Earlier this year, Etesia ran a competition titled ‘The Hunt is on’. The aim was to find the oldest working Hydro 100 ride-on mower from across Europe.

After receiving hundreds of entries from users still using their respective machines, it came down to two entries which were determined by only two months. The winner, Iain Hart of Lincolnshire was still using his H100 which was first registered in 1990 until the day before he exchanged it for a brand new Hydro 100 Evolution, worth over £8,500.

Iain’s machine, which has nearly 2,500 hours on the clock, has been in his family since new, with his father-in-law originally purchasing the mower back in 1990 from their local Etesia dealer at the time, Chandlers (Farm Equipment). The new Hydro 100 model was presented to Iain and his family at new Etesia dealer Charles H. Hill, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.

“The mower has been in our family since new with my father-in-law purchasing an ex-demonstration model,” said Iain. “I saw the competition details in a trade publication and had a chat with my father-in-law to see how old he thought it was. The mower was still doing a fantastic job and was easy to use, so I was surprised just how old it was at first.

“Etesia manufacture very reliable and long lasting equipment suitable for large domestic users or full time contractors like me. The mower has made mowing long, wet grass possible because of the way it collect and does not block.”

The fact that the mower is still working just as good now as it did over twenty years ago is a credit to the excellent service that Iain has received from his Etesia dealer. “I’ve dealt with Charles Hill for a number of years and their staff are all very knowledgeable with a well stocked parts department.”   

The new Hydro 100 Evolution has a unique concept that cuts and collects grass in all weathers, even the pouring rain. Top quality manufacturing allows mowing, season after season, ensuring that this machine out-performs all other ride-on mowers in its class. A more powerful engine, large capacity 500 litre grass collector which is emptied without leaving the driver’s seat and more operator comfort sees the Hydro 100 Evolution really setting the standard for all ride-on mowers.

“The competition and level of the entrants really surprised us,” said Les Malin, Etesia UK’s General Manager. “Our network of dealers scoured the country and beyond to find the oldest working machine and when we found Iain’s mower, we were pleasantly surprised in what good condition it was in.

“This competition has made us look at and appreciate the mowers we design and manufacture. When people see how long that they have lasted, they will realise what we tell them is true. Our build quality is far superior and that is why we tell customers to examine entire life-time costs and not just the new price when looking to purchase any new product.”

Iain’s old machine will now take pride of place in the reception area of Etesia UK’s head office in Shenington, Oxfordshire.

Etesia S.A.S recently welcomed new UK dealers and members of the press to its Wissembourg headquarters for a trip which demonstrated how the company is at the cutting edge of green space maintenance.

Attendees were given a presentation on the advances in technology, a sneak preview of the new products which will be launched for the 2013 season, followed by a tour of the high tech state-of-the-art factory.

Les Malin, Etesia UK’s General Manager, then gave an interesting presentation on the manufacturer’s green credentials, the relationship with Forest Green Rovers – the recent IOG Environmental Project of the Year Award winner, as well as the company’s continual digital media efforts offering plenty food for thought for all concerned.

The trip was concluded with a visit to the Royal Palace, Kirrwiller which saw everyone enjoy live music, acrobats, dancers and a motor cycle display team.

Contractors, landscapers and grounds maintenance professionals who are in search of a versatile, small trailer that tackles a wide variety of jobs need look no further than Etesia’s MRM Multi-Purpose Trailer.

Whether you want to carry tools, sand, compost, leaves or mowing waste, the unique easy-emptying with foot pedal control makes manoeuvring around any site effortless.

As part of the up-coming range of special offers that Etesia UK will shortly be announcing, the French manufacturer is selling the trailer at better than half price until further notice.

The trailer can simply be pulled as a wheelbarrow by hand or trailed behind a ride-on lawnmower, ATV or tractor, making it ideal for transporting soil, paving slabs, compost, and other heavy materials.

Perhaps its most important and unique feature is that the skip’s outer-body is double-skinned, forming a tank with the capacity to transport up to 85 litres of water or other liquids such as plant-care products. This is especially useful when working on remote sites where a tap or hose are not nearby.

The trailer incorporates a rack to carry tools such as rakes, brooms, shovels or other long-handled implements. A foot-controlled rear-tipper enables the skip’s contents to be easily deposited onto the ground.

To increase the 180 litre capacity of the skip, it has dual-purpose side-extension panels – when raised to their full height they increase the load capability to a huge 400 litres.

