Archive for the 'Harrogate ’09' Category

Wrapping it up…

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

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None of us would have had the trip we had without the help of Ransomes Customer Support and Training Manager, Jason King.  He helped make sure we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there :)   He gave us some great insights that will be very helpful in moving the association forward.

The main reason we visited the golf course and football complex was because of his conversations with Mike, Frank, John and Stephen when they were visiting on Sunday.  We were under the impression that most courses were run the same as US courses.  The main point there was most US courses have a tech.  In the UK about 20% do.  So if you’re trying to get members, you immediately have 80% fewer potential people then you would think you had.  So that was an eye-opening experience.

image-4.axd The show itself was a lot smaller then the GIS show in size but it had a lot of enthusiastic visitors.  It had a great atmosphere and as far as I could tell all the buildings it was in (3) were packed.  There were a lot of companies that we see in the States and some we don’t.  I saw some mowers that looked like they were 20 year old designs.  They looked like they had all the bugs worked out image-2.axd and only had minor updates for safety features.  One of those are these handles that are touch sensitive.

Another thing I noticed was safety.  I wear a safety vest when I ride my bike to work but over there everyone who worked outside wore a vest with reflective stripes.  Even the Head Groundskeeper.  I was talking with one of the salespeople at a booth that had some nice gear.  Riding a bike in all weather I have begun to appreciate good safety/weather gear.

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My take is they will spend about 200 Pounds on a rain coat and bib overalls for a crewmember.  I checked these out and they are made by a top foul weather gear company in the yacht business.  Anyone who works outside in wet weather would like a set of these.  That’s about $300.00.  Then a crewmember would get 2 pairs of boots a year.   One will be suitable for winter/wet wear.  Our guys do not get that kind of gear.  And the particular day we were at the course we probably would have had a “Rain Day” and left.  My take is these folks work irregardless of what the weather is.

Safety wise I know they have paid training available to operators.  That’s one of Jason’s specialties.  I’m not sure it’s mandatory but what I saw is much more extensive than what I’m used to.  They also have technical training for technicians too.  There do seem to be a lot of certifications for operators but I’m also trying to learn more about those.  My take is they are way ahead of us on operator training.

image.axd There are also some things over there that we may not see here.  This is a Baroness triplex and those big lines going to reels, are cable drives.  There’s a pulley assembly behind the seat.  It was pretty cool but they apparently lifted the idea from an older Ransomes mower.  Baroness also had a Toro GM4500-D clone.  They aren’t bringing it to the States this year, I’m not sure why.  They are bringing a fairway mower.  They will probably find a niche.

It was terrific, we all had a fantastic time.  It would sure be good to get to do it again :)

On the Way Back

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

I’m just about to start the process of leaving.  The trip has been so far beyond what I imagined that I’m having a time putting it all together.  And since I need to get to the airport, I’m not going to try right now..  But I will begin a series of posts about it right after I get back and get my feet back on the ground..

It’s very hard to express my thanks for the Members of IGCEMA who began this award, and the folks at Ransomes-Jacobsen who award it.

image-3.axd Eric (on left) and Patrick “Cal” Callaby, Equipment Manager of Celtic Manor Resort (2010 Ryder Cup) and longtime IGCEMA Board Member.

An Incredible Day (edited 1/25 & 27)

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

I received the Budding Award today at the BTME show in Harrogate, England. 

image.axd I began by giving a description of the morning events leading to this but in reading it, it sounded more like being prepared for an execution so I’ve taken that out..  Obviously a lack of my writing skills.

We were in a meeting room and the purpose of it was to give out numerous awards.  There were about 5 or 6 before me, mostly for environmental achievements.  I believe there were a couple of scholarships as well.  Then it was my turn.  Stephen Tucker began with a short talk about IGCEMA and what we hoped to achieve with it, then David Withers. Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen gave a short talk about what I had done to wiin the award.  In the picture are (L to R)  David, myself and Stephen Tucker of IGCEMA.

The ceremony itself was very to the point, British style.  There’s a few photos of the actual award and I’ll post some of those as soon as I receive them.

I have to say that the only downside of the whole trip was here.  All the people receiving the awards received them, then sat back down.  No one said a word.  So, I did as well.  That I didn’t is my one regret about the trip.  It would have been to thank Stephen Tucker and the crew of IGCEMA for coming up with the idea behind the award and David Withers and the folks at Ransomes Jacobsen for providing it.  Edwin Budding invented the reel lawnmower over 175 years ago and Ransomes has been making them since.  In our field that’s about as good as it gets.image-1.axd

The trip was great but I think going to any place new would have had a similar effect.  What made this so memorable was the people we met and their hospitality towards us.   

