Ransomes Jacobsen sign preferred supplier agreement with RFU

Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, has signed a preferred supplier agreement with the RFU to supply equipment to maintain the stadium pitch at Twickenham.

A fleet of new equipment, facilitated through the Esher branch of local dealer Ernest Doe and Sons, was delivered to head groundsman Keith Kent at the spiritual Home of England Rugby recently. The equipment includes three Iseki tractors, a Jacobsen TR3 ride-on triple mower with grass catchers, an E-Z-GO MPT electric utility vehicle and three Ransomes Matador walk-behind mowers complete specially adapted with high height of cut adjustment.

All the equipment was used to prepare the Twickenham pitch for the RBS 6 Nations championship matches when England played Italy, France and Scotland during February and March. It will also benefit the forthcoming Investec International match between England.

Commenting on the new equipment Keith Kent said, "I've been very impressed and pleased with the performance of the equipment; the Matadors are particularly impressive and with the height of cut adaptor, they are performing really well. I've also been hugely impressed with the level of support from both the people at Ransomes in Ipswich and the team from Ernest Doe; it's been second to none.

"We've been given the tools to ensure that can maintain the best rugby pitch in the world to the exacting standard demanded by the RFU and the England players.

Nick Brown, Corporate Account manager at Ransomes Jacobsen added, "We are delighted with the signing of this preferred supplier agreement and see it as a long term business relationship, not only Keith and his team, but also the RFU in general. We've had a similar agreement with the SRU at Murrayfield for many years and look forward to similar longevity with the relationship at Twickenham."

Picture :-Ransomes Jacobsen's Nick Brown (second left) congratulates head groundsman Keith Kent
at the official handover of the new fleet, with Ian Ayling, Twickenham grounds staff, Grant Buckingham of supplying dealer Ernest Doe & Sons and Andy Muir, Twickenham grounds staff