Landscape & Amenity Product Update July 2026

Figures show 97% of HSE pesticide enforcement visits required action

The Amenity Forum is urging amenity businesses, contractors, local authorities, housing providers and other land managers to review their compliance arrangements following recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) pesticide enforcement findings which showed that action was required following 97% of official control visits carried out during 2025.

At the Forum’s Updating Event in May, delegates were presented with an overview of official control activity undertaken across England, Wales and Scotland.

The findings highlighted a number of recurring compliance issues affecting organisations across several sectors, including amenity management, horticulture and forestry.

The most common issues identified related to pesticide storage, stock control, record keeping, inspection requirements for pedestrianoperated equipment and registration under the Official Controls Regulations.

The findings reinforce the need for organisations to maintain

robust management systems, ensure staff remain competent and up to date, and regularly review compliance arrangements.

Ian Graham, Chair of the Amenity Forum, said: “The findings highlight that there remains significant scope for improvement in some areas of compliance across the sector. Whilst many of the issues

identified can be addressed through improved awareness, training and management controls, the figures demonstrate the importance of maintaining robust systems and regularly reviewing procedures.

“Good practice is not simply about meeting legal requirements; it is about protecting people, protecting the

environment and maintaining public confidence in the work our sector undertakes every day.

“Every organisation should take the opportunity to review its arrangements, strengthen professional standards and ensure compliance remains a priority.”

The Forum believes these findings reinforce the

Local cricket facilities boosted

More cricket fans old and new will soon be able to play the sport throughout the year, as the Government has marked the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup by unveiling five new locations for state-of-the-art allweather domes.

Cricket fever is set to sweep the nation this summer, with England hosting a major global tournament for the first time since the men’s side famously won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019.

And with the event aiming to inspire event more women

and girls into the game, the Government has today announced a further £3m injection to open up access to year-round cricket in even more communities.

Five more state-of-the-art domes will now be built in areas currently lacking high-class allweather facilities: Bolton, Derby, Newcastle and Nottingham, as well as Birmingham, where England meet Sri Lanka in Friday night’s tournament opener.

All five domes will place an emphasis on continuing the surge in female participation that has seen more than 2,000 new women’s

and girls’ teams launch across the country since the start of 2024.

The announcement follows the opening last week of the country’s third ECB-funded dome. The latest opened in Willenhall, West Midlands, with two others already open in Bradford and in Darwen, Lancashire.

ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: “We’ve seen from the three all-weather cricket domes which are already open how they can be a gamer-changer as we strive to make cricket the most inclusive team sport.”

ECB Enquiry 2

importance of ongoing training, continuing professional development and the adoption of industry best practice. By taking proactive steps now, organisations can reduce risk, improve compliance and demonstrate their commitment to professional standards.

Amenity Forum Enquiry 1

The Amenity Forum is encouraging organisations to take the following five actions:

• Review pesticide stores and ensure bunding, fire protection and storage arrangements remain suitable.

• Audit pesticide stocks and remove any unauthorised or expired products.

• Ensure spray records are complete, compliant and readily available for inspection.

• Verify that pedestrianoperated spraying equipment has been inspected where required.

• Confirm registration requirements under the Official Controls Regulations have been met.

Staying on top of the many different regulations and standards that impact on the daily working lives within the wider industry has arguably never been more important.

For some regulation remains something of a four-letter word. There is a case to be made for simplifying some of the rules and requirements, but the fact remains that regulation has helped to drive up professional standards for many years.

The Amenity Forum is right in highlighting the concerning fact that so many HSE site visits regarding the use and storage of pe sticides have prompted enforcement action.

Standards do need to be much higher. This is a world class industry and as a result regulations will be enforced more keenly. W orking better and working smarter are what have elevated the wider industry to the position it now occupies and maintaining those levels of professionalism is a daily task everyone should be completing.

This month we have our regular Professional Groundscare supplement, which provides a valuable snapshot of the leading products and services in the sector. This month will also see Issue 2 of our new title – Let’s Talk PG – which takes a more detailed and tec hnical look at what is happening in professional groundscare.

For now, we concentrate on key areas – such as Turf Maintenance and Line Marking - as we look at how managing turf and creating high quality surfaces continues to pose challenges but is possible with the wide range of solutions now available.

There is also a round-up of the latest news and case studies from the professional groundscare as the UK’s global influence continues to increase.

Elsewhere, we take a timely look at the market for Weed & Post Control, as well as a product spotlight on and Top Dressers & Spreaders. There is also the latest news regarding Street Furniture & Pedestrianisation and Hard & Soft Landscaping.

High standards are never guaranteed, they do need to be worked on constantly.

Have a great month everyone.

Paul Groves, Editor

Grosvenor House, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TW T: 01952 234000

DIRECTOR Martyn Smith martyn@tspmedia.co.uk EDITOR Paul Groves paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

DIVISION Colette Clark colette@tspmedia.co.uk

SALES MANAGER Sunil Kainth sunil@tspmedia.co.uk

The Gardens Trust is bringing together academics, developers and policymakers for a twoday conference to ensure the need for green space is central to the Government’s drive for new housing.

‘NewTown Landscapes: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future’, taking place on September 23 and 24, will focus on how lessons from the past can meaningfully shape future planning, design, governance, and community life.

It is conceived as both a scholarly forum and a space for professional and intergenerational exchange, encouraging dialogue between research, practice, and lived experience.

Case studies will examine sites in Europe, the US, the Far East and across the UK, and will include the landscape-led masterplan for Redditch New Town, the ecological networks that shaped Warrington New Town, the use of nature-based design codes in a recent garden village development and the changing perceptions of modern heritage in Scotland ’s New Town landscapes.

It will also discuss topics such as international lessons on how to build flexible and adaptable new towns, the training of tomorrow’s practitioners in creating New Town landscapes, rethinking green space in the New Towns, and New Town public art.

Speakers include representatives from the Landscape Institute, the

GroundsFest strengthens partnership with BALI

GroundsFest has announced an expanded partnership with the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), which will see the organisation again become the exclusive sponsor of The Landscape Zone at GroundsFest 2026.

The strengthened relationship marks another significant step forward for GroundsFest as it continues to bring together every corner of the grounds management, landscaping and outdoor industries through a fresh, inclusive and engaging event experience.

As part of the partnership, BALI will have a major presence throughout the show, including sponsorship of The Landscape Zone and a seminar theatre. Working closely with HortWeek, BALI will help deliver an engaging seminar programme packed with expert insight, industry discussion and valuable educational content for visitors.

In addition, BALI will host its own stand within The Landscape Zone, alongside a dedicated

podcast area where some of the landscaping industry’s leading figures will be interviewed across the two-day event. The podcast feature is expected to provide visitors with unique insight into key industry topics, trends and challenges, while also shining a spotlight on the people helping to shape the future of landscaping.

GroundsFest Event Director Christopher Bassett said: “We see a natural alignment with BALI. There’s a shared commitment to raising standards, supporting professionals and strengthening the future of the landscaping and wider grounds sector. BALI’s proactive, forward-thinking work mirrors what we’re trying to achieve with GroundsFest, and it makes this partnership feel like a really natural fit.”

GroundsFest 2026 takes place on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Visitor registration for GroundsFest 2026 is free and now open.

GroundsFest Enquiry 6

Royal Town Planning Institute and Historic Environment Scotland as well as universities and design practices.

Day 2 will have a presentation by James Cairncross, Head of Landscape Architecture, The Parks Trust, Milton Keynes on The Parks Trust’s work caring for the Milton Keynes landscapes, followed by guided tours of Campbell Park and Great Linford Manor Park, including with an option to travel by bike.

Campbell Park is a 46 hectare park designed as part of the New Town and opened in 1984. It is on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest for its role as a central feature in the unique plan of Milton Keynes, its planning and planting to incorporate

biodiversity, and its outstanding unified design.

Great Linford Manor Park is a Georgian Landscape Garden

with a history stretching back to Saxon times, now incorporated into the New Town as a public park. Covering 10 hectares, it has recently been restored with a £3m

grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Gardens Trust Enquiry 5

Cobra expands with launch of Fortis Stadium 34

Cobra has announced the muchanticipated arrival of its new Fortis Stadium 34 machine, a powerful new professional cylinder mower designed specifically for semiprofessional and professional sports turf environments.

Engineered for football pitches, cricket squares, golf facilities, bowls greens and sports academies, the new model marks a major step forward for Cobra as it fully enters the professional sports turf category.

The Fortis Stadium 34 represents a significant evolution for Cobra, bringing together modern turfcare technology with the experience and heritage of Henton & Chattell’s 95 years in the garden machinery industry. Designed to deliver precision cutting, versatility and long-term reliability, the machine

is aimed squarely at grounds teams seeking professional performance with practical affordability.

To meet the evolving needs of modern grounds teams, Cobra is launching the Fortis Stadium 34 in two configurations; a Hondapowered petrol model for proven performance, and an EGO battery-powered model offering the same 34” cut with reduced noise, zero emissions at the point of use and lower running costs – ideal for stadiums where sustainability and noise control are priorities.

