Toro fleet expansion for CGM Group

Productivity, durability, versatility, flexibility and reliability, these are the words repeatedly used by customers to describe Toro’s grounds range of machinery. And CGM, one of the largest grounds maintenance and landscaping firms in the East of England, is no exception – which is why the company has bought nine Toro machines in just over a year.

Operating as CGM does across East Anglia and the East Midlands serving public and private sector clients including local authorities, government agencies, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, property managing agents, housing associations and numerous commercial businesses, it is essential the company works with a machinery brand that performs in all conditions.

CGM started its journey with Toro machines in January 2020. Here we speak to Marcus Glover, Operations Director at CGM Group, about why the company based in Downham Market, Norfolk, has recently added to his Toro fleet with the purchase of four Toro LT3340 triple flail mowers to aid the 150-strong grounds team for eight months of the year.

Marcus explains: “Our teams are working solidly for two thirds of the year cutting sports pitches and maintaining school sites and commercial grounds.

“We need machinery we can rely on, machinery that is flexible and adaptable. We are not only faced with a wide range of landscapes and environments, but the weather can apply added pressure to our work, particularly in 2021 when we’ve seen extraordinarily fast grass growth due to the wet and warm weather.”

The four new mowers join five existing Toro machines, taking the overall fleet to nine. Famed for perfecting light trimming through to dealing with dense overgrowth, these mowers also come with kerb-climbing ability, making them particularly well-suited to municipal sites.

Yet for Marcus, performance was just part of the equation: “It’s also all about the support and back-up care. Although we’ve had no problems with use, the response time of the workshop is phenomenal. Replacement parts are sourced overnight so I know I’ll have machines back out on the ground the following day. It means that, from an operational perspective, we are working as efficiently as we can.”

Marcus’ experience with the team at Reesink Turfcare is testament to the importance of a good working relationship and he credits Danny Lake with being “excellent” to deal with.

Marcus concludes by reflecting on the challenges presented by 2021’s unseasonably wet weather: “Our busy teams were cutting more than normal due to faster-than-average grass growth and the Toro mowers have supported us brilliantly, performing well in all conditions. It’s that adaptability and reliability that means they are machines we can trust.”