GreenMech is a leading British manufacturer of arboricultural machines, with the top-selling wood chipper range in Europe.
Founded by engineer and entrepreneur Tony Turner in 1993, it designs, manufactures and markets a range of wood chippers and green waste shredders for professional arborists, landscapers and public authorities all over the world.
Over the last two and a half decades, GreenMech has successfully developed a unique and innovative range of professional machines which are now exported to over 30 countries.
The organisation prides itself on pioneering design and development; its patented Disc-Blade technology and SAFE-Trak system has made GreenMech wood chippers a brand leader in the arboriculture world.
This commitment to quality and innovation is why GreenMech have been using PROTEX latches since the very start, when Tony went looking for a suitable fastening system to close the bonnets of his wood chippers. Fortunately for Tony, his nearest latch manufacturer was PROTEX. He’s not looked back since!
The popular Arborist range uses PROTEX latches to secure the engine case, while the Quad Trak and Quad Chip chippers use a heavy-duty latch to secure the turntable mechanism and lock the foldable discharge shoot in place.
“We produce 800-900 machines per year and use thousands of fasteners,” says Tony, “and the fact that we get very little demand for spares is testament to their quality and robustness. He continues: “PROTEX produce a superior quality, well-finished fastening that is ideal for our machinery.”
Tony is a seasoned pacesetter in the world of engineering - in 1963, he developed the world’s first flail hedge and verge mower, named the ‘Hydramower’. It became the standard in the UK for cutting roadside verges and hedges by public authorities and farmers.
Since 2007, GreenMech’s Warwickshire-based factory has expanded by 50 per cent and they now employ more than 85 people including three engineering apprentices. Export sales have doubled since the financial crash of 2008 and, in tandem with that rise, their world-wide sales and support service, through appointed dealerships across four continents, continues to flourish.
Among many its significant achievements are a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2005, followed by a second for Innovation in 2009.
It’s very much a family affair, too - Tony’s son Jonathan is Managing Director, while his nephew David Turner is Operations Director. Grandchildren head up a French side of the operation and, although the company has obviously strong ties with Europe, buying and building British is an important part of the company’s philosophy.
“We are making a top quality British product using parts made in the UK so wouldn’t consider using a cheaper foreign import.” says David. “In the field our machines get a daily pounding so we need component parts that are up to the job. We’ve never had any issues with PROTEX latches, they are a very good quality.” He adds: “There is always stock availability too which is important to us.”
