Tag Archive for: UK’s

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ: Construction has commenced on the new multimillion pound headquarters for Avant Tecno UK at Suffolk Business Park in Bury St Edmunds.

The development of the 32,200sq ft facility is being led by Churchmanor Estates and built by SEH French.

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 19 to mark the start of works with representatives from Avant Tecno UK, SEH French, Churchmanor Estates, Robinson Arnold, Holmes Plant & Construction, LSI Architects, Conisbee, Richard Utting Associates and members of West Suffolk District Council.

Due for completion in August 2024, the site will be home to the company’s UK operations. The company says it will boast dedicated dealer training facilities, flexible collaborative workspaces, efficient and automated warehouse technology, and a technical workshop.

The new development will see the company move from its rural base near Thetford, where it has been located since it began operating the in the UK in 1994.

Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant Tecno UK, commented: “This ceremony marks the start of an exciting era for Avant Tecno UK.

“Avant has enjoyed a sustained period of growth in recent years and, as a consequence, we have outgrown our existing warehouse and office facilities. Our new purpose-built UK headquarters represents a significant investment and is a commitment to the future for our dealers and end user customers.

“We’re looking forward to seeing work get underway on the construction of our new premises.”

Avant Tecno UK provides multi-functional loaders for use in various areas including farming, landscaping and construction.

Neil Pryke, Contracts Manager for SEH French, said: “The team is thrilled to be involved in this project to deliver Avant Tecno UK’s new headquarters.

“Suffolk Business Park is a great example of the opportunities available in the county for large companies like Avant, and we are honoured to be supporting them in their growth.

“Our appointment is testament to the quality of work we deliver, and we look forward to working with partners on this exciting development.”

Matt Cloke, Development Director at Churchmanor Estates, commented: “Avant Tecno are the acknowledged market leader in their sector, and so we were delighted to be asked to work with them to bring to life their vision for a new bespoke UK HQ, warehouse, and showroom.

“This is an important investment not just for Suffolk Business Park, but for West Suffolk as well, and we’re looking forward to seeing the project progress over the next 10 months.”

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk

For more information on the developer please visit www.churchmanor.com

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and sponsors Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of their annual awards competition, with the finals taking place this year in the surroundings of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

During a sombre evening following news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the winners of this year’s awards were revealed. Throughout the day, the 12 candidates – selected from a record 54 nominees – had contested the grand finals of the Toro Student Greenkeeper Awards.

UK's best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

Ripon City Golf Club Deputy Course Manager James Gaskell (30) was revealed as the 33rd winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award. James has been greenkeeping for five years, taking up the profession on a full-time basis after graduating from the University of Sunderland. A talented golfer playing to a 1.6 handicap, James said his experience of playing competitive golf compliments his greenkeeping knowledge and the awards judges were impressed by his considerable dedication to the sport and his chosen career.

The runner-up of the award is Andrew Ritchie of St Andrews Links Trust.

The 6th winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Carden Park Golf Club greenkeeper Peter Pattenden (19). A talented rugby player, Peter has represented North Wales and Scottish Exiles, but it is in golf that he has chosen to pursue a career. Having been a greenkeeper for almost three years, Peter works at Carden Park in Cheshire where his father – also called Peter – is courses and estates manager.

The runner-up of the Young award is Luke Charnley of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

With the awards split into two separate categories, candidates for the ‘main’ Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award completed a rigorous day of testing that included an exam, an essay question, grass and seed identification and a presentation on their career so far. Candidates for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges that is intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. Previous winners and finalists have gone on to become some of the most influential characters in the greenkeeping industry, helping shape the sport of golf in the UK and further afield.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: enrolment in the 10-week University of Massachusetts Winter Turf School; a two-week expenses-paid placement at Adare Manor, venue of The 2027 Ryder Cup; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Show in Florida; and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Wisconsin.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France; a five-night trip to Continue to Learn at BTME; and a gift voucher for Toro Training.

The student award endorser receives a trip to the GCSAA in the USA and the young student endorser will receive a trip to Vidauban Golf Club. All finalists receive a year’s free membership with BIGGA.

BIGGA Learning and Development Executive Deb Burnett said: “Among the many activities BIGGA undertakes each year to assist the professional development of our members, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are almost certainly the most inspirational. For those feeling disillusioned about the challenges our industry faces in coming years, our 12 finalists provide all the reassurance you need to be convinced that greenkeeping and the sport of golf has a very bright future.

