Tag Archive for: Operator

Machine Operator

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Location: United Kingdom with international travel.

Machine Operator

Machine Operator

Are you an enthusiastic individual with experience of working on sports surfaces and looking to take the next step in your career? Join SIS Grass, a global leader in sports surfaces construction and installation.

At SIS Pitches, we’re on a mission to power more play! With offices in the UK, Ireland, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Dubai, we support grassroots sports, education, commercial venues, and professional sports clubs. We pride ourselves on our innovative approach, exceptional customer service, and dedication to excellence.

The Role

As a Machine Operator, you will be primarily responsible for the operation of our SISGrass hybrid installation machinery, ensuring they run efficiently to provide a high-quality finish. Health and safety must be at the forefront of all that you do, whilst keeping track of the work you have performed on the machine.

Key Responsibilities

  • Operate SISGrass hybrid turf installation machinery with precision and efficiency to ensure the highest standards of installation quality (full training will be provided).
  • Deliver installations professionally, in full compliance with client specifications and company standards.
  • Diagnose and resolve mechanical issues promptly and effectively to minimise downtime and maintain productivity.

What We’re Looking For

✔ Strong attention to detail.

✔ A proactive approach and willingness to learn.

✔ Experience working in an international or project-based environment is beneficial.

✔ A key focus on health and safety.

✔ Communication skills.

Why Join Us?

🌍 Be part of a global company that transforms sports venues.
⚽ Work on exciting projects that impact professional and grassroots sports.
📈 Opportunities for career growth and development.
💼 A supportive and dynamic work environment.

Benefits

✨ Company sick pay
✨ Compassionate leave & dependency leave
✨ Healthcare cash plan – Includes discounts from stores and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
✨ Death in service cover

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and contribute to world-class sports infrastructure, apply today!

Apply here

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries.

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The Amenity Forum competition, supported by ICL and Syngenta, seeks to share guidance and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

You could be a lawncare professional in Essex, working on a golf course from Glasgow to Perranporth, treating roadsides or railways in York, or spraying grounds in Cardiff – all are welcome to apply

The Awards’ finalists will be announced at the Amenity Forum Conference in October, with the overall winner presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2026.

Amenity businesses and sports turf managers are urged to actively encourage their sprayer operators to enter the awards this year.

All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.

Along with assessing operators’ skills of spray application and use of products, the ASOOTY judging panel also now incorporate the importance of an integrated turf management (ITM) approach to any issues involving turf and landscape maintenance.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2025 Awards, Amenity Forum Chairman, Ian Graham, announced: “This competition seeks to highlight the remarkable talent that exists within our sector, and I encourage as many spray operators as possible to engage with the process.

“Our industry has many highly skilled spray operators working within it, using a diverse range of products accurately applied through a huge range of complex application equipment. Past winners have ably demonstrated the professional approach to meeting  these challenges.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted: “The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience,” he says.

Last year’s winner, Peter Pattenden, professional spray technician at Carden Park Golf Resort in, Cheshire encourages all sprayer operators to get involved and enter the ASOOTY Awards. Even at a relatively young age, his understanding of the spraying process and exemplary commitment to achieving consistent accuracy was evident.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative, with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it provides a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application across the amenity sector,” he points out.

The entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form, including questions to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

It’s seeking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application

Entries to the ASOOTY Awards 2025 closes on Friday 12 September. The on-line entry form is available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DB9LCNS

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Peter Pattenden announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

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Peter Pattenden announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year: Peter Pattenden, spray tech at the Cheshire championship golf resort, Carden Park, has won the prestigious title of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year.

Peter’s ASOOTY award presentation was made as part of the glittering BIGGA industry awards at BTME in Harrogate this week (21 January 2025), along with the competition’s other finalists, Sarah Phillips of Complete Weed Control (South & Central Wales) and Mark Sippitt of Top Grass UK.

Peter Pattenden announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

Peter Pattenden announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

The ASOOTY awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

The ASOOTY judges particularly praised Peter’s commitment to complete a comprehensive checklist of mechanical and practical points before every application, including calibration of the sprayer and assessment of the specific requirements for any products being used.

“Although only a relatively young age, Peter ably demonstrated a deep understanding of the principles of sprayer mechanics and operation, along with the implication of how any changes could impact on application,” reports Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

“He also showed an excellent awareness of the environmental aspects of good sprayer operation that will mitigate any impact of off-target spray drift or over application. His commitment and attention to achieving accurate application was exemplary and makes him a great role model for other sprayer operators to learn from.”

The judges also highlighted how Peter had embraced new technologies in a move towards precision application to ensure more of the products hit the intended target, as well as adopting digital tools including sprayer set up advice, turf management Apps and application record keeping.

