by Edward Brown | 20 Aug 25 | News, Supplier News
Makita has expanded its 40V Max XGT system with the UC029G Brushless Pruning Saw, built for professional landscaping and arboriculture.
The electric tools manufacturer reports that the UC029G Pruning Saw features a larger motor compared to other products on the market, enabling smoother cutting of shrubs and small branches. Moreover, the brushless motor ensures that less friction is generated, which translates into more power and a longer runtime, as well as the additional advantage that replacement brushes are not needed, thereby keeping future maintenance costs down.
Safety features built into the UC029G include an anti-restart function and an electric brake, ensuring operational protection and resistance to long-term damage.
Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager at Makita, comments:
“The launch of our new pruning saw underlines our commitment to delivering high-performance, reliable tools that meet the demanding needs of professionals working in outdoor environments. The UC029G is part of our growing XGT system, combining cordless convenience with outstanding durability and performance – an ideal option for users who need power without compromise.”
Find out more here.
by The Pro Landscaper Team | 02 Jun 25 | Commercial Landscaping, Partner Content
The landscaping trade is built on practical skills, shared knowledge, and a strong sense of collaboration. At Millboard, we aim to support landscapers not just through high-quality products, but by providing training, technical advice, and opportunities to connect with others in the industry. From hands-on courses to ongoing guidance and industry partnerships, our focus is on helping professionals deliver great results and build sustainable careers.
Launching the Millboard Training Academy at London Stone
One of our proudest recent developments is the launch of the Millboard Training Academy in collaboration with London Stone. This strategic partnership provides a dedicated, hands-on training environment where landscapers can become Millboard approved installers. Based at London Stone’s trade centre in Birmingham, in the West Midlands, the academy offers structured modules that cover best practices for installation and product integration.
Attendees benefit from practical experience with Millboard’s unique decking and cladding products—learning techniques that ensure durability, safety, and an exceptional finish. The sessions are delivered by our own product specialists and are tailored for both newcomers and experienced professionals who want to expand their offering and stand out in a competitive market.
Supporting installer training with Task Academy
We work with Task Academy to offer base-level training and Millboard product overviews, helping landscapers build a solid foundation of knowledge before taking on more advanced projects. These sessions introduce key concepts around installation, product handling, and design integration—providing a useful starting point for those new to Millboard or to the industry more broadly.
While Task Academy independently delivers a range of courses—including those focused on subframes—we actively support and promote their training as a valuable step for installers looking to gain confidence and improve their overall understanding of decking systems.
On-Site and remote technical guidance
Complex builds require more than just product—it takes expertise. That’s why Millboard provides detailed advice and support for challenging projects, both on-site and remotely. Whether it’s working through a bespoke curved design, managing tricky elevation changes, or integrating with other materials such as stone or metal, our technical team is on hand to help.
Through phone consultations, video walkthroughs, and in-person visits, we help installers troubleshoot, plan, and execute their visions with confidence.
Investing in the future through corporate social responsibility and education
We’re also committed to making training more accessible through corporate social responsibility initiatives that provide opportunities for those who may not typically have access to the landscape industry. One recent example is our involvement in a meaningful project in collaboration with TASK Academy, Lucy Bravington Design, the Stratford Youth Collective (SYC), and New Meaning Training. Over the past few months, TASK and Lucy Bravington have been working with young people who came away from school without the qualifications they need to progress, to help develop practical skills and build confidence through hands-on training.
To support the project, Lucy Bravington has generously volunteered her time to design a new garden for the youth centre. The students have been actively involved from the early stages, sharing ideas and shaping the vision—making this a truly collaborative effort.
Millboard is suppling our resin mineral composite decking for this initiative—an inspiring collaboration that not only helps develop practical skills using real products but also offers young people a glimpse into the possibilities within the landscaping industry.
Supporting the industry through membership and sponsorship
Millboard is a proud member of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) — two of the UK’s most respected landscaping organisations. Through these memberships, we stay closely connected with the issues, innovations, and aspirations that shape our sector.
We are also enthusiastic sponsors of awards run by BALI and Pro Landscaper, backing categories that shine a spotlight on emerging landscapers and exceptional projects. These awards play a vital role in recognising hard work, elevating standards, and motivating excellence.
Creating opportunities to connect
A spirit of collaboration is at the heart of landscaping, and we aim to foster it through events that bring people together. Our annual open event is a calendar highlight, drawing landscapers, designers, and suppliers from across the UK. This informal yet impactful event provides opportunities to connect, learn, and share ideas in a collaborative atmosphere.
Promoting landscapers and connecting them with customers
Through our approved installer scheme, we not only train and certify skilled landscapers, but we actively promote them. Our website features a dedicated directory where homeowners and commercial clients can search for trusted professionals in their area. We regularly pass on project enquiries and highlight installer work across our marketing channels.
