Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of commercial mowing equipment and its French branch, Ransomes Jacobsen France based in Toulouse, have recently signed a preferred supplier agreement with Golf National for the next five years following a tender late in 2015.

The prestigious golf course, which belongs to the French Federation of Golf and will soon host the Ryder Cup, has demonstrated its confidence in Ransomes Jacobsen France, who has supplied equipment since 2010.

Jean Lou Charon and Alan Prickett following the signing the agreement at Golf National.

Opened to the public in 1990, the impressive golfing venue hosts multiple national and international competitions every year, including the Men’s French Open. It consists of three courses: the Albatros – 18-hole championship course; the Aigle – a second 18-hole course and the Oiselet – a 9 hole course mainly used for training.

In 2018 Golf National will host the Ryder Cup, the prestigious competition between Europe and the U.S.A., which will be played on the renovated Albatros course. It will be unveiled at the end of June for the 2016 Open de France.

To ensure that all of the courses are maintained in pristine condition a total of 70 items of turf maintenance equipment will be delivered shortly, including 36 mowers, 21 utility vehicles and 13 miscellaneous products.

One of the main contractual commitments made by Ransomes Jacobsen and its French branch concerns the preparation and support for the Open de France tournament. This obligation will take the form of regular technical training for the Golf National staff to ensure the correct use and maintenance procedures for the entire fleet in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

In the run-up to the event, the products will be tested in tournament conditions for a week and 24-hour technical support will be provided by representatives from both Ransomes Jacobsen in England and France during the entire week of the Open. Furthermore, a number of additional tournament support machines will be assist the intensive maintenance essential to the smooth running of the competition.

Commenting on the supplier agreement, Paul-Ian Armitage, General Manager of Golf National said: “You don’t change a winning team! We are very happy to renew our supplier agreement for the upcoming five years with Ransomes Jacobsen, our existing business partner. Our offer to tender was exemplarily conducted, but the solutions provided in the tender, on a technical, customer care level and, obviously on a financial level by Ransomes Jacobsen allowed us to maintain this relationship and thus not change a tried and tested team.

“Golf National now enters the most important period of its history, a period during which the quality of the three courses will be scrutinised by the players and the media worldwide – we enter this period with confidence hand in hand with Ransomes Jacobsen to deliver experiences of the highest level possible. 

Commenting on the importance of this relationship, Alan Prickett, Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd stated: “We are delighted that Golf National has shown the utmost confidence in the Jacobsen brand and for a further five years. The team at Ransomes Jacobsen France can take great credit for the manner in which they have supported Golf National over the previous five years and their commitment to this client has been a major factor in securing the agreement, together with quality equipment that meets the client’s needs.”

www.ransomesjacobsen.com