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LATEST NEWS

Gang warfare
New Kiotis on the block
IOG warn over use of Red Diesel
Barenbrug acquires two strong brands
Bredy takes on Ransomes
Bernhards partner with Golf Environment Europe

Gang warfare
TWO mower manufacturers met in court recently over the design of super-wide mowers used by turf producers. In fact, one ‘manufacturer’ was leading turf producer Rolawn Ltd who took Turfmech Machinery to court over an alleged breach of its registered and unregistered design rights in respect of its large area 21 gang mower. The row broke out when Rolawn considered that its home designed and built 21 gang unit mower had been copied by Turfmech with its Maximow models. However, passing judgement, Mr Justice Mann said that whilst Rolawn’s machine is a new and innovative design and is protected by Intellectual Property Rights, Turfmech were given the green light to continue production of its MaxiMow 13 and MaxiMow 17 large-area trailed hydraulic gang mowers.

New Kiotis on the block
Reco, sole UK distributor of Kioti compact tractors, has added two new dealers to its sales network in northern England and Scotland. Formed in 1996, Cheshire Turf and its sister company, Yorkshire Turf Machinery, operate from Stockport and Sheffield, selling a broad range of machinery to the amenity and sports sectors, including Toro and Grasshopper. The other new dealer is Thistle Groundcare, based at Airdrie, near Glasgow, was formed five years ago by John Yates and Bill Harvey, who have many years’ experience of the ground-care market.

IOG warn over use of Red Diesel
The use of red diesel in tractors and certain ride-on equipment previously lawful on public highways while carrying out recreational or amenity grounds work or landscaping is now illegal, the IOG has revealed. Following changes to 2007/93 The Excepted Vehicles (Amendment of Schedule 1 to the Hydrocarbon Oils Duty Act 1979) Order 2007, vehicles not entitled to the use of red diesel on public roads include those involved with, ‘The maintenance of recreational facilities’, and ‘Landscaping’.

Barenbrug acquires two strong brands
Barenbrug UK Ltd has acquired the Hunters and Green Velvet brands from
J A Humphrey Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The Hunters brand has been synonymous with agricultural grass seed since 1883 when James Hunter established the company and was the first seed merchant to guarantee seed purity and germination. Green Velvet is a well-respected UK lawn seed brand sold mainly through garden centres and to landscapers.

Bredy takes on Ransomes
Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd has strengthened its dealer network with the appointment of Bredy Agricentre Ltd as its main dealer for the county of Dorset.
Bredy Agricentre, established for over 20 years and based in Dorchester, has been marketing the Ransomes Jacobsen Lawn & Garden products and the Iseki tractor range, on a non-exclusive basis since March 2007.

Bernhards partner with Golf Environment Europe

Bernhard and Company, manufacturer of sharpening equipment, has become a Technical Supporter of Golf Environment Europe (GEE). The partnership recognises the shared values that exist between the two organisations towards environmentally and socially responsible golf course management. Speaking on behalf of Bernhard and Company, Managing Director, Stephen Bernhard said, "The company is firmly committed to supporting a more environmental approach to golf and our partnership cements this."