“My congratulations go to all our finalists, particularly our well-deserving winners and runners-up. Thanks must also go to Reesink Turfcare and Toro for their incredible support and to the Goodwood Estate for being such wonderful hosts.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, said: “After a record number of entries and a thorough two-week online interview process, it was a pleasure to welcome and meet the best talent in greenkeeping at Goodwood for the finals of the 2022 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. It was clear why these 12 finalists made it this far – a great achievement. Everyone shone and it was a close competition. The winners – James and Peter – are incredibly worthy and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.”

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The search for UK’s favourite parks

The search for UK’s favourite parks: Fields in Trust – the independent charity that has been protecting parks and green spaces for almost 100 years – has announced that its search for the UK’s Favourite Parks is back this summer and is calling upon the nation to get nominating now!

The hugely popular campaign has returned for the first time since 2019 and will shine a light on the green spaces that hold a special place in our hearts.

The search for UK's favourite parks

The search for UK’s favourite parks

Having acted as sanctuary to so many over the past few years, Fields in Trust is bringing back the campaign to find the UK’s Favourite Parks to ensure that they continue to be celebrated in a post-pandemic world.

The charity recently commissioned a study which found that almost half of us have visited local parks more often than we used to as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coupled with research that has shown that access to nature was one of the main ways people have supported their mental health during lockdowns, Fields in Trust is determined that this year’s campaign celebrates the spaces that we relied on.

This year’s UK’s Favourite Parks campaign is made all-the-more important in light of the Fields in Trust’s recently released annual Green Space Index report. The study – which analyses the provision and distribution of parks and green spaces in the UK – found that 2.8 million people live more than ten minutes’ walk away from a green space. With only 6% of green space legally protected in Great Britain, the charity is concerned  that this will only worsen in coming years if we do not appreciate and advocate for our local parks.

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, commented on the campaign’s return, saying:

There is no doubt that the importance of green spaces has been acutely felt recently, with people increasingly turning to their local parks to find a sense of tranquillity, space, and belonging since the pandemic began. When restrictions were at their highest, many sought sanctuary in their daily walk around the park; and when restrictions lifted to allow outdoor gatherings, the same parks became the backdrop for reunions with loved ones and new memories made.

“At a time when things were so hard for so many, these places provided respite; now, through our UK’s Favourite Parks campaign, we want to give people the chance to show their appreciation for the green spaces that were there for them.”

The search for the UK’s Favourite Parks starts today, meaning you can nominate your local green space now. Nominations are open until Tuesday 5 July, before the chosen parks go head-to-head in a public vote.

The UK’s Favourite Parks was first awarded in 2015 and has already handed out the title to three parks from across the UK: inaugural winner, Telford Town Park; Rouken Glen Park in 2016; and Blackpool’s Stanley Park in both 2017 and 2019.

Helen Griffiths continues:

We are thrilled to be on the search once again for the UK’s Favourite Parks and we have no doubt that we’ll find some absolute gems along the way. We can’t wait to see the places that get put forward. Whether it’s the park you head for when the sun is shining; your favourite place to walk the dog; the place you go to stretch your legs; or your family’s favourite spot to spend quality time together: we want you to nominate your favourite today!”

To nominate your local park, visit www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks.

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Future proof the UK’s green spaces

Future proof the UK’s green spaces: There is an urgent need to recruit young volunteers to care for and maintain UK parks if they are to meet the needs of current and future generations, according to Future Proof Parks – a partnership between Groundwork, Fields in Trust and National Youth Agency.

They say it is vital that we act now to recruit the next generation of volunteers, representative of the communities that enjoy and benefit from the UK’s parks and green spaces. A new series of free How-To guides have been published supporting friends of parks groups to recruit more young volunteers.

Future proof the UK’s green spaces

Future proof the UK’s green spaces

Our parks are amazing places. Across the country, volunteers work tirelessly to care for and protect their local green spaces, improving our towns and cities. They have been crucial as places to exercise, meet friends and relax during the Coronavirus pandemic. As council funding becomes further stretched, more work maintaining and improving our precious parks is being picked-up by friends of parks groups. However, these volunteers are not always representative of the whole local community that use the park – and they could benefit from a wider range of volunteers to support their growing workload.

Future Proof Parks is a National Lottery Heritage Fund programme – part of the £10m ‘Kick the Dust’ initiative –which aims to get more young people involved in preserving their local park and green space heritage. Throughout the programme young people have learned about their local historic parks and have been encouraged to join their local ‘friends of’ groups, volunteering to preserve the local spaces that matter to the communities they live in.