Now priced at just £459 including VAT and delivery, Etesia’s MRM Multi-Purpose Trailer is a little workhorse which can turn its hand to a wide number of uses, making it a ‘must’ for anybody involved in grounds maintenance.

To take advantage of the offer, or for further information on the promotion and participating dealers, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680 120.

The success of the Etesia and Pellenc brands in the UK has been recognised at the company’s re-launched ‘Partners in Excellence’ awards, which were held in November at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

The ceremony followed a day of new product launches for the 2013 season and a hands-on product test session. The Awards were given to the dealerships which have delivered the best performance over the previous 12 months, not solely in terms of sales but also in backup, sales and service support including marketing of both brands.

The evening started with Patrick Vives, President of Etesia SAS congratulating all Etesia and Pellenc dealers in a tough economic climate: “As we have seen from past events, this process does more than simply recognizing the great work already done; it also provides encouragement and impetus to dealers to continue working towards building a robust business and making the Etesia and Pellenc brands the success that they already are.”

Introducing the winners, Les Malin, UK General Manager for Etesia said: “We have built our reputation on not only our innovative products but also the dealers who sell them.”

Awarded the prestigious ‘Overall Partner of the Year’ award was RT Machinery of Buckinghamshire. “RT Machinery has not only demonstrated outstanding performance across all market sectors and product ranges, but they have also shown tremendous commitment to both Etesia and Pellenc, and without exception they continue to dominate their area. They thoroughly deserve all three of their awards and in particular the title of Etesia ‘Partner of the Year,” said Malin.

The complete list of winners were as follows:

New partner of the year – Balmers Garden Machinery, Lancashire.

Best marketing and promotion for 2012 – RT Machinery, Buckinghamshire.

Best Etesia ride-on sales 2012 – Angus Chainsaws, Arbroath.

Best Etesia pedestrian sales 2012 – Alex McDougall Mowers, East Kilbride.

Best Attila sales 2012 – RT Machinery, Buckinghamshire.

Pellenc partner of the year 2012 – Tomlinson Groundcare, Suffolk.

Etesia partner of the year 2012 – RT Machinery, Buckinghamshire.

The awards then handed over to professional Ricky Gervais look-a-like Tim Oliver to give his unique take on business management.

Barton Grange Landscapes, one of the largest landscape maintenance companies in the North West, have recently taken delivery of a further two Etesia H124’s from local dealer Balmers Garden Machinery.

The Barton Grange Group of companies dates back to 1945. Fast forward 67 years, the group comprises not only the landscape maintenance business, which was started in 1957, but also a 51-bedroom 4-star luxury hotel, two garden centres as well as three large plant nurseries and currently employs around 700 people.

“We’ve used Etesia machines for the past 12 years,” said Peter Topping, Managing Director. “We chose Etesia after several successful trials because we were looking for a machine with a high-tip facility. The machine we were using at the time didn’t have this and so we looked at the market to see what was available.”

Barton Grange Landscapes has secured grounds maintenance contracts with a wide range of customers in the public and private sectors throughout the North West of England, and maintain sports grounds, play areas, NHS sites, schools, local authority and governments, business parks as well as all types of private and commercial properties with annual contracts ranging in value from £500 to over £150,000.

“As a company, we are determined to provide all of our customers with the best possible service, and the acquisition of these new mowers will play a vital role in us achieving this goal regarding grass cutting.”

Etesia’s Hydro 124D, with a 1.24 metre cutting width, is the first mower that combines direct rear-ejection, inter-grated collection and high-lift emptying (patented). Designed to mow up to 19,000 square metres per hour, the 600 litre grass box has been designed to be filled to capacity every time, whilst it can be emptied out at any height from floor level up to a maximum of 1.8 metres without leaving the driver’s seat, making it one of the most highly efficient commercial mowers on the market.

 

There is also a Bio version available – the H124B, which uses B30 petrol (30% ester of biomass and 70% diesel) and biodegradable oils and greases. The range of Hydro 124’s all have a front PTO for accessories which include sweeper, snow blade, scarifier, front-mounted cutting unit and blower ensuring that the mower can be instantly turned into a all-year-round work horse.

 

Derrick Robertson, Barton Grange Landscape’s Yard and Machinery Manager added: “We use Etesia because it’s the best machine on the market for the job we need it for.

“It does a good job, they are reliable and also the machines are user friendly. In particular, our operatives like the hydrostatic and hi-lift features which with only two levers and no confusing buttons is very easy to use.”