The rest of the day was spent at the show.  I did enjoy it and the "kudos" of everyone.  It was a great pleasure.  It’s a lot smaller then the GIS show but it is easier to get around and see the people and items you want to.

And then we went to lunch at a PIZZA HUT… :)   and this is where the Wizard of Oz effect takes effect, "We’re not in Kansas anymore!"..  I don’t know anywhere in the states that you can get Bruschetta at a Pizza Hut..  just outstanding.

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Later on we had dinner at the hotel. 

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Dinner was great.  It was hosted by the folks of Ransomes Jacobsen, David Withers, Managing Director; Sales Director Alan Prickett; Customer Service Manager Jason King.  The guests included myself, Frank McQuiggen from Weisbaden, Mike Kriz from South Dakota, John Patterson and Stephen Tucker from Florida, Gina Putnam from Bernhard & Co., and Cal Callaby from Celtic Manor Resort, Wales.

A Very British Day (edited 1/25)

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

We were all collected at 9AM for a factory tour and a discussion on the state of the association and industry.  image-11.axd

At the table were myself and Stephen Mitchell, Customer Care Director; Frank McQuiggen, IGCEMA, Weisbaden; Mike Kriz, IGCEMA, SD; and L to R, Stephen Tucker, IGCEMA, FL; John Patterson, President of IGCEMA, FL; and Jason King, Customer Service and Training Manager, Ransomes Jacobsen, Ltd. (RJ). 

From conversations the day before it became apparent that we in the US did not have a very good understanding of how things were done in the UK, let alone Europe.  For myself, I thought most places were run like ours, a technician at every course.  Not the case in many places, particularly in the UK where dealers are much closer to their customers and can provide much faster support.

So for this morning meeting, we talked mostly about the differences in managing turf equipment outside the US and how we could address that as an International Association.  It’s a lot to take in and something we as an association will have to study.

Then we toured the factory.  It was very similar, paint scheme, safety lines on the floor, general layout and the Six Sigma Programs to the plant in Charlotte.   I couldn’t take any pictures.   It was bright, airy and I didn’t see a frown in the place.  The overall atmosphere was something that we all picked up on and commented about. 

image-12.axd One of the interesting things about the factory is it has it’s own 3 hole golf course and football (soccer) field.  There’s a lot that this does as far as providing a test site for equipment, to show customers demos, to have service days and schools, and from what I hear, 5 a-side matches and terrific company tournaments.   Each hole is done in different grasses so better see what their customers are managing.  The complex is maintained by Rory Ferguson.

Then we drove to Ipswich Golf Club,  one of the best in the country, to get an idea how they run the maintenance program.   This is managed by Head Groundskeeper/Superintendent Norman Fenwick. 

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From L to R, Mike, John, Norman, Jason, Stephen and Frank. 

One of the things that became apparent as we went along, is that the British work in weather that we would call a day off.    This was a cold, rainy day and pretty miserable to work in (for me) but seemed like a fairly normal day here.  I’m not sure we’re spoiled in Florida but 95 degrees and 95% humidity is what I’m more used to.

 

image-14.axd Maintenance facility wise.  It wasn’t unusual at all.  It was an older building/facility that was continually being updated (sound familiar?).  Their outside wash rack was very similar to ours and I’m sure because of the same issues.

 

 

 

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Here is their chemical/fertilizer building with a containment drum for fuel.  Very similar to ours except our fuel tanks are concrete and we have as much unleaded as diesel.  Their chemical building is concrete block, and ours is aluminum so I think it’s all just a variation of what one needs and where you put it.. 

 

 

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It was not that different from what I’m used to.  But it is different.  In the pics above you can see part of the facility grounds and us on the course.   In talking to Norman it became apparent that they could have a mechanic if they wanted, but he would rather have a groundsman working on the course.  And with the way things are there that is not so hard to do since the dealers are so close. 

 

 

image-17.axd Obviously being there for only an hour I’m relying mostly on impressions and not working knowledge.  But what I picked up on was almost all of what they did was based on sustainability rather than short term.  And in all this, there were people playing :)

After going through the maintenance shops and part of the course we traveled to the City of Ipswich Town Football facilities.  This is managed by Alan Ferguson and his wife Carol.  They manage 6 practice fields at one location and the Stadium and practice fields in town.   Alan and Carol’s son Rory is Groundskeeper of Ransomes Jacobsen.

