Printer Friendly Version

EDITOR'S BLOG

ROLE OF THE CONSULTANT
Talk given at trade show
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

Last week I spoke at the Landscape Show on the role of the consultant - as well as attending a significant milestone celebration of one our industry's major manufacturers.

Last week I attended The Landscape Show at the NEC as an invited guest of the Gardeners Guild who had a stand at the show. I had also been asked to speak about the role of a consultant at one of the many trade seminars being held over the two days of the show.

The show says they attract garden designers, landscape architects, landscape contractors, local authority landscaping professionals, architects, architectural technologists, facilities managers and interior designers from all over the UK and beyond.

It has been a while since I last visited this event, however with over 100 exhibitors at the show there was plenty of businesses to talk to. I managed to catch up with the likes of David Austin Roses, the RHS, White Horse Contractors, and Wayne Grills, chief executive of Bali (British Association Landscape Industries) who, like many other leading professionals, are working hard to promote the benefits of working in this industry.

Right; Wayne Grills, chief executive of BALI

I, along with Kevin Downs another member of the The Gardeners Guild, and Gary Edwards the MD / owner of the Gardeners Guild gave a 45-minute talk on the role of a garden consultant to an enthusiastic audience of landscape professionals.

The Gardeners Guild (TGG) is a business support service for self-employed gardeners. Gardeners are accepted for membership on the basis of their professional qualifications.

L-R: Kevin Downs and Gary Edwards on the Gardeners Guild stand

The Gardeners Guild is a privately owned commercial service and is not a member-owned campaign association or lobby group. It is not a consumer organisation and membership is primarily for the benefit of the member.

I personally have found the Gardeners Guild to be very supportive and offers plenty of advice to practicing professionals - as well has giving you leads to a wide range of diverse customers who are seeking advice or work from members.

Pride Park, Derby

After a few hours at the show I then made my way from Birmingham to Pride Park.,home of Derby County FC, where I had been invited to attend the Dennis / SISIS 100th year celebrational dinner.

I, along with other members of the trade press, dealers, clients and the whole of the Dennis / SISIS staff and their partners were invited to celebrate this significant milestone.

After an enjoyable three course dinner, Ian Howard gave a passionate speech that talked about the history of the company, and how it had developed into one of the world’s most widely known mower brands. This year for example, once again sees their mowers being used at the World Cup finals.

Chris Woods and me

It was nice to catch up with some of our finest ambassadors of our industry; Richard Campey; Geoff Webb; Jim Croxton; Ian Howard; along with some current top grounds professionals; Keith Kent, Karl McDermott; Steve Birks; Neil Godrich; Dougie Robertson; Andy Croft; Chris Woods; Ian Smith and Paul Ashcroft to name a few.

Tractor driving proposed changes

As for other news, I read with interest that Department of Transport is in consultation and looking at possibly changing the licence requirements for driving a tractor on the road into line with the heavy goods vehicles regime. See article HGV licence for tractors? in The Scottish Farmer.

Proposals within a UK Government consultation include moving the licence requirement for agricultural tractors from a category F to a category C - and if this were to come into place, tractor drivers could face training and additional tests which currently costs lorry drivers thousands of pounds and can take months to complete the entire process.

I’m sure if this is the case, there’s going to be a lot of questions needed to be asked regarding how this will affect our bespoke industry?

NFU Scotland’s transport adviser Jamie Smart is quoted as saying, “My initial take on this online consultation is that it is an overreaction that would make it extremely difficult to attract and maintain the workforce required by the agricultural industry were all tractor drivers to require an HGV licence to drive a tractor. “I believe these proposals have more to do with addressing competition with the haulage industry rather than road safety around the use of tractors. “Existing rules, if sensibly enforced by the relevant authorities, already prevent competition with the road haulage industry.

