NEWS
Gwynn’s APPOINTMENT TO BOOST STRI developMENT STRI Group has appointed Gwynn Davies as a turfgrass consultant, to support extensive business growth and service development in the UK and overseas markets. Gwynn, pictured, is a wellknown figure in the sports turf industry and has accumulated a wealth of specialist experience during his 15year career. Initially gaining a First-Class Honours degree in Turfgrass Science and receiving an R&A Scholarship. Since then, Gwynn has held several senior positions in golf course management and consultancy, including a previous stint in turfgrass agronomy at STRI. “I am delighted to be back with the STRI team and I am looking forward to being able to share my knowledge and experience, supporting the development of sports facilities across the UK. I always enjoyed the camaraderie of the team at STRI and I am excited to join them as they enter a new phase of growth and development in 2019,” said Gwynn. The new appointment was welcomed by STRI Group director, Lee Penrose who said that Gwynn was an outstanding sports facility consultant who has expert technical knowledge. “I have no doubt that Gwynn will hit the ground running and continue to deliver STRI consultancy services to the highest level as expected by our clients,” said Lee.
making turf matter
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Rubber crumb concerns: consultation is underway
4 | Turf Matters | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019
Following on from Turf Matters’ major investigation into rubber crumb, the European agency charged with ensuring health risks are minimised has undertaken a public consultation process in conjunction with the IOG to establish what working practices and health and safety procedures are currently being carried out by the end user. Concerns have been raised because of the presence of carcinogenic chemicals and the human health risks associated with using these pitches. The current permissible concentration limits applicable for supply to the general public are set at 100 mg/kg for two of the eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs relevant to the proposal and 1 000 mg/kg for the other six. Given these current applicable concentration limits, the restriction proposal identifies how an unacceptable risk to human health would arise as a consequence of the use of PAH-containing granules and “mulches” as infill material in synthetic turf pitches and in loose form on playgrounds and in other sports applications. In addition, the risks to workers has been considered. The proposed restriction
For all sports turf professionals in golf, football, rugby, cricket, tennis, horse racing, independent schools, universities and local authorities
July-August 2018 | £4.95
www.turfmatters.co.uk
RUBBER CRUMB: What do we know?
The danger beneath our feet? OVERSEEDING AND FENCING TO THE RESCUE
ALL SET FOR WIMBLEDON FORTNIGHT
FACTS, FICTION AND SEED MANAGEMENT
32 Renovations and repairs
50 Neil’s finishing touches
42 Chemicals analysis
outlines that the suggested concentration limit would ensure the cancer risk from PAH exposure remains very low for those coming into contact with granules and “mulches”. The proposal aims at alleviating societal concerns about the possible negative health impacts resulting from the use of infill material containing PAHs
in artificial sports pitches. The IOG have contributed by promoting a question survey based on the following enquiry: “Do you have any information on the current practices and measures used to control worker exposure during the installation and maintenance of synthetic turf pitches, playgrounds, or in other applications?”
JOHN DEERE NAMED AMONG WORLD’S TOP BRANDS John Deere has again earned a spot among the world’s most valuable brands in an annual ranking. The company is ranked 88th in the Best Global Brands research, moving up four spots from a year ago. Interbrand estimates the John Deere brand to now be worth approximately $5.4 billion.
“A decade after the global financial crisis, the brands that are growing fastest are those that intuitively understand their customers and make brave iconic moves that delight and deliver in new ways,” said Charles Trevail of Interbrand. “This recognition emphasises the success of our 70,000 employees
worldwide who work each day to deliver on the company’s core values of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation,” said Samuel R. Allen, Deere & Company Chairman and CEO. John Deere has been included in the Best Global Brand ranking since 2011 when Interbrand estimated its value to be $3.65 billion.