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A huge undertaking.  One of these photos shows a turf cover that’s partially inflated to keep rain off it.  This is pulled out and setup as needed.  No small feet and done whenever they need the field and there’s rain.

Their facility was much newer than the golf course but not immune to the economy.  You can imagine what keeping this much turf to tournament standards takes.   They’ve just had their budget cut and have gone from 9 workers to 4 plus themselves.   What I was bowled over was that they told us this but did not use it as an excuse for anything.  They don’t have as many people so they work harder and smarter with what they do have.  Okay, I know that only goes so far.. 

Another thing, is they have almost 1500 training games a year on these.  That means the fields are busy from about 9AM till 10PM, 7 days a week.  If this translated to golf I think they would be having 100,000 round years..

Everyone has to eat..

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

Jason from Ransomes-Jacobsen got my email (the only one) and I got hooked up with the guys.  Not having Internet or cell access is a little weird at this point..  We all went out to dinner at a Pub Jason recommended called The Ship.  Traveling there it’s down several small roads, through several small residential neighborhoods, not quite the route one would take in the States to go out to dinner.  Our roads are bigger, newer, and much brighter (for the most part)   image-10.axd

From left to right, Frank, Eric, Stephen, John and Mike.image-9.axd

The pub was built in the 14th century.  I think the average height of a male back then was about 5’6", all the doorways are sized accordingly.  The folks in Europe know this but I think we Americans, as a rule, aren’t familiar with this.  That we really are the new kids on the  block as far as the world is concerned. 

This was along the lines of everything I could think of in a British Pub.  Quaint, rustic, and very friendly.  I follow the Vegan diet and don’t drink so whenever I go out to new places I don’t quite know just how I’m going to fare.  These folks were beyond belief.  Everyone had something very nice and "British" and the staff came up with great dishes for me too.  They were very accommodating.  image-10.axd

As an observer, this is a nice benefit of volunteering to help with the association.   Traveling here would not be on a normal agenda for us.. 

We’ll be touring the Ransomes-Jacobsen factory tomorrow and then traveling North to Harrogate.

When I left the guys they were in the lounge at this hotel watching the playoff games (NFL).  How long they will be there I’m not sure.  Jet lag has caught up with me…

Made it

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

There really wasn’t any doubt about it..  A HUGE tailwind so the flight was only 7 hours.  Went through customs and got my ride fine.  A lot of road construction.  Doubt if they get over that with the Olympics coming.  The hillsides have hills.  Universal in most of the world but when one is from Florida they are always a novelty..

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Right-a-way I noticed a WallMart Semi on the highway and near our hotel is a Toys ‘R US.  It’s all getting universal..   Not having a cell that worked here is a loss, I didn’t know how much till now.  I put off paying for the Internet in the hotel room but I was having trouble just using the phone so I went ahead and sent text messages to those I needed to get in touch with (or emails). 

I’m sure international trouble is much easier after you make a few trips.  The British TV I’m watching has just about non-stop interviews with people about the Inauguration.  It’s amazing.    Will be hooking up with Stephen, Mike, John and Frank for dinner tonight and then on to Ransomes and the show..

On the way to the United Kingdom

Published on January 15, 2009 in Harrogate '09. 0 Comments

I’m at the airport and have found they have little cubicles with power outlets and tables just for using computers..  I must have just blown right by these before.  Coming in very handy right now.   My cell phone works right now but will stop as soon as we fly outside of range.  It’s not setup for Europe and hopefully it won’t be a problem.  From what I have heard Europe is more connected to the Internet then we in the US.

I get in London at 4AM FL time which is about 9AM there’s.  Then I’ll be taken to Ipswitch which is on the Eastern coast of England.  There I”ll meet up with Stephen Tucker, John Patterson and Mike Kriz of the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA).  It never crossed my mind back in 1996 when I started TurfTech that anything .like this would come of it.

Traveling to the British Turf Show and receiving the Edwin Budding Award because of it, is incredible.  I’m going to try to blog my way through this experience so all can get an idea of this experience.

It hasn’t been without it’s moments already.  Our daughter ratted me out to my wife, Kathy about, “You mean I have to take two pairs of shoes!”  when we were shopping for proper attire.  Daughter, “That’s such a GUY thing to say.”

We used to live to the West of London in the late ’60′s so this is bringing back a lot of nice memories.