership team added: “We’re thrilled to see Bernhard Academy acknowledge the critical contribution of equipment technicians. This event underscores the value that skilled and educated team members bring to turf care. By endorsing this conference and encouraging our network of technicians to attend, we hope to establish this event as a regular fixture in the industry calendar.”

Steven Nixon, Managing Director at Bernhard and Company commented: “This conference presents a key milestone in our mission to build sustainable learning pathways. Skilled technicians are essential to delivering the elite-level surfaces expected in today’s sports world. It’s vital we continue attracting and training new talent to ensure the industry’s long-term success.”

All attendees will receive:

  • Voucher to complete an online Abrasive Wheel Certificate (IIRSM-certified, aligning with HSG 17 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974)
  • Certificate of Attendance
  • BIGGA CPD Credits

BIGGA members are eligible for £50 discount. To claim your code, email hello@bernhardacademy.co.uk with your name and membership number.

For more information, visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses/turf-equipment-technicians-conference

To find out more about the wide range of agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership programmes on offer at the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

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Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder: British garden machinery brand Webb has expanded its electric tools portfolio with the introduction of the WEISWB Electric Garden Shredder – a high-performance 2500W impact shredder designed to make garden waste reduction fast, safe, and efficient.

Ideal for medium-sized gardens, the shredder combines robust cutting power with a compact, user-friendly design. Its 2500W motor drives steel blades at an impressive 4500rpm, effortlessly handling branches up to 45mm in diameter. The result is fine, nutrient-rich mulch that’s ideal for composting or improving soil quality in flowerbeds and vegetable plots.

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

“This is a strong addition to the Webb range and perfectly timed as consumers increasingly seek electric garden tools that deliver performance without compromise,” says Mark Moseley, Sales & Marketing Director at Handy. “The WEISWB has been developed to support garden clearance across seasons, providing a dependable and commercially attractive solution for our retail partners.”

Featuring a practical design, the WEISWB includes a 40-litre collection box to minimise downtime, a removable hopper for easy feeding, and a large on/off switch for straightforward operation. For added safety, a locking lever prevents access to cutting components during use, while built-in overload protection automatically cuts power if the machine becomes jammed.

Portable, with large integrated wheels, the shredder is easy to move and store, making it a smart choice for gardeners with limited space. Suitable for beginners or experienced garden enthusiasts, the WEISWB offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for year-round garden clearance.

Retail-ready with eye-catching packaging and full POS support available, the WEISWB is available now for trade orders.

To learn more about the Webb range or to purchase at trade pricing, visit: https://webbgardenpower.co.uk/become-a-webb-stockist/

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GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

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GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event: The first ever GroundsFest Academy event has been hailed a huge success, as delegates from across the industry gathered for a free day of hands-on education at DLF UK’s state-of-the-art facility. With a packed schedule of insightful sessions and interactive learning, the event marked the beginning of a new era in accessible, high-quality training for the grounds care and landscaping sectors.

The day kicked off with a welcome reception and a full introduction to DLF and the hosts for the day, followed by a series of educational activities including seed and grass plant identification, germination tests, and a pre-germination session. After a tour of the DLF site, the afternoon was dedicated to sowing, aftercare and maintenance techniques, rounded off with a recap and open Q&A.

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

Each session was designed to give attendees practical skills and a deeper understanding of seed science – knowledge they could take away and apply immediately in their work. From seasoned professionals to volunteers and educators, the event offered something for everyone.

David Newell, Deputy Head Groundsman at Reading FC, praised the event’s unique approach:

“You never know what to expect from a new event but it has been really educational. It’s different to anything you get anywhere else – learning all about the different varieties of seed, what they do and why they do it, has been fantastic. The wildflower seeding talk was very educational too. Our football club wants to start doing that, so hopefully I can take that back and give something back to Reading FC.”

For Jo Shepherd, Horticulture Apprenticeship Skills Coach at Windsor College, the day was a valuable upskilling opportunity:

“I teach horticulture apprentices – many of them love turf – and my background is more in garden design and maintenance, so I wanted to upskill myself to better support them.

Identifying grasses was a great experience; it’s much harder than plant ID. Seeing the site and understanding the production side was really helpful too.”

The event also attracted professionals from outside of traditional turf roles. Rich Young, Product Director at Mowd, highlighted the networking and CPD value:

“DLF are one of our seed suppliers, so seeing their operation and the science behind it was eye-opening. It’s reassuring to know our customers are getting the best. But for me, the value came from networking and learning – that’s going to benefit me and the business throughout the year.”