Offering both power options provides facilities with the flexibility to adopt battery technology at their own pace while maintaining operational reliability. For large pitches and

STM supporting real-life warriors

STM Co in Warwickshire import grasscutting machinery from SCAG Power Equipment in the United States, which has started a Breast Cancer Awareness scheme involving Limited Edition machinery specifically produced in the recognisable pink colouring.

STM is following this initiative in the UK with proceeds going directly to Cancer Research specifically for Breast Cancer research.

In addition, the STM management have chosen to offer a Pink Warrior machine in a Prize Draw, with tickets being available using a QR

From STM Co Ltd and SCAG.com

extended mowing sessions, the Fortis Stadium 34 can be fitted with an optional premium trailer seat, helping to reduce operator fatigue while maintaining precise control.

The mower is fully compatible with the Fortis Turf Management Cartridge System, enabling operators to quickly switch between interchangeable lawncare cartridges. This allows grounds teams to carry out a wide range of essential turf maintenance tasks with one machine, including aeration, scarification, verticutting and brushing — keeping playing surfaces in peak condition throughout the season.

Cobra Enquiry 8

code on the company’s website, promotional literature and magazine adverts.

Phillipa Mason, wife of Dominic Mason, the STM CEO, said: “I am incredibly touched by Dominic’s generosity in this campaign. We went through a very difficult time when I had breast cancer; we owe such a lot to Cancer Research UK

The “Pink Warrior” Campaign from STM (UK) and SCAG (USA)

Each machine sold in this campaign will be providing funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.

and we are pleased to have an opportunity to demonstrate our thanks”

The tickets will be £5 each and the draw will take place at SALTEX, 11th – 12th November, Stand QO60 at NEC Birmingham.

STM Enquiry 9

The future of irrigation

As the UK importer and distributer for Fiedler GmbH & Westa GmbH, the aim of All Seasons Equipment is to continue bringing innovative solutions to the groundscare and municipal market.

By speaking with dealers and customers, understanding their requirements, this allows the company to offer the best solution in cooperation with the manufacturers.

One of these solutions is the new irrigation system from Fiedler GmbH.

New standards in municipal and commercial plant care with the Fiedler watering arm with proportional control

for pinpoint irrigation. Up to 8.5 m. Reach with 250 swivel range allows you to water areas right next to the vehicle without the need for manoeuvring. both electric and hydraulically operated systems are available.

Combined with an FTS tank system. With its modular design and capacities, it offers an ideal solution for any carrier vehicle.

A wide range of attachments, such as washing brushes, spray booms, long-range nozzles, flushing booms and flushing nozzles, sewer flushing units, surface cleaners, sweepers, as well as various pump, reel and hand-held lance systems, are available.

No water wastage with precise dosing - flow rate and individual dispensing at the touch of a button with FMC controller.

All Seasons Enquiry 10

The STM Co Pink Warrior Draw

STM are donating one of these machines to a Prize Draw, with 100% of the total income from the giving page going to Breast Cancer Awareness through Cancer Research UK. Pink Warrior machines are a LIMITED EDITION run, prepared specially for the campaign.

STM Co Ltd in Warwickshire are the sole importers of SCAG products in the UK, and they are joining the SCAG incentive, PLUS doing a Prize Draw for a Pink Warrior machine in association with Cancer Research UK.

Using this QR code people can donate to a dedicated giving page, with a draw to take place at SALTEX at the NEC, 11th - 12th November 2026 Stand QO60

01789 488450 info@st-mach.com www.st-mach.com Advice, Demos, Supply, Training, Spares and Technical back-up from the STM Co Ltd nationwide network

Non-staining paving jointing and no shrinkage cracking

GftK’s vdw 850+ Paving Jointing Mortar has a unique formulation that prevents the separation and resin loss that occurs with inferior resin jointing products and leads to the contamination and staining of natural stone and porcelain paved surfaces - even if the manufacturers and suppliers call it a temporary sheen.

It still looks terrible and takes a lot of effort to clean, or a long time to ‘weather-off’, especially on lighter and more permeable and sensitive natural stone.

The development of this 2ndgeneration, water-dispersed epoxy technology, is exclusive to GftK in Germany, and this is used to precoat the spherical alluvial glacial sands, which are the fine ‘no-fines’ sand / aggregate component in their advanced products. This is what provides the optimum correlation

of strengths (tensile, compressive and e-modulus), for the highest performance in application and service.

This also provides the high flow characteristics and selfcompacting capabilities, plus the high internal cohesion with the resin in the mix, which is what allows more water to be used without risk of separation and segregation, for the most efficient wet-slurry application. This is why it is ‘the wetter the better’ at the wet-slurry stage, to the extent that this could cause separation and loss of performance with the other epoxy paving jointing products on the market.

Therefore, by selecting GftK vdw 850 plus you have no worries about staining, and none of the annoying cement haze that you get from all cement-based jointing materials.

No more waiting for a dry forecast

Designed to help you start and finish paving jointing on schedule, despite wet weather forecasts, and even in in the rain, using GftK vdw 850+ paving jointing mortar allows the optimum use of wetslurry application techniques, with extended flowability to spread easily across the paved surfaces and into the joints. Here they displace any residual water with highly efficient self-

compaction, and as a result, unlike with other products, there is no additional tooling or finishing required.

With the advantages of GftK vdw 850 plus, and the finer grade GftK vdw 815 plus for narrow joints >3mm wide, you can plan to start, apply and complete your jointing and repointing works when you are ready and on schedule, not just when the fickle British weather cooperates!

Get the job completed on time and with minimal final surface cleaning requirements, just rinse and brush off with a little more water in a fine hose spray. You can even keep working in the rain when you need to get finished - No delays for your jointing and repointing works, plus no loss, but rather an increase in joint quality and durability.

GftK vdw 850 plus hardens quickly in the joints, to get areas open and/or back into service as fast as possible, and then to withstand the toughest exposure and service demands. It can be used for all types of paving, everywhere from domestic patios, paths and driveways, to paving around retail and commercial centres, and for heavily trafficked paved roads and other public areas such market squares. A further advantage of using GftK

vdw 850 plus, is that the material hardens by internal cross-linking and there is no short- or longterm shrinkage and consequential cracking problems, as there always will be with cementhydration and air-drying jointing products, which are the root cause of many joint failures.

This also makes it the perfect solution for joints with variable widths, for example in the repointing of traditional Yorkstone and historic slate slabs or granite setts, as well as in Crazy Paving, which seems to be coming back in fashion. This ensures longterm shrinkage free performance, plus being tough and resilient, it can withstand high-pressure jetwashing and even mechanical streetcleaning machines.

• No wet weather delays

• No concerns over water in joints

• Very high flow & self-compacting

• No tooling or finishing required +

• No haze & No efflorescence

• Fast curing & hardening +

• Suitable for random sized joints

• No shrinkage cracks

• Optimum strengths & flexibility

• Fully resistant to traffic, de-icing salts, and jet-washing

Mixtures for Professionals

Wildflower bulbs are perfect for creating safe havens for pollenating bees, butterflies, moths, and other endangered insects, whether regenerating areas in towns and villages, in woodland settings or small areas set aside for a preservation site.

Native varieties such as Anemone nemerosa (Wood Anemone), Allium urinum (Wild Garlic), Galanthus nivalis (Single

village approaches, roundabouts, verges, golf course and woodland walkways, the sight of daffodils swaying in the breeze is a sight to behold with many councils, landscapers and trusts opting to plant flower bulbs to attract visitors, generate land into areas of interest and for the wellbeing of residents.

The benefit of planting daffodils is that they can naturalise freely and will continue to flower for up

When considering planting flower bulbs in grass land or lawns you

UK-native wildflowers, allowing gardeners to simply place, water, and watch their meadow flourish.

flowering before cutting starts, this is essential to develop the bulbs for future seasons to come. Crocus, snowdrops, and Wild daffodils are perfect for these situations.

For areas of general interest for impact planting in spring beds, perennial borders, around shrubs, parks, open spaces and private gardens the options are wide and varied most flower bulbs will perform in these areas, alliums, hyacinths, narcissus, and tulips are ideal for creating vibrant displays, and companion planting in beds or under planting in containers will extend the period of interest from late winter

Specialist help from Boston Bulbs wildflower garden

UK-native species, carefully selected to support pollinators and local wildlife.

Consisting of 104 plug plants per tray and eight different standard), these ready-to-plant wildflowers plugs are a great way establishing a diverse wildflower area or meadow with instant results and minimal effort.

Benefit from higher success rates than seeds, even of plants, instant impact of flowers, better weed resistance and a season-long display with a mix of species within each tray.

The wildflowers featured in Meadow-in-a-Tray are all

Johnsons Lawn Seed Enquiry 19

It

Marshalls help designers turn ideas into buildable places

Marshalls

Built

By

Marshalls Enquiry 22

Tobermore rebrands City Pave as Tetralock and expands range

Tobermore, one of the UK & Ireland’s leading construction manufacturers, has rebranded its City Pave block paving as Tetralock and added three new colours to the range.

The new name reflects Tetralock’s unique five-side interlock which provides exceptional stability under heavy trafficking and directional loads, as well as its suitability for applications beyond city and urban environments.

