Steve Bullman

The Arboricultural Association is pleased to announce that after two years away, ARB Show will be returning in 2022 in an exciting new venue and format. This year, for the first time ever, we are proud to present ARB Show at APF 2022 taking place 22-24 September 2022 at the Ragley Estate in Warwickshire. The two largest arboricultural shows in the UK are teaming up to deliver an incredible event, with more than 20,000 people expected to attend over three days. Many favourite features of ARB Show will be included in the Arb Worker Zone and Tree Climbing Competition areas, and the ARB Show at APF area will populated with some of the most popular arboricultural industry exhibitors. Bringing the ARB Show to APF 2022 delivers an expanded offering for arborists at the show and helps the event reach beyond its traditional forestry base. The Arb Worker Zone will be a key interactive attraction, giving arborists the chance to receive impartial advice about climbing kit and techniques and have a go with practical demonstrations alongside a timetable of events each day. The Arborists’ Workshop is one of the top ARB Show attractions with a carefully curated timetable of industry experts sharing knowledge on a range of subjects throughout each day. The UK Open Tree Climbing Competition will take place over in the demonstration zone in specially selected trees on site. The competition features three different skill levels making it more accessible to all climbers, from novices to experts. Association CEO John Parker said: “This is fantastic news for arborists. ARB Show has been a highlight of the event calendar for more than twenty years, and after two years of virtual events we are delighted to be able to announce this collaboration with APF 2022, bringing the show to a greater audience than ever before. Attendees and exhibitors will benefit from this change and we feel certain that the whole arboricultural profession will be out in force to celebrate the return of ARB Show in 2022.” APF Exhibition Secretary Ian Millward echoed those sentiments. “We’re thrilled to announce this new partnership; we’re excited to have the AA on board and are committed to making this a fantastic industry event. The Arboricultural Association is one of the leading organisations in the Arb world, so we are pleased to have this opportunity to build a stronger partnership and see it as part of the natural evolution of the APF Exhibition.” For anyone working in arboriculture ARB Show at APF 2022 is going to be an unmissable event. You can book your place as an exhibitor or visitor right now at www.apfexhibition.co.uk

By law if you are working on, or near the highway you must use approved signage to warn other road users of your activities. With this in mind, Carr’s Billington Safety stocks the leading space saving roll-up road signs from UK-based Quazar International, a respected brand that has been tried and tested and leading the way in reflective products for over 40 years. Whether you’re hedge trimming, tree cutting, surveying, spraying or grass cutting you must reduce the risk of an incident by providing advanced notice of your activity to road users from both directions of travel in compliance with the Safety at Street Works Act and Health & Safety at Work regulations. With Quazar road signs Carr’s Billington Safety now offers a complete package, along with other essential equipment including Hendon Ladders, Climbing Technology accessories and Jameson Tree Trimming Tool Kits, to keep you and those around you safe, whilst conforming to relevant legislation. Quazar’s Classic™ sign system is compact, robust, simple to use, portable, easy to store thanks to its space-saving design and compliant with UK legislation. Prices for signs range from £17 to £190. More information on the Quazar International offering can be found on the Carr’s Billington Safety website.

From 17 January Carr’s Billington Safety will be the exclusive distributor in the UK of premium Tree Climbing Spikes from Czech-based Panther Spikes. Handmade since 1991 in the Czech Republic, Panther Spikes has an enviable reputation for the design and quality of materials used in the manufacturing of tree climbing spikes that are tested by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague. The Panther Tree-Climbing Spikes are made up of four key parts – the hook, gaffs, shell and binding. Carr’s Billington Safety will stock a wide range of colours, gaffs and binding options, with exclusive colour options on offer to dealers looking for something different, along with a complete inventory of spares stocked. The main supporting element of the Panther Tree Climbing Spikes is the hook which is made from a specific aluminium alloy that has been heat treated to withstand 650kg without significant deformation. A carbon option is also available. The hook is securely attached to the user’s leg using either a textile strap with Velcro, a leather or synthetic strap. The three types of gaffs on offer are all cast from alloy steel that are heat treated and tempered prior to being screwed to the hook with M8 screws and a layer of glue to prevent loosening. The shape of the gaffs allows straps to be adjusted ensuring key stability of the foot in the ankle area. Several layers of glass fabric make up the shell of the spikes which are reinforced with a strip of carbon fabric and allow for full adjustability. Velcro secures the calf support and pad that are shaped to provide maximum comfort. Both the hook and the gaffs are tested at higher values up to 1000kg and although irreversible deformation occurs at this weight there are no cracks or breakages. The Panther Tree Climbing Spikes will be priced at £290 (inc VAT) for the aluminium option and £420 (inc VAT) for the carbon.