The project is also working with friends’ groups to give them the tools, encouragement, and support to get more local young people involved in their work and benefit from cross-generational working. To support volunteers inexperienced at involving young people, a series of How-To guides has been published introducing Friends of Parks working with young people in green spaces. The in-depth How-To-Guides which look at key areas including Recruiting young volunteers, safeguarding young people and how to fundraise with young people.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said: “We are all thankful to the volunteers who helped maintain our parks throughout lockdown and now, coming out of the pandemic, we can all play our part to make sure local green spaces will remain a healthy part of the local environment contributing to our wellbeing, our community connections and mitigating the impact of climate change. Local parks have been vital over the last year, we must make sure they will always be there for the whole community and for future generations – helping to restore the natural world and providing safe places to meet friends and neighbours. To make that happen we have to ensure the next generation of volunteers are included and empowered to get involved now and become future leaders”

The wellbeing value associated with frequent use of parks and green spaces is worth £34.2 billion per year to the UK adult population and is estimated to save the NHS around £111 million per year through a reduction in GP visits. Parks are one of the most universal of our public services used by all members of our communities and multiple generations – so it is important that they deliver something for all the groups that use them.

Earlier this year, a report published by Groundwork drawing on contributions from 23 organisations recognising the need to reimagine parks for the 21st century, found major inequalities in people’s ability to access parks and other open spaces.

The ‘Out of Bounds’ report demonstrated the extent to which certain groups are not getting the benefit of regularly accessing ‘urban nature’ – citing evidence that girls and young women feel unsafe in public spaces, some disabled people feel uncomfortable in parks and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds have fewer opportunities to connect with green spaces.

The How-To Guides are available for free download www.fieldsintrust.org/future-proof-parks

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UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler

UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler: John Suggitt, who runs construction, storage and farm businesses in East Yorkshire in the UK, has purchased the country’s first Bobcat TL43.80HF telehandler to support the growth of his businesses.

The new TL43.80HF was supplied by local Bobcat dealer, Scunthorpe-based AMS Bobcat Limited.

UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler

Lifting More with a Compact Telehandler

With a maximum lift capacity of 4.3 tonne and a maximum lift height of almost 8 m, the TL43.80HF is a new, compact telehandler offering an impressive package, combining several innovative features to take lift capacity, lifting height and breakout force to unprecedented levels for this size of machine.

The combination of compactness and heavy lift capability of the TL43.80HF were key for John Suggitt – he commented: “I was looking for a telehandler that could lift 4 tonne and offer a reach of 7 m, but with the TL43.80HF, I can lift a massive 4.3 tonne with a lifting height approaching 8 m. Being 20 cm shorter than the equivalent 7 m machines on the market, the TL43.80HF also gives me the compactness and productivity I need to work in the tight spaces on site and in my storage facilities.”

A Machine to Grow Into, Not Out Of

John Suggitt continued: “With the TL43.80HF, I have bought a machine that I intend to grow into, not out of. The TL43.80HF has everything I would want in a telehandler and does everything I would expect a machine like this to do.”

Bobcat was able to minimize the dimensions of the TL43.80HF in large part due to the very high stability resulting from a box welded frame, a low load centre, the long wheel base and the new massive rear counterweight. Together with a short turning radius of just 3.71 m, this new Bobcat telehandler is therefore a very manoeuvrable machine, a particularly useful feature when working in confined areas such as those in John Suggitt’s businesses.

John Suggitt added: “The TL43.80HF has reduced overall dimensions, including a width of only 2.30 m and a length of less than 5 m from the rear to the fork face. It has been a fantastic investment for my businesses, combining excellent lifting capability with superb compactness.”

Complementing the compact nature of the TL43.80HF, the rough terrain capability has also been optimised with the incorporation of new heavy duty Dana Spicer axles with limited slip differential and the outstanding tractive force available of up to 90% of the machine weight.

As well as his other businesses, John Suggitt also runs a smallholding with a small show flock of Greyface Dartmoor sheep, which he will use the TL43.80HF to provide feed for in the winter months. The new telehandler will also be a key machine to help in the construction of new stabling and agricultural buildings on the property.

The TL43.80HF is road registered so that it can be driven between John’s different businesses, which include an industrial unit at Beeford, where the TL43.80HF is used to move heavy containers and caravans. The telescopic boom on the new TL43.80HF telehandler is ideal for this application, ensuring that moving and placing heavy items is a simple process.

John also has storage facilities at Frodingham, where he is looking to stockpile building materials delivered on lorries and other vehicles. These will be used in the first planned building development in nearby Kelk, where the TL43.80HF will be a highly versatile lifting machine for moving pallets of bricks, boards and other construction materials around the site.