“Where most paving interlocks on the four vertical sides, Tetralock has a special bottom profile that “claws” into the bedding layer,” explained Craig McBride, Product Development Manager at Tobermore. “This increases frictional resistance by 54% compared to non-profiled stones

and provides superior anti-shift performance, alongside heavy-duty strength and durability.”

“Changing its name highlights this innovative feature and broadens its appeal to clients working on a diverse range of schemes that need to deliver heavy-duty strength, durability and performance without compromising on looks.”

In addition to city centres, pedestrian precincts and plazas, the product is ideally suited to high-use commercial and civic spaces such as bus stops, transport interchanges, industrial or service yards or accessible routes and streetscapes. In short, it’s designed for environments that demand both visual appeal and reliable performance under frequent vehicle and pedestrian use.

Blocks are 300mm x 150mm x 100mm dimension. The range comes in textured granite finishes with six long-lasting colour options, including bracken, charcoal, and natural which have been added for summer 2026. This allows designers to create contemporary laying patterns and subtle colour mixes for urban design. The narrow joints give a comfortable, wheelchairfriendly surface and a clean visual finish.

Tetralock is produced to recognised BS EN 1338 paving standards and has an engineered surface layer with a minimum 4mm wearing layer with binder content to ensure high wear resistance and good skid resistance.

Tobermore Enquiry 24

Invicta block paving takes pole position

Brett Landscaping & Building Products has supplied more than 3,500m 2 of Invicta permeable block paving for the pedestrian areas around Silverstone Park, a 285-acre advanced manufacturing campus adjacent to the home of Formula One and motorsport in the UK.

Brett Landscaping & Building Products was chosen by MEPC to supply the paving for the new pedestrian walkways and car parking areas.

The Invicta block paving range was specified in three sophisticated colourways of Onyx, Moonstone, and Pearl which were chosen specifically for their premium granite aggregates that deliver an exceptionally hardwearing, contemporary finish befitting the world-class location.

In addition, the use of permeable paving throughout the car park areas provides an integrated Sustainable Drainage System that ensures rainwater is absorbed and slowly dispersed back into the water course.

The paving was installed around a phase of the development with smart offices, a nursery, gym and a café are situated, providing the amenities needed for the expanding science park and the additional capacity requirements of race weekends at the nearby Silverstone circuit.

Robyn Robertson, Technical Design Manager, Brett Landscaping & Building Products: “Silverstone Park is a fantastic cluster for advanced manufacturing and education linked to one of the most iconic locations in world motorsport, so we are excited to be supplying our

Invicta permeable block paving to the expansion of the site, as it gears up for growing business demand and higher footfall.

“The Invicta range provides the pedestrian and parking areas with a beautifully engineered, modern clean look that is hardwearing that will serve the park and its visitors for many years to come.”

Brett Landscaping Enquiry 25

Marshalls launches Dutch Entrance Kerb range

Marshalls has launched its new Dutch Entrance Kerb range, providing local authorities, contractors and specifiers with a purpose-designed solution for creating safer crossings where vehicles pass over cycle tracks and footways.

Now available across the UK, the range has been developed to support the continued rollout of improvements to active travel schemes and streetscapes that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining access for vehicles.

Designed for use at side roads, private entrances and junctions, the Dutch Entrance Kerb creates a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists across crossing points, while requiring vehicles to mount a raised kerb crossing that encourages lower approach speeds and greater driver awareness.

This reduces conflict points between road users and helps create calmer, more controlled streets without compromising traffic flow.

A key feature of the Marshalls solution is its 1-in-12 gradient centre stone ramp, designed to meet inclusive mobility guidance requirements and support wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

Manufactured at Marshalls’ West Yorkshire site, the range is available in natural and silver grey finishes, and has

been designed to integrate with Marshalls’ wider kerb systems, helping streamline specification across highways and public realm projects.

The range includes centre, left-hand end and right-hand end units, and is compatible with Marshalls’ Active Travel, Conservation and standard kerb ranges. The corner unit matches standard kerb heights to provide seamless transitions within mixed installations.

Marshalls Enquiry 26

Whitepaper reveals extent of challenges in creating safe spaces

Bradstone, a member of Holcim UK, has launched a major new whitepaper, Promoting Safety in the Public Realm, calling for a more coordinated, evidencebased approach to designing and managing safer public spaces across the UK.

It is the first output from a new working group assembled by Bradstone, comprising landscape architects, academic partners, NGOs and industry professionals to examine how safety is understood, experienced and delivered in the built environment.

The whitepaper pulls in recent research from the University of Leeds and West Yorkshire Combined Authority which reveal that fences and walls around park edges make parks feel less safe due to reducing escape routes, while busier parks feel safer due to passive surveillance from other people. Meanwhile, stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

show 37% of women stop walking in quiet places after dark due to safety concerns.

Contributors to the whitepaper include Jo Roberts (Holcim UK), Dr Anna Barker (University of Leeds), Romy Rawlings (Landscape Institute / Deep Green), Ben Gill (One Planet), and Iwonan Kossek (Ask for Angela).

Together, they argue there is a growing urgency to tackle safety in public spaces as, despite having a direct influence on each, the issue continues to receive less attention than other urban issues, such as decarbonisation, regeneration and public health.

A central theme of the whitepaper is the need for a shared, crosssector understanding of what ‘safety’ actually means. The working group emphasises the distinction between actual safety (objective risk) and perceived safety (subjective experience), noting that perception often

shapes behaviour more strongly than reality. Jo Roberts, Head of Product Management at Holcim UK, said: “We are now reaching a point where familiar ideas of ‘safety’ are being re-examined –not only as a matter of physical design but as a measure of how people feel and belong in the places they share with others. This whitepaper is about creating a shared language, grounded in evidence, that helps the industry design environments where everyone feels safe, connected and confident to move freely.”

Also identified in the paper are barriers that currently impede progress – from the sheer volume of unstructured guidance to persistent misconceptions, such as the belief that safety is solely about crime reduction or that more lighting or CCTV are always the most effective solutions.

Bradstone Enquiry 27

Lanzarta receives full UK approval

Agrovista Amenity is pleased to confirm that Lanzarta has now received full registration approval in the UK for both forest nursery and in-forest use, providing forestry professionals with a complete twostage strategy for controlling large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis).

Lanzarta is an insecticide specifically developed for the control of large pine weevil, one of the most destructive pests affecting UK forestry. The pest can cause significant damage to newly planted conifer trees, particularly pine and spruce, during the first five years after planting or restocking.

Adult beetles feed on the bark of young trees, often girdling the stem and ultimately killing the plant. On heavily affected sites, between 50 and 100 percent of newly planted conifers can be destroyed.

The new approval allows Lanzarta to be used both as

a nursery pre-treatment and as a post-transplant forest application, delivering flexible and long-lasting protection throughout the establishment phase of young trees.

Agrovista Amenity Enquiry 29

Timely application gives the best lawn service results

New sprayer technology is enabling Norfolk lawn care specialist Will Dunger to achieve more timely applications for customers across a wider area, at a time climate shift is reducing spraying opportunities this spring.

With soil temperatures warming up and growth potential rising, herbicide application will soon be a priority on lawns where it’s needed, but that also coincides with the busy spring period for other lawn activities.

With his Techneat SPPS (SelfPropelled Pedestrian Sprayer) Will reports they can easily cover

STIHL launches high-performance battery-powered sprayer

STIHL has expanded its sprayer offering with the launch of the SGA 60, designed to combine operator comfort with automatic and precise liquid distribution.

Built for groundskeepers, landscapers and gardeners, the model removes the requirement for manual pumping, delivering consistent pressure throughout the spraying task.

Providing a working pressure of up to 4.5 bars, the SGA 60 uses the STIHL AK System battery and features a 15litre tank capacity. Its five nozzles enable users to tailor the spray pattern depending on the application, whether applying fertilisers or other solutions across a variety of areas. With a quick-change feature, professionals can choose between single, double, quadruple, fan-jet, and adjustable modes, ensuring

effective coverage specific to the application.

Ease of use is at the heart of the SGA 60’s design, with straightforward pressure controls, an intuitive ON/ OFF switch and a clear battery charge indicator. Additionally,

padded shoulder straps, back support, and a hip harness evenly distribute weight for minimal strain, allowing for comfortable use.

The 2026 addition arrives as STIHL celebrates its 100th anniversary. Since 1926,

STIHL has defined the global standard for battery and petrolpowered forestry, landscaping, and residential gardening equipment for professional and domestic users.

STIHL Enquiry 31

Fairways GM delivers sprayer and utility vehicle to club

Bonnyton Golf Club, near Eaglesham in East Renfrewshire, has strengthened its capability to spray and spread with the delivery of a new sprayer and utility vehicle from Fairways GM, Inchinnan.

Head Greenkeeper, Stuart MacDonald worked closely with Fairways GM’s Area Sales Manager, Stuart Cameron, to specify a package suited to the demands of the historic moorland course.

The club chose a Cushman Truckster XD, paired with a Gambetti Pro Mount sprayer and a GKB SP100 top dresser.

