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GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

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GreenMech goes to the heart of operations: The purchase of an Arborist 150D Max from GreenMech has changed operations for the Heart of England Forest, providing usable woodchip to projects across their 7,500 acres of forest habitat.

As the only woodchipper on their fleet, the purchase in February 2024 is compact yet powerful enough to tackle coppicing projects and pruning works as the charity strive to create and manage woodland across Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

The Heart of England Forest (HOEF) is looking to create and manage a 30,000 acre forest with the aim of restoring forest cover, biodiversity and peoples connection with nature. Ian Hayward is a Senior Forest Ranger and works with a 21-strong forestry team on the broad range of maintenance needed in a woodland setting. “In the summer we’re access mowing our trail networks, looking after our young trees or conducting biodiversity surveys, then in winter it’s tree planting and maintenance, including coppicing and selective thinning – which is where our new GreenMech woodchipper comes in” he explains.

“As a local company to us, and proud British manufacturer, GreenMech was our first port of call and the machines we saw seriously impressed. After trying a couple of models, we opted for the Arborist 150D Max – diesel-powered, capable of processing all the by-products from our forestry work, and meeting both our budget and the needs of the team.”

The 150D Max is the latest addition to GreenMech’s Arborist range, one of the most successful and sought-after 6” chipper collections on the market. Powered by a 25hp Kubota diesel engine, the Arborist 150D Max utilises GreenMech’s disc-blade chipping technology and ‘No-Stress’ in-feed system to offer reliable, durable performance on timber and bushy brash.

Ian goes on to emphasise the simplicity of both the purchase process and the chippers operation. “We received training on the machine and the team find its straight-forward operation a really positive feature. The communication we’ve had from GreenMech throughout has been top-notch, especially from Neal Hussey who went out of his way to help us throughout the procurement process.”

“It’s currently our only chipper and will be really helpful when we’re doing coppicing projects as well as being utilised for clearance of material from tree safety and pruning work.” He continues, “As the forest grows, the amount of maintenance will increase the demand for the Arborist 150D Max with things like selective thinning needed more frequently. Here, we can turn the top end brash into woodchip for use on our woodland trails.”

“With this woodchipper we will be able to handle greater volumes of material and repurpose it for more positive projects – it will change how we operate.”

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Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

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Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce the induction of Andy Jackson, Grounds Manager at Stoke City Football Club, into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations.

This honour recognises Andy’s outstanding contributions to both professional and grassroots football over the past three decades.

Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

Andy has been a cornerstone of the grounds management industry, dedicating almost 30 years to ensuring the pitches at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium and Clayton Wood Training Ground are among the best in the country. His commitment to the industry has earned him a reputation beyond Stoke City, including the recruitment by FIFA to manage pitches for high-profile international events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Andy’s impact extends far beyond the professional arena – for more than 12 years, he has been a driving force in improving grassroots football pitches across Staffordshire, providing invaluable support and mentorship to local clubs and volunteers. His involvement in grassroots football began with the early incarnation of the FA Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) in 2012 and has since continued with the Pitch Advisory Service (PAS), formerly the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP).

During this time, Andy has made incredible contributions to the football community in Staffordshire, assisting in the improvement of around 65 grassroots football sites, equating to more than 150 pitches. His work has not only involved hands-on pitch care but also the preparation of detailed reports offering clubs actionable advice and access to his network within the turf maintenance industry.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Andy’s induction into the GMA Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication to the grounds management industry.

His passion, not only at Stoke City but also in grassroots football, has left a lasting legacy that clubs will benefit from in years to come. His contributions go beyond the technical aspects of the job; he has been a mentor and an advocate for raising the standards of pitches across Staffordshire and surrounding areas for over a decade. We are incredibly proud to honour him as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations and look forward to seeing his continued influence on the next generation of groundskeepers.”

Andy has been instrumental in supporting Staffordshire FA through initiatives such as CPD evenings at Stoke City’s facilities and by assisting with the delivery of pitch improvement workshops for volunteer groundskeepers. His willingness to voluntarily give up his time to share his expertise has made a lasting impact on the quality of grassroots football in the county.

Kevin Staples, Head of Delivery at the Staffordshire FA said: “Andy has been an integral part in Staffordshire FA’s Pitch Improvement programme since 2012. His knowledge, expertise and commitment to the programme has enabled numerous clubs, leagues and individuals to improve their grass pitches and the overall experience for participants in the game. The impact he has had on volunteers across the county has been immeasurable, with the time he has taken to educate and advise something we cannot thank him enough for. On behalf of the Staffordshire FA and Grassroots Football we are proud to see Andy being inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame.”