John Suggitt continued: “Bobcat has a comprehensive range of telehandlers for construction, agriculture and waste handling applications. We purchased the AGRI*** version of the TL43.80HF telehandler, with a number of additional features providing high comfort and productivity.

“The new Bobcat telehandler is fully road certified and with a two-speed transmission and a maximum speed of 40 km/h, it can be driven quickly between locations to do different work. The boom suspension system is a really useful feature for travelling on the roads, keeping the boom stable and preventing it from bouncing over bumps.“ 

Like all Bobcat telehandlers, the new TL43.80HF Agri is covered by an industry-unique three year/3000 hour warranty as standard. In addition, Bobcat has been running an exceptional three-month promotion through its UK and Ireland dealers, ending on 31st August 2019, extending the warranty to five years/5000 hours free-of-charge on all Bobcat Ag telescopic loaders purchased in this period.

As an AGRI version, the new TL43.80HF telehandler also includes air conditioning; an automatic fan inverter; a Sears high comfort air suspension seat and premium cab finish (deluxe steering wheel, armrest, aluminium panels); a trailer brake valve and a drawbar coupler tow hitch.

More Than 25 Years as a Bobcat Dealer: Over 3500 Machines Sold

AMS Bobcat Limited, based in Scunthorpe, is the Authorised Bobcat Dealer for Lincolnshire and East and South Yorkshire. Established in 1992, the company is one of the longest standing Bobcat dealers in Europe with well over 25 years in partnership with Bobcat in the UK. Over the intervening years, AMS has sold well in excess of 3500 new Bobcat units into a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, shipping, plant hire, mining, landscaping and demolition.

Chris Scott, Sales Manager at AMS, said: “We are delighted to have sold the first Bobcat TL43.80HF telehandler to John Suggitt. The TL43.80HF offers an unbeatable package for many applications from farming to construction, quarrying and general industry so it is ideal for use in the businesses run by John. It brings together robustness, compact dimensions, rough terrain ability and ease of use for the operator in the same machine.“

AMS is responsible for sales and service of Bobcat skid-steer, compact tracked and all wheel steer loaders, compact excavators, telehandlers and attachments throughout Lincolnshire and East and South Yorkshire. AMS also offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. Customers benefit from AMS’s well-established on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.

With well over 25 years of experience in the plant hire industry, AMS has also built up a state-of-the-art rental fleet of over 100 Bobcat machines, comprising compact loaders, compact excavators and telehandlers, complemented by a fleet of Bobcat attachments.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com

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Stanley Park Voted UK’s Best Park

Stanley Park Voted UK’s Best Park: Fields in Trust’s search to find the nation’s favourite park has declared Stanley Park in Blackpool as the UK’s Best Park 2019 following a public vote.

The UK’s Best Park is organised by green space charity Fields in Trust who, for over 90 years, have legally protected parks and green spaces ensuring they will always be available for future generations to enjoy. A record 364 nominations were received for the UK’s Best Park 2019. Those nominations were supported by visitors, communities, Friends of Parks groups, and local authority landowners. An unprecedented total of 36,832 votes were cast for parks and green spaces across the UK.

Stanley Park Voted UK’s Best Park

Stanley Park in Blackpool topped the poll, in its nomination it was described as “… a beautiful, tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of the Blackpool seafront”. The “great volunteers and staff who keep it in tip top condition” were also recognised in the online nomination.

Stanley Park triumphed over the other Home Nation winners shortlisted for UK’s best park:

  • Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
  • Pittencrieff Park Dunfermline, Scotland.

In addition, 73 parks and green spaces have achieved “Much Loved” status, having been placed in the top 20% of all UK’s Best Park 2019 nominations throughout the UK. The “Much Loved” status recognises the support of local people who regularly use and love these parks and green spaces.

The UK’s Best Park Award recognises the role that parks play in our communities, supporting mental and physical health and providing a space for communities to connect. Recently Fields in Trust published the Green Space Index a new barometer of parks provision which revealed that over 2.6 million people across Great Britain live more than ten-minutes’ walk from a park or green space. With public sector cuts leading to pressure on parks and green spaces, there is the risk that a lack of legal protection could lead to more spaces being sold off or developed.

The charity is concerned that many parks and green spaces are under threat and are at risk of being lost to development or a cycle of decline and disappearance.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths said: We received a record number of 364 nominations for local parks and green spaces across the UK – each one setting out what is special about their own green space. Public support has been unprecedented with 36,800 votes cast demonstrating that people really do love their local park. Congratulations to Stanley Park, and to the dedicated volunteer friends’ group and Blackpool council that maintain and support the UK’s Best Park 2019.

