SALTEX 2024 has been and gone. The show organisers were very pleased with how it went. Over 7,300 visitors attended the two-day event, with over 20% of them being under the age of 30. Over 30 new product launches were held. The presence of over 130 educational institutions (including universities, colleges and independent schools) and almost 100 local authorities further emphasised SALTEX’s importance as a key networking platform for the whole grounds management sector. Many travelled from Ireland to attend SALTEX 2024. I hope that they had a good experience there. 

With Donald Trump having been re-elected as President of the United States of America one wonders if this a good news story or should we dread what lies ahead? One thing that is particularly concerning for Europe is will Trump reintroduce tariffs on certain exports, which could affect the agriculrural machinery industry. Only last week the Irish government said that a Trump administration could have a negative economic impact on Ireland.

Despite the pros and cons of Trumps victory it won’t get in the way of the 2024 Service Dealer Conference and Awards, which is just only over two weeks away. It will take place on Thursday 28th November at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

The schedule of the conference has been set and includes great speakers and informative topics. Business leader Ellis Watson will be the keynote speaker. Others that are lined up to speak are Karl McDermott who is the Head Groundsman at Lord’s cricket grounds, Jim Buttar who is Head of Grounds and Technical Operation at Twickenham RFU and farmer Andrew Ward. Karl, Jim and Andrew will discuss, in their own time slot, the topic of ‘Customer Insight’.

The break-out sessions always prove popular where great interaction develops with the speakers and audience. This year will be no different where two important matters will be discussed: 

•    AI in action
•    How criminals are hacking your business

Marketing consultant and mentor Neil Watkins will talk about AI in action. He will deliver a practical and engaging workshop exploring AI applications in our industry. Neil will give delegates a practical, hands-on demonstration and they will leave with the concrete steps dealerships can take to start or further their AI journey.

One of the growing concerns for any business is the increase in cybercrime. Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated in how they operate and it’s getting easier to be caught out by their devious methods. This session will give delegates an insight into how cyber criminals use team members to gain sensitive information from your business. Can you imagine what damage that can have on your business and reputation? 

The post conference dinner will take place that evening where entertainment will be provided by comedians Charlie Baker and Rob Rouse. During the dinner the much-anticipated 2024 Service Dealer Awards will take place. There are nine category awards this year which will conclude with the prestigious 2024 Overall Dealer of the Year Award – not to be missed.

This week the FTMTA will hold their FTMTA show at Punchestown Racecourse. Plenty of new machines will be on display there. The show runs from tomorrow, Tuesday 12th Nov, until Thursday 14th Nov. I hope the show goes well, especially for those who are exhibiting.

A teaser video is now available of Service Dealer, plus Jo Balmer of Balmers GM, at the world's largest outdoor power machinery exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky, Equip.

The full Digital Special Report, packed with interviews, insight and more, will be published soon. Keep an eye on the Weekly Update and our socials for details.

Watch below or via Service Dealer's YouTube channel.

The Foley Company in the U.S have announced the acquisition of Salsco, Inc., a manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, effective November 1, 2024.

Foley is best known in the UK for professional grinders and the Air2G2 machine. The products from Salsco are also known over here and Service Dealer has been told they will continue to be sold in the UK

Based in Cheshire, Connecticut, Salsco has over forty years in turf maintenance equipment, being founded by Sal Rizzo in 1979.
 
The manufacturer offers an extensive line of products that includes petrol and electric greens rollers, leaf vacuums, wood and brush chippers, chipper shredder vacuums and many more. Foley say this diverse portfolio complements their existing offerings, positioning both companies for ". . enhanced growth and innovation."
 
Paul Rauker, president & CEO of Foley Company, said, “We are excited to welcome Salso into the Foley family. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to providing top-tier solutions for golf courses and turf professionals. Salsco’s expertise and innovative products will enhance our capabilities and allow us to better serve our customers.”
 
Sal Rizzo, Founder of Salsco, added, “Joining forces with Foley Company marks a significant milestone for Salsco. Together, we can leverage our strengths and create even more impactful solutions for our clients in the golf and turf industry. I am confident that this partnership will lead to exciting new innovations and opportunities for growth.” 

As part of its brand strategy, and from the new price list in December 2024, the Amazone Group has announced a change to the design of its groundcare and hoeing divisions to a green and orange colour combination.

This, they say, continues the standardisation of its differing colour schemes within the different divisions of the company. All product lines will therefore match the long-established Amazone agricultural machinery colour scheme, which in many countries is protected under trademark law. Their aim is to strengthen the corporate identity throughout the entire group of companies.

The company's groundscare range, with products such as mounted and self-propelled mowers and collectors, was previously available in green and beige. They say there will now be a transitional phase in both the groundcare and hoeing divisions, during which both types of implement will still be shown at exhibitions and sold in their existing colours.

In a statement, the manufacturer said, "The standardisation of the colour scheme across all product lines shows that the Amazone Group is sending out a clear signal for its innovative green and orange colours and is thus aiming to further strengthen the market presence of the Amazone brand worldwide in the long term."

JCB have announced that they have marked a major manufacturing milestone with the production of their one millionth engine.

Production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, and expanded to JCB India in 2010 with the opening of a dedicated plant in Ballabgarh, Delhi. From three engines a day 20 years ago, JCB now produces around 500 a day.
 
JCB chairman Anthony Bamford paid tribute to the JCB teams around the world who have played a part in the engine’s success, saying, “To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement. This really is a significant moment for our teams around the world, a real achievement. The JCB engine is very well respected around the world for its reliability and very well appreciated by our customers. JCB machines work in dirt and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability.
 
“It was a major decision at the time to make our own engines and I was directly involved in that; it has paid off and I’m very pleased we made the decision. As we hit the milestone of producing one million engines, the time is right to acknowledge the part my played father in the design, not only of this engine, but other engines which he designed with other people in the past. My father died in 2001 so our engines were running as prototypes by that time, and he had a lot to do with it. I’m thankful he was involved in this engine so many years ago.”
 
A team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hydrogen combustion engines for use in the company's machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these engines are currently undergoing evaluation.