Stuart MacDonald said: “The new kit brings our spraying and spreading right up to date.

“The Cushman Truckster is a repeat purchase for us. We

know it’s worth, having one already for transporting tools and materials around the course. This one is dedicated to the two new machines.

“There isn’t a week that goes by without spraying somewhere on the course, so

the new sprayer will live on the Cushman most of the time, only coming off when the top dresser is called into action.

“We’re impressed by the Gambetti. The improvement in spraying accuracy and quality is immediate. Everything is now to a higher standard; the hydraulic booms and induction chamber make life easier for the three of us who use it. There are lots of incremental benefits that just make a better job.”

Fairways GM Enquiry 32

a hectare of more lawn spraying in a day across three to four sites. For larger scale jobs, he’s previously sprayed 1.4 hectares in less than three hours.

He calibrates the spray to operate at 400 l/ha, operating with 04 nozzles. “It’s a good compromise between optimum leaf coverage and comfortable spraying speed, with minimal risk of drift.

It’s his second Techneat SPPS sprayer, but with the advent of front folding booms he can now transport it in the company’s van, rather than requiring a trailer with the previous machine. That makes

it quicker to move around and access more sites.

Techneat Enquiry 30

Cleanse your turf of weeds with Priest from OAS

Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) are pleased to announce the launch of Priest – a new selective post-emergence hebicide developed specifically for managed amenity turf.

Available now, and exclusively from OAS, Priest contains three proven active ingredients for rapid knockdown and deep systemic control of a wide range of broadleaved weed species.

Delivering a reliable, professional solution for sports turf, amenity grassland and managed landscapes, Priest’s triple-action formulation combines highly effective active ingredients for fast visible results and longlasting control of difficult and persistent weeds.

• Florasulam – an ALS inhibitor providing systemic control of many common broad-leaved weeds

• Fluroxypyr – synthetic auxin herbicide effective against woody and deep-rooted species

• Clopyralid – systemic auxin herbicide particularly effective on thistles, docks and legumes

Together, these ingredients offer effective control of species including Daisy, Dandelion, White Clover, Ribwort Plantain, Common Mouse-ear, Selfheal, Sorrel and Slender Speedwell. In addition,

moderate control is also achieved on Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

The versatility of Priest is matched with flexible application through either powered or knapsack sprayers, with just one application needed between March and October for optimal results. Priest is also safe to use on a wide range of turf grass including Annual Meadowgrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Chewings Fescue and Creeping Bentgrass though a test should always be carried out before full treatment, particularly on unknown turf cultivars.

Commenting on the newly launched product, Nick Martin, Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to introduce Priest to the Origin Amenity Solutions product portfolio. Bringing highperforming, reliable solutions to the market is central to our commitment to customers, and Priest is another excellent example of that.”

“Priest is something we’ve been working on for a while and I’m delighted to have seen its efficacy first-hand” adds Mark De Ath, Origins PPP Team Lead. “It’s control of such a wide range of weed species will see Priest become a key tool in the armoury of all those looking after managed amenity turf and amenity grassland.”

Origin Amenity Solutions Enquiry 33

Advanced battery power, built for professional turf care

Dennis E-Series battery mowers are designed to give grounds teams, contractors and local authorities the performance they expect from Dennis, with the added benefits of quieter operation, reduced emissions and lower running costs.

At the heart of every E-Series machine is a custom-built battery system, developed specifically for Dennis mowing applications. From cell selection and module creation to battery casing and Battery Management System, each element has been designed to deliver reliable power, long run time and consistent cutting performance.

The E-Series batteries use high-density NMC cells, carefully selected to provide

more hours of operation between charges. This supports longer run hours in daily use, helping teams cover more ground from a single charge and reducing the need to stop work for battery changes or extended recharging. With a full recharge time of less than two hours, machines can be returned to service quickly, supporting busy maintenance schedules across sports grounds, cemeteries, schools, parks and amenity spaces.

Reliability is central to the Dennis approach. Precision laser welding, plasma cleaning and heat-staking support strong, durable battery construction, while the intelligent Battery Management System helps

optimise performance, battery longevity, power management, heat management and safety.

Each battery is UKCA certified and rigorously tested for shock, vibration, thermal extremes, humidity, altitude and cycling. Every unit also carries a unique serial number for full traceability and quality assurance.

With low hand-arm vibration, reduced noise and superb aftersales support as standard from Dennis, the E-Series range offers a practical, professional route to battery-powered turf maintenance without compromising on finish, performance or confidence.

Dennis Enquiry 34

Advanced pitch technology in action at nine 2026 World Cup stadiums

SIS Pitches’ advanced sports pitch technology is in action on football’s biggest global stage this summer, contributing to high-performance playing surfaces across nine of the 16 host stadiums at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the venue for the final.

This summer’s tournament sees 48 teams compete across a diverse range of climates and venues in the three host nations. SIS Pitches’ technology will play a crucial role in maintaining consistent, world-class playing conditions throughout the tournament, despite the potential for extreme weather and the demands of an expanded fixture schedule.

The UK-headquartered sports pitches specialist has contributed different combinations of its SIS Grass Hybrid reinforced turf system, and subsurface drainage and aeration systems to nine of the

host venues, one of which had its full pitch constructed by the company last summer.

SIS Grass Hybrid is in action at stadiums in San Francisco, Miami, Kansas City, Toronto, Monterrey and host for the final, the New York New Jersey Stadium. The hybrid system sees synthetic fibres stitched into the surface across the entire field to provide increased durability enhanced root growth.

SIS Pitches’ DrainTalent system is being used in Guadalajara, Seattle and Vancouver. Importantly for the world’s biggest football tournament, the system provides vacuum drainage to quickly extract excess water from the pitch in storm conditions to avoid delays or disruption to play.

The pitch in Monterrey was designed and constructed in full by SIS Pitches’ expert team in

2025 and then also maintained in peak condition during CF Monterrey’s regular season. It features SIS Grass Hybrid alongside the company’s SIS Heat Core undersoil heating and SIS Air Core subsurface aeration systems, with the latter promoting healthy growing conditions for the grass while also deploying powerful vacuum drainage

to minimise disruption in the event of extreme rain.

Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “Having been involved in the previous two tournaments in Russia and Qatar, we understand how important it is that our technology works alongside that of other partners to ensure each pitch system performs as intended. For

this tournament in particular, expert grounds teams and the best companies in the industry have come together across the stadium network to transform multi-use NFL and MLS venues into high-quality hybrid surfaces for the world’s best players.”

SIS Pitches Enquiry 35

Mitie and Kress partner to roll out autonomous Kress Voyager mowbots

Mitie and Kress have announced a strategic partnership that will see 24 autonomous Kress Voyager ‘mowbots’ deployed across customer sites throughout the UK, representing one of the largest investments of its kind within the facilities management and landscaping sector.

The rollout combines Mitie’s landscaping expertise with Kress’ advanced autonomous mowing technology, creating a new model for grounds maintenance that blends intelligent

automation with skilled human oversight. Mitie colleagues are developing new digital capabilities as ‘Robot Pilots’, programming and managing the Kress ‘mowbots’ using digital tools to map sites, monitor performance and optimise operations in real time. Working alongside landscaping teams, the autonomous Kress Voyager units safely navigate sites using advanced AI and positioning technology, undertaking routine grass cutting operations throughout the day.

Engineered for elite grounds

Emission-Free Turf Care for Landscapers & Groundskeepers

As sustainability becomes more of a priority for many facilities, robotic mowers offer an efficient, zero-emission solution for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces. Kress RTKn robotic mowers provide high-precision, antenna-free mowing designed for professional turf care.

Efficient Turf Maintenance

Lightweight and autonomous, robotic mowers reduce turf compaction and can operate in wet conditions without damaging surfaces. Working day and night, they maintain consistent, precise standards across sports and amenity areas.

Increased Productivity

Robotic mowers reduce time spent on routine mowing, allowing grounds teams and landscapers to focus on skilled maintenance tasks while improving overall efficiency.

Quiet, Precise & Sustainable

Delivering a consistent cut with near-silent operation, robotic mowers are ideal for sports venues, golf courses, cricket grounds, and public spaces. Kress RTKn technology ensures precise navigation and a professional finish with zero emissions.

The Future of Turf Care

For landscapers and grounds teams, robotic mowing technology offers a sustainable, costeffective approach to maintaining premium turf surfaces.

As fully electric machines, the Kress Voyager fleet supports both Mitie’s and Kress’ shared sustainability ambitions by producing zero direct emissions during operation. Unlike conventional petrol-powered mowing equipment, the Kress ‘mowbots’ operate entirely on battery power, helping improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions across customer estates.

Battery-powered operation also eliminates the risk of fuel and oil spills, supporting cleaner and safer site management.

The autonomous Kress Voyager units are significantly quieter than traditional petrol machinery, making them particularly well suited to sensitive environments such as schools, healthcare facilities, corporate campuses and public spaces where noise reduction is important.

Beyond operational benefits, the ‘mowbots’ contribute to healthier and more sustainable grounds management. Through a process known as ‘grass cycling’, the robots mow little and often, naturally returning fine grass clippings back into the soil. This improves soil health, reduces reliance on fertilisers and helps create stronger, more resilient lawns.

