SALTEX took place at the Birmingham NEC this week, with perhaps something to prove.
As mentioned last week, this year's show followed on quickly from a successful GroundsFest - so comparisons will inevitably be drawn. Especially when there is such a crossover of brands exhibiting, and frankly, visitors attending.
The aisles filled for the peak hours
I think what the GMA pride themselves on, certainly in the years since their show moved inside the halls of the NEC, is that they attract quality punters. Unlike in the old days when huge teams of turf professionals could be found roaming Windsor racecourse, kicking tyres and collecting free gifts, SALTEX nowadays say they attract the top-level, decision-makers. Those in charge of the purse-strings is whom they boast can be found perusing the stands.
Kress said they'd seen a tipping point this year, with golf courses truly embracing their robotic mowing solutions
Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, confirmed as much to me when I spoke to him on day one. He said he trusts the quality of their database and their attendees. Also he was pleased with the attendance on day one, which after a slow-ish start definitely felt busy by 10am through to 3pm-ish. Geoff said he thought they were actually up on last year's first day. Day two was undeniably quieter, however there were certainly enough visitors having serious conversations on stands to make the day worthwhile.
Geoff also told me how proud he is that their event is dedicated to promoting the turfcare industry in its best light possible and, crucially, in taking the show's revenue and reinvesting it back into the sector. I don't think anyone can deny this is an important and worthy endeavour, and one which I suspect, plays a large part in the thinking of all exhibitors.
Kubota's David Hart said the key industry trend is not so much about power sources, but rather automation
I got the impression from speaking to these stand holders this week, that they also agreed with Geoff that this notion of quality visitors remains the case. And it needed to - because there is of course, increased competition these days on the turf care machinery show scene.
It was always going to be an interesting couple of days for the long-historied show this year. Before I went, I must admit I'd heard some cynicism about the event - from both dealers and manufacturers. Dealers seemed to like the recent GroundsFest - and certainly there were plenty there, what with Stiga choosing to hold their dealer event at Stoneleigh.
Husqvarna's Jonathan Snowball (right), told Service Dealer editor Steve Gibbs they'd had a pleasing mix of top-level sporting establishments and landscapers on their stand to check out their robotic solutions and hand-held battery tools
Were many dealers at the NEC this week? I heard mixed reports from stand holders as to how many they'd spoken to. Fewer than last month's show felt to be the consensus. I bumped into some I know, all of whom were doing the show in a single day.
Milwaukee's distinctive stand featured plenty of kit to interest the professional end-users
Pre-show I'd also heard from past-exhibitors who had chosen not to return this year. I'd heard talk of not being able justify the costs for the comparatively small stands on offer and that it might not be a dealer friendly show, with the parking fee cited as a particular bugbear.
On the Hayter branded stand, Toro UK's Craig Hoare said they'd experienced massive interest in their battery-powered, rear roller Harriers
But that said, for those that did choose to exhibit, and those that did choose to pay it a visit, I got that the impression that a valuable time had been experienced. There was a real sense of the unknown I think, before Wednesday kicked off, but from what I gather, exhibitors were on the whole pleasantly surprised with what they experienced.
Cramer's John McGrady said they are continuing with their dealer appointments and are excited about the forthcoming launch of their commercial robotic mower
I don't know the official numbers yet, but a figure of 4000 was mentioned for day one. Certainly before the inevitable post-lunch migration home (or to Wetherspoons) there was a genuine buzz about the place that business was being discussed and leads being gathered. The footprint of the whole show felt smaller perhaps than in years gone by, but with the excellent displays put on by all, it had the vibe of a prestigious, high-end business event.
On the Cobra stand Peter Chaloner said as well as the top level visitors, they enjoyed meeting all of a facility's grounds team, as all have an influence over machinery purchasing decisions
We'll have more about specific products seen in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine, but once again battery-power and robotics were very much to the fore. One could pretty much play 'hunt the petrol product' around the aisles. Which, as Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke can attest to, is not the same at trade shows in the U.S this year.
STIHL were allowing visitors to try out some of their battery-powered range in the Demo Zone
I spoke to many of the exhibiting suppliers whose products our dealer readers will stock in their stores - and I'd say they seemed happy with the show. A refrain I heard repeated was that perhaps GroundsFest is more of a landscapers' show and SALTEX is geared for the turf professionals (of multiple disciplines). So they were making some different leads.
EGO's eye-catching stand drew the crowds
So I think overall, a well done is due to the GMA for putting on a show that delivered once again. The pressure will have definitely been on behind the scenes, but I think the Association can be applauded for rising to the occasion.
Service Dealer and TurfPro's Nikki Harrison, Lizzie Wall and Duncan Murray-Clarke met many readers and colleagues on our stand
Whether the industry's calendar can continue on forever, with two shows aimed at similar audiences, featuring a wide crossover of the same exhibitors, in consecutive months, we shall see. Whilst the current set up remains though, Service Dealer will enjoy meeting up with friends and colleagues and reporting back to you, our valued dealer readers on what we find.
And please do let us know your thoughts on this week's event, or the industry show scene in general, in the comments below.
Next year's show is taking place slightly later in the year
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CORRECTION
In the November / December 2024 edition of Service Dealer magazine, on page 54, the final line in the Five New Scorpions story has been transposed, in error, from the story above. Claas say that whist their machines do come with warranty, it is not the five year warranty on battery life or 200 hours of machine usage. A corrected version now appears in the magazine on our website. We sincerely apologise for this mistake to Claas and to our readers for any confusion caused.
