Tag Archive for: UK

Change in leadership for Reesink UK

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Change in leadership for Reesink UK: David Cole is leaving the role of Reesink UK’s managing director in April 2022.

David has passionately and successfully overseen the company’s turfcare, agriculture, used machinery and electric vehicles business since 2014, and had previously worked for the former Lely business between 1990-1999. The reasons for his departure are personal; he says: “There are no business reasons attached to this, only personal. The unexpected loss of my wife last year was a huge blow. And after seeing the business through some strange and challenging times and identifying clearer waters ahead, my desire now is to spend more time with and focus on my grandchildren.”

Change in leadership for Reesink UK

Change in leadership for Reesink UK

Leading the recruitment process alongside David is Roon Hylkema, divisional director of Reesink UK’s parent company, Royal Reesink. Roon comments: “Reesink UK is one of the UK’s leading turfcare distributors and has 38 years working with The Toro Company, as such the role of managing director presents an exciting opportunity for the right candidate.

“The company has history on its side, stability and longevity, but also exciting growth opportunities as we look to continue David’s good work diversifying our offering, introducing new brands and new product lines that compliment our core activities.”

Work will start shortly to identify David’s successor and to enable a handover period before next April.

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Agrovista UK electrifying delivery fleet

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Agrovista UK electrifying delivery fleet: Agrovista UK has started its journey towards replacing its delivery fleet with electric powered vehicles.

Agrovista UK is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and recently revealed that it has already set out a new range of measures and commitments designed to improve the health of the planet.

Agrovista UK electrifying delivery fleet

Agrovista UK electrifying delivery fleet

Chris Sprigg, Strategy and Planning Manager, offered a greater insight: “The use of diesel is our biggest CO2 emission so if we can move to a sustainable electricity supply as an alternative then that will put us on the right track towards our net carbon zero objectives. We have already moved onto electric vehicles for our car fleet, and I’m pleased to say that we currently have 44 vehicles in this respect.

“Furthermore, we have already started to install electric vehicle charging points at the depots and the objective is to have every depot installed with charging points by the end of 2022.

“This gives us a good starting point but the biggest impact we can make is if we are able to fully electrify our delivery fleet. We have already started this process and it is extremely exciting.”

Over recent years there have been phenomenal developments in electric and battery-powered technology and manufacturers have been quick to embrace it. In many sectors there are now a wide range of alternatives to diesel and petrol – whether it be in the form of machinery, tools, or vehicles. There is however still an element of range anxiety (a fear that a vehicle has insufficient range to reach its destination) and Chris admits that he is no exception.

“The thing that we really are nervous about is range anxiety – which is a real issue,” he said. “It has to be a change of mind and attitude and we must make sure that this not only fits our green credentials, but it must also fit commercially too. It needs to be absolutely the right solution for us and our customer.”

Agrovista UK has already begun testing a range of potential electric vans and Chris revealed that the trials are being carried out by the company’s delivery drivers.

“We have had some really good feedback from the drivers to say that they like driving them, that they like the experience, and that they think it is the way to go. They have said that they are proud to be part of this very forward-thinking initiative.

“Now we need to find the right vehicle that will help us to achieve the support we need to give our customers through a fleet of electric vehicles. Let us not forget that our customers also have emission targets, and this is all part of the process.

“We need to develop what we have learnt from the trials and continue to try different vehicles,” he continued. “It will be a gradual transition rather than in one big hit and maybe in five years’ time I’d hope to see electric delivery vans fully integrated into the fleet.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/

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Chris Hamley retires from Agrovista UK

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Chris Hamley retires from Agrovista UK: Agrovista UK has announced the retirement of Chris Hamley, Supervisor at the Liskeard depot in Cornwall, after an incredible 44 years of service.

Born and bred in Cornwall, Chris Hamley is a highly respected man in the South-West. He started working for the company back in 1976 after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. His first role was as a delivery driver and then he went on to cover most positions in the Liskeard depot including an assistant, a manager and now as the overall supervisor – which he admits was a proud moment in his career.

