Our Grounds Maintenance team have recently benefited from a significant investment in new machinery, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient services for our customers across Sunderland.
More than £300,000 has been invested into new equipment, including advanced lawn-cutting machines, stump grinders for tree maintenance, and specialist machinery designed to support estate work throughout the year.
The investment forms part of our wider property strategy, which focuses on modernisation, sustainability, and operational excellence. By upgrading equipment and improving materials for colleagues, we aim to improve productivity, reduce maintenance times, and enhance the overall appearance of estates and neighbourhoods.
As part of our ongoing commitment to being more energy efficient, the new equipment significantly reduces our environmental impact. This includes rechargeable, battery powered lawn cutting machines and specialist equipment that no longer relies on petrol. By moving away from traditional fuel-powered machinery, we’re cutting emissions, reducing noise and operating in a cleaner, more sustainable way across our neighbourhoods.
These changes support our wider commitment to energy efficiency and help play our part in supporting the UK Government’s and Sunderland City Council’s ambitions to achieve net zero.
Nichola Stoddart, Operations Manager for Estate Services at Gentoo Group said:
“This investment demonstrates our dedication to providing safe, well-maintained communities for our customers. By equipping our Grounds Maintenance team with modern, high-quality machinery, we can deliver a more efficient service, reduce environmental impact and backlog of jobs, ensuring our estates remain well maintained, vibrant and welcoming places our customers are proud to live in”
Since the introduction of the new machinery, supervisors and estate colleagues have reported clear improvements in performance and positive feedback from colleagues.
Gary Pitt, Estate Supervisor at Gentoo said:
“Since the team received training, I’ve seen a clear improvement. The training has helped each person learn new tasks, which means we’re getting jobs done faster and to a better standard.
The new John Deere ride-on mowers have been particularly well received. They’re easier to use, more eco-friendly, and more efficient. Colleagues say they’re more comfortable too, especially the seat, which adjusts more easily and gives better support to the lower back. That makes a big difference during long shifts.”
Graeme Fairweather, Estate Operative at Gentoo, added:
“The new equipment has had a positive impact on our area and we now have more people trained on the new ride-on mowers. We’re now getting tasks done more efficiently.”
This investment builds on the opening of new Ground Maintenance depots in Hetton and Washington last year, positioning the team within our largest grass-cutting and maintenance areas to drive even greater efficiency.
