Reduce running costs with training

Richard Bishopin Industry News

Hayter Training Programme Growing

By Richard Bishop

Modern grass cutting machinery is designed for maximum output and reliability. Nevertheless though to get the most from it, both those who operate it and those who maintain it must be trained to the highest standards.

Hayter have always adopted the view that, although training is expensive and time consuming, it does result in equipment working to its full capacity and operating costs being kept to a minimum. Technical support manager Robin Blackford (in the red shirt) has been responsible forHayterRobinBlackford.jpg

This year has been busier than ever. Training in this industry often needs to be carried out at the most inconvenient time, right at the beginning of the season when there are pressures from all directions. Robin takes it in his stride though and, with the help of Andy Wade, who tends to specialise on the consumer range but helps Robin out on commercial products whenever he can, the job gets done.

Already this year at the Spellbrook factory, 43 dealer engineers have taken part in four four-day courses and 62 engineers from customer's workshops have been trained in a total of nine two-day courses. On top of this, technical staff from Hayter's Danish distributor have also undergone intensive training. If this wasn't enough, there have been numerous tailor made courses carried out to specific customers on site.

Particularly worthy of note is the training carried out in France and Belgium to one of Hayter's largest and long standing customers, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The 24 head gardeners from France and 12 from Belgium were trained in all aspects of operation, maintenance and safe practice, not only on Hayter products but other manufacturer's as well. As part of the training, a comprehensive manual was put together specifically for the head gardeners. As they had the responsibility of then training the staff reporting to them, the manual will serve as a useful reminder of everything they were taught.

Robin obviously enjoys his training responsibilities. Commenting on the situation during a brief respite in the training programme he said. "Whilst it does mean that the workload at the beginning of the season is unusually high, the training is an excellent opportunity to get to know engineers and end users and to be able to help them in their day to day responsibilities. It also provides us with valuable feedback on our products. I have to say that it was particularly satisfying putting together the special course for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They must have felt it worthwhile too as I have been asked to repeat the training in Holland later on in the year."

For further information please contact Barbara Garton at Hayter on Tel: 01279 723444 or E-mail: sales@hayter.co.uk

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