Tag Archive for: Wins

Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise

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Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise: Bionema Group Ltd, a spin-out company from Swansea University, has achieved a significant milestone. They have been honoured with the prestigious Innovation category award in the King’s Awards for Enterprise, the pinnacle of recognition for UK businesses.

The accolade celebrates Bionema’s groundbreaking NemaTrident®, a revolutionary eco-friendly biological solution for crop pest management. As a leader in biocontrol technology, Bionema is committed to reducing the reliance on pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in food production.

Bionema wins King's Award for Enterprise

Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with thriving businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Bionema Group Ltd started trading in 2013 and works in biotechnology, creating pest management solutions for horticulture, forestry, and other industries.

Amidst the challenges of increasing pesticide resistance and severe environmental and human safety concerns, Bionema Group Ltd has emerged as a beacon of innovation. Their solution, NemaTrident®, competes with chemical pesticides by using microscopic nematode organisms to kill selected insects. This innovative approach is a game-changer in an industry where farmers rely heavily on chemical pesticides.

Nematode-based products have been available since the 1980s, but they consistently fell short of meeting the needs of growers. NemaTrident®, however, is a game-changer. It’s a patented tri-component nematode-based, non-toxic solution for insect pest control. Its unique encapsulation technology, combined with a soil penetrating wetting agent, facilitates nematode dispersal deeper into the soil, increasing the contact rate with target pest larvae and resulting in greater efficacy. Extensive customer education and support programmes ensure its practical application, making it a superior choice for pest control.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bionema, said:

“I’m proud Bionema has won the King’s Award for Enterprise, especially in the Innovation category. The discovery of natural microbes and developing and formulating advanced products free from pesticides are at the heart of the Bionema business philosophy”.

With greater interest in creating and maintaining a circular economy and due consideration of the UN Sustainability Development Goals, I founded Bionema in 2012 after working for eight years at Swansea University purely to design and develop new biology, emphasising using naturally occurring microbes.

The NemaTrident® IP-protected technology was acquired by Syngenta in 2021, which is the safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly solution. We have been fortunate to have received many industry awards and acknowledgements, all praising.

Still, I take immense gratification in receiving this ultimate business honour, especially in recognising our innovation. This will help enhance our platform and generate further interest in our disruptive technology.

This microbe is designed to reduce pesticides and fertilisers in our soil, air, and environment, as well as current societal issues, ultimately providing effective solutions for the benefit of future generations.”

Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Swansea University and Director of Swansea Innovations Limited, said,

“Huge congratulations to the Bionema team on this richly deserved accolade.  As a Swansea University Spin-Out business with over 30 years of experience, Bionema has worked tirelessly on developing research-derived biopesticide technologies, creating and launching a portfolio of commercially viable organic alternatives to damaging chemical pesticides”. 

Supporting enterprise and innovation within higher education is vital to ensuring that our world-leading research can progress from research in university laboratories to the development and launch of products and services that deliver outstanding impact. 

It’s been exciting to have been a part of the initial journey with the Bionema team, and we look forward to continuing to work with the business as they go from strength to strength.”

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Midwinter Norfolk morning wins photo competition

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Midwinter Norfolk morning wins photo competition: A drone image showing the beautiful but harsh conditions faced by greenkeepers throughout winter has been revealed as the overall winner of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Annual Photographic Competition 2023 sponsored by Syngenta.

Thetford first assistant greenkeeper and BIGGA member David Ball’s image was chosen by competition judges as the overall winner, with the selection committee also taking into account the results of a public vote, held across BIGGA’s social media accounts.

Midwinter Norfolk morning wins photo competition

Midwinter Norfolk morning wins photo competition

The image was taken by drone in January 2023 over Thetford’s 5th hole at around 7.30am. It shows sunlight breaking through the clouds as a layer of mist rolls into shot. The fairways and surrounding trees are crisp with a layer of frost.

David said: “We greenkeepers are privileged to experience these times of day that most people don’t get to see during their working hours. I was just lucky and in the right place at the right time on this beautiful morning. It is such an honour to win this award, so thank you to BIGGA and Syngenta.”

BIGGA’s annual photographic competition is a celebration of the wonderful golfing landscape and the role greenkeepers play in shaping it for golfers and the wider public to enjoy. Twelve images were selected in total for the annual BIGGA calendar, with winners also chosen in the separate categories of Greenkeeping, Landscape and Wildlife.

  • Landscape: Alistair Morrison, head greenkeeper, Durness Golf Club
  • Greenkeeping: Peter Meek, greenkeeper, Bath Golf Club
  • Wildlife: Elliot Walters, greenkeeper, Robin Hood Golf Club

You can view all 12 images selected to form the BIGGA desktop calendar on the BIGGA website.

A downloadable version of the calendar for use on your desktop background is available here.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “BIGGA members work in some spectacular environments and each year the judges struggle to separate the entries, such is the quality of submissions. It’s always fascinating to see how the public votes when we post the finalists on our social media channels.

“David Ball’s entry stood out to us as it showcases the beautiful golf course at Thetford at a time that golfers will rarely see it – deep in the depths of winter – yet there are greenkeepers present, putting in the hard work that makes golf possible when warmer weather returns.

“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you once again to our valued sponsors at Syngenta.”

As overall competition winner, David has won a DJI Mini 2 SE Drone and a framed print of his image to be presented at BTME 2024, the greenkeeping community’s annual gathering in January.

Each of the category winners receive a £150 Love2Shop voucher.

BIGGA’s Annual Photographic Competition sponsored by Syngenta will return next year, so greenkeepers are encouraged to get snapping now to be in with a chance of winning more great prizes.

