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Masons Kings announces return of Dominic Burt

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Masons Kings announces return of Dominic Burt: Family-run agriculture and professional turfcare dealership, Masons Kings, has announced the return of Dominic Burt as the company’s new General Manager.

The John Deere dealership based in south-west England says this marks a significant step in its commitment to continuing to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions to its customers.

Masons Kings announces return of Dominic Burt

Masons Kings announces return of Dominic Burt

Dominic brings over 35 years of experience in the agricultural and machinery industry, which includes many years previously working for the company. His extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence, makes him an ideal fit for Masons Kings. Dominic’s expertise and vision will be instrumental in guiding the company through its next phase of growth and development.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Dominic back into the Masons Kings family,” said Roger Prior, Director of Masons Kings. “His wealth of experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to expand our product offerings and enhance our customer service. We are confident that Dominic’s leadership will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

In his new role, Dominic will oversee all aspects of Masons Kings’ operations, including sales, service, and support. He will work closely with the team leaders to ensure that the company continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers while maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability that Masons Kings is known for. Dominic’s strong long-standing connections to the agricultural industry, along with his passion to develop and grow the turf division, will be key assets as Masons Kings looks to future-proof the company and maintain its family-run business ethos.

“I am excited to be returning to Masons Kings and lead such a talented team,” Dominic said. “Masons Kings has a long-standing reputation for excellence, and I look forward to contributing to its ongoing success. Together, we will strive to deliver the best possible solutions and support to our customers.”

Dominic’s strong relationships with John Deere and numerous other manufacturers will be invaluable in maintaining Masons Kings’ commitment to providing premium support for their premium products.

Peter Endacott, who has played a vital role in the company, will remain with Masons Kings to help with the transition and focus on his selling role. His continued presence will ensure a smooth transition and sustained excellence in our operations.

Masons Kings has been serving the agricultural and horticultural communities for over 40 years, providing a wide range of machinery, parts, and services. With Dominic at the helm, the company is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation, providing premium support for premium products.

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GGM Group announce addition of Worky Quad

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GGM Group announce addition of Worky Quad: The GGM Group have announced the addition of the Worky-Quad mini loaders to their product range, as one of a series of developments to support their growth into the ARB sector.

The company has been awarded the Cast SSQ Worky-Quad skid steer loader franchise, which was unveiled on the GGM Group’s stand at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show.

GGM Group announce addition of Worky Quad

GGM Group announce addition of Worky Quad

The WorkyQuad range represents a small revolution for the varied needs of having to work in confined spaces within multiple sectors. Thanks to the interchangeability of multiple accessories, SSQ can operate with extreme ease in a variety of locations larger machines just can’t access.

Thanks to the large range of interchangeable accessories, the Worky- Quad can perform multiple tasks, helping to minimise labour whilst improving productivity, allowing the completion of heavy, arduous tasks easily, saving time and costs.

The addition of Worky Quad to the product range follows significant developments in GGM’s entry in to the Arb market, including the expansion of their FSI territories with the addition of Yorkshire to North Wales and North of England, from the Scottish boarder and the recruitment of a new Product Specialist, all within one year of entering this market.

Filippo Zangoni of the Cast Group said:

“We are extremely excited to be working with The GGM Group to offer Worky-Quad to new territories in the UK. The company is long established and has made great inroads in to the Arb sector over the past year. We have previously worked with several members of the team and we know that we will build a fantastic, long lasting relationship.”

The expansion comes 10 months after the group made the first part of their move in to the ARB space after securing a prestigious partnership with FSI, Europe’s Largest manufacturer of stump cutters, becoming the FSI Stump Cutter Dealer for the North West and North Wales with an ambition to  become the tree surgeon’s dealer of choice in the North. The GGM range of Ag & Arb equipment offers high-performing solutions from manufacturers including Kubota, TP Chippers, FSI, Cast, Eliet, Husqvarna and Brian James Trailers.

In further developments, GGM has appointed Matt Bolton as Ag & Arb Product Specialist in a role which will see him working alongside Phil Edmondson (Ag & Arb Product Manager) tasked with taking the GGM range of Ag & Arb equipment out into the field and meeting customers.

