In my new role as Editor of Service Dealer Ireland I would like to say a big ‘Hello’ to all our readers.

I am looking forward to writing articles and showcasing the dealers and products of the many machines available in Ireland, from both the agricultural and sportsturf/landscaping sector. I will also include the latest news and gossip.

Before I continue I would like to acknowledge the contribution my predecessor, Liam de Paor, has made to the weekly update of Service Dealer Ireland. It will be a hard act to follow. I wish Liam the very best in his future endeavors.

So who am I? Without boring you too much about myself I will just say that my background is in horticulture. I worked with Dublin Co. Council Parks Dept. in the 1980’s. Since then I became involved with greenkeeping, having spent time at Mount Juliet Golf Club as an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent and later becoming Course Superintendent at St. Helens Bay Golf Resort in Co. Wexford. I became involved with greenkeeping education through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI), becoming their Communications Manager and Editor of their publication Greenside magazine.

As the newly appointed editor of Service Dealer Ireland I would hope that you will send me all the news from your trade. Whether it is from the grasscare machinery or agricultural sector, I would love to hear from you, no matter where in Ireland you do business. I can be contacted on alanmahon4@gmail.com or phone me on 087 6260889.

What a week to start with. There are plenty of thoughts and worries about Brexit. The March 29th deadline has just passed and we are now looking at an April 12th extension or maybe May 22nd or will it be longer? Today (Monday), there will be another crucial vote taken in Westminster parliament so this vote could decide what shape Brexit will take.

Over the past four weeks there have been many twists and turns as to what form Brexit will take. I really hope it wont have a catastrophic effect on both the UK and Irish economies. It remains to be seen what impact it will have on importing machinery from UK manufacturers. What trade tariffs, if any, will apply to equipment and spare parts? With extra custom checks in place the question remains how quick can orders be delivered to Ireland. Up to now we have had a relatively efficient delivery of goods from the UK.

I remember back in my days as a golf course superintendent, ordering a set of bottom blades for a fairway mower from my local dealer. These had to come from the parent company based in the UK. I had them in my hand the very next day. I was very impressed with how quickly they arrived. Will this be still possible with Brexit? Who knows.

It is a fact of life that our equipment usually breaks down at a critical moment - a farmer, contractor or grower ready to harvest the crop discovers a machine part damaged. It would have to be replaced immediately if the crop is to be saved or contract secured. It would be unthinkable to see a situation where these parts could be held up for days in customs for the necessary documentation to be cleared. This would put a lot of pressure on dealers around Ireland.

Last September the Irish government launched their “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign, spending just under €200,000 towards six events held around the country. This campaign is ongoing and it is aimed at helping Irish businesses prepare for Brexit. This includes contingency planning for all possible scenarios, including the unlikely case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

The Irish government outline three steps that need to be taken to prepare your business for the significant change that Brexit will bring.

1. Customs Registration
If you plan to continue trading with the UK you must apply online with Revenue for a customs registration called an EORI number at www.revenue.ie

2. Continuity of Supply
Examine your supply chain closely for UK dependencies. Seek assurances from your suppliers about continuity of supply, as well as freight and logistics providers about Brexit readiness.

3. Cash Flow
Protect your cash flow. Contact your financial provider to discuss options including currency hedging or a working capital loan under the Brexit Loan Scheme

To find out more about preparing for Brexit visit www.gov.ie/brexit

Finally, I hope you enjoy the items in this week’s edition of Service Dealer Ireland. I am looking forward in hearing from you.

Irish Grass Machinery Ltd (IGM) showcased its professional range of groundcare equipment on the 6th of March last at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.

They had on demonstration Kubota tractors & ride on mowers, Trimax fine turf roller mowers, Charterhouse turf & Astro turf maintenance equipment, Blec Landscaping Equipment, Ferris commercial zero turn mowers, Wright stand on mowers, Vermeer chippers, Little Wonder vacs & their range of Dolmar hand tools.

There was an opportunity to drive and operate all machinery on display. The IGM team, along with representatives from the manufacturers, were available to give help and advice.

Whether you were a landscape contractor, or your sports club was in the market for machinery, this was a great opportunity to see, operate & get advise from the experts.

Michael Smyth, Managing Director of IGM said: “We had a good cross section of customers, councils, golf & contractors. The weather wasn't great, which was disappointing, but that’s the risk you take holding an outdoor event in March. We wanted to have the day in March so that it would be early enough in the season for customers who are in the market for machinery to try them out. Sam Thompson was over from Kubota UK & we had on show some of the new model Kubota L2501, L1361, B2261, ZD1211, BX261 along with the full range of Gseries mower collectors”.

Chris York from Trimax and Ian Lauder from Charterhouse were also in attendance. Chris came with a 16ft Pegasus & an 11ft Snake fine turf roller mower & the very popular Striker mower.