Parks are important places where we all go to play, enjoy sport, relax in natural surroundings and connect with our neighbours. Fields in Trust is committed to protecting these vital parts of the UK’s community infrastructure for future generations to enjoy.”

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Search For UK’s Best Park

Search For UK’s Best Park: The Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park, 2019 is now open for a public vote to select the nation’s favourite local park. A total of 364 public nominations for parks and green spaces across the UK have been made – each one a much-loved part of its local community. Now it is time to choose the winners via an online public vote at www.fieldsintrust.org/best-park until noon on Monday 19th August.

Voting opens to coincide with “Have a Field Day” on Saturday 6th July, the annual celebration of parks and green spaces. Over 250 community-led events will engage thousands of people across the UK, people are coming together for picnics with their friends and neighbours, celebrating local parks and green spaces and joining a movement of fellow park users across the UK who want champion their parks and protect them for future generations to enjoy.

Search For UK's Best Park

Fields in Trust is a UK-wide charity that legally protects parks and green spaces in perpetuity. The UK’s Best Park Award recognises the role that parks play in our communities, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together. The charity is concerned that many parks and green spaces are under threat and are at risk of being lost to development or a cycle of decline and disappearance. Last month Fields in Trust published research which revealed that over 2.5 million people across Great Britain live more than ten minutes’ walk from a park or green spaces. With public sector cuts leading to pressure on parks and green spaces, there is the risk that a lack of legal protection could lead to more being sold off or developed.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said: “Our parks and green spaces are a vital part of UK community infrastructure. We know that they provide benefits to the physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections for people that use them, so we are delighted to see a record number of nominations for the UK’s Best Park award and it is encouraging to see so many people organising picnics with neighbours to celebrate how much they love their local park.  Fields in Trust is committed to protecting these valuable and much-loved parks and green spaces for future generations to enjoy.”

Nominations include small community gardens and large nature reserves, sports fields and playgrounds, each green space valued by its community and nominated by the regular park users who love to walk, run, cycle, relax, picnic and play with their children in the UK’s parks. The UK’s Best Park 2019 will see the park with the most votes in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland shortlisted with the UK’s Best Park, 2019 announced in mid-September.

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Machinery Dealer UK’s Youngest

Machinery Dealer UK’s Youngest: Luke Mortimer, the owner of Ace Machines Limited in Milton Keynes, is the youngest member of the Cub Cadet dealer network in the UK.

Aged just 21, Luke has bought the dealership, formerly known as RGC Engineers.

Machinery Dealer UK's Youngest

He is no newcomer to the world of garden machinery and started his journey, aged 17, when he established his own business, ‘Mort’s Garden Machinery’. The company ran successfully for two years until Luke became aware of a long-established business owner looking to retire.

Luke approached the owner of RGC Engineers and agreed terms. The deal went through in December of last year and now Luke owns the company, with four members of staff by his side.   The dealership, now renamed Ace Machines, is part of Cub Cadet’s 200-plus UK dealer network.

“When I became self-employed at 17, I could take the gamble and jump into the unknown as I still lived at home. An increasing number of young people are now starting their own businesses instead of heading towards standard employment – it’s more aspirational,” said Luke. “As I’m so young, people immediately judge me on my age and think my knowledge isn’t what it should be, yet once they get talking to me, they soon realise how wrong first impressions are. I don’t think of it as an insult, it’s just that the industry is dominated by older people, it’s a barrier I’m having to break through.”

In the three short months Luke has owned his dealership, he has hired two members of staff to run his office and a further two to assist him in the workshop.

“Having a major brand like Cub Cadet is a significant benefit to the business,” he said. “They have been really good to me in my short time here. They haven’t been fazed by my age and have taken me and my business at face value, which is so encouraging. A trusting brand like them is what dealerships need, especially if they are just getting into the industry. I would say they have really helped with the success of my firm.”

Speaking on where he sees the gardening machinery industry heading, Luke added: “Over the next few years, I see the industry shifting towards robotics as millennials take more of an interest in gardening, opening up a new market.  Cub Cadet’s recent robotics training day has been invaluable. It was so in-depth and informative, and I now feel well equipped to sell this new technology to customers.”

Phil Noble, sales and technical manager for Cub Cadet, said: “It’s great to hear Luke’s story and to see how well he is getting on. It just goes to show that this industry has limitless opportunities available to all. Working with our dealers is one of the core principles for Cub Cadet, it’s a two-way partnership. If both parties work together effectively the benefits can be seen for each side. I look forward to continue working with Luke and his team.”

For more information please visit www.cubcadet.co.uk

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