Chris Gibson  said

“The GGM Group are thrilled to include Worky-Quad in to our product range and we are delighted to be appointed as the Dealer for the North of England and North Wales.

“GGM already have a reputation for offering the customer an exceptional level of service, both before, during and after sales, welcoming Matt to the team brings additional skills and knowledge to compliment this existing expertise offering our Ag and Arb customers a bespoke solution to their machinery needs”

“Both our Colne and Haydock workshops have highly skilled in-house and mobile Service Technicians with vast experience in all kinds of grounds maintenance and ag & arb machinery who along with our dedicated well stocked and knowledgeable parts team offers customers the high level of aftersales service you expect.”

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SALTEX announces first round of speakers

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SALTEX announces first round of speakers: SALTEX is renowned for its exceptional range of professional development opportunities, showcased through its industry-leading Learning LIVE programme. 

This year, over 20 industry pioneers, technical specialists, and experts will speak across three stages, including the brand-new Community Sports Stage, over two days – making it the largest free live learning event in the sector. Many visitors cite Learning LIVE, which also offers the opportunity to gain CPD points, as a key reason for attending the show.

SALTEX announces first round of speakers

SALTEX announces first round of speakers

The Main Stage will feature discussions on the latest hot topics and issues, engaging visitors in the big conversations of the moment. Day one highlights include Lee Guerriero, UEFA Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert, presenting the ‘UEFA EURO 2024 Pitch Quality Review’.

He said: “I’m excited to share the UEFA 2024 Pitch Quality Support Program with the visitors at SALTEX. My session will cover the program’s strategy, findings, and learnings, offering insights from the main stadia to the training pitches used throughout this year’s tournament.”

Also on day one, Robert Sullivan, CEO of The Football Foundation, will discuss ‘Funding The Future of Sport’.

Day two on the Main Stage will feature Professor David James, Group CEO at LABOSPORT Group, delivering the ‘FIFA Football Turf Quality Programme’.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be sharing my insights at SALTEX once again. Working closely with FIFA, I help shape new standards and test methods for football infrastructure. This talk will offer an exciting overview of FIFA’s innovative approach to enhancing the quality of football turf surfaces.”

Additionally, Mark Ferguson, Agronomist at All England Lawn Tennis Club,  will present on ‘Raising Tennis Surfaces Standards – From Grassroots to Major International Championships’. His session will cover the expanding grass court season, grass court characteristics, grassroots venues, preparation for Wimbledon, and the growth of grass court tennis.

SALTEX will also see the return of the Spotlight Stage, featuring crowd-pullers in an ask-the-experts-style forum. On day one, Paul Bannister, with 28 years of experience in commercial horticulture, landscaping, and sports turf industries, will deliver ‘How to Provide a Safe Working Environment – Are You Compliant?’.

Day two will see Professor John Moverley OBE, former executive chairman of the UK Amenity Forum, present ‘Principles & Practices of Sustainable Amenity Management’. This session will review policy drivers, key elements of sustainable management, and integrated approaches to management and operational practice.

Geoff Fenn, Research & Development Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, will also present ‘Independent Turfgrass Research – Latest Results’, sharing insights from his extensive experience in turf management.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial and Events at the Grounds Management Association, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this year’s SALTEX, especially the Learning LIVE schedule. It’s always great to see so many industry-leading professionals come together to share their knowledge. Our aim is to create sessions where everyone feels welcome and can take something extra away with them, we believe this year’s lineup  of speakers and sessions will do just that. There’s something here for everyone.”

For more information on SALTEX 2024 and to register for the event, please visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/.

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Heart of Midlothian F.C. Embraces the Dennis ES-34R

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Heart of Midlothian F.C. Embraces the Dennis ES-34R: In the ever-evolving landscape of sports turf management, combining sustainability and efficiency are becoming paramount for professionals like Colin Davie, Head Groundsman for Heart of Midlothian F.C.

In a recent move towards greener practices, Colin has invested in a Dennis ES-34R rotary mower, heralding a new era in pitch maintenance for the club.

Heart of Midlothian F.C. Embraces the Dennis ES-34R

Heart of Midlothian F.C. Embraces the Dennis ES-34R

Heart of Midlothian’s pitch, a state-of-the-art SIS hybrid pitch installed in 2018, demands meticulous care and attention. With only a small team comprising himself and assistant David, finding equipment that delivers both performance and reliability is essential. Colin’s journey towards embracing battery-powered equipment began with a growing awareness of the need to reduce the club’s carbon footprint.

