Tag Archive for: Technical

Syngenta appoints new Biologicals Technical Manager

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Syngenta appoints new Biologicals Technical Manager: With the growing importance of biological products to enhance the agronomy of professional turf management and production of high-quality ornamentals, Syngenta has created a new dedicated role of Biologicals Technical Manager, to further develop the exciting new technologies.

The company has appointed the experienced research scientist, Dr Hui (Eric) Chen, to support and develop the integration of biological products within the Syngenta Professional Solutions team across Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME).

Syngenta appoints new Biologicals Technical Manager

Syngenta appoints new Biologicals Technical Manager

Eric graduated in crop and soil sciences from Beijing Forestry University in China, before continuing education and research at Michigan State and Rutgers University in the US. He gained his PhD in plant biology with emphasis on turfgrass management from Rutgers University.

During his work in the US, Eric had also pioneered new techniques and published numerous research papers to enhance management of turfgrass stress due to biotic and abiotic factors.

Since moving to Europe and the UK, Eric has worked as a research scientist at the internationally acclaimed STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute) at Bingley in Yorkshire. He has been involved with collaborative university and commercial businesses to instigate, trial and develop precision plant management tools and techniques.

Commenting on his appointment, Eric said: “I admire Syngenta’s commitment to sustainability and constant striving to improve the ways that customers’ can successfully manage plants, through its ongoing investment in R&D.”

“I believe my experience and perspective will help Syngenta to build its capabilities quickly and effectively in the biologicals arena, for both turf and ornamentals.”

Syngenta Product Biology Lead for Professional Solutions, Marcel Breedeveld, added: “Biological products undoubtedly have an increasingly important role in practical agronomic decisions. However, their use has to be based on robust and reliable science to enable effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Eric’s skills and knowledge will ensure we can develop better and more sustainable long-term solutions for our customers over the coming seasons.”

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Technical Managers join Headland Amenity

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Technical Managers join Headland Amenity: To support continued growth and development as part of Origin Amenity Solutions, Headland Amenity have announced the appointment of two new Technical Managers in the form of Laurence McCrory and Jack Hawkes.

Both will be responsible for delivering Headland’s sound and scientific advice and guidance on product selection, Laurence to customers in the South of England, and Jack to Sports Turf Managers in the South and Central regions.

Technical Managers join Headland Amenity

Technical Managers join Headland Amenity

Laurence has been in the turf care industry for 26 years, holding various positions at a number of golf courses including his most recent role as Course Manager at Castle Royle Golf Club in Reading. Having been an avid user of Headland products throughout his career, Laurence relished the opportunity to combine his knowledge and passion for the industry with a change of direction in his career with this new role – providing additional support to customers from the Bedfordshire area and below.

He commented, “I had fantastic first-hand support from Headland throughout my career and it is a brilliant opportunity to now use this confidence and knowledge of their product range to advise and plan programmes for others working in greenkeeping. Since I joined in October, I have already learnt so much and have met some really dedicated turf professionals who I look forward to working with more in the future.”

Also a user of Headland products during his time at Leamington & County Golf Club, Jack Hawkes joins in the role of Regional Technical Manager for Sports Turf – seeing him support customers from football, rugby, cricket, educational facilities and private estates. A keen sportsman himself, Jack is also an FTMI graduate and was selected as an R&A scholar which provided excellent networking opportunities and the chance to work at the French Open, hosted at Le Golf National.

Technical Managers join Headland Amenity

Technical Managers join Headland Amenity

“In the short time I have been at Headland I have broadened my knowledge and have enjoyed working with customers to understand their unique needs and expectations, whether that’s a Premier League football club or local village sports facility!” adds Jack. “With Headland now a member of OAS, it’s an exciting project to be a part of, with an industry-leading range of tools and opportunities at our disposal to help our customers in achieving their goals.”

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New Technical Manager at AGS

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New Technical Manager at AGS: Advance Grass Solutions is very pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Logan to the role of UK Technical Manager.

A former greenkeeper with a First-Class BSc (Hons) Degree in Turfgrass Science, Phil brings a wealth of agronomic and practical skills to support the growing AGS in field team and lead the technical department into the next phase of development.

New Technical Manager at AGS

New Technical Manager at AGS

Sam Honeyborne, MD at AGS said ‘’Phil’s appointment is an exciting one for our business. It’s very unusual to find a candidate with both a high level of technical ability coupled with senior management commercial experience. He has coordinated many turf grass research trials during his time at the STRI which will enhance and develop our current, exclusive range of products. We very much look forward to working with Phil.’’

Formerly, Phil worked at Barenbrug as Sales Manager for Ireland and Northern England.

Phil Logan said ‘’I’m very excited to be joining AGS. Their growth in recent years has not gone unnoticed and I see this as a great opportunity to influence and support future success. They have built a reputation on sustainable agronomic principles, that align with my own ethos, with a very sound product portfolio.’’

Advance Grass Solutions is a leading provider of agronomy services, products and customer

support throughout the UK, with loyal customers from lawncare and small bowling clubs to Ryder Cup venues and Premier League football clubs.

AGS supplies a UK exclusive range of high-quality products including: Growth Products, Sustane Natural Fertilizers, Polyon controlled release technology, in addition to well-known UK based suppliers such as Barenbrug and Aquatrols. Their staff hold industry recognised qualifications such as BASIS and FACTS alongside honours degrees in turfgrass, soil science and ecology disciplines.

Phil Logan BSc (Hons) / phillogan@advancegrass.com / Tel : 07774 416429

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Symbio expands technical team

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Symbio expands technical team: Soil biology specialist Symbio has continued the expansion of its technical team with the appointment of Gary McKenna and Richard Sheppard.