“I believe that would take away concerns over competition rather than require the need for overly tough licensing arrangements for tractor drivers. “I can understand concerns around tractors on road safety grounds, but these proposals go too far for those driving vehicles that don’t go faster than 40mph and only travel over short distances. “It is already a challenge for people to get a tractor or car driving test and any additional requirements would make it increasingly difficult for young people in rural areas to qualify. “That is a worry when we are already short of numbers for a skilled, trained workforce.

Finally, just a few reminders of what industry events we can look forward to in the coming months:

Amenity Forum Annual Conference, Kettering, 13th October

GMA Saltex, NEC Birmingham 2nd and 3rd of November

BIGGA BTME, Harrogate, 24th-26th January 2023

NEWS

GMA PLEDGE "WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT"
Say it's at the heart of their strategy

In our first WEB ONLY story the GMA say the reset of their Five-Year Strategy, outlines six key priority areas that will inform and influence the association’s work to help achieve three long-term goals.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNING GREENKEEPERS REVEALED
Five participants named

In our next WEB ONLY story the five BIGGA members, drawn from golf clubs across the UK, have been invited to attend the Continue to Learn education programme.

SUSTAINABLE GOLF WEEK
Tees off today

The week aims to provide a time for people and organisations across golf to reflect on important issues; celebrate golf’s contributions; and strengthen commitments for the future.

Sustainable Golf Week tees of today (October 3rd), with organisers saying it aims to provide a time for people and organisations across golf to reflect on important issues; celebrate golf’s contributions; and strengthen commitments for the future.

A spokesperson for the week says of this year's campaign, "It comes during a year that has seen continued global trends in dangerous extreme heat; huge rises in costs of energy; pressures on water supplies; and ongoing concern for biodiversity loss and pollution.

"Sustainable Golf Week helps spotlight the opportunity and responsibility golf has to be at the forefront with solutions. To be a leader in sustainability and climate action.

"Everyone in golf and key stakeholders around golf are invited to get involved. Share a perspective; celebrate a highlight; make a forward commitment. #DrivingTheGreen.

"The future of golf is innately linked to the future of the planet. It’s the biggest collective challenge we have and needs the best team response."

To find out more about Sustainable Golf Week, visit their website.

GOLF CLUB TRIALS NEW ROBOT DECK
Fairway cutting

New low-cut deck was trailed over a two-month period in late spring and early summer.

Husqvarna have announced the launch of its new low-cut deck for the golf market, enabling their Ceora to manage more areas of the golf course.

The new robot wth the low-cut deck was recently trailed at Worcestershire Golf Club over a two-month period in late spring and early summer. The comany says this gave the parkland golf course a chance to experience the mowing results for themselves with, as they put it, "impressive results".

Hannah Cooper, professional segment manager at Husqvarna UK said, "With the new low cutting deck, we hope that more golf courses are able to offer players great golf experiences whilst reducing cost, noise, and CO2 direct exhaust emissions without compromising the turf quality."

The manufacturer says the new 43L cutting deck, will be able to mow an area of up to three regular-sized fairways every day and night. However, they continue, the new cutting deck is not limited to mowing fairways. With an electric cutting height adjustment system, the same robotic mower can operate fairways, semi-rough and rough, as well as other golf areas, at cutting heights from 10 to 60mm.

The new 43L cutting deck will go on sale in the first quarter of 2023.

VOTING OPEN FOR FAVOURITE PARK
Green Flag run scheme

Organisers say The People’s Choice Award is a chance to show how much your favourite park means to you.

Voting is open for the UK's favourite parks and green spaces.

Organisers, the Green Flag Awards, want help in finding the UK's favourite green spaces by voting for yours in the People’s Choice Awards.

Thanks to the tireless work of parks staff and volunteers access the UK this year a record-breaking 2,208 parks and green spaces have been given a Green Flag Award - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Now the public is being asked to vote for their favourite award-winning park.

To vote for your favourite, find it on the winners’ map and click the vote button.

This year voting opens on the 1st October 2022 and voting is open until the 31st October 2022 with winners announced live at the virtual award ceremony on the 15th November 2022.