“I feel that it is the correct way to go,” says Colin, reflecting on the shift towards battery-powered machinery. “I’m under pressure the whole time to move away from petrol equipment so it was about time to see what was out there.”

The decision to invest in the Dennis ES-34R was solidified after rigorous testing against other battery-powered rotary mowers. Colin notes, “I had a few electric rotaries on demonstration, one of them being the Dennis ES-34R, and the Dennis stood out by quite a way.”

The Dennis ES-34R, a 34″ (860mm) battery-powered twin-blade rotary mower, with lithium-ion battery technology has been designed for mowing and cleaning operations. Its contra-rotating hardened steel blades ensure maximum collection performance. Moreover, its weatherproof colour LCD programmable display and keypad provide operators like Colin with vital information, including ground speed and battery charge level.

Colin is full of praise for the ES-34R, citing its ease of use and long-lasting battery as standout features. “It’s nice not to have to go away to the garage and waste time having to get fuel,” he remarks. “I have every bit of faith that a battery will cut the whole pitch every time on a single charge.”

One of Colin’s favourite features is the toggle switch, which enhances usability. “My favourite feature on it is the toggle switch, which works like a clutch, so you operate that with your thumb, and it’s just very easy to use and manoeuvre the machine,” he explains.

While colin’s trusty Dennis G860 petrol cylinder mowers remain integral to matchday preparation, the ES-34R excels in cleaning up and achieving an impeccable finish. “They do a brilliant job at hoovering up all the debris,” Colin notes. “But the finish on the ES-34R is incredible too. You could use the ES-34R on a matchday to prepare the pitch; it is that good.

“I also like how you can control walking speed, cutting speed and adjust the height of cut very easily. It is a very good setup,” he concludes.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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BASF – at the forefront of research and development

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BASF – at the forefront of research and development: Professional turf care is an art form that requires skill, precision and high-performance products to be successful.

Sometimes even the most experienced and skilled greenkeepers have been let down by their products, which is why BASF invests heavily in cutting-edge technology and the best experts in the business to ensure that its solutions are ahead of the game, providing exactly what is needed and when.

BASF – at the forefront of research and development

BASF – at the forefront of research and development

Whether a golf course manager, agronomist, farmer or landscape architect, many professionals rely on effective products that keep turf free of diseases, pests and weeds through every season.

With the backing of thousands of employees worldwide, BASF is perfectly positioned to create a powerful portfolio of product solutions that can be tailored to meet the demands of every turf landscape. Effective and efficient research and development underpins every solution that BASF creates, and it is not a company that is content to rest on its laurels. It constantly invests in the growing opportunities that digitalisation and supercomputing power offers, meaning that it constantly maintains its place as an industry leader. In fact, it invested 2.1 billion euros into research and development expenses last year alone, with 1000 products being patented.

For example, brand-new product Maxtima was launched at BTME 2024 by BASF Turf, a new cutting-edge demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide. This crop safe solution was devised after BASF’s scientists discovered new enzyme assays in their research.

Rob Gladwin, head of technical management for UK said: “The assays test the efficacy with which the DMI chemistry, which includes azoles, inhibit the fungal target site, CYP51 –– blocking this enzyme prevents a fungal cell from producing ergosterol causing it to die.

“Together, the team discovered a unique property of an entirely new family of triazoles –– this molecule has a ‘hook’. It’s an isopropanol linker. This moiety is a small part of the larger molecule and it’s unique for a DMI. We synthesised it and noticed very strong fungicidal effects.”

The launch of Maxtima pays testament to the cutting-edge research and development that the BASF team undertakes every day. In fact, BASF’s researchers are working on hundreds of products at any one time, with research centres in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Furthermore, BASF collaborates with a global network of top universities, research institutes and companies, giving direct access to external scientific expertise, talented minds from various disciplines, as well as new technologies. This helps to quickly develop targeted, marketable innovations, strengthening its portfolio with creative new projects and reaching its targets for worldwide expertise and growth.

To find out more about BASF’s industry-leading turf products, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-innovation/Turf/

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