The deployment of the Kress Voyager fleet is the latest innovation within Mitie’s growing robotics programme, joining its successful cleaning robot (‘cobot’) initiatives,

including the deployment of 32 autonomous cleaning robots at Heathrow Airport. Together, these technologies are supporting frontline colleagues, enhancing service delivery and helping customers achieve their sustainability goals: Tim Howell, Managing Director, Landscaping, Mitie, said: “This rollout marks an important step forward in how we deliver grounds maintenance services. Through our partnership with Kress, we are bringing innovative autonomous technology into our landscaping operations while creating new opportunities for colleagues to develop valuable digital skills as Robot Pilots. The Kress Voyager platform supports our commitment to sustainability through quieter, zero-emission operation, while allowing our teams to focus on higher-value landscaping activities.”

Spencer Funnell, Managing Director, Kress, said: “We are delighted to partner with Mitie on this landmark deployment of Kress Voyager autonomous mowing technology. This collaboration demonstrates how robotics and AI can work alongside skilled landscaping professionals to transform grounds maintenance. By combining Mitie’s operational expertise with Kress’ autonomous technology, we are delivering a safer, more sustainable and highly efficient solution that benefits customers, colleagues and the environment alike.”

MM50 for championshipquality courts

Maintaining high-quality natural grass tennis courts is no easy task, particularly when they are expected to withstand weeks of intensive play during a packed summer schedule.

At Rye Lawn Tennis Club in East Sussex, Head Groundsman Adam Stunt has spent the past 16 years ensuring the club’s eight grass courts remain among the finest in the region and MM50 grass seed plays a key role in that success.

Central to the maintenance programme is MM50, a specialist perennial ryegrass mixture.

“It’s what we’ve used for the entire time I’ve been here,” said Adam. “It’s something that we massively respect and rely on because of the quality of the seed and the results that we get year after year.”

MM50 delivers a fine-textured, hard-wearing sward with excellent shoot density, close-mowing tolerance and rapid recovery from wear. The mixture is treated with Headstart® GOLD, helping to

promote fast establishment and strong early growth.

For Adam, the speed of germination remains one of the product’s standout features.

“That is something that’s always amazed me,” he said. “The speed at which germination happens is unbelievable. The quickest I’ve had over the years is about five days from seed going in. Obviously that’s not full growth, but you’re definitely seeing it sprouting. It’s something we really can’t fault.”

The demands placed on the courts are significant. During the club’s annual open tournament and associated tennis festival, all eight courts can be in constant use from morning until evening for several consecutive weeks.

Despite the intense wear, MM50 continues to deliver the durability and recovery required to maintain playing standards.

MM Seed Enquiry

Centurion Club places trust in DSV’s Eurograss range

At Centurion Club in St Albans, course manager Andy Garland knows every inch of the golf course because he helped build it from the ground up.

Today, as the club continues to host some of the biggest events in professional golf, Andy relies on Eurograss Dual Use grass seed mixture to help maintain consistent playing surfaces throughout the year in increasingly challenging weather conditions. Andy leads a team of 12 full-time greenkeepers,

with numbers doubling during tournament preparation weeks.

“When I started my career, you probably wouldn’t have a mower out from November until April,” he said. “Now we’re mowing all year round because of the mild weather. We get a month’s rainfall in a day and then go months without rain.”

As a result, drought tolerance, wear tolerance and recovery have become increasingly important factors when selecting

seed mixtures. That search for improved performance led Andy to trial the Eurograss Dual Use mixture, supplied through Turfcare and recommended partly due to its strong STRI rankings.

Initially introduced for repairs and divoting work on tees and fairways, the results quickly caught Andy’s attention. “I was very pleased with Dual Use and how it worked,” he said. “It helped recover divots quicker and even in droughty

conditions on non-irrigated areas.” Eurograss Dual Use is a hard-wearing amenity grass seed mixture designed for areas that need to look good while coping with regular use and changing weather conditions.

Combining high-quality perennial ryegrasses with strong creeping red fescues, it delivers excellent wear tolerance, strong recovery and impressive drought resilience.

Mansfield Sand is one of the UK’s leading providers of silica sand based products to the landscaping

DSV Enquiry

Campey introduces water-powered sand injection

Campey Turf Care Systems is distributing the VGR TopChanger XP, adding the proven Dutch soil-improvement system to its specialist machinery offering.

Developed by VGR Equipment and refined through more than ten years of use in elite sports turf environments, the TopChanger XP is designed to tackle some of the most persistent challenges faced by turf managers, including compaction, poor drainage, organic matter accumulation, and limited maintenance windows. The machine delivers measurable soil improvement while minimising disruption to play and surface availability.

For 40 years Campey have introduced industry defining machinery that has changed the way natural and hybrid pitches are maintained and provided customers with honest, practical turf care advice.

We’re

or

surface disturbance associated with traditional hollow tining or topdressing.

The TopChanger XP has a working width of 1.6 metres, a 250-litre sand hopper and an operating weight of 700 kg, making it suitable for regular use on golf greens, football pitches, and training surfaces.

At the core of the TopChanger XP is a unique water-powered aeration and sand injection process. High-pressure water, typically between 200 and 290 bar, is used to create channels within the soil profile. Sand, either wet or dry, is then injected directly into the rootzone through two injection blocks fitted with a total of 20 injectors. This approach increases infiltration, dilutes organic matter throughout the profile, and promotes deeper, healthier root growth, all in a single pass and without the

The latest XP model incorporates several refinements, including an improved hopper design to reduce spillage, upgraded software to reduce water usage, a new LED touchscreen display and simplified operation. Practical enhancements such as improved weight distribution, wire roller scrapers front and rear, and a rear-mounted hose improve surface cleanliness and manoeuvrability during use.

A key benefit of the system is its flexibility. The TopChanger XP can operate in wet conditions, requires only two operators, and can be used as a wateronly aeration tool in areas where irrigation infrastructure would make conventional tining unsuitable.

Campey Turf Care Enquiry 44

Farol offers a superior range

Farol Ltd is a leading John Deere machinery dealership supporting professional landscapers, sports turf managers and local authorities across Central and Southern England.

We work closely with sports clubs, councils, contractors and estates to supply and support the right grass cutting equipment for every site and schedule.

Whether you’re maintaining sports pitches, public parkland, private estates or roadside verges, we have the machines to match the work.

From large area ride-on mowers and flail machines through to

compact and articulated options for tighter or more varied terrain, our brands John Deere, Major, Grillo and Avant cover the full range of professional grass cutting requirements.

For trimming, edging and detail work, STIHL’s handheld range ensures a complete solution from one supplier.

Whatever the application, Farol’s team is on hand with the product knowledge and aftersales support to keep your operation running.

Farol Enquiry 47

Innovative approaches in turf health with Consolidate Turf

Consolidate Turf is proudly reflecting on 20 years of innovation, growth, and success in the sports turf industry.

From its humble beginnings to becoming a recognised leader in turf health solutions, the company has steadily expanded its reach and influence, helping countless grounds teams achieve resilient, high-performance surfaces.

Under the leadership of owner and Managing Director Paul Benson, the company has established itself as a leading force dedicated to supporting the health and resilience of sports turf. Its philosophy is

centred on equipping plants with the foundational elements and support systems needed to thrive under a wide range of environmental stresses. Rather than following traditional methods, the firm has developed products that focus on efficient uptake and practical results in the field.

A hallmark of the approach is the ongoing refinement of product application. Working closely with grounds teams and end users, solutions are ensured to perform reliably across varying climates, soil types, and grass species. There is a strong emphasis on making products that are simple to use

Club enjoys steady growth with Suståne

Like most, the objective for James Cleaver – Course Manager at Stratford Oaks Golf Club – is to achieve year-round consistency when it comes to plant health and play quality.

A steady, reliable nutrition programme has become a key part of that effort and, over the last 18 months, Suståne’s 5-2-4+Fe slow-release naturel base fertiliser has played an increasingly important role.

“After trialling Suståne’s 5-2-4+Fe in autumn 2024, we emerged in the spring in a healthier place which then encouraged us to up the applications to four or five times a year – focusing

on the high disease pressure windows,” he explained.

“Another great thing with this product is it doesn’t trigger a massive flush of growth like you get with some other fertiliser products. Application is also easy – the small prill quickly gets into the sward so, when applied in conjunction with predicted rainfall it doesn’t disrupt our mowing programme.”

The product’s all-purpose nature makes it ideal for a range of sports turf and landscape applications, providing a quick green up followed by long lasting slow-release organic nitrogen.

Suståne Enquiry 49

and flexible, allowing grounds professionals to apply them in different weather conditions and consistently achieve robust turf performance.

Unlike conventional fertilisers, the Consolidate range is designed as a plant health solution rather than just a nutrient input. The unique application methods target the root zone, supporting the turf’s natural ability to manage stress and recover from daily challenges. This focus on the root system encourages strong plant development, improved stress tolerance, and consistent outcomes on real-world sports surfaces.

