UPDATE
UPDATE | NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM GMA AND THE INDUSTRY
Production of all Jacobsen turf care machines will move to Ipswich
M A N U FA C T U R I N G
Textron moves Jacobsen production to UK GROUNDS CARE MACHINERY manufacturer Textron Specialized Vehicles will relocate all production of Jacobsen professional turf equipment to its facility in Ipswich, with the move beginning this autumn and taking place over a number of months. The plant, which currently builds Jacobsen and Ransomes mowers, is the oldest manufacturer of motorised lawn mowers in the world, in operation for more than 187 years. Textron said the move will enable it to focus investments, skill and improvements in mower production on a single facility. Following the move, it will produce
New evidence that investment in sport boosts economy A study by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University shows that for every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity, £3.91 is generated in return for the economy and society. The report, Social and economic value of community sport and physical activity in England, says that the social and economic benefits created by community sport and physical activity are worth £85.5bn annually, with an additional £13bn being created through sports-related goods and services annually.
Bionema launches new courses
mowers for all regions including North America. “We are excited to establish our Ipswich facility as the worldwide manufacturing centre of excellence for Jacobsen equipment,” says Simon Rainger, vice president, turf for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “This move will enable us to operate more efficiently and expand on the legacy of innovation and quality that our Ipswich plant has built over its long history.” Jacobsen will launch new models in the coming months, including the Eclipse 360 ELiTE electric greens mower, and new AR530 and AR730 area rotary mowers.
Biopesticide developer Bionema has launched new digital, classroom and bespoke training courses to help users understand the effective use of bioprotection products as an alternative to chemical pest control. The digital courses allow delegates to learn flexibly in their own time, while bespoke courses can be designed to reflect the learner’s environment and knowledge. The three courses are: Application of entomopathogenic nematodes for insect pest control; Application of BioProtection products for pests and diseases control; and Application of beneficial biocontrol agents for insect pest control. Each course is worth 12 BASIS points and costs start at £140. Find out more at bionema.com/training-and-advice
NOTICE OF GMA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This is to confirm that, as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, the Grounds Management Association’s AGM will be a ‘virtual’ online meeting held on Wednesday November 25, 2020, from 12:00pm to approximately 1.30pm. The company secretary will run the meeting from the head office in Milton Keynes. We will use online software to manage proceedings as close to normal as possible. Any members that wish to join that meeting must register their interest by emailing events@thegma.org.uk, including your membership details; or phone 01908 552989. Attendees will need to provide an email address in order to receive
4 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2020
a formal electronic invitation to the meeting, which will be issued at a later date. Please note that all paid up members are entitled to join the meeting although only Full Individual Members, with voting rights, and Associate Members are entitled to vote. More details about the AGM and eligibility to vote will be available via a page on our website, which will be operational this month and will also include details of the agenda, resolutions, director reelections, how to vote and more. Information will also be available via our social media pages: www.facebook.com/ groundsmanagementassociation; twitter.com/thegma_