The session explored the operational realities of adopting battery and robotic machinery, tackling operator buy-in, charging logistics, turf quality, and the shift towards specialised dealer support.
Chaired by Neville Stein, the discussion featured insights from Jim Kirkwood (Director of Product Management at Kress), Mike Day (owner of Mike Day Garden Maintenance), and Paul Larsen (turf consultant and former Head Greenkeeper at Royal St George’s Golf Club). Together, the panelists addressed operator hesitation, autonomous equipment management, logistics, turf health, and long-term industry recruitment strategies.
A central theme was overcoming internal resistance and establishing trust in autonomous mowers. Addressing team hesitation, Day and Larsen noted that traditional operators often miss the familiar sound and tactile feedback of petrol engines. However, reduced operator fatigue and lower vibration levels quickly won teams over. Regarding autonomous mowers, Kirkwood highlighted the advance of commercial-grade robotics, while Larsen and Day raised practical concerns regarding unmanned operations at night, theft risks, site security, and the necessity of tailored insurance coverage for high-value equipment operating without direct supervision.
Logistical complexities around battery management and client communication were also examined in detail. Day outlined the operational realities of running a commercial fleet, emphasising that working a full day requires precise battery rotation schedules, sufficient spare units, and reliable charging infrastructure, rather than simple mid-job swaps. From a commercial perspective, Day explained how he leverages low-noise operation to win over discerning domestic clients in Hertfordshire and North London, framing quiet performance as a premium service offering rather than just an environmental feature.
Turf quality and performance under challenging conditions formed a key part of the technical discussion. Larsen evaluated battery machinery against strict golf course standards, noting that high-end electric turf equipment delivers equal or superior cut quality and striping compared to petrol equivalents, with less turf stress. However, both Larsen and Day acknowledged weather-related limitations, discussing how cold, wet UK weather can affect battery efficiency and how equipment failures require rapid contingency planning to prevent schedule disruptions.
The panel addressed the operational shift toward manufacturer reliance for diagnostics and repairs. Because traditional small-engine mechanics cannot service complex circuit boards or proprietary battery architecture, contractors face potential downtime risks. Kirkwood explained how Kress works to mitigate this through specialised dealer networks, rapid diagnostics, and direct support to prevent contractor downtime, while Day and Larsen stressed that fast support turnarounds are essential to offset any maintenance cost savings.
Closing the session, the panelists discussed workforce development and attracting new talent to the industry. Day, Larsen, and Kirkwood agreed that adopting modern, tech-driven equipment makes the landscaping and greenkeeping sectors significantly more attractive to younger, tech-savvy workers. For established business owners hesitant to embrace digital tools, the panel’s final advice was simple: start small with entry-level battery tools, rely on strong manufacturer support, and view autonomous technology as an operational partner rather than a replacement for core trade expertise.