Products have been shaped by ongoing feedback from the industry, with a constant emphasis on practical solutions that are easy to implement and cost-effective.

Collaboration with users also enables continuous improvements, keeping maintenance straightforward while optimising the potential of the playing surface.

Ultimately, the company’s mission is to provide the building blocks and support needed for resilient, high-functioning turf.

Consolidate Turf Enquiry 48

Consolidate Plus+ promotes natural plant hormones, auxins in the roots and cytokinins in the shoot tips to keep the plant balanced and healthy.

Silvermere invests in Hunter Irrigation upgrade

At Silvermere Golf Course, irrigation plays a critical role in maintaining the high standards expected of its 18-hole championship parkland course.

Under the guidance of Course Manager Tim Muir, the Surrey venue has undertaken a major inhouse irrigation upgrade project using a range of Hunter irrigation products supplied by KAR UK.

“Probably four or five years ago we were running on an old PVC system, and we had endless problems with it, so we made the decision to upgrade,” he said.

“We started a three-year project of an in-house irrigation install, which originally covered greens, tees and approaches.” During the early stages of the project, Tim was introduced to KAR

UK’s Carl Sharp - Golf Sales Manager UK & Ireland, who recommended a range of Hunter products including G-85, I-25 and I-20 rotors.

Following the success of the initial installation, Silvermere expanded the project further by introducing fairway irrigation across the entire course using Hunter’s G-85 golf rotors.

“The last year just gone, we decided to add fairway irrigation to the full course, which we then went with the Hunter G-85 heads,” said Tim. “They’ve been great. We’ve just finished the install now and have been running them over the last few weeks with great results, so we’re really pleased with them.”

The Hunter G-85 rotor is designed specifically for golf applications and is renowned for its durability, torque output and efficient water distribution. Its patented geardrive system and self-cleaning design have proven particularly

valuable at Silvermere.

The flexibility of the nozzle selection has enabled the Silvermere team to tailor irrigation precisely to different areas of the course.

Efficient water use was a major consideration throughout the project, particularly as the club relies heavily on mains water.

For the tees, Silvermere installed a combination of Hunter I-25 and I-20 rotors, allowing the team to match sprinkler performance to different tee sizes and layouts.

The Hunter I-25 rotor is widely regarded for its durability and versatility, offering a large nozzle selection and built-in check valve to improve water efficiency. Meanwhile, the I-20 provides flexibility for smaller areas thanks to its broad nozzle options, vandalproof drive mechanism and precise arc adjustment.

KAR UK Enquiry 53

Craigielaw’s commitment to championship standards continues

Craigielaw Golf Club has underlined its long-term commitment to delivering championship-quality playing conditions with a significant new investment in Toro turfcare equipment and the support services of distributor Reesink Turfcare’s ReeAssure Gold package.

The East Lothian links venue has moved to an exclusively Toro fleet following a detailed 16-month review process, with course quality, reliability and long-term support being the focus of the process.

For Course Manager Paul Hay, the move reflects the club’s ambition to continually raise standards as demands on the course increase through growing visitor play and a busy tournament calendar.

5 YEARS

“After extensive demonstrations and discussions with suppliers, Toro and Reesink emerged as the standout choice,” Paul says. “This investment shows the club’s commitment to improving course standards and our confidence in adopting a new supplier.”

Craigielaw is hosting a number of high-profile events in 2026, including Open Regional Qualifying and the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship, placing pressure on the team to maintain consistent presentation and performance throughout the season.

“In the demonstrations that formed part of the process I was reminded of the benefits of the clever design and technology the brand offers,” he added. “Things like the manoeuvrability provided by the three-wheel design of the Reelmaster 3575-D and the flexible cutting units of the Reelmaster 3100-D with Sidewinder really impressed us.”

The introduction of the SideWinder is one that delivers a significantly improved course aesthetic, says Paul: “The biggest difference is on the bunker cutting – now we can get in even closer to the bunkers and keep the tops tighter, which significantly enhances the course’s overall presentation.”

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 55

The versatility of the Grillo FD2200TS proves a winner

The Grillo FD 2200TS is a commercial out-front mower with collection, offering exceptional output in both large open spaces and tighter areas thanks to its excellent maneuverability, short wheelbase and tight turning radius.

Its permanent 4WD system with automatic diff-lock, 155cm cutter deck, 1,400-litre high-tip grass box and powerful 47hp Yanmar engine make it incredibly capable in all conditions, particularly when cutting and collecting in wet weather.

Using the rotary deck attachment makes it possible to collect all of the leaves during autumn with just one operator, saving significant man hours elsewhere on the course.

This adaptability is one of the machine’s greatest strengthsit is never left sitting unused in

the shed. Kevin O’Neill, from Howley Hall Golf Club, said: “When purchasing machinery for the golf course, it is essential that the equipment can perform the task efficiently while remaining simple for the greenkeeping team to operate.

“Our Grillo FD 2200TS has certainly delivered on both fronts.

“Originally purchased as a scarify collector to help manage rough areas and encourage finer grasses, the machine has become an invaluable part of our maintenance programme.

“Alongside other management techniques, it has enabled us to carry out turf management to a very high standard.”

Grillo Enquiry 56

Smarter turf management with semi-autonomous mowing

The latest generation of precision turf renovation equipment is helping operators achieve more with fewer resources while maintaining consistently high standards across sports turf, parks, amenity areas, commercial landscapes and public spaces.

SABO MOWIT PRO systems are designed to provide grounds maintenance professionals with a practical solution for maintaining large grassed areas while reducing operator hours.

Offering remote-control or semi-autonomous operation, the MOWIT PRO allows maintenance teams to manage

extensive grassed areas, parks, sports facilities, open spaces, roadside verges, business parks and amenity land with minimal supervision. The ability to remotely control the machine also offers significant advantages where operator safety can become a concern, particularly on slopes and challenging terrain.

Semi-autonomous operation further reduces labour demands by enabling the mower to follow pre-planned work patterns while maintaining a consistent quality of cut.

For organisations facing ongoing recruitment challenges and

BATTERY POWERED LARGE AREA MOWER

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• Advanced control & navigation

increasing labour costs, this technology allows skilled staff to be redeployed to higher-value maintenance tasks, improving productivity without compromising overall site presentation. As turf maintenance continues to evolve, machinery is increasingly being judged not simply by productivity, but by its ability to address labour shortages, improve sustainability and enhance overall surface quality.

• Choice of rear-discharge or mulching cutting deck The all new MOWIT PRO is a highly efficient, battery powered large area mower specifically engineered for demanding commercial application available in remote control or semi-autonomous models.

Taking the stress out of line marking

Crosshouse Community Football Club is a volunteerrun grassroots club in Scotland responsible for maintaining eight football pitches.

When the club’s experienced groundsman sadly passed away, the club’s volunteers suddenly had to take on a specialist job with little or no prior experience.

Volunteers, including club president Neil McNaughton, had to learn how to measure pitches, create right angles, maintain consistent lines and prepare surfaces for a busy fixture schedule.

With eight pitches to look after and limited time available, relying on manual marking was

no longer practical. The winter football calendar added another problem: when pitches were unused for weeks, the club still had to re-mark lines simply to avoid losing the layouts, wasting both paint and volunteer hours.

After seeing Turf Tank through an online advert, McNaughton arranged a demonstration.

Within 18 months, the robotic line marking system had become central to the club’s grounds operation. Instead of a volunteer walking every line manually, Turf Tank can be set up in around five minutes and then left to mark the pitch while volunteers get on with other jobs. This allows the team to double up on tasks, such as

OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) are delighted to announce the extension of their exclusive UK distribution agreement with TinyMobileRobots, marking a significant milestone in a partnership that sets the standard for line marking and robotic solutions across the industry.

This renewed long term agreement, reflects a shared commitment to innovation, customer-focused development and the delivery of best-in-class technology. By strengthening its ties with one of the sectors leading innovators, OAS reaffirms its position at the forefront of robotic line marking solutions in the UK.

The partnership combines TinyMobileRobot’s advanced range of robotic platforms with more than a decade of industry experience within the OAS team. With the addition of OAS’ established

customer relationships, market leading Duraline and Impact paint ranges and comprehensive service infrastructure, customers benefit not only from unbeatable quality and cutting-edge technology, but also from the training and support required to maximise the markers full potential.

Richard Walton, OAS Managing Director, said, “From the very beginning, TinyMobileRobots demonstrated a second to none level of understanding. From robotic engineers to grounds professionals working at all levels of the game, their focus is, and always has been, on understanding how technology could be enhanced to better serve the end user. From their knowledge and research and our feedback from the field, the result is a range of products that are intuitive, highly-efficient and easy to use.”

“We are incredibly proud of the strong and successful partnership we’ve built with TinyMobileRobots and look forward to our future collaboration as we look to take the technology to the next level.”

Daniel Breum, CEO of TinyMobileRobots added, “Working with a partner of Origin’s calibre and reputation in the UK market is a distinct privilege for us. Our relationship has evolved and our two

organisations interact on multiple levels daily, driven by a shared goal to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

“Looking ahead to the future, I am incredibly excited to strengthen this partnership even further, utilising our combined strengths to set new benchmarks for quality and service in the industry.”