Andy Jackson, Stoke City Grounds Manager and GMA Hall of Fame Inductee said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame, especially during the Association’s 90th anniversary. It is a privilege to come to work here at Stoke City every day, where we take great pride in the work we do within the grassroots football community. To see the impact we’ve made together, improving pitches and the game for players at all levels, is really rewarding.”

Kevin Duffill, former GMA Regional Pitch Adviser said: “This award is fantastic recognition of Andy’s dedication to the profession and his achievements over the last 29 years. Beyond his exceptional work on the stadium pitch, he has played a pivotal role in the development of Clayton Wood, especially as the number of teams has grown, including female football. I also recall the many Staffordshire FA workshops hosted there under Andy’s guidance. One standout memory is when a club with a 12-acre site attended a session and asked how to best spend their £500 budget. That same club went on to win both County FA and GMA awards.”

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SALTEX announces retirement of Derek Walder

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SALTEX announces retirement of Derek Walder: SALTEX, the UK’s premier event for the grounds management professionals and volunteers, announces the retirement of ‘Mr SALTEX’, Derek Walder – its long-standing Operations Manager.

He will step down following SALTEX 2024 on the 30th and 31st of October at the NEC Birmingham, marking his 42nd and final exhibition.

SALTEX announces retirement of Derek Walder

SALTEX announces retirement of Derek Walder

Derek’s career spans more than six decades, beginning in the early 1960s in horticulture as a gardener on a private estate in Sussex. His love for working on lawns then led him to become Assistant Head Greenkeeper at a golf course in Hertfordshire. In 1970, he became the Grounds Manager at a major sports field complex in Southwest London, famously used as the training ground for Wimbledon FC during the “Crazy Gang” era.

His involvement with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) dates back to 1969 when he joined the then-National Association of Groundsmen. His first engagement with SALTEX came as a volunteer when the show was held at Motspur Park, Southwest London. After eight years of volunteering, Derek took on the role of Operations Manager when the exhibition moved to Windsor Racecourse in 1979. Over the decades, he has watched SALTEX evolve first-hand, overseeing its tenancies at Windsor, Peterborough, and the NEC, Birmingham.

During his time with the GMA, Derek has held positions of General Secretary and Chairman and his dedication to the industry has been widely recognised, earning him a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1988 for services to groundsmanship. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the GMA Industry Awards and, in the same year, he was awarded up the ‘Unsung Hero’ award by the Association of Event Organisers. Derek was subsequently inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame in 2021 as an acknowledgement of an illustrious career in the industry spanning more than half a century.

Speaking on his upcoming retirement, Derek said: “Looking back at SALTEX, I never imagined that on a cold autumn day in 1979, when we arrived at Windsor Racecourse for the ‘Windsor Exhibition’, I’d still be involved 42 years later. Over those years, we have seen so many changes in the industry of which the exhibition has adapted to, and for 56 of those years I was in the profession so I could appreciate what needed from a visitor perspective. Even now, I still get the same buzz when the doors open as I did in 1979.”

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said: “Derek’s dedication to SALTEX and the grounds management industry has been remarkable. His expertise and leadership have played a vital role in shaping the exhibition into the premier platform it is today. His legacy extends far beyond the various roles he has held within the GMA – he is embedded in the culture of grounds management, having served most notably with the ‘Crazy Gang’. Over the years, what has stood out to me is Derek’s passion for SALTEX, which he has developed as a personal commitment. His work has provided the GMA with a strong foundation for the future. What many people may not know is the incredible amount of voluntary work Derek has done for both the association and SALTEX, of which we are grateful for and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

SALTEX 2024 will be an opportunity for the industry to celebrate Derek’s contributions and to honour his dedication not only to the exhibition but to the industry as a whole. Register for your free ticket now: https://www.saltex.org.uk/.

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Makita’s new range of XGT chainsaws

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Makita’s new range of XGT chainsaws: Makita has expanded its impressive chainsaw collection with the launch of the UC022G, UC024G, UC025G and UC026G 40VMax XGT Rear-Handle Brushless Chainsaws. As part of Makita’s powerful XGT series, the new chainsaws combine power, efficiency, and convenience for effortlessly tackling cutting tasks both large and small.