Ian Lauder brought with him a large range of turf equipment including Charterhouse 7416 Verti-drain, Charterhouse DS550 Spinning Disc Top-dresser, Charterhouse Oxyshot Air Injection Machine, Charterhouse Mole Plough, Charterhouse Multi-sport, Graden Z2R Greens Roller, Graden CSI Sand and Seed Injection, Blec MS1200 Multi-seeder.

Vermeer UK was also present with the BC1000 & BC190 chippers.

“Since the day we have had a number of sales directly attributed to IGM Live & hopefully more will follow. Overall it was a very successful event and we would hope to hold it again next year.” Concluded Michael.

Killeen Castle Golf Club in Co Meath is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, as well as its recent investment in a state of the art golf course equipment fleet deal with John Deere and local dealer Dublin Grass Machinery worth over €500,000, with finance arranged through Deere’s partner Bank of Ireland.

Noel Bennett and director Robert Mitchell of John Deere dealer Dublin Grass Machinery with (centre) Killeen Castle course superintendent Mark Collins and the greenkeeping team (seated behind on the new John Deere machines).

The machinery acquisition represents a significant investment on the part of Killeen Castle in the future of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, as the club enters its second decade of golf operations. The championship golf course opened in 2009 and was described by the 18-time Major winner and course designer as “one of my proudest designs”.

The upgraded equipment fleet includes tees, fairway, greens and rough mowers, utility tractors, Gator utility vehicles, sprayers, top dressers and bunker rakes – with the latest John Deere E-Cut hybrid electric mowers now playing an important part in future-proofing the work of course superintendent Mark Collins and his team.

Killeen Castle has hosted The 2011 Solheim Cup between Europe and USA in addition to three Ladies Irish Opens from 2010 to 2012. The 630-acre estate also features a number of signature residential properties, The Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, Fore Golf Custom Club Fitters and a Norman castle dating back to 1181.

The castle will become the focal point of the estate following a recent grant of planning permission for a 177-room luxury hotel, including the renovation and restoration of the original structure, which will house 17 suites and a number of luxury dining rooms. The new three-storey structure partnering this renovation will incorporate 160 rooms, a day spa, function rooms and a winter garden restaurant.

The investment in new equipment also included an upgrade and enhancement of the club’s rental golf cars and trolleys to the latest state of the art GPS units, as well as re-kerbing of the entire clubhouse compound. This was in addition to significant works around the golf course and peripheral areas to enhance the sanding and drainage profile of the course, all designed to ensure championship standard golfing conditions for members and visitors alike all year round.

“There were many key factors in choosing John Deere equipment,” said Mark Collins. “The relationship with Dublin Grass Machinery and sales manager Noel Bennett was high up the list, with the excellent technical and back-up service provided for the past 12 years. The quality of John Deere machinery is quite simply second to none, and the company’s advances in technology with the hybrid electric mowers made the decision an easy one. The overall package will allow us to continue to improve our work practices and deliver even better standards of course presentation to our members and guests.”

In 2018, with €402 million, Horsch achieved the highest turnover in the company’s history.

This is a two-digit growth for the third time in a row. In a statement the company have said there are many reasons for the 12% increase compared to 2017 (€358 million), including considerable investments at all sites as well as in R&D.

They go on to explain that their equipment is seeing success around the world because as well as continuing improvements, the machines are also seeing more and more individual configuration for the different markets.

Horsch claim particularly good business in Germany, eastern Europe and Ukraine, with Great Britain, France and Scandinavia described as "developing well." Also seeing increasing sales are USA, Brazil and China.

They say they investments in their facilities has contributed to their recent success. At the production site in Ronneburg, Germany for example, a completely new hall was finished and at the plant protection site in Landau, Germany the capacity was almost tripled.

The largest investment in the company’s history though, was made at the headquarters in Schwandorf, Germany. This investment alone amounts to €23 million.

Looking ahead to Agrtechnica this year, Horsch say that as well as showing innovations of current products they will focus on technologies for hybrid farming that combine the best of organic and conventional techniques.

Adare Manor, located near Limerick, recognised as “Golf Resort of the Year” at the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) Awards 2018, has taken delivery of a new fleet of golf and utility vehicles.

Club Car, an Official Supplier of the European Tour and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, supplied a new fleet featuring 25 Precedent golf cars to service the redesigned golf course at Adare Manor, which recently joined fellow Club Car customers Royal County Down and Royal Portrush among Ireland’s top five courses*.

Andy McMahon, Director of Golf Operations at Adare Manor, said: “We are a five-star venue and our key focus is to deliver the highest possible service. We chose Club Car because its quality, reliability and after-sales service make it the superior brand.