Chris Hamley retires from Agrovista UK

Chris Hamley retires from Agrovista UK

“It was a great personal achievement especially as I started out as a driver,” he said. “Over the years I have seen so many changes – different logos, new vehicles, name changes, products – but to be honest, being tucked away down here in Cornwall, it didn’t have much of an effect on us. We’ve just always done the job we’re supposed to do.”

When he is not managing the Liskeard depot, Chris volunteers as a first responder for the South-West Ambulance Service and says that he is looking forward to dedicating more time to this in his retirement. He will however miss both his colleagues and customers whom he has worked alongside for so long.

“I don’t have any big plans for retirement,” Chris said. “I will just take it as it comes but I will be doing more responding for the ambulance service.”

“I have really enjoyed my time working for the company and I’ll always remember the people that I’ve worked with. There are customers that I still see who I first started working with back in the very early days. A lot of my friends from my generation have retired already – and now it is my turn!”

Those who have worked with Chris are full of praise for him. Commenting on Chris’ retirement, Line Manager James Seabrook, said: “It is a very busy depot, but I just leave Chris to get on with it. He has been an absolute pleasure to work with and he is a real company man. 44 years of service is phenomenal, and he will be missed by all.”

Echoing James was Martin Stuart – an Agronomist for Agrovista UK: “Chris is an incredibly modest man. He has been out there on the road and in the office and has grown up with the job. Chris is very customer focussed and he knows so many of our customers by name – just as they know his. He will pull out all the stops to ensure that the customer is always satisfied, even if that means going in on a Sunday morning to open up for somebody who needs a product.

“I wish Chris a very happy retirement and I am sure he will be sorely missed by the agricultural community in Devon and Cornwall. He is certainly leaving behind some big boots to fill.”

The man filling those boots is the experienced Daniel Clarke, who is making the most of Chris’ last few weeks to prepare for his new position.

“He probably has the best product knowledge throughout the company, and he certainly has the best knowledge of the area I have ever known,” said Daniel. “I’m looking closely at how he works, how he interacts with customers and trying to learn as much from him as I can.

It is fitting that Daniel is somewhat of a Cornishman as well after moving to the South-West when he was just eleven. His previous positions have included working in a logistics role for celebrity chef Rick Stein, leading wholesale provider Booker and a memorable experience of working on an almond farm in Australia.

“The job really appealed to me because I have always been in this line of work and to become a supervisor is progression,” he said. “Also, the products and the sectors which Agrovista specialises in piqued my interest.

“It is one of the biggest companies I have worked for, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I am driven and motivated and looking forward to putting my own stamp on the role – in time. Overall, I am just incredibly pleased to be on-board.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/

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

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Record breaking sports turf health across UK

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Record breaking sports turf health across UK: The results of the May and June 2021 Grass Health Watch are now out. Mike Heisig from FairWay Awards comments on the latest changes in sports turf health up and down the country.

“Following an amazing sports turf health recovery on our indicator sports clubs during April, the results for May continued to be good reading for the industry and the results for June nothing short of amazing.

Record breaking sports turf health across UK

Record breaking sports turf health across UK

2021 grass health breaks the records:

  1. At a national level sports turf health in May increased by a further 3% equalling the record set in May 2019.
  2. Sports turf health levels did not drop in June as would be expected from historical data. The means that this June sports turf health was at record breaking levels.

Mike adds: “At a regional level, some sport turf sites in East Anglia, The Midlands and the South achieved health levels over 90%, with one golf course reaching 99%. Someone is doing a fantastic job out there and deserves a medal! From a grass health perspective the sector started at a particularly low point in January, but 2021 is turning out to be record breaking year.”

Looking Ahead

“Most sports grass health/vitality should have peaked in May/June. Historical data tells us is that in June/July health and vitality of sports turf will start to dip. However today we are looking at sports turf levels that breaking new ground. The potential is clearly there for greenkeepers to work with. Can there be more surprises, its only grass after all – or is it? ”

Think that you can do better?