Origin Amenity Solutions Enquiry 62

mowing one area while the robot marks another.

A major benefit is consistency. Pitch layouts are saved in the Turf Tank app, so volunteers no longer need to re-measure or remember where markers and corner flags should go.

When football resumes after winter, the robot can pick up from the saved layout and produce accurate lines from the first run.

This removes much of the guesswork and gives inexperienced volunteers the confidence to create pitches to a reliable standard. For the President, the value lies not only in time savings but in the

reassurance that the job is being done properly.

The pitches look sharper, the process is repeatable and volunteers no longer have to worry about whether lines are straight, accurate or consistent.

This matters in a club where the same people often juggle grounds work with coaching, administration and family commitments.

By saving time, reducing paint use, preserving layouts and improving confidence, Turf Tank has helped ease the pressure on the volunteers who keep the club running.

GroundTech secures UK distribution for SWOZI linemarkers

GroundTech, one of the country’s principal suppliers of autonomous and specialist groundcare and turf maintenance equipment, is the exclusive UK-wide distributor for SWOZI – globally recognised as leading manufacturers of highperformance linemarking equipment.

The partnership strengthens GroundTech’s offering to sports clubs, schools and community venues around the country by bringing the full SWOZI linemarker range to the UK market, backed by renowned sales, service and aftercare support.

SWOZI is a Swiss sports technology company with strong foundations in machine automation.

manual markers, with a variety of configurations and spray systems to suit different budgets and marking requirements. All SWOZI machines are designed with operator comfort, ease of use and long service life in mind, giving you complete control over linemarking whether you manage a single pitch or multiple sites.

“The combination of GroundTech’s established UK market presence and customer relationships with SWOZI’s technological expertise results in a strong partnership with clear customer benefits” says Marc Burgunder, Marketing & Sales Manager at SWOZI.

The cutting-edge GPS and robotic technology embedded within their professional range helps to improve efficiency, simplify workflows and meet sporting codes with 100% accuracy. At the forefront of the range is the SWOZI Auto, an advanced linemarker engineered for robust reliability, accuracy and consistency. Ideal for high-use environments where performance and efficiency are key, the SWOZI Auto features intuitive operation and automated paint flow control for reduced paint waste.

Alongside the SWOZI Auto is a range of semi-autonomous and

A sentiment echoed by GroundTech Director Marcus Glover, “SWOZI’s reputation for quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our commitment to supply industry-leading maintenance solutions to the professional market. The SWOZI Auto in particular delivers an outstanding solution for customers looking to improving marking accuracy and productivity, without the financial outlay associated with other robotic markers currently available.”

GroundTech Enquiry 64

Turf Tank Enquiry 61

The ELIET EcoCure precision spreader

The ELIET EcoCure has been engineered to deliver exceptional versatility, allowing operators to switch between precision spreading and material transport using a single machine platform in a matter of minutes.

Designed around a new innovative flat-bed chassis system, the EcoCure provides the flexibility to adapt to a wide range of applications both now and in the future.

In spreader mode, the EcoCure accurately distributes a variety of materials including sand, compost, rootzone, topdressing mixes and soil amendments. The controlled spreading system ensures an even application across the working width, helping to improve turf quality while minimising waste and

maximising efficiency, it offers an impressive hopper capacity of up to 560 litres with side extensions.

When material transport is required, the EcoCure can be configured as a high-capacity dumper, allowing operators to quickly move and discharge bulk materials around site.

With a load capacity of approx. 300 litres, it reduces manual handling, improves productivity and eliminates the need for a dedicated transport machine during renovation and maintenance projects.

What truly sets the EcoCure apart is its separate flat-bed base platform. Rather than being limited to a single function, the machine has been

Redexim Launches the RINK Sandstorm

Redexim is pleased to announce the launch of the Sandstorm.

The Sandstorm is a self-powered topdresser that works without a tractor or hydraulic connection.

Simply hitch it to a utility vehicle and spread. It has a 28 ft³ (800 L) capacity and can spread up to 39 ft (12 m), so you can cover more ground with fewer refills while staying light on turf. Ideal for greens and tees.

The Sandstorm is designed to make topdressing simple. With its own engine, it operates independently of a tractor or hydraulic system. Just hitch it to a utility vehicle and get to work.

It is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including the Toro Workman, John Deere ProGator and Cushman Truckster XT.

Compact yet powerful. Adjust spreading speed from your seat. Move material up to 39 ft (12 m). It gets material moving and jobs done right.

The Sandstorm spreads with care. Its design keeps weight low while distributing material evenly, making it perfect for greens and tees where a fine touch is critical. Its ribbed belt

designed as a modular carrier capable of accepting a range of interchangeable attachments. This means the EcoCure is not only a spreader and dumper today, but a machine platform ready for future developments and additional applications as new attachments become available.

This forward-thinking design allows contractors, sports turf professionals, landscapers and grounds maintenance teams to invest in a machine that can evolve alongside their business requirements. As operational needs change, the EcoCure can be adapted without the expense of purchasing entirely new equipment.

With its modular design and expandable platform, the

ELIET EcoCure offers far more than a traditional topdresser, providing a versatile, futureproof solution that delivers exceptional value and productivity year after year.

PSD Groundscare Enquiry 65

GKB SPM400 powers productivity for Premier Turfing Ltd

For contractors working in demanding environments and, often, to tight schedules, machinery needs to be robust and reliable to deliver day-in, day-out. That’s why many, like Lincolnshire’s Premier Turfing Ltd, rely on GKB Machines.

and hopper shape help prevent build-up, so sand, moist and heavy materials move freely.

The Vision X Pro digital display allows you to control belt speed, spinner speed, driving speed and gate opening from your seat. Save up to 20 profiles for repeatable results across different surfaces and changing conditions.

With its own Vanguard 14 HP engine, it is able to work without a tractor, PTO or hydraulics. Hitch it to a compatible utility vehicle and it is ready for fast, even topdressing on golf courses and sports pitches.

The Sandstorm has a maximum spreading width of 39 ft (12 m) and a maximum spreading thickness of 0.6 in (15 mm). Its hopper capacity is 28 ft³ (800 L). It weighs 1,687 lbs (765 kg) empty and has a maximum working speed of 16 mph (25 km/h). Features include a selfpowered engine, compatibility with utility vehicles and a lightweight design suitable for spreading wide across large areas while being light enough to work on sensitive areas without adding undue pressure.

Redexim UK Enquiry 66

Owner Ian Mawer has recently added to his fleet with the purchase of an SPM400 topdresser, joining a GKB Sandfiller, Combinator and DrainMaster already delivering dependability for a demanding workload.

Founded over 15 years ago, Premier Turfing Ltd has established

a reputation as a leading sports turf contractor – delivering construction, renovation and maintenance services on winter sports pitches, cricket outfields, racecourses and golf courses throughout the UK and Europe. Supporting a 16-strong team that works across Premier Turfing Ltd and the recently launched sister company, Premier Golf Ltd (formerly John Greasley Golf), owns & operates a vast and varied fleet of equipment.

“The GKB build quality is something that really stands out to us as contractors, and that reliability and efficiency is something we’ve become accustomed to” explains

Ian. “When we were looking for a high productivity and large capacity dresser for big projects and those in our peak busy period, I knew straight away where to look.”

Ian stopped by the GKB Machines stand at SALTEX 2025, where he discussed the options available with longstanding contact Tom Shinkins. “There’s no nonsense with Tom, he knew exactly what we were after and his recommendation of the SPM400 has, so far, ticked every box.” At 4m3 (level hopper load), the SPM400 offers not only GKB’s largest hopper capacities, but one of the largest available in the market. Part of the Sandspreader

range, the SPM features an additional material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers and drainage machine hoppers.

“For a relatively small additional investment, we’ve infinitely increased the versatility of this machine. Not only will it be used to spread sand on end of season football or rugby renovations, we’ll also use it for drainage projects and in conjunction with the GKB DrainMaster where we can now quickly and easily top up the hopper.”

In a few short weeks since its delivery, the SPM has made a solid first impression. “The team said it was great – super easy to set up, with a really good spread pattern. They loved it!” With a busy renovation season just around the corner, Ian firmly believes the machine is set to become a key weapon in their armoury. “We’re looking forward to exploring the full potential of it and reaping the rewards of its larger size helping us to get jobs done both more effectively and more efficiently.”

GKB Machines Enquiry 89

GreenBest launches the SmartLawn ProCast 20

GreenBest has announced the launch of the SmartLawn ProCast 20, the company’s first pedestrian rotary spreader developed specifically for professional lawn care operators.

Designed for the accurate and efficient application of granular fertilisers, seed, and other granular products, the ProCast 20 expands the SmartLawn range beyond fertilisers and seed, providing contractors with a professionalgrade spreader built for day-to-day commercial use.

The SmartLawn ProCast 20 features a 20 kg hopper capacity, precision flow control system, directional spread control, and a heavy-duty chassis designed to withstand regular transport and operation. The spreader has been developed to help operators improve application consistency, reduce product

waste, and increase efficiency on larger jobs.

