There was a big turnout of supporters for the All Ireland hurling final in Croke Park on the 22nd of August last. 40,000 fans flocked to the stadium to see Limerick and Cork fight it out for the Liam McCarthy Trophy. There was a lot of controversy on whether such a large crowd should have been allowed into the stadium. Some said that this could be a super spreader event for the coronavirus. Only time will tell. The good news is that 80% of the population that is over twelve years of age is now fully vaccinated, making Ireland one of the highest fully vaccinated countries in Europe. This should help in reducing the number of people falling seriously ill, should a large outbreak occur.

On foot of this, there is a strong case for having outdoor trade shows resuming, though that is unlikely this year, as it takes many months of planning and organising. Many of the annual shows decided to cancel months ago so there is no appetite for organisers to hold a rushed event this side of Christmas. BIGGA and the GCSAA will be holding their exhibitions in January and February 2022 respectively. The GCSAA has rebranded their show, which used to be known as the Golf Industry Show (GIS). From next year it will be known as The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. 

Don’t forget that there is our own Service Dealer Conference taking place on the 25th of November this year at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry in England. I hope you can make it. Those attending will be representing all sectors of our industry – agricultural, domestic, sportsturf, forestry and lots more so there will be plenty to learn by being there.

I do feel for the entertainment industry as, at the moment, the maximum allowed into a concert hall or theatre, is fifty people. It must have been frustrating for the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin when it held its first live show on the 1st of August. This was the theatre’s first event in seventeen months, which was held on the same day as the Leinster hurling final, again, held in Croke Park, which is not too far away from the theatre. One tongue in cheek comment posted on social media went along the lines of “For the fifty people lucky enough to get tickets for tonight’s show it is advisable that you leave home early to avoid the heavy traffic from the 25,000 people travelling home from today’s Leinster Final”. That sums up the frustration among those that feel more restricted than others.

Thankfully many of our showrooms are now open and allowing customers to come in and browse around. Sales are brisk and the future looks bright. There is a sense of normality even if that means talking through face masks and shields.  

To finish off I would urge you to encourage machinery safety to your customers. We are in the middle of harvest season and sports pitch maintenance. There are lots of machines in operation. Our industry has the opportunity to reduce the number of fatalities on farms and the workplace.

Potters Point, the holiday and golf resort in County Wicklow, has chosen to continue their 25 year relationship with John Deere when upgrading their existing golf and turf maintenance fleet.

Golf and turf grounds staff at Potters Point holiday and golf resort with their new fleet of John Deere equipment.

Overlooking Brittas Bay on Ireland’s east coast, south of Dublin, Potters Point is an exclusive luxury mobile home park owned by the Stone family and was established in 1957. Guests who stay there have free access to the nine-hole parkland golf course extending to 40 acres that was developed in 1987.

When the existing John Deere equipment fleet was due to be updated, Potters Point manager Irene Lacey called on dealer Dublin Grass Machinery to supply the range of new machines. These include an 8700A PrecisionCut fairway mower, 2653B PrecisionCut utility triplex mower, 2550E hybrid electric triplex greens mower, 220SL walk-behind greens mower, two 3039R compact tractors and three HPX 815E Gator utility vehicles.

“We bought our first John Deere machines in 1997 and have used the brand ever since,” says Irene. “These new models have replaced older equipment, as we want to keep the fleet as fresh and new as possible and equipped with the latest technology, and we are very pleased with them.

“There is great security in having new equipment and therefore no worries about breakdowns. The machines are now all working very efficiently both on the course and in the holiday park.”

The local John Deere golf and turf dealer, Dublin Grass Machinery (DGM), was established in 1981 and is now led by managing director Robert Mitchell. Having enjoyed such a long-term relationship with the dealership, Potters Point relies on DGM for its essential backup service.

“Our equipment has always been fully serviced by Dublin Grass Machinery, and we have found the team there over the years to be very efficient and reliable,” says Irene. “Their backup service is second to none - getting anything repaired or replaced is always done in a very timely manner. DGM has proved to be a very good partner to have in this business.”

Potters Point say they have plans to invest in additional John Deere equipment, particularly to replace a larger tractor that has been working at the resort since the first machines were ordered in 1997.

“Having enjoyed such a long relationship with Potters Point, we were naturally very pleased to be asked to supply them with this new machinery package,” adds Robert Mitchell. “We appreciate their business and will continue to provide Irene and head greenkeeper Eamonn Delaney and his team with first class after-sales support.”

It has been announced that David Cole is leaving the role of Reesink UK’s managing director in April 2022. 

David Cole

David has 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.

In a statement David said the reasons for his departure are personal. He said, “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.” 

Leading the recruitment process alongside David is Roon Hylkema, divisional director of Reesink UK’s parent company, Royal Reesink. Roon said, “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.”

The company says work will start shortly to identify David’s successor and to enable a handover period before next April.

Stanley Black & Decker has agreed to acquire the remaining 80% ownership stake in MTD Holdings Inc., the manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, including Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt, for $1.6 billion in cash.

Stanley Black & Decker acquired a 20 percent stake in MTD in 2019.

Stanley Black & Decker's CEO James M. Loree said, "We have worked directly with MTD over the last 3 years and have been impressed with the quality of the management team, their talented employees and MTD’s relentless dedication to innovation in the outdoor space.