Providing protection, durability and comfort for those who need it most. Forestry workers and arborists face environmental challenges every day, so having the right equipment and gear is essential to do their job safely. Specialist functional footwear manufacturer HAIX has designed the new Protector Timber from the sole up to provide the comfort and protection that arborists and forestry workers need, no matter the demands of the task at hand. The Protector Timber features a tough 2.8-3.0mm leather upper and the security of Class 1 cut protection to give wearers operating chainsaws and cutting tools up to 20m/s peace of mind when undertaking challenging felling and clearing tasks. The anatomically designed Protective Toe Cap provides added defence from stubs and falling objects. Developed with a sturdy VIBRAM rubber/EVA sole to balance durability and traction, the boots provide a confident grip in slippery underfoot environments while ensuring exceptional impact absorption and correct heel-to-toe movement. With comfortable, high-performance footwear, arborists and forestry workers can go further on every task, wherever their day takes them. Featuring a GORE-TEX® Performance inner lining that is waterproof, abrasion-proof and highly breathable, the Protector Timber offers enhanced climate comfort, no matter the weather conditions. Foot comfort is further supported using the HAIX Climate System, which works with the wearer’s movements to circulate air with every step and maintain an optimum foot temperature. Highlighting yet another example of the HAIX® commitment to balancing safety and protection with wearer comfort, the Protector Timber’s Inner Lining provides enhanced protection against chemicals. Meanwhile, the heat-resistant and non-marking outer sole works to counter any environmental conditions forestry workers and arborists may face. Optimised heel cushioning and foot guidance are supported using a separate heel cup, while the impact-absorbing, antibacterial and moisture-wicking foot bed keeps feet dry and ensures that comfort is not compromised by wearer safety. The Protector Timber also boasts a smooth-running lacing system and tip protection made of rubber for a longer service life; giving forestry workers and arborists much needed peace of mind that HAIX is supporting and protecting them in their work. Simon Ash, UK Sales Manager for HAIX®, says, “The versatile roles of arborists, forestry and outdoor workers require footwear that can provide protection and comfort even in the most challenging weather conditions. By combining smart material choices like GORE-TEX ® membranes with innovative production processes and integrating wearer feedback, HAIX forestry boots help tackle the demands of the job year-round.” Haix Forestry’s exclusive UK distributor is Carr’s Billington Safety. Carr’s Billington Safety is part of the wider Carr’s Billington Agriculture Sales Ltd family, serving the UK arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and agricultural industries by importing and distributing specialised equipment, protective clothing, footwear and accessories. www.carrs-billington-safety.com

GreenMech distributors GA Groundcare Ltd will be opening the doors of their Wiltshire depot on Wednesday 2nd February 2022 to showcase the brand-new EVO 205D SURE-Trak model. Attendees will be some of the first to see the powerful 8” machine in action, following its launch at the end of 2021. The day will begin at 9:00am, and following bacon rolls and coffee, visitors will be able to test out the 205D’s aggressive chipping performance and unrivalled climbing ability. To confirm your place, please email [email protected].

STIHL has enhanced its digital fleet management solution, STIHL Connected, with the introduction of the new Smart Connector 2 A, enabling professional users to obtain new levels of machinery performance data to improve maintenance programmes and fleet management efficiencies. Specifically designed for a growing range of professional STIHL cordless machines, the Smart Connector 2 A is able to transmit increased levels of useful machine data to a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The information relayed includes operating time, working speeds, the status on individual electronic components, ambient temperature and also messages about the status of the machine to name but a few, giving users universal transparency of the machine and its performance. The Smart Connector 2 A also features a real time clock, meaning the data is collected accurately regardless of how often the connector syncs with a smartphone, so operators can see when and for how long a machine was used. In addition, pressing the button on the Smart Connector 2 A gives a quick indication of the status of the machine via an LED light, and will display green if the machine’s maintenance is up-to-date, yellow if there’s an outstanding job, or red if a machine fault has been detected. The new Smart Connector 2 A sits flush against the machine housing and connects directly into the control unit of selected AP System battery machines, without the need for drilling or sticking. In addition, the pairing process is kept quick and simple, and can all be easily done from the STIHL Connected app. All of the machinery performance data is available to view either on the STIHL Connected app or on the desktop STIHL Connected Portal, a one-stop shop for accessing all the maintenance information and upcoming tasks for an unlimited number of machines in the fleet. Compatible STIHL machines for the Smart Connector 2 A include all 135 models (HLA, FSA, KMA, HTA), RGA 140, the latest HSA 94 R, HSA 94 T versions, with more professional machines coming in 2022. For more information on STIHL’s digital fleet management solutions, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

STIHL GB has unveiled plans to build a new 11,500m2 purpose-designed headquarters and state-of-the-art warehouse facility near to its current premises in Camberley, Surrey. Due for completion in December 2022, the site will be home to nearly 100 employees and will boast dedicated dealer training facilities, an on-site restaurant, flexible collaborative workspaces and a technical workshop. The new 9,000m2 warehouse space will utilise state-of-the-art picking and storage systems to maximise productivity, efficiency and the use of space. All logistics will now be consolidated onto one site, meaning a speedier and more efficient delivery service to the 700 strong STIHL dealer network. Kay Green, Managing Director of STIHL GB, commented: “STIHL has enjoyed a sustained period of growth in recent years, and as a consequence we have outgrown our existing warehouse and office facilities. Our new purpose-built headquarters represents a significant capital investment and is a commitment to the future for our dealers and end user customers. We’re looking forward to seeing work get underway on the construction of our new premises early in the New Year”. The new HQ, which secured planning permission last year, boasts first class environmental credentials including BREEAM Certification, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building projects. It is proposed that two-thirds of the total roof area (1600m2) will be covered with photovoltaic solar panels to provide power to the new facility. In addition, there will be provision for 26 EV charging points in anticipation of the continued move towards the use of electric vehicles. The new headquarters will also be connected to Blackwater railway station by a dedicated cycle path and will feature landscaped gardens with native shrubs and trees and a wildflower meadow which forms part of an integrated flood risk mitigation zone on the former Thames Water Utilities site. The company aims to relocate to the new facility from its current premises in Stanhope Road in January 2023.