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award manager said: “Over the past two years, probably more than ever, we have all come to understand the importance of our precious parks and green spaces and to value those that have been a lifeline for us in difficult times.

“The People’s Choice Award is your chance to show how much your favourite park means to you. Make your voice heard and vote now.”

RECORD YEAR FOR MACHINERY MANUFACTURER
28% increase in revenues

A 28% increase in revenues has been achieved

The company says revenues were driven by strong investments in R&D, leading to new products in new categories.

The STIGA Group has announced that they closed 2021 with sales of €573 million, which is an increase of 28% in revenues.

These revenues were driven by what the company describe as "strong investments in research and development", which led to new products in new categories.

This 28% rise to €573 million in 2021 compared to €448 million in 2020, is 9% higher than the European market average growth of around 19%. EBITDA also grew significantly, up by 39% compared with 2020.

“Our business is undergoing a significant change that might even be seen as revolutionary,” commented Sean Robinson, CEO of the STIGA Group since 2019.

“The gardening market has always been relatively stable, with limited technological innovation. However, in the last three years, there has been a gradual and irrevocable move away from petrol engines to battery-powered machines. This reflects a fundamental change in both product technology and in how products are used by consumers. People want considerably less noise, less weight, and no smell and for products to be made from the right materials, in other words, new machines that are more sustainable.

"The positive results posted by our Group - the increase in our market share thanks to the introduction of new technologies - show that this has been the right approach to adopt, and our prospects are bright for the future.”

Sean continued, "“2021 was the highest result on record and it marks the start of an ambitious journey for our Group. Over the next four years, we plan to maximise our significant growth potential. We’ve just formulated our strategic business plan for 2026, which includes a new breed of consumer-driven solutions and technologies, more digitalisation of our products, solid investments in marketing innovation, as well as new channels of distribution development, all of which are driving sustainability into our business.

"With this bold project, we want to leave an important mark, with the utmost respect for the environment, people and the planet".

PRO DEALERSHIP RAISES OVER £22K
For Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK

50 employees pledged to cycle 55 miles by taking part in this year’s London to Brighton Cycle Ride

To celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, 50 employees from professional machinery and service provider, Lister Wilder pledged to cycle 55 miles by taking part in this year’s London to Brighton Cycle Ride.

The event took place on the 11th September with over 4,000 participants taking part on the route that began in Clapham, London and finished at Brighton’s Madeira Drive.

Lister Wilder set an ambitious target of £20,000.00 back in May 2022. With the event now finished the final total raised stands at £22,250.00 which was officially donated to Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK (LMRUK) this last week. (pictured), with service director Neil Davis who chose the charity handing over the cheque.

LMRUK invest in specialist research into stem cell therapies as a more effective treatment for blood cancer to help protect the next generation. The charity actively raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood cancer and encourages expectant parents to bank their newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells through its Model Cell Biobank service.

Dr Joanna Tilley, interim operations director at LMRUK, said “On behalf of everyone at the Charity I would like to say a huge thank you for the amazing amount that Lister Wilder have raised for us! Thank you to everyone who took part in the event, to those who supported them and those who donated, we can’t thank them enough.”

“We would like to allocate the funds raised for one of our research grants. We fund researchers to advance their understanding of stem cells and how they can use them to treat blood cancer patients, particularly through stem cell transplants. All applications are assessed by the Research Review Committee to ensure that they are relevant to the Charities objectives, blood cancer and its treatment using stem cells. We would be honoured to call the grant, the Lister Wilder Research Grant.”

Phill Hughes, sales director at Lister Wilder added, “It’s been a real pleasure organising and taking part in this event. We are delighted with the amount of money that we’ve raised for LMRUK, and are grateful to everyone that donated to us, both corporate and individually.

To have a grant named after us is a real honour and made all the hard work and time that the team spent training for this even more worth-while.”