Mike Green, a volunteer groundsman at Winterborne Cricket Club, represented the grassroots level of the industry and found the day equally rewarding:

“Free educational days like this are a massive help for volunteers like me. I picked up loads of useful info, spoke to people working in sports turf, and just found the day incredibly beneficial. It’s been a really successful day for me.”

The GroundsFest Academy is the latest initiative from the team behind GroundsFest, made possible through reinvestment of profits from the show directly back into the industry.

Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for GroundsFest Academy, said:

“There’s a big skills gap in the industry, and the GroundsFest Academy has been created to help address that. Whether someone is new to the sector or has decades of experience, these events are designed to support ongoing development. Seeing everyone smiling, learning and sharing knowledge today has been incredible – and it’s just the beginning.”

Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand Manager at DLF UK, added:

“We felt honoured to be asked to host the first event. It’s great to show what we do, but even better to contribute to education and understanding in the industry. It is good to give something back to the industry. From wildflower seeds to sports turf, we want to help people improve their work through better knowledge.”

This is just the first of many free educational events from the GroundsFest Academy, with future events already planned.

Keep an eye out for announcements on upcoming GroundsFest Academy events – and take your place at the forefront of industry education.

Registration to GroundsFest 2025 is now open. Please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Origin launches Appli-Tec 2000 Rotary Spreader

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Origin launches Appli-Tec 2000 Rotary Spreader: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) is proud to unveil the latest addition to its precision turf care range, the Appli-Tec 2000 Rotary Spreader, which has a 25kg hopper capacity.

Designed for accuracy, consistency, and even distribution of granules, this market-leading spreader sets a new standard for greenkeepers, grounds managers, and sports pitch professionals.

Origin launches Appli-Tec 2000 Rotary Spreader

Origin launches Appli-Tec 2000 Rotary Spreader

The Appli-Tec 2000 rotary spreader uses a patented helical cone system to provide turf managers with an accurate, consistent, and even distribution of granules across all turf areas.

Robustly constructed with an improved build and stainless-steel frame, the Appli-Tec 2000 combines durability with enhanced functionality and is regarded as a reliable and trusted choice for professional fertiliser application.

Whether used on golf courses, football pitches or public amenity grounds, users can expect exceptional results that support healthy, high-performing turf.

As one of the UK’s leading providers of turf management solutions, OAS brings together a portfolio of industry-recognised brands and technical expertise to support the management of natural turf and landscape environments. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer support, OAS delivers tailored solutions to the UK’s amenity, sports, and landscape sectors.

For more information on the benefits of the Appli-Tec 2000 or to place an order, call 0800 138 7222 or email sales@originamenity.com.

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EGO launches first robotic mowers

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EGO launches first robotic mowers: EGO Power+ is adding not one, but two robotic lawnmowers to its portfolio of battery-powered outdoor power equipment.

EGO’s first robotic tools, the RM4000E and the RM2000E can automate mowing for lawns up to 4000m2 and 2000m2 respectively, meaning users can now sit back and let the mower do the leg work.

EGO launches first robotic mowers

EGO launches first robotic mowers

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO comments: “Re-defining the way that our customers can care for their lawns, our GPS-supported boundary wire robotic mowers use three pivoting blades to deliver a 24cm cutting width, combined with some innovative mowing features, they offer outstanding cutting performance.”

The EGO robotic mowers are part of a select few boundary wire machines on the market to provide systematic mowing, which delivers a more efficient working practice. The systematic mowing feature enables the mower to cut grass systematically in parallel tracks, providing the most efficient coverage, especially in complex lawn layouts. Likewise, the smart GPS navigation promotes even coverage and reduces wear on the lawn around the charging station. RM2000E and RM4000E are capable of navigating gradients of up to 50%, in challenging and complex spaces.

Users benefit from a choice of simple control settings, with the schedule and mowing settings of both mowers easily adjusted by an intuitive 3.5-inch colour touchscreen display. Also fully connected, the mowers can also be optimised for remote control using the EGO Connect App. Adding the mower to the app offers full live status visibility of the mower via a cellular data connection – meaning the mower is always accessible, wherever you are in the world.

Andrew continues: “By using the EGO Connect app, users can see a map of their lawn, the mower’s live location and details of what areas have been covered so far. And for enhanced usability, the remote-control function in the app enables users to tell the robot mower to drive, park, pause or schedule its work time. Other features, such as changing the LED colour, weather features and software updates enable users to customise their mower and keep it up to date.”

The robot mowers also incorporate advanced sensing and monitoring capabilities, rain, lift and tilt sensors to protect the user, lawn and machine during operation; and GPS tracking to provide advanced warning and traceability in the event of theft.

The RM4000E retails at £2099 and the RM2000E retails at £1699.

For more information visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/robotic-mowers

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