“The aesthetic is paramount at Adare Manor, and with the upgraded seats and alloys, the integrated cool box, raincover and black roof, we have received a sleek and high-spec product that is well suited to our world class resort.”

The 25 golf cars feature Club Car’s connectivity solution, Visage. This ‘connected’ GPS system formed an important part of the decision for Adare Manor, due to its unique features that can support maintenance of the resort’s pristine new golf course, while also offering guests the greatest range of in-car services on the market.

Visage not only enables staff to remotely control the golf car fleet, create no-drive zones around delicate areas of the course, and monitor pace of play, but the in-car touchscreen also gives golfers precise shot and distance information, flyover video graphics of each hole, and a live leaderboard during competitions.

The fleet, delivered and maintained by local dealers Buggyman, also features a range of utility vehicles to assist with resort operations, including one Transporter 6, one Café Express, and two Housekeeping Utility vehicles.

The last 12 months have seen Club Car bolster its strong reputation across the “Emerald Isle”, with other esteemed venues such as Carton House, St Anne’s Golf Club, Palmerston House Golf Club, all located near Dublin, as well as Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club, near Limerick, all taking delivery of Club Car fleets.

* Irish Golfer Magazine’s Top 100 Irish Courses for 2019

Campey Turf Care Systems say they are giving turf professionals a green solution to mowing with the introduction of the Fleischmann Electric 5 Deck mower.

The mower has five 2.20 metre cutting decks with six spindles per deck, giving a 10-metre overall cutting width. The mower features a braked steering rear axle and the two-point pivoting front mount hitch provides high maneuverability, enabling cutting speeds up to 20kph to be achieved.

Each blade on the five cutting decks is powered by a low maintenance electric motor, leaving behind traditional gearboxes and PTO shafts and eliminating the risk of oil leaks. The six high tip speed blades in each deck give more cuts per metre and offer excellent clipping dispersal.

The modern generator used to power the mower is very efficient and lowers all the factors you’d want less of. That’s low PTO requirements, low engine revs and lower noise output for quiet operation.

The mechanics of the operation are enhanced further by the five low ground pressure castor wheels. Each deck has five wheels which are expertly designed to follow contours and iron out bumps in the surface without leaving any marks. The wheels are also used to easily set the height of cut with all other operations controlled from the in-cab control box.

The 25 castor wheels are joined at the back of the machine by two steerable braked tyres on the rear axle. These tyres improve the turning circle and prevent any marks being made and also make the machine safer when travelling at high speed on the road.

Transporting the mower is simple with hydraulic folding wings reducing the width of the machine to a 3-metre transport width. The process of folding has been meticulously tested to ensure that no marking or scuffing occurs during the conversion from working to trans-porting.

When it comes to cleaning an artificial surfaces, many turf managers have found the little and often approach to be the most effective.

Verti-Clean from Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Most material that will end up on the surface is natural debris and detritus, which, if left, will invariably get trodden on and broken down into the surface. Removing this as and when it occurs is the most effective way to prevent this material reaching the bottom of the carpet, which can ultimately cause issues with compaction and drainage.

The Verti-Clean from Charterhouse Turf Machinery will pick up surface debris with a rotating brush, powered by ground wheels, and throw it onto a vibrating sieve. The sieve filters any infill material back on to the playing surface, whilst retaining the debris and collecting it in a lightweight hopper that can easily be removed for emptying.

The finish is a revitalised surface with clean infill.

John Deere is a leading supplier of turf and agricultural equipment and we are seeking to appoint a Turf Territory Manager for Ireland to join its well-established team.

The successful candidate would report into the Division Sales Manager for Agriculture and Turf within the UK. The key responsibilities of a Territory Manager are to deliver profitable and sustainable Market Share Growth in a defined geographic area by deploying sales processes, develop dealer and customer relationships, promote dealer development activities and support dealer order and stock management. The role will also include responsibility for customer support with regards to dealer technical assistance, warranty management and customer satisfaction process.

A basic knowledge of John Deere products would be advantageous and knowledge of competitive products is also desirable. Applicants must have 1 - 3 years’ experience working in Turf or a related industry and 1 - 3 years’ dealer channel experience and direct customer contact. They should be educated to HND level in a related subject.

The essential skill set includes a good command of written and spoken English in both formal and informal settings, as well as competence with the elements of the Microsoft Office Suite and good presentation skills. Candidates must possess a good work ethic and be able to manage time and resources to deliver business goals. There must be a flexible approach to irregular hours of work and a willingness to travel within the UK/Ireland and abroad. A clean driving license is desirable. The successful candidate will be required to reside on territory in Ireland.

John Deere is an equal opportunities employer. For further details and to apply visit www.deere.co.uk Careers page, Job-Opportunities-UK. Closing date: 14th April 2019.