DENNIS QUALITY PLEASES PERFECTIONISTS
Dennis, the manufacturer of precision mowing machinery and turf care products for professionals, reports on-going growth thanks to a booming bowling green maintenance market.
In recent years annual turnover has increased substantially. Managing Director Ian Howard reports that 2005 saw further remarkable growth and his order book for this year is already up by some 30% year on year. “This is due to increased business in all sectors, such as bowls, cricket and soccer clubs, as well as local authorities and our expanding overseas markets.” he says, “ And what is so pleasing is the number of repeat orders we receive; turf professionals recognise the quality of the equipment.
“Over the past two years, weather conditions have generally encouraged strong grass growth, requiring durable high quality maintenance machinery. Managers are also seeking to maximise effectiveness by choosing multi-tasking equipment that can undertake several jobs.”
Epitomising this approach are Dennis’ ‘FT’ and ‘G’ Series of walk-behind cylinder mowers. These can be fitted with interchangeable, quick-attach cassettes, allowing one machine to undertake additional tasks such as verti-cutting, scarifying and aeration. The highly manoeuvrable FT510 (20”) and FT610 (24”) have proved most popular on bowling greens.
“More and more turf professionals are hearing about the machines and requesting demonstrations which we’re more than happy to do without obligation. This gives the bowls committee and greenkeeper an excellent opportunity to put the Dennis through its paces and try out the various cassettes on their own green.”
Dennis has a reputation not just for developing precision mowing machinery, but also for being able to fine-tune equipment to meet customers’ changing demands. The latest addition to the company’s line-up proves this, in the form of the Sport Mk2.
Derived from the existing successful Sport machine, the 22in (560mm) cutting-width unit has several important new customer driven features. As well as a new, ergonomically designed low vibration handlebar, the Sport has a new grass box and improved height of cut adjustment mechanism. The popular “click system”, used for several years on FT range is now standard. This gives 0.5mm incremental adjustment making accurate, tool free alterations on the turf very simple.
Dennis also manufacture an array of other equipment to keep greens running fast and in tip-top condition. Amongst these is the dual purpose S500 spiking and seed slotting reel.
As part of regular turf renovation, the S500 is used to aerate and rejuvenate the entire green as it opens up the ground and allows more air to the rootzone. It is powered by a 3.5HP Briggs and Stratton engine with a working width of 500mm. With its integral turntable for simple 90 or 180 degree turns and detachable transport wheels, it can be used in wet conditions without damaging the turf.
Extending its versatility, the machine’s spiking reel can be replaced with a Bray seed slotting reel, which makes flat-bottomed seeding slots at a controlled depth for optimum germination.
“We developed the S500 aerator to have a dual purpose,” states Ian Howard MD of Dennis, “and not only is it simple to use and lightweight, but with the addition of the seed slotter it becomes an extremely cost effective piece of kit, like so much of the turf maintenance equipment we manufacture” he adds.
The company believes that much of its success lies not just in its quality engineering and its willingness to invite customer feedback but also in the strength of its Dealer Network. This covers the UK and is supported by three Dennis Sales Managers, dedicated to customer service,
“For many customers, their local Dennis dealer is a valued resource,” says Ian Howard. “They can help with machine selection, offer training and provide on-going maintenance and backup.”
In recent years annual turnover has increased substantially. Managing Director Ian Howard reports that 2005 saw further remarkable growth and his order book for this year is already up by some 30% year on year. “This is due to increased business in all sectors, such as bowls, cricket and soccer clubs, as well as local authorities and our expanding overseas markets.” he says, “ And what is so pleasing is the number of repeat orders we receive; turf professionals recognise the quality of the equipment.
“Over the past two years, weather conditions have generally encouraged strong grass growth, requiring durable high quality maintenance machinery. Managers are also seeking to maximise effectiveness by choosing multi-tasking equipment that can undertake several jobs.”
Epitomising this approach are Dennis’ ‘FT’ and ‘G’ Series of walk-behind cylinder mowers. These can be fitted with interchangeable, quick-attach cassettes, allowing one machine to undertake additional tasks such as verti-cutting, scarifying and aeration. The highly manoeuvrable FT510 (20”) and FT610 (24”) have proved most popular on bowling greens.
“More and more turf professionals are hearing about the machines and requesting demonstrations which we’re more than happy to do without obligation. This gives the bowls committee and greenkeeper an excellent opportunity to put the Dennis through its paces and try out the various cassettes on their own green.”
Dennis has a reputation not just for developing precision mowing machinery, but also for being able to fine-tune equipment to meet customers’ changing demands. The latest addition to the company’s line-up proves this, in the form of the Sport Mk2.
Derived from the existing successful Sport machine, the 22in (560mm) cutting-width unit has several important new customer driven features. As well as a new, ergonomically designed low vibration handlebar, the Sport has a new grass box and improved height of cut adjustment mechanism. The popular “click system”, used for several years on FT range is now standard. This gives 0.5mm incremental adjustment making accurate, tool free alterations on the turf very simple.
Dennis also manufacture an array of other equipment to keep greens running fast and in tip-top condition. Amongst these is the dual purpose S500 spiking and seed slotting reel.
As part of regular turf renovation, the S500 is used to aerate and rejuvenate the entire green as it opens up the ground and allows more air to the rootzone. It is powered by a 3.5HP Briggs and Stratton engine with a working width of 500mm. With its integral turntable for simple 90 or 180 degree turns and detachable transport wheels, it can be used in wet conditions without damaging the turf.
Extending its versatility, the machine’s spiking reel can be replaced with a Bray seed slotting reel, which makes flat-bottomed seeding slots at a controlled depth for optimum germination.
“We developed the S500 aerator to have a dual purpose,” states Ian Howard MD of Dennis, “and not only is it simple to use and lightweight, but with the addition of the seed slotter it becomes an extremely cost effective piece of kit, like so much of the turf maintenance equipment we manufacture” he adds.
The company believes that much of its success lies not just in its quality engineering and its willingness to invite customer feedback but also in the strength of its Dealer Network. This covers the UK and is supported by three Dennis Sales Managers, dedicated to customer service,
“For many customers, their local Dennis dealer is a valued resource,” says Ian Howard. “They can help with machine selection, offer training and provide on-going maintenance and backup.”