Registration for BTME 2024 and the associated Continue to Learn education programme is open. The event takes place from 21 to 25 January 2024 and you can find out more by heading to the BTME website, www.btme.org.uk

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STIGA’s new robot lawnmower wins renowned award

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STIGA’s new robot lawnmower wins renowned award: The autonomous STIGA A1500 robot lawnmower wins the renowned Red Dot Design Award in the “Garden tools and equipment” category.

The garden tool manufacturer STIGA wins the coveted Red Dot Design Trophy. The autonomous and wireless robotic lawnmower A 1500 convinced the jury with its outstanding product design and won the award in the “Garden tools and equipment” category. The manufacturer thus proves that both powerful and innovative technology can be combined with an aesthetic design.

STIGA's new robot lawnmower wins renowned award

STIGA’s new robot lawnmower wins renowned award

STIGA A1500: impressive technology and design

“High-quality design plays an important role at STIGA, because our devices should not only impress technically, but also visually,” says Amanda Kincaid, Marketing Manager at STIGA UK. “STIGA A 1500 combines exactly that and revolutionizes lawn care: intelligent and advanced technology with high-quality product design”. The cordless robotic lawnmower has patented AGS technology (Active Guidance System) with which mowing processes can be planned in advance. Thanks to its powerful batteries, equipped with STIGA ePower technology, it is not only particularly quiet, but also energy efficient. It navigates through the garden without a perimeter wire – via GPS and in connection with its reference station. Everything from installation, to managing cutting zones, cutting times, height of cut is managed through the STIGA.Go APP.

The autonomous garden robot, is available from STIGA specialist robot dealers and direct through stiga.co.uk website.

“The Red Dot Design Award is a great honour for us,” emphasizes Amanda. Internationally, the Red Dot is one of the most coveted seals of quality. Brands, products and concepts are evaluated annually by a specialist jury in the three disciplines “Product Design”, “Brands and Communication Design” and “Design Concept”.

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Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

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Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!: The Burpee Europe team are relentless in their mission to breed varieties of magnificence with which to tempt home gardeners everywhere! And this year they have done it again!  

The brand new, compact sunflower ‘Desire Red’ is so fabulous that it has won a much coveted Fleuroselect Gold Medal, scores are awarded for outstanding innovation, beauty and garden performance.

Sunflower 'Desire Red' wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

A truly stunning breakthrough in sunflower breeding, this is the first compact red variety suitable for planting or sowing in both beds and borders as well as in larger patio containers. This winner can be cultivated very successfully as a high-quality pot plant, especially in 3-litre containers, but is also suitable for production in smaller pots.

Plants flower for a period of 6-8 weeks and have proven performance from Sweden to Southern Italy in Fleuroselect Trials.  This sensational dwarf Helianthus dazzles with its innovative, unique deep red flowers.  This high performer is an early, profusely flowering variety, new blooms form continuously on its multiple branches well into autumn, and blend wonderfully with its dark green foliage.

This sunflower is perfect for pollinators, who will be able to enjoy the long flowering time.  ‘Desire Red’ makes a very attractive combination with Burpee bred ‘Sunray’ or ‘Tiger Eye’ and adds a deep red to the sunflower palette.

Seeds are available now from Plants of Distinction, with additional seed companies selling ‘Desire Red’ soon

Burpee Europe do not sell direct to the consumer, but their seeds are sold via top UK seed companies. Details of these on request from rabbitattackpr@gmail.com or 07895184395

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Misty morning wins photo competition

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Misty morning wins photo competition: A greenkeeper heading down the 2nd hole at Ipswich Golf Club on a misty morning has been revealed as the overall winner of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Annual Photographic Competition 2022 sponsored by Syngenta.

Ipswich greenkeeper and BIGGA member Joe Simpson’s image was the unanimous choice among the competition judges and also received the most likes when put to a public vote across BIGGA’s social media accounts.

Misty morning wins photo competition

Misty morning wins photo competition

BIGGA’s annual photographic competition is a celebration of the wonderful golfing landscape and the role greenkeepers play in shaping it for golfers and the wider public to enjoy. Twelve images were selected in total for the annual BIGGA calendar, with golf courses represented including a nine-hole course on the north coast of Scotland through to next year’s Open Championship venue.

As overall competition winner, Joe has won an Insta360 Ultra HD action camera worth £429.99 and a framed print of his image, to be presented at BTME 2023, the greenkeeping community’s annual gathering in January.

Three category winners were also chosen, with Tom Wright of Clevedon Golf Club winning the Greenkeeping category, Craig Sinclair of Camberley Heath Golf Club winning the Wildlife category and Martyn Taylor of Wallasey Golf Club winning the Landscape category. Each of the category winners receive a £150 Love2Shop voucher.

Joe is now a two-time champion, having previously won the competition in 2020. He said: “I’m really surprised to have won as I thought the quality of all the photographs that got shortlisted was fantastic with some really strong contenders.

“I think it’s a fantastic competition and I love entering and try to encourage others to enter as well. Greenkeepers are really lucky because we’re up in the early hours and get to see some fantastic sights and this competition is an opportunity to share them.”

You can view all 12 images selected to form the BIGGA desktop calendar on the BIGGA website.

BIGGA’s Annual Photographic Competition sponsored by Syngenta will return next year, so greenkeepers are encouraged to get snapping now to be in with a chance of winning more great prizes.

Registration for BTME 2023 and the associated Continue to Learn education programme is open. The event takes place from 22 to 26 January 2023 and you can find out more by heading to the BTME website, www.btme.org.uk

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