To support customers from day one, GreenBest has also worked closely with the manufacturer to provide full-rate and halfrate spreader settings for all SmartLawn granular fertilisers.

These settings are available on product labels, within the SmartLawn product guide, and online via the SmartLawn Spreader Settings page.

Early feedback from customers has also highlighted the spreader’s ease of use, build quality, and value for money.

The ProCast 20 requires minimal assembly and includes a full user manual, with replacement parts available through the GreenBest sales office.

GreenBest Enquiry 67

Machinery, Plant & Vehicles

Müthing FM is the professional choice

Simon Richard Ltd is seeing strong demand for the Müthing MU-FM out front flail deck for use with commercial mowing units to tackle the toughest grass cutting jobs for contractors and local authorities.

Built to the same exceptional standards as the rest of the Müthing range, the mower features a purpose-designed hood in conjunction with high rotor and cutting speeds and a removable shredding bar which spreads the shredded material evenly behind the roller giving an excellent mulching and shredding quality.

The deck is made from high quality steel QST/S for frontmounting to professional front mowers with two-point linkage parts for mounting to the original mower deck linkage and designed for high lifting to clear kerbs.

Ideal for demanding highways and verge work, the MU-FM has an extra wear plate inside the hood which can easily be replaced if it gets damaged by debris in the grass.

Its front castor wheel assembly offers cut height adjustment for the varying conditions throughout the season, while the spiral rotor design reduces fuel consumption.

M-Carbide flails are fitted with the plane and cutting edge made from carbide steel to ensure long life clean cut and maximum shredding using less power. A self-cleaning roller with well-rounded edges preserves turf and soil quality. The FM comes in a choice of widths, 1.4 and 1.6 m, with the former popular for contractors who wish to transport the outfit in a plant trailer.

Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations

When Harry Wilcox, founder of contractors Wilcox Groundcare, took on his first bowls contract in 2020, he knew having the right equipment would be critical.

After evaluating the options, he found that nothing matched the cut quality of a Baroness LM66 hand mower.

Six years on, and with two further bowls clubs on his books, the decision was made to invest in two more LM66’s – the trio now delivering precise, consistent and efficient mowing on all three sites.

He specified the LM66 with an 11-blade cutting cylinder,

additionally equipped with a front-mounted 94-blade groomer.

“This combination is a gamechanger. In one pass I can groom and cut, all-buteliminating the need to do additional verti-cutting.” Harry continues, “We’ve reduced the poa content on the green by grooming this out, and the amount of weed control we need to do has also reduced as nothing has an opportunity to grow and take hold.”

The LM66 from the Baroness pedestrian range is designed to provide the highest quality finish, with a solid build but a light footprint for its class.

By utilising nickel-chromemolybdenum alloy steel cutting cylinders and specially hardened, tipped bedknives, operators are ensured of samurai sword sharpness

that keeps its cutting edge longer than any other mower in the market.

Baroness Enquiry 69

Project success after major machinery investment

After an ambitious and successful golf course transformation project, Bearsden Golf Club has continued its long-term investment programme with the arrival of a substantial new fleet of turf maintenance equipment supplied by Fairways GM at Renfrew.

The two-year construction, which began in summer 2023 and encompassed land adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Antonine Wall, transformed Bearsden GC’s previous ninehole course through extensive remodelling and environmental improvements.

The redevelopment has helped future-proof the course for generations to come, while collaborative flood management measures introduced in partnership with East Dunbartonshire.

The new fleet includes an ISEKI TG6507 utility tractor, compact ISEKI TH3420 tractor, Wessex CRX-320 rotary mower,

INFINICUT pedestrian hand mower, Jacobsen GP400 greens mower, Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ELiTE all-electric greens

mower and Jacobsen LF570 fairway mower.

Fairways GM Enquiry 71

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress

Krinkels UK has reinforced its commitment to sustainable grounds maintenance with a major investment in a fleet of Kress commercial battery powered equipment, supporting the upkeep of parks, open spaces across Westminster.

The new fleet, including mowers, blowers and brushcutters, was delivered to the company’s base at Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Built for professional use, the Kress commercial range delivers the power required for demanding urban environments, alongside long run times and fast charging that help keep downtime to a minimum.

The consistent performance across the range ensures teams can work efficiently throughout the day, while low noise levels and reduced vibration improve operator comfort.

In addition, the Kress app system provides valuable insight into battery performance and equipment

usage, helping teams plan more effectively and get the most from their fleet.

Ian Harwood, Sales Director at Groundserv, the supplying dealer, has seen growing demand for highperformance battery solutions.

“We carry out demonstrations for a wide range of customers and people often say they’ve trialled other battery powered brands that haven’t quite ticked every box,” he said. “With Kress, it’s the combination of battery charging times, reduced downtime and the power of the machines that really stands out.”

As Krinkels continues the transition, Westminster marks an important milestone in the shift towards cleaner, quieter and more efficient grounds maintenance in the heart of the capital.

TP Chippers expands dealer network

TP Chippers are pleased to announce further expansion of their UK dealer network with the appointment of FH & J Alviti and Vincents.

These additions to the network not only signify an exciting chapter in TP’s growth, but ensures customers across the country can expect a high-quality sales and aftersales experience as standard – fronted by trusted arboricultural experts in their local area.

Through a carefully crafted group of dedicated dealers, TP aims to strengthen the promotion of its full product range of roadtowed, tracked and PTO-driven woodchippers, offering superior

Kress Enquiry 70 manufacturer support to both end users and dealers.

TP Chippers Enquiry 72

Simon Richard Enquiry 68

groundcare sector. The three different models available can be quickly fitted to any machine providing a constant supply of working angle information to ensure the operator stays working safely within their machines capabilities. The three different models are Tiltmaster C for Compact Tractors (0-15 degrees), Tiltmaster D (0-25degrees) and Tiltmaster Extreme for specialist machines (0-45 degrees). Tiltmaster, now available from as little as £39 plus VAT, is a simple and effective method of providing additional health and safety data to users of groundcare and other machinery. Simon Richard Ltd Tel: 01450 860774 Email: simon@simon-richard.co.uk

www.facebook.com/simonrichardltd

Powerhouse performances from Britain’s best

A weekend of wood-chopping battles at the Three Counties Show in Malvern delivered six new National Records across three days of original extreme sport action at the British TIMBERSPORTS Championship.

The action began with the Pro Qualifier on Friday with twelve athletes competing to qualify for the main Pro Championship.

Everyone was clearly focused on making it through to the main event, as between the competitors, they achieved 26 personal best times.

Dave Thomas, who was returning to TIMBERSPORTS after a 7-year break, took the top spot, closely followed by Harri Hogg, Ben Chapman, Seamus

Ryan, Jack Morris and Ryan Tonkin, who all qualified for Saturday’s Championship.

The Pro competition delivered even more personal best times, but the headline from the day was focused on defending British champion Glen Penlington, who cemented his place in TIMBERSPORTS history by winning his fifth Pro Championship in a row.

With Penlington finished competing for the weekend, his attention turned to Sunday’s action where his partner Georgia Lewis was looking to step up from her second placed finish in the British Women’s Championship in 2025. Last year’s winner Rachel Ferrington was aiming to defend her title,

just days after achieving sixth place in the Women’s World Championship in Budapest. But Ferrington was off her game and could only secure fifth place in the British competition.

Ultimately Georgia Lewis took first place for a double celebration with Penlington, but Libby Arrowsmith also found a return to form taking second place, whilst Catherine Eccles took the third spot on the podium.

The final competition of the weekend was the Rookie Championship, where Rowan Luxton won his second title in a row, followed by 17-year-old Billy and Max Wright.

STIHL Enquiry 86

OAS strengthens data and software portfolio

Origin Amenity solutions (OAS) has brought further strength to its industry-leading portfolio of products and services for turf managers through a new distribution partnership with Spectrum Technologies Inc.

This tie-up gives OAS customers access to a comprehensive range of measurement devices and software solutions to make the storage, viewing and intepreting of turf data even more simple and straightforward.

Proudly working alongside growers, researchers and turf managers, Spectrum Technologies have developed a broad range of precision monitoring and digital agronomy tools used by professionals in more than 80 countries. The range of products include monitoring solutions for weather, soil moisture and light alongside plant health meters and specialised mobile apps, software and services to view and interpret data quickly and accurately.

Of particular note is the FieldScout TDR 350 soil moisture meter – equipped with integrated Bluetooth and GPS to allow the operator to view real-time data on volumetric water content (VWC), electrical conductivity (EC/salts) and surface temperature. The TDR 350 also integrates directly with the Rain Bird CirrusPRO central control system, enabling data collection and

heat map visualisation through the irrigation controller.

Together with its improved functionality, the TDR 350 also represents a cost-effective alternative to other moisture sensors on the market, making data capture accessible to customers operating within tighter budgets.

On the news, OAS Irrigation & Digital Solutions Lead Angus

Finlayson said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with Spectrum Technologies to bring cutting-edge turf monitoring solutions to our customers. This collaboration strengthens our technical capabilities and reinforces our commitment to providing trusted products for the turf professional and facilities we support.”

Origin Amenity Solutions Enquiry 87