TURF care equipment company Ransomes Jacobsen yesterday unveiled a new customer care centre at its international head office in Suffolk. The £750,000 facility, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Henry Davies, is part of a multi-million pound investment at the Ipswich site in recent years which also includes a full refurbishment of the manufacturing area.

TURF care equipment company Ransomes Jacobsen yesterday unveiled a new customer care centre at its international head office in Suffolk.

The £750,000 facility, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Henry Davies, is part of a multi-million pound investment at the Ipswich site in recent years which also includes a full refurbishment of the manufacturing area.

Some 44,000 spare part lines are stocked within the new centre, which brings together the picking and packing of orders under the same roof as the administration, warranty and product support sides of the customer care operation.

Space for the 33,000 sq ft centre has been created as a result of the manufacturing reorganisation which has virtually halved the number of machines used - with no reduction in capability - and improved productivity by around 5%.

Ransomes Jacobsen is part of US-based Textron Inc, whose brands also include Bell helicopters and Cessna aircraft.

The investment at Ipswich - the biggest seen at the site for many years - follows the transformation of its financial performance in recent years from a loss to a recover level of profitability.

Managing director David Withers said: “We have spent over £1.5 million refurbishing the manufacturing plant to improve workflow and production efficiency, while at the same time providing our employees with a modern, light, spacious and safe working environment.

“This investment is a clear demonstration by our parent company, Textron, that we are valuable and flourishing business unit. The refurbishment has enabled us to incorporate our new Customer Care centre in the same building, which is a significant step forward.

“We want to ensure that our customers and end users enjoy their experience when contacting our organisation and we are actively encouraging them to visit us here in Ipswich to see the facilities that we are so proud of.”

Stephen Mitchell, customer care director, added: “This is a significant development for the organisation and highlights our commitment to our customers, right through the lifecycle of their product.

“It's a clear and visual demonstration of this commitment. We now have the added benefit of all our customer support and after sales services in one location, which can only enhance our operational efficiency.”

n Ransomes Jacobsen yesterday signed an agreement to become a lead partner of Golf Environment Europe (GEE), which works to highlight environmental sustainability in golf.

GEE is supported by a wide range of golfing organisations and is committed to the promotion of environmental responsibility across all areas of the golf industry.

Mr Withers said: “The signing of this agreement with GEE is more excellent news for our company. We all have a social responsibility and we are committed to environmental best practice and management, and are determined to make this agreement a two-way process.

“As a lead partner we can play an active role in supporting the golf sector's approach to environmental sustainability and help improve the public and political perception of the sport.”

“With GEE we will be introducing the Ransomes Jacobsen Environmental Innovation and Technology award, which will recognise the achievements of a European golf course which has demonstrated particular innovation on an environmental topic.”

Jonathan Smith, chief executive of GEE, who was among the guests at the Ipswich site yesterday, said: “We are delighted to have signed this accord with Ransomes Jacobsen, as they are one of the leading turf equipment manufacturers in the industry and have a proven track record of their commitment to environmental issues.

“It's this type of commitment that we need, right across our industry; and this is amply demonstrated by the way they mange and develop their business.

“They have a portfolio of products that can be run on alternative fuels, they use biodegradable oil in their manufactured products and they have ISO14001, the first company within the turf care industry to be awarded this international standard for environmental management.”