Sponsored Content

SALTEX 2022
At Birmingham’s NEC on 2-3 November

With over 400 brands showcasing products in three halls, across two days, at one location, SALTEX is a must-attend event for everybody operating in, or supplying to, the groundscare sector.

Now in its 76th year, Europe’s largest sports amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC over two days on 2-3 November.

With over 400 brands showcasing products in three halls, across two days, at one location, SALTEX is a must-attend event for everybody operating in, or supplying to, the groundscare sector.

At SALTEX you can:

Listen and learn from industry thought leaders
See over 400 brands all in one place
Stay up to date with the latest product innovations
Further your career with free advice and guidance
Connect with industry suppliers and partners
Get expert advice on your specific turf challenges
Network with national and international peers
Celebrate achievements at the GMA Industry Awards

What’s On?

In addition to learning about new products, services, and suppliers to the industry from home and abroad, SALTEX also has an extensive programme of events and learning opportunities.

Learning LIVE

The Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers attacking the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, recruitment and retention, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs. But what’s at the heart of Learning LIVE and this year’s show is sustainability and the environment.

Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people minimise the impact of droughts and floods. The session on reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf, for example, with Owen Turpin from the Environment Agency, Tony Hanson from Environmental Solutions International and Robin Price from Anglian Water discussing the water charter and how to deal with it will provide valuable practical advice.

There’s something for most sports surfaces from some of the best in the business. For rugby, Catherine Hall (Premiership Rugby), Dr David James (Labosport) and Dan Prest (GMA) talk about raising Premiership Rugby pitch standards. For cricket, Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), Karl McDermott (Lord's) and Steve Birks (Nottinghamshire CCC) discuss how new cricket formats impact on the modern-day grounds manager. Tennis is covered off by Neil Stubley (Wimbledon) who presents the All England Tennis and Croquet Club’s court expansion project.

But all top-level surfaces start somewhere – at grassroots level – and Rob Sullivan presents the Football Foundation's strategic ambitions to improve grass pitch quality and Chris Smith tackles the funding process to improve pitches. Perhaps there’s a role for hybrid pitches in the community – Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in London’s Regents Park.

The full seminar line up is available online at saltex.org.uk, but whether it’s elite sports grounds attendees are interested in or a strategy for grassroots football, Learning LIVE has it covered and provides the opportunity to build knowledge and stay ahead of the game.

Eco Village

The whole concept of the Eco Village is to showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in grounds care and consider what is a sustainable piece of machinery – what’s the impact on the environment and how does it help achieve neutrality? The Eco Village features a programme of daily demonstrations of cutting-edge sustainable technology, offering visitors an opportunity of seeing several products in action. Plus, industry experts will offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices.

GMA Industry Awards

The GMA Industry Awards hosted by the BBC’s Mark Clemmit, are back for the 12th year. It’s so important to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams operating in grounds management and is key to positive workforce development. With 18 awards and an evening to celebrate everyone nominated, it’s a ringing endorsement to the good work and talented people in the industry. Tickets to the event can be purchased at saltex.org.uk

So, whether working in educational establishments, community facilities, on private estates, or in sports clubs at grassroot, amateur, or professional level, if you’re passionate about keeping green spaces and playing surfaces safe, accessible, and sustainable, and you’re keen to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry, then SALTEX is the show for you. Register for your free ticket here:

“In 2021, there was a buzz and real enthusiasm for business: deals were being struck, demos were being organised, there were lots of new launches across the halls and I expect more of the same in 2022.” Geoff Webb, CEO for GMA, SALTEX organisers.

So don’t miss out, REGISTER NOW for #SALTEX2022 #AheadofTheGame

www.saltex.org.uk

JOBS

ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS HERE
Amazing success rates!

Advertise your jobs on TurfPro Weekly Briefing

Advertise your recruitment needs on TurfPro Weekly Briefing and reach our targeted audience of recipients every week.

Contact Nikki Harrison for details - 01491 837117