"The combination of businesses will create a global leader in the $25 billion and growing outdoor category, with strong brands and growth opportunities that align with two market trends driving our business - the consumer reconnection with the home and garden and electrification. We have clearly identified multiple levers to drive growth and margin expansion and are looking forward to welcoming MTD’s 7,500 employees to our Stanley Black & Decker family.”

MTD’s Chairman, CEO and President Robert T. Moll said, “My grandfather founded MTD nearly 90 years ago, and I’m as proud of our history as I am excited about our future with Stanley Black & Decker. Both companies are proven leaders in our respective industries with iconic brands, world class capabilities and a passion for bringing new and innovative products to our consumers. I know we are partnering with an organisation that will continue to deliver on our purpose of inspiring people to care for and enjoy the outdoors.”

MTD say over the past twleve moths they have generated $2.5 billion of revenue with the design, manufacture and distribution of lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, walk behind mowers, snow blowers, residential robotic mowers, handheld outdoor power equipment and garden tools for both residential and professional consumers under brands like Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt.

MTD has manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe, and a global distribution network.

Husqvarna Group has announced that Erik Winberg has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Innovation and as a new member of the Group Management team, effective from October 18, 2021. 

Henric Andersson, President and CEO said, “I’m very pleased to welcome Erik to Husqvarna Group and to the management team. He has a strong track record and solid experience from strategic planning and digital transformation. Erik and the S&I team will play a central role in further positioning Husqvarna Group for future growth."

The manufacturer says the S&I function was formed in 2020 to accelerate their strategic transformation and drive alignment of key Group activities, connecting the dots between technology, business development and sustainability. The function is currently headed by Henric Andersson. 

Erik Winberg is currently a partner at strategy advisory firm NorrmannPartners, prior to which he was Vice President Strategic Planning at TetraPak International from 2011-2019. He held leading positions within management consultancy Bain & Company from 1996-2011. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden. 

The owner of Scag Power Equipment, Metalcraft of Mayville Inc, has announced the purchase of Robbins Manufacturing, Inc, based in Fall River, Wisconsin, effective August 23, 2021.

In an official statement Metalcraft said they will retain all of the more than 200 existing employees at the Fall River location. The company also has plans to double the headcount there over time. Additionally, they said, this acquisition does not impact the employment status for anyone in Metalcraft’s other facilities. The company say they will continue its hiring and growth strategies at all facilities.

According to company management, this new location offers Metalcraft a strong, complementary workforce in a plant that is very similar and in close proximity to the company’s existing operations. They say the former Robbins facility provides additional needed capacity to support their continued growth.

In addition, the manufacturer says the capabilities and processes gained through this acquisition will allow for further expansion of their product offerings under its Scag Power Equipment and Versatran truck brands.

Metalcraft plans to immediately move some of its existing work into the Fall River plant, as well as invest in upgrading the facility. 

“We are pleased that we can put our family business of over 30 years in the hands of such a great company as Metalcraft,” said Robbins owner, Greg Robbins. “We are positive this will provide a strong future for the operation and its employees”

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has announced the world’s largest golf course management event has been rebranded to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The new name will debut at the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Feb. 5-10 in San Diego.

Known as the Golf Industry Show since 2005, the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show will continue to offer a week of education, networking opportunities and access to golf course and facility management solutions for golf industry professionals.

The event is produced by GCSAA along with presenting partners, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and participating partners, the United States Golf Association (USGA), National Golf Course Owners Association of America (NGCOA) and National Golf Foundation (NGF).

“The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show rebranding is not about changes to the event, but is based on the strength of the GCSAA brand,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “As GCSAA’s brand recognition has grown over the years, it makes sense to have our premier event share in that. Along with our partners, we’ll still feature opportunities for collaboration and team building among superintendents, architects, builders and more.”

The GCSAA Conference rebranding is part of a strategic effort to bring all GCSAA entities under the association name and comes on the heels of the rebranding of its philanthropic organisation to the GCSAA Foundation in May.

“As we move closer to our 100th anniversary in 2026, bringing all aspects of GCSAA’s operations under the GCSAA name not only makes sound business sense, but also gives a clear tie to our long history,” Evans said.

The 2022 GCSAA Conference will return to an in-person gathering after the 2021 event was held virtually due to the pandemic. The event will kick off with the GCSAA Golf Championships Feb. 5-7 in San Diego and will include play at Torrey Pines, site of the 2021 U.S. Men’s Open. The conference portion will begin with a Welcome Reception on Monday night. The bulk of education and the trade show will be condensed to Tuesday through Thursday in order to offer attendees the full event experience while requiring fewer days away from work and home. In addition, a virtual learning component will be offered after the in-person event for those who want to take additional education or for those who were unable to attend in person.

Registration for the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show will open Nov. 2, 2021. 

Visit the Kentucky Exposition Center, between the 20-22nd October 2021, to take part in GIE+EXPO’s:

• 4,000sqft hands-on Drone Zone
• UTV Test Track for driving and comparing the latest vehicles on real terrain
• Remote Pilot Certification Course
• Arborist demos and classroom courses
• Keynote presentation from Admiral James Stavridis
• Free dealer workshops by Bob Clements International, as well as much more… 

Visit gie-expo.com to find out more.