Gary is a former golf course manager and Symbio customer who is an active part of the greenkeeping community in Scotland. Educated at Elmwood College, he brings more than two decades of turf management and tournament experience to his new role providing technical support to customers in the North and East of Scotland.

Symbio expands technical team

Symbio expands technical team

Richard returns to the company as a result of his long-held passion for sustainable turfgrass management. A long-term advocate for a biological approach, he began his career in greenkeeping before completing qualifications in turf science and sportsground management and an Open University degree. Richard will be supporting a wide range of customers across Northern England.

Established in 1990 and now part of Origin Amenity Solutions, Symbio provides the correct combination of biology, chemistry and physics for fine grass growth with fewer chemicals and less disease, physical disruption, management time and cost. It was the first company to develop a range of industry-changing products, including Thatch Eater to convert thatch to plant food, mycorrhizal fungi to promote perennial grasses and in some cases more than halve fertiliser use; Liquid Aeration to oxygenate the rootzone, and compost teas to restore life to chemically-damaged and compacted rootzones.

Symbio Business Manager, Kerr Hunter, said: “I am delighted to have Gary and Richard at Origin Amenity Solutions and representing the Symbio brand. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge that benefits our customers and our business. As the use of biologicals and biostimulants grows, it is vital that we have the right people providing advice and support.”

Gary can be contacted on 07976 624241 and by email at gary.mckenna@symbio.co.uk. Follow him on Twitter @GarySymbio.

Richard is available on 07719 088308 and by email at richard.sheppard@symbio.co.uk. Follow him on Twitter @symbioRich.

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New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

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New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL: ICL has announced the appointment of Rob Ainscough and Fergal Greenan who both join the company as Technical Area Sales Managers.

Rob Ainscough, Technical Area Sales Manager – North West England

Rob has always held an interest in the science behind sports surfaces which he says was ignited after playing a wide range of sports from an early age. His interest was piqued furthermore when he carried out his school work experience with the grounds staff at Bolton Wanderers FC.

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

This work experience convinced Robert that he wanted a career in sports turf and after school he embarked on a National Diploma at Myerscough College. During his studies he volunteered to be part of the greenkeeping team at the Scottish Open which took place at Loch Lomond Golf Course.

His career in greenkeeping quickly took off and after a spell at Loch Lomond he became the Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Leigh Golf Club.

To further continue his development Robert accepted a two-week trial at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. His trial was quickly extended and after gaining six months experience here he went onto spend a further year in Australia working at Manly Golf Club and Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Upon his return to the UK Rob was offered his previous position Leigh Golf Club and was quickly promoted to Head Greenkeeper at 25 years old.

Fergal Greenan Technical Area Sales Manager – Ireland

Based in Ireland, Fergal joins ICL with an excellent combination of industry qualifications and practical experience.

His extensive skillset has been displayed while working on various major golf courses in the US through the prestigious Ohio State Program.

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

Fergal also boasts a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Horticulture, Landscape and Sports Turf Management, together with a Certificate in Teaching, which was utilised in his previous role as a Lecturer (in Horticulture) at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Fergal will be working under Colman Warde, Ireland Country Manager, to build the business and to support ICL distributors.

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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Agrigem’s new technical consultant

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Agrigem’s new technical consultant: Agrigem have announced that former Reading FC Grounds Manager, Adam Grantham has joined them as Technical Consultant for Sports Turf.

Agrigem’s UK Sales Manager, Martin Ford said “We are delighted to have Adam on board. His experience, knowledge and reputation in the industry will be invaluable in further developing our Sports Turf services to both professional and grassroots clubs in all sports.

Agrigem's new technical consultant

Agrigem’s new technical consultant

Adam, who spent 17 years overseeing the Madejski Stadium as well as the first team and academy training pitches at Hogwood Park, before overseeing the development and management of state-of-the-art Bearwood facility, said “I am delighted to be joining the Agrigem team at such an exciting time in their continuing success. Their impressive list of existing sports turf customers”

“I was looking for a fresh challenge and I can’t wait to get started. My next move had to be right for me long term and Agrigem have a great range of products and a team that are passionate about what they do.”

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Technical Features On New SCAG Ride-Ons

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Technical Features On New SCAG Ride-Ons: Major technical features have been introduced with the latest SCAG Ride-Ons, including the introduction of the “Tiger Eye” control panel. This is noticeably superior to the previous ones. The sales literature shows an eleven-point list of the features:

Real-time monitoring of the following systems (model dependent) :

  • Hourmeter
  • Volt Meter / Charging System
  • Engine Water Temperature (liquid-cooled models)
  • Engine Oil Pressure (on select models)
  • Glow Plug Indicator (diesel models)
  • Air Filter Condition
  • Control Lever Circuit
  • PTO Circuit
  • Parking Brake Circuit
  • Seat Switch Circuit
  • Safety Interlock Module

Technical Features On New SCAG Ride-Ons

To put this into more everyday benefits: The operator has a far greater amount of information immediately to hand, and there are pre-programmed, therefore automatic, service requirement warnings that come up, as well other alerts.

Also, the hot weather in 2018 led to greater than normal dust ingress risk – but the Tiger Eye has an air filter monitor, an excellent warning to prevent engine damage.

Another technical advantage from SCAG is in the Diesel / Petrol debate. The continued improvement of the EFi systems on various engines over the years has culminated in a system that can give same level of fuel efficiency as the diesels have done, leading to more effective HP levels on petrol engines and greater cutting power.

Technical Features On New SCAG Ride-Ons

The machines are available through the STM dealership network. To find your nearest dealer ring 01789 488450, email info@st-mach.com or look at our website www.st-mach.com

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