GCI chatted with Grigg Brothers President Mark Grigg about 2016 and how the company’s relationship with Brandt and IHammer are benefitting superintendents in the Carolinas and elsewhere.
What has 2016 been like for the company?
2016 has been a great year. Brandt completed the purchase of our manufacturer, Baicor LLC in Logan Utah. This purchase completes our organization. Brandt, Grigg Brothers and IHammer are now all on the same page. We have spent the year organizing our territory managers so that they will represent all three product lines around the world. It is very exciting to have all three arrows in our quiver and everyone working toward the same goal. Being able to offer roughly 150 products to the T&O business around the world is very exciting. Brandt also completed the purchase of a generic chemical company in Spain this year.
Who are your distributors in the Carolinas? How have those relationships evolved and strengthened over the years?
Our distributors in the Carolinas are Eastern Turf Equipment, Corbin Turf Supply, Southern Seeds Inc. and Triangle Turf and Ornamental. These distributors represent a long partnership that is dedicated to servicing the Carolinas with Grigg Brothers and Brandt Products.
Speaking of strengthening, how have relationships with Brandt and IHammer benefitted Grigg Brothers?
The purchase of Grigg Brothers by Brandt has given us many opportunities worldwide as Brandt currently markets into 48 countries. It has also increased our footprint in the U.S. and other territories as our marketing representatives now have the ability to offer a variety of products at all price levels to accommodate virtually any T and O related business. Going forward, Grigg Brothers has been designated as Brandt Premium Fertilizer Brand.
What are some new offerings in the Grigg Brothers/Brandt/IHammer pipeline that will help superintendents in the Carolinas and elsewhere?
Grigg Brothers has introduced Rhizo Aide this year which is a granular soil amendment designed to enhance the Rhizosphere and improve playability by limiting earthworm activity at the surface where they cause a disruption of playability. We are also introducing Elicitor (registered trademark) which is a next generation biostimulant package that we have spent six years developing. It is designed with several ingredients that stimulate plant and help it overcome a variety of stresses including salt stress. It has shown great promise in greenhouse and antidotal testing.
Superintendents in the Carolinas are increasingly seeking alternatives to overseeding. What are some considerations that must be made when determining the best alternative for a course and what some solutions available to help them?
Their Budget is certainly the main consideration but we do have a variety of pigments to assist with their transition. GreenPig, GreenPig Ultra and our new GreenPig UV which is designed to help turf overcome ultraviolet stresses should be a consideration.
What can we expect to see at your booth in Myrtle Beach?
We will have a joint Brandt/Grigg Brothers and IHammer Booth with the Brandt #7 NASCAR Xfinitiy Car which is driven by Justin Allgaier.
NOTE: Justin Allgaier is currently third in the Xfinity Series standings.