All the new models are built on Makita’s advanced 40VMax XGT platform to deliver robust performance and extended runtimes and each have been manufactured with the same body and motor design. The key differences between each model sits with the choice of chain bar lengths that are available – the UC022G at 350 mm, the UC024G at 300 mm, the UC025G at 350 mm and the UC026G at 400 mm. Furthermore, the UC022G doesn’t require any tools for chain tensioning thanks to the easy operable handle for tool-less adjustment, whilst the UC024G, UC025G, and UC026G utilise captive bar nuts.

Makita's new range of XGT chainsaws

Makita’s new range of XGT chainsaws

At the heart of the new chainsaws is a high-powered brushless motor that generates an outstanding 1.6kW of maximum output power that is comparable to 35cc 2 stroke petrol chainsaw. This impressive speed allows the blade to cut through the thickest branches with chain speeds up to 25.5m/s.

Operators will enjoy the improved trigger response rate that provides acceleration from ‘Trigger ON’ to full speed in under one second. Furthermore, should the chain lock due to load, the tool is able to restart immediately upon removing the blade from the load, without the need to retrigger, making it possible to resume cutting operations straight away.

As users would expect from the leading power tool manufacturer, Makita has included several thoughtful features into the design of these machines. Each has a highly visible felling line as well as an onboard automatic oiler with an adjustable flow rate. For user comfort and optimal handling, the models are equipped with an ergonomic soft grip that reduces vibration and fatigue during prolonged use. Their lightweight design further improves manoeuvrability and control, making them easier to handle in various cutting conditions, and safety features include a chain brake for added protection against kickback as well as a protective hand guard.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “These lightweight cordless machines are a perfect companion for those needing to work on a range of different cutting applications with both speed and efficiency. With zero emissions, lower noise, and a brushless motor system that ensures you get all the power you need, when you need it while reducing the need for ongoing maintenance, the new XGT chainsaws are a fantastic addition to our powerful and expanding 40VMax XGT portfolio.”

To find out more about Makita’s XGT Outdoor Power Equipment, please visit: www.makitauk.com

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Green-tech Shortlisted for Sustainable Product of the Year

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Green-tech Shortlisted for Sustainable Product of the Year: Green-tech is thrilled to announce that it has been shortlisted in the prestigious Pro Landscaper’s Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards in the “Sustainable Product of the Year—Hard Landscaping” category.

The company has been shortlisted for the TreeParker® System, an innovative urban tree planting and water Management Cell System.

Green-tech Shortlisted for Sustainable Product of the Year

Green-tech Shortlisted for Sustainable Product of the Year

“This recognition highlights Green-tech’s commitment to promoting sustainability in the landscaping sector through innovative products that benefit both the environment and the industry”, Green-tech’s Managing Director Kris Nellist comments.

The awards celebrate the landscaping industry’s most sustainable companies and projects, recognising their contributions to environmental leadership. The 2024 awards received a record number of high-quality entries, making Green-tech’s achievement even more commendable. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony during FutureScape 2024, held at ExCeL London on Tuesday, 15th October.

Green-tech, the UK’s leading supplier to the forestry, landscape, and construction sectors, is known for sourcing, stocking, and delivering products that enhance the landscape environment. Kris, adds, “Over the past five years or so, Green-tech has focused on sourcing products with strong environmental credentials, continually evolving our range to provide sustainable solutions for our customers. This dedication to sustainability and innovation is reflected in the product we have been shortlisted for – The TreeParker® System.”

TreeParker® is a versatile Urban Tree Planting & Water Management Cell System that has been engineered to address the well-documented challenges of urban tree planting, from traffic loading to pavement lifting, while seamlessly integrating essential utilities. Distributed exclusively in the UK by Green-tech, TreeParker® offers a smart combination of Green, Grey, and Blue solutions.

As Green-tech celebrates its 30th anniversary, the company has marked the occasion by raising £30,000 for five charities closely connected to the business. This milestone reaffirms Green-tech’s ongoing dedication to making a positive impact on both the community and the environment.

Business Development Director Mark Wood, summarises, “Green-tech’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the landscaping sector has been unwavering. By providing cutting-edge solutions like TreeParker®, we endeavour to support landscape architects, designers, and contractors in making environmentally responsible choices and helping to create greener, more sustainable urban spaces. Being shortlisted for this award is positive endorsement of what we are doing as a business.”

For further information on Green-tech and their products, please visit www.green-tech.co.uk.

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