Register for a free 3-month trial of satellite biomass data for your club at:  https://fairwayawards.com/your-free-precision-sport-turf-trial/ and send your best results of 2020 to Mike-Heisig@btconnect.com

Get the benefits of the Precision Sports Turf Revolution:

  • Spot grass health problems before they are visible
  • Save money on inputs where they are not required
  • Apply inputs according the needs of the grass
  • Make better environmental decisions

Regular updates on grass health through 2021 at www.fairwayawards.com or follow @FairWayAwards on twitter

Join the Sports Turf Revolution contact Mike Heisig: Mike-Heisig@btconnect.com

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

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Agrovista UK announces depot upgrades

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Agrovista UK announces depot upgrades: Agrovista UK is reinventing the way it distributes its wide range of products and that has started with a newly built depot in Melsonby and some significant upgrades in Allscott.

Ongoing improvements, developments and new initiatives are signalling exciting times for everyone connected with Agrovista UK. Staff, partners, suppliers, and customers are reaping the benefits of all the mechanisms being put in place, and the company’s latest focus has been on improving its storage and distribution.

Agrovista UK announces depot upgrades

Agrovista UK announces depot upgrades

The initiative perfectly captures the essence of Agrovista UK’s recently launched new campaign, which highlights its support for the arable and amenity industries that it specialises in.

The new #ForOurGrowers and #ForOurSports campaign celebrates the hard work of all involved in British farming and in British amenity – particularly following the unprecedented challenges experienced during recent times.

“We are striving to become the best in class in distribution and provide the best service we possibly can,” said Jamie Appleton – Agrovista UK National Supply Manager. “Our goal is to increase the capability of our teams and to ensure that our customers and our people are central to everything that we are doing.

“Historically, in terms of depots, we have centred ourselves on the outskirts of very rural communities in small holdings or farms. What that did, however, was create certain challenges, in terms of staffing, in terms of road networks and being able to reach out to all our customers on time.

“Melsonby, North Yorkshire, is the first purposely-built depot and is centred on the A1 and the A66 so drivers can reach the likes of Cumbria, Northumbria, and Yorkshire with a great level of ease. We can get products to our customers even quicker now.

“When we acquired Maxwell Amenity – we provided ourselves with a great power in the amenity sector and Allscott, Telford, is how we service our online customers. The recent upgrades at this depot have made us even stronger and it is our largest site across the company.”

Scott Hird, Depot Supervisor at the Melsonby depot and Jamie Harvey, Depot Manager at Allscott, were on hand to offer further insight into how this strategy is benefitting both staff and customers.

Melsonby

“We feel that we are now closer to our customers,” said Scott. “The Melsonby depot was built to replace a depot in Malpas, and it is much larger in size. We can hold more stock and we are delivering more products in a day than we ever did before. Because we are now closer to our customers, some even come directly to us to pick the products up if they really need them.

“Furthermore, the staff are all now on long-term contracts to ensure that we are more suited to the customers’ needs. They feel more valued and understand that there is always training available and opportunities for them to move through the business. It is a great atmosphere to be in daily.

“We had a clear vision of what we wanted to create at Melsonby and it is exactly how we wanted it to be. It wouldn’t have been possible without the team that were working at Malpas – we are working hard to keep the high standards that they originally set.”

Allscott

“It is a highly professional and slick operation,” said Jamie Harvey. “We have re-racked the entire warehouse; the front offices have had a major renovation and look fantastic, and we are also developing a new warehouse.

“We have the resources in place to ensure that everybody gets the same service regardless of if they are a first-time buyer or have spent two million pounds on our products. Improving customer service was always top of the agenda and these upgrades have helped us to achieve this.

“The staff are also a lot happier. It is nice to work for a company where employee welfare is a massive part of what they are trying to accomplish. We’re not just numbers and that makes a huge difference.”

For more information about Agrovista Amenity, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/

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

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