Other ASOOTY finalists at the Awards included Sarah Phillips of Complete Weed Control (South & Central Wales), who was commended for her pioneering work in developing a comprehensive and effective training programme for the company’s spray technicians, which draws on her extensive experience and knowledge as a highly professional operator.

Mark Sippitt, of Warwickshire-based Top Grass UK, was also praised for the way he had successfully developed integrated turf management strategies for lawn treatments including herbicides, iron treatment, nutrition and mechanical controls – where accurate knapsack application was at the centre of the company’s approach. Ongoing training and regular in-house assessment ensures Mark and other Top Grass operatives are always fully up to date with developments and techniques.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Development Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We were once again hugely impressed with all the finalists’ dedication to ensuring every application is made as effectively as possible. They all take exceptional care to achieve a good result, as well as immense pride that they have made a real difference with a job well done.

“This year the Awards have recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Presenting the award at BTME, Ian Graham, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “The skills required to competently apply professional plant protection products are often overlooked. Along with the formal training and accreditation process, there is the experience that takes years to acquire.

“Winners of this award have elevated the application process to an art, be that with a knapsack or a boom sprayer, to help create great playing surfaces  all year round, managing amenity areas efficiently and cost effectively, along with maintaining immaculate lawns for customers,” he adds.

“The Amenity Forum is delighted to work with ICL and Syngenta as the sponsors of this award and would like to congratulate Peter for upholding the highest of professional standards.”

Look out on the Amenity Forum website for more details and entry form for the launch of next year’s ASOOTY and your chance to win.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award: Congratulations to the brilliant finalists of the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award, announced at this year’s Amenity Forum Conference in October.

Selected from the biggest ever entry to the prestigious competition to find the UK’s best sprayer operators across the industry, the finalists through to the next round of judging are:

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Award is organised by the Amenity Forum, with the support and sponsorship of ICL and Syngenta.

Announcing the finalists, Ian Graham, Amenity Forum Chairman said: “Being named a finalist is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and expertise in amenity spraying.”

He also commended all the entrants to the Awards for their hard work and dedication to the amenity industry, which does not go unnoticed. “We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your participation.

“We strongly encourage you to apply again next year, as each entry helps to raise the standards and recognise the excellence in our industry.”

The next stage of the competition will involve individual interviews for the finalists with the judging panel. The overall winner will be announced at the BIGGA Industry Awards during the BTME event in Harrogate in January 2025.

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.

Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

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Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year: Professional spray tech, Dan Waring, has won the prestigious title of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY). Managing all the turf and amenity spraying at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter, he was praised for his meticulous attention to detail and adoption of new technologies to assure accurate application.

Dan’s ASOOTY award presentation was made as part of the glittering BIGGA industry awards at BTME in Harrogate this week (23 January 2024), along with the competition’s other finalists, Conrad Cavill of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon and Bryan Ramsey of Complete Weed Control, Scotland South East.

Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

Dan Waring announced as Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

The ASOOTY awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Having worked for six years at JCB Golf, Dan has been the full-time spray tech for the past three seasons. One of the keys to his success has been continuous professional development, including  a year in the US on the Ohio State programme with an intensive focus on application skills.

He also regularly completes on-line sprayer training courses and tailoring the latest spraying technology and innovations from the agricultural sector to be adopted for amenity application. Working closely with course manager, Callum Wark, Dan’s role has been integral in using accurate application to deliver a full spectrum of conventional and biological plant protection products and nutrition, designed for a successful Integrated Turf Management approach to overall plant health and turf quality.

“I would urge all sprayer operators to undertake as much training as possible, to gain more knowledge on the products being used and the application technology,” he advocated. “That will enable people to be more confident in what they are doing, and give the spray tech’s role the credit it deserves.”

One of his top tips would be to lay out all the products required for the following day’s spraying, in the order they will be mixed, before leaving – so they can be methodically checked again and then added to the tank quickly and efficiently. He will also half fill the tank with clean water and pressure test for any visual leaks, before adding any chemical.

Presenting the award at BTME, Ian Graham, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “The skills required to competently apply professional plant protection products are often overlooked. Along with the formal training and accreditation process, there is the experience that takes years to acquire.

“Winners of this award have elevated the application process to an art, be that with a knapsack or a boom sprayer, to help maintain the amazing playing surfaces that sport has become used to enjoying all year round,” he added.

“The Amenity Forum is delighted to work with ICL and Syngenta as the sponsors of this award and would like to congratulate Dan for upholding the highest of professional standards.”

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Development Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Sean Loakes, Syngenta Technical Manager, advocated the awards reflect the importance of an Integrated Turf Management (ITM) approach to responsible and sustainable turf and landscape maintenance.

“The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications are essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry,” he advised.

“The ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and for everyone to learn from their experience.”

Look out on the Amenity Forum website for more details and entry form for the launch of next year’s ASOOTY and your chance to win.

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.