What happens when Italian flair meets renowned Japanese efficiency? Members of the groundcare press were recently given the opportunity to find out, as Kubota opened the doors to Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L. facility in Reggiolo, Italy. Following the acquisition of the brand in the summer of 2022, the two-day event delivered an update on the past, present and future of developments across the centre-collect front mower range.

Gianni Ferrari boasts a rich heritage of engineering prowess, with the namesake and founder pioneering patented irrigation machinery and the ‘Ferrari Joint’ in the early 1950’s. This developed into the design of their first walk-behind tractor in 1957. Fast forward to 1989, Gianni founded Gianni Ferrari S.R.L. alongside Franco Maletti and son Claudio Ferrari where, from their Reggiolo factory, they began the construction of professional lawn mowers.

Various models were introduced over the next 30 years, including the popular Turbo V50 and PG XPRO which gained much respect and popularity throughout Europe. With such a strong portfolio of centre-collecting front mowers for the professional user, Kubota recognised the complimentary fit of the range within their existing suite of ride-on mowers and proudly completed the acquisition in July 2022.  

With the experience and support of Kubota globally, Kubota Gianni Ferrari have been working hard over the last two years to embrace the very best of the Japanese Kaizen approach to processes and manufacturing – which was evident in the slick and streamlined approach to production visible during the factory tour.  

The media were also able to learn more about the current and ongoing developments within the product range such as the ‘conversion’ of the PG XPRO into the Kubota FC3-261, and the FC4-501 which has become one of the most powerful, comfortable and operationally equipped mowers on the market.  

While the unprecedented rainfall from Storm Boris put pay to seeing the range in action, spirits were not dampened as all enjoyed gaining an insight into the approach – both now and that of the future – and the company ethos by speakers including Kosuke Ota, Vice President of Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L. Further presentations were also delivered by Henry Bredin, general manager and Matt Wilson, groundcare product manager, of Kubota (UK).  

“It’s been fantastic to witness first-hand the enthusiasm and passion among the Kubota Gianni Ferrari team and to be able to share this with the media from the UK and Ireland was a real pleasure” adds Matt. “All of us at Kubota are incredibly excited about the bright future we have with the FC range, not just in traditional groundcare applications, but also in other guises where it can also support the maintenance of artificial sports surfaces. We’d like to extend a massive thank you to the team in Italy for being such fantastic hosts, and to all of those who attended.”