It was BIGGA's BTME show in Harrogate this week which I feel is always an event to look forward to - and it didn't disappoint this year, with a positive atmosphere pervading the halls.
The busy, buzzy show felt upbeat, with both the stand holders and visitors I spoke to seemingly feeling good about the golf and turfcare machinery sector's prospects for the year ahead. LAMMA had huge, record-breaking numbers attend last week, but from what I gather the ag sector is still somewhat trepidatious. Professional turfcare on the other hand, does feel a little more optimistic.
Of course, the whole Harrogate experience itself could have added to those feelings of positivity. The show is clearly well-liked by those who exhibit and those who come for a look around. I also hear only positive comments from the teams manning the stands about the service the show provides to them - all adding to what can only be described as a happy and pleasant experience.
I don't know attendance figures yet, but the halls certainly became crowded quickly on the first two days, with numbers holding up into the late afternoon (there didn't appear to be that post-lunch drop off with people not coming back from the many great pubs and restaurants that the town offers). With all the educational seminars that are on offer to BIGGA's greenkeeper members, there is certainly plenty to keep them there for several days - which must be pleasing for the stand-holders.
Kelly Burgess and Ellis Adderley from dealers Buxtons
Also in attendance in decent numbers were dealers. Lots of the exhibitors remarked to me just how important the show is to them for catching up with both members of their network and to meet potential new ones. As for the dealers I bumped into, they seemed to be enjoying the show. Some told me of new business prospects and directions they were exploring this year, others spoke of how hard work was paying off in what remains a challenging market. When I asked them what was catching their eye at the show the consensus appeared to be that was not too much especially new or revolutionary on show, but clearly robotics and the growing use of AI was in the ascendancy.
Around the halls
We will feature some more detail on what was on display in the next issue of the magazine, but in the meantime, some conversations I had around the halls of interest to our dealer readers, included -
Husqvarna, as well as showing off a selection of their pro robotic models and handheld equipment, were promoting their multi-year agreement to become the new Title Partner of the British Masters. Jonathan Snowball was interviewed on the stand alongside Angus Macleod, director of golf courses and estates at The Belfry, by Sarah Stirk of Sky Sports' golf coverage. Jonathan spoke about the use of their robotics at the recent Women's Open and how far the technology had come. He also looked to the future saying, "Golf is increasing it's use of robotics rapidly," and in reference to the mowers themselves, "It's about increasing the capabilities of the machines."
Kress's stand was really busy across the show, the company's Tony Macer (pictured above with Service Dealer editor, Steve Gibbs) told me. He said robotics have really crossed over now in the minds of professional users and with their cutting edge machines now incorporating AI into their processes, users don't need to be as reliant on phone signals. The upshot of this is simply that more grass can get cut and the machines can now actually learn agronomy. The stand also featured a range of charging options for professionals out in the field that are adding to the confidence of turf professionals who may be converting from petrol for the first time. Tony said that it's tech like this that sells their brand.
STIGA were at BTME for the first time, displaying their APX Pro autonomous mower to the greenkeepers visiting the show. Sam Fletcher told me this machine had found a niche as rather than being a fairway focused unit, as most robots for golf tend to be, this one specialised in roughs and semi-roughs. Due to it's chosen cutting deck, this machine is able to do a weekly or 10-day cut and not just the 'little and often' cuts as robot mowers tend to. Sam said the company had filled a gap in the market with this machine.
Overton's stand saw the debut of a 21" electric mower from U.S manufacturer Oso. Guy Overton (pictured above with Service Dealer's Keith Christian) told me he had seen the brand at the recent Equip show in Louisville and had made the decision to bring it across for the UK market. He said its 35amp battery is long running, giving two and half hours on a single charge. There was a power pack available too. Guy said he was keen to introduce dealers to the kit.