This creates real business opportunities for our installers and demonstrates to clients the quality and professionalism that comes with choosing Millboard decking and cladding products.
Engaging with the industry at trade shows
Events like FutureScape give us an essential platform to meet with the wider trade community. At these shows, we host live product demos, offer installation advice, and showcase new innovations. These gatherings are invaluable for keeping our finger on the pulse of the industry and helping us stay responsive to landscapers’ evolving needs.
Building with confidence: Product knowledge at the core
Underpinning everything is our commitment to product knowledge. Whether it’s understanding the qualities of our unique resin mineral board composition or knowing how to integrate our edging profiles seamlessly, we ensure that installers have the knowledge to succeed. From video guides to in-person support, we’re here to equip landscapers with the tools they need to deliver top-quality results.
Millboard’s support for landscapers is about more than supply—it’s about partnership, empowerment, and progress. We are proud to play our part in training the trade, elevating standards, and building a more connected and capable industry. Through education, support, celebration, and collaboration, we’re helping landscapers not only meet expectations but exceed them.
For more information about our training courses, becoming an Approved Installer, or joining one of our upcoming events, visit www.millboard.com.
by Edward Brown | 23 May 25 | News
Lantra and Landex have extended the nomination deadline for the Land-Based and Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards.
Earlier this year, the LBEL Awards opened for nominations, celebrating achievements across the sector. This annual event is coordinated by the accreditation body, Lantra, and the ‘Land Based Colleges and Universities Aspiring to Excellence’ organisation, Landex.
On 27 November, the National Conference Centre in Solihull will host this year’s awards ceremony. The event will recognise learners, apprentices and researchers in fields ranging from horticulture and arboriculture to veterinary nursing, landscape and environmental conservation.
The organisers have decided, due to a record number of nominations, to extend the nomination deadline to 11:59 pm on Sunday 22 June.
From private trainers to university programs, the ceremony in November will honour top performers at every level, including apprenticeships (Levels 2-3) and higher education (Levels 4-7). Postgraduate students will also have a dedicated Master’s and Doctoral category. There will be additional overall awards for: Research Student of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Overall Winner and Runners Up.
Though beyond celebrating individual students’ achievements, the LBEL Awards hope to attract new talent into the land-based and environmental sectors.
Head of communications at Lantra, Clegg Bamber, says: “The purpose of the LBEL Awards is to shine a spotlight on the brilliant talent and dedication of those in the land-based and environment sector. We have seen some brilliant nominations so far, and recognising this time of year where colleges, training providers and employers are busy with assessments and preparing students for exams.
“Lantra and Landex are extending the nominations deadline to ensure everyone has enough time to submit good quality nominations, ensuring learners and apprentices are recognised for their efforts and commitment to their studies.”
Nominations can be submitted online via Lantra’s website, as the quicker, more sustainable option. Alternatively, paper forms can be requested by emailing lbels@lantra.co.uk.
by Holly Chapman | 16 Apr 25 | News
International Interior Landscaper Day encourages the celebration of individual contributions by plants@work.
For its third year, International Interior Landscaper Day was marked on Wednesday 16 April. plants@work sent badges to team members nominated by their employers for hard work and special services.
Six companies nominated 13 members to be recognised, as plants@work encouraged them to celebrate alongside a badge presentation.
Kenneth Freeman, plants@work Chairman comments:
“Some companies chose to celebrate their ‘winning’ members with a special badge presentation and refreshments. However they chose to celebrate this achievement is up to the individual companies, but we’re sure they all wanted to mark the occasion.”
According to Gallup Institute, public or private recognition of performance are bigger motivational perks than a promotion or bonus.
by Bethany Vann | 31 May 23 | Commercial Landscaping, Garden Design, Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Architecture, News, Topics
Last year saw nearly a 20% increase in landscaping companies being launched, but only 6% were founded by women. This is according to Companies House data analysed by Instant Offices.
A total of 2,610 companies were registered under ‘landscape service activities’ in 2022, with just 162 of these being launched by women. In the previous year, 190 were women led out of 2,190 companies registered.
Despite a 19.18% increase of registration between 2021 and 2022, the percentage of women led companies decreased by 2%.
The ‘Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship’ highlights that up to £250bn of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men in the UK.
Progress is being made to support women start their own businesses across the country; the Alison Rose report aims to fulfil the government’s ambition of increasing the number of female leaders by 50% by 2030.
John Williams, chief marketing officer at Instant Offices says: “Research shows that 54% of small businesses, 64% of medium ones and 59% of large companies reported improved business outcomes when implementing initiatives to improve gender diversity.”
Instant Offices found London to be the city with the largest number of female directors in 2022, with approximately 6,921. The next highest was Manchester with around 713.
Overall, the landscaping companies started last year were predominantly launched across London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester.
