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Executive Report: Highland gathering Scotsturf enables grounds professionals north of the border to catch up on the latest developments from manufacturers and hirers. Alan Guthrie reports from Edinburgh. A number of specialist hirers used Scotsturf, which is organised by The Institute of Groundsmanship and held in November, to promote their ability to provide machinery efficiently and cost-effectively. SGM Hire, the largest company operating in this market, promoted the equipment it can offer local authorities, contractors and golf courses on a nationwide basis, as well as the comprehensive service backup it provides from 14 dedicated depots. “The market continues to grow,” contends Managing Director Steven McInroy. “Grounds maintenance managers in the public and private sectors need to ensure they achieve value for money on an on-going basis, and hiring can enable them to do this. “We are also aiming to develop our short term hire business, and we now have in place an upgraded computer system that enables each depot to track in real-time the location of all the equipment in the SGM Hire fleet, so that we can ensure prompt and efficient delivery and collection. Our aim is to give nationwide coverage with local service, and this is particularly important for equipment that is used seasonally for short periods, such as turf aerators and seeders.” SGM Hire (www.sgmhire.com) has won substantial contracts from local authorities in 2006, including The Highland Council, Northampton Borough Council, Thanet, Merthyr Tydfil and South Lanarkshire, and expects further success when the next round of contract announcements is made in the New Year. Also hopeful of a brisk start to 2007 is Swan Plant, the rejuvenated Knutsford-based grounds care hirer that was acquired by new owners last January, and which has since tried to re-establish itself in the market place. “We had an excellent Saltex in September, and we held a successful open day later that month at Tatton Park, Cheshire, to promote the products we can offer,” states Marketing Director Graham Bradshaw. “From the feedback we have received, we believe we have convinced people that Swan (www.swan-services.co.uk) is back in a big way, and we are able to offer equipment from significant suppliers such as Ransomes, John Deere, IPU and the Hire Supply Company.” One recent order came from Durham County Council, for a range of equipment that it can hire for short periods over 12 months. Timberwolf’s
Scottish
dealership,
Double
A
Trading
Company,
promoted
the
recently
launched
TW
S425
Turbo
shredder,
which
can
quickly
process
a
wide
range
of
materials
ranging
from
wet
prunings
and
branches,
to
timber
and
flower
pots,
measuring
up
to
768mm
by
458mm.
At
the
heart
of
the
machine
are
18
cast
iron
hammers
that
pulverise
materials
against
a
substantial
bottom
blade.
Hayter displayed several models from its professional mowing equipment line-up, including the LT324 high work-rate triple mower, which gives a cutting width of 2120mm. The rear axle assembly incorporates a steering shock protection system as a safeguard when climbing kerbs or working on rugged terrain. Roll-over protection is now a standard feature on all Hayter (www.hayter.co.uk) ride-on machines. Echo Power Tools reported substantial interest in its latest low-vibration equipment, including the HC40ES hedge trimmer and the SRM-4000U brushcutter. The former has an extra-long 996mm cutting blade for high and wide hedges, and has a quoted tri-axial vibration reading of 3.4m/s2 on the highest axis. The SRM-4000U has a vibration level of 2.6m/s2, features a 42.7cc two-stroke engine and weighs 8.7kg. Echo (www.echo-tools.co.uk) equipment is independently tested for HAV by the Slough-based Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre. The Hire Supply Company displayed several specialist grounds care products, including the new Mollon 5.5hp trencher, a compact machine capable of working to a depth of 38cm. It, and several other significant innovations, will be on the HSC (www.thehiresupplycompany.co.uk) stand at the Executive Hire Show next month. The company also promoted its Hire Education initiative at Scotsturf, explaining the advantages of hiring equipment and putting enquirers in touch with their nearest hire outlet. Pride of place on the Avant Tecno stand went to its 600 series articulated machine, which weighs 1.4 tonne and has a lifting capacity of 1 tonne. It has a roll over protection system (ROPS) as standard and also benefits from a falling object protection system (FOPS). The machine accepts a large number of grounds care, construction and materials handling tasks. Managing Director Jukka Vaattaovaara states that several national hire organisations are showing interest in the company’s (www.avanttecno.com) machines, owing to their compactness and versatility. Perth-based
BD
Supplies,
the
Scottish
dealership
for
French
equipment
manufacturer
Pichon’s
(www.pichonindustries.com)
UK
enterprise
recently
established
by
Nigel
Litherland,
promoted
a
range
of
attachments
from
Magsi,
located
near
Brest.
Suitable
for
small
skid
steer
loaders
and
compact
tractors,
the
line-up
includes
buckets,
pallet
forks,
snow
ploughs
and
ballast
boxes
Executive Hire News › Archives › December 2006 › Executive Report › Highland gathering
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