Double A's Sandy Armit said it was important to promote their company at an event such as BTME as it raised it their profile amongst the golfing industry. They were introducing visitors to AAproved Used, which is providing customers with high quality pre-owned John Deere turf equipment, tractors and utility vehicles all fully serviced, checked and with a 12 month warranty. They were also highlighting the fact that they have been Lastec dealers for over 25 years and as sole importers into the UK, can supply new Lastec trailed and front mounted mowers and any spare parts required.
FGM's Paul Butterly told me just how popular their Echo robotic mowers are proving in the golfing sector - especially now that human resources are such a big issue at courses. He said it's the build-quality and endurance of their professional grade machines that are selling them into the industry. Dealers who are invested in golf are finding success when they demo these machine's abilities on the fairways, Paul confirmed.
GroundsFest had a presence at the show as part of their partnership agreement with BIGGA. Chris Bennett told me they were promoting their show and their educational academy to greenkeepers - some of whom had not perhaps come across them before. With them being the summer show and BTME a winter show, it made sense for this cross pollination between visitors, Chris said. He also confirmed that BIGGA would have a bigger presence at this summer's GroundsFest, with the intention of this on-going collaboration to be for the good of the industry.
BAGMA's Nick Darking and Richard Jenkins who were promoting their services for dealers, mused on the current situation for dealers. They thought that following a busy LAMMA, ag dealers would see some genuine enquiries, but on the whole the sector is undeniably depressed. There are some exceptions obviously, but clearly everyone involved in selling to farmers is hoping for a turnaround in fortunes.
Iseki, under the new leadership of Alan Prickett (pictured above with Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clark), were gaining attention both for their tractor range but also the Raymo machines they they now distribute. Alan said both the robotic and radio-controlled versions are finding their markets amogst commercial users who need to operate in banked or awkward areas. The stand featured the debut of the new GPS models equipped with a 48” Craft Deck, a 150Ah battery, and a complete range of accessories.
Allett were showing their new Omnia (Latin for 'everything') mower. Austin Jarrett (pictured above with TurfPro editor, Laurence Gale) said this launch was really important for the company as they had been working on the design for the past five years. The professional unit utilises a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard battery and we were told that it has been developed under an 'operator first' design brief - with every major design decision driven by reducing physical effort and simplifying operation.
Kubota said their stand, which they once again shared with Baroness, had been steadily busy. The focus for their exhibit, they said, was the innovation in their out-front mowing range, with the FC4-441 fitted with a deck offering a height of cut up to 7” taking centre stage. Also on show were compact tractors including the B2-261 and L2-452 which prove popular with golf courses.
Campey Turf Care Systems were kicking off their 40th anniversary celebrations at the show, promoting a big open day they have coming up at their Bosley HQ on Thursday 9th July. As well this, they featured the Fairway Trencher from New Zealand manufacturer TrenchIt, described as the 'Swiss Army knife' of trenchers - plus on a separate stand they featured the VGR Top Changer for which they are now UK dealers.
Ecorobotix featured an eye-catching machine on their stand, with the large Alba ultra-high precision turf sprayer. Entering the turf care market for the first time, this machine uses the company’s Plant-by-Plant Care philosophy, treating only what’s needed, exactly where it’s needed. Powered by AI, the unit can identify and spray individual weeds or unwanted grasses with a 3x3 cm footprint, allowing users to “spray the size of a golf ball.” With its double spray bar and 2.25 working width, the sprayer detects targets in real time and applies treatments only where required.
Redexim's Paul Langford said their stand was designed to show greenkeepers the basic tools they require to keep their courses in condition, but that they might not always think about. One such tool was the new Easy Core 4 which is a pedestrian aerator that relieves compaction, improves water infiltration and stimulates root growth for lasting turf quality. The unit runs on EGO batteries that deliver up to one hour of runtime.
To sum up, the impression I took away from Harrogate this week was that the show delivered for its exhibitors, the end-user visitors and the dealers who had made the trip. Whilst there might not have been a big new wow release, or any particularly juicy gossip doing the rounds, BTME lived up to its reputation as the show the industry enjoys attending.
The Service Dealer team on Overton's stand
