After what has been a challenging season for many, SALTEX took place this week at the Birmingham NEC - clearly determined to put on their best show possible.

The consensus I gathered from conversations with stand holders and visitors around the new halls was that it was a decent, if more compact, show.

Many stand holders told me they had a degree of trepidation, or uncertainty, before the doors were opened on Wednesday morning. Coming so soon after a successful GroundsFest, pre-show there were concerns regarding whether the end-user commercial customers - and indeed the dealers - would turn up to another turf machinery exhibition?

I don't know actual figures yet, but from observing the busyness of the aisles, to me it felt like the show began quietly, filled to a good buzz between 10am and 1pm and then eased down to a more relaxed hum until closing time. Whatever the actual numbers turn out to be, there certainly seemed to be enough punters to create an atmosphere. Importantly, according to many who I chatted with, those that were there, were the right people.

SALTEX has always enjoyed the reputation of being the higher-end business show. And of good news for those trepidatious exhibitors, I heard that this was the case once again. Several stand holders told me they met customers this week who they might not have discovered otherwise - the smaller, more obscure groundscare companies. Also plenty of Irish and European visitors were coming on to stands.  And alongside these, SALTEX is still attracting the top-level UK sporting facility representatives. There were major football, rugby and cricket turf professionals walking the showfloor, who the machinery exhibitors are always keen to meet.

But what about dealers? There were definitely some in attendance. I spotted various teams from some of our larger, multi-branched readers. But perhaps there were fewer representatives of the smaller dealerships who we would've bumped into in previous years? This is, of course, all anecdotal on my part, based on my observations. So please do let us know in the comments below if you did or didn't attend this year and your reasons why.

One dealer who I did speak to, summed up the show from their perspective when they said to me, "This event is becoming more about the people I can speak to, rather than the machinery. Because I can do all the machinery in two hours."

Which is a fair point. There were certainly fewer equipment players in attendance than some years. AL-KO, Kress, Toro, Honda, DeWalt, Makita, Overton and Briggs & Stratton were obvious omissions. The new halls felt like a smaller space than before and as a consequence I think a dealer could get round their suppliers in not too long. 

Maybe in future years the split along the GroundsFest and SALTEX attendance will see more dealers continue to go to Stoneleigh (certainly if several manufacturers keep holding their get-togethers there), with the GMA's members supporting this long-standing event? It will certainly be interesting to observe.

Around the halls

With that overview in mind, here is what some key exhibitors of interest to Service Dealer's readers were talking about:

Husqvarna said they were busy with plenty of quality stand visitors. Andrew Lees, their global segment manager for robotics, told me there has been a real step-change in recent years in turf professionals' views on the use of robotic mowers in commercial settings. They no longer come along to the stand to be convinced - they are there to learn more and to expand their usage. Especially since the launch of the Ceora which was on show, top sporting venues are embracing the technology.

Kubota (who were stand-sharing with Baroness once again) had machines on their stand that demonstrated a full-integration of their recent acquisitions. From the Gianni Ferrari factory, was the FC4-411 front centre collect mower, that Henry Bredin said filled a gap in their line-up. Also on show from the Escort range was the EK1-261 compact tractor which Henry said was proving especially popular with grassroots sports clubs who have tight budgets and are looking for a reliable machine. Also of interest to dealers, the company were promoting their new Terrako online parts look-up and ordering system. This portal allowed users to easily find the part they were after and then order through a Kubota dealer. I was told that after having launched the system at the recent Plantworx, it was gathering momentum and finding favour with dealers.

AriensCo featured the new AS Motor TAHR remote steep slope mower. UK general manager, Sam Lewis said that the machine offered great efficiency due to its open rotary mower deck and bi-directional cutting system, which means there is no need for operators to turn after each pass. Also on stand were the commercial Ariens zero-turn mowers that Sam said there was a growing market for in the UK amongst the likes of parks and playing fields.

EGO's well populated stand featured their new range of robotic mowers, including the AURA-R2. All these robots feature the company's Path IQ system which they say allows the machines to read the space in which they are working, navigate obstacles with ease, and stay on course for a clean cut.

STIHL's national sales manager, Wayne Stone (pictured with Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke) , said they had been pleased with the show's turnout, with quality decision-makers coming on their stand. As well as new charging options, also featured on their display were the new BRA 600 blower and the ASA 140 hedgetrimmer.

Cramer's John McCready told me they had enjoyed some good conversations on their stand with a variety of commercial end-users interested in their range of battery-powered tools. He said their new charging options were proving popular, as were their mowers, blowers and robotic solutions.

STIGA were promoting their recent appointment as official Groundskeeping Partner of the RFU. As part of this new role I heard from Amanda Kincaid and Sam Fletcher how the company will be donating their robotic mowers to rugby clubs across the country who need them. Also taking pride of place ahead of its 2026 launch on their award-winning stand, was the APX Pro professional-grade autonomous robotic mower designed for large areas, such as municipal grounds and sports pitches.

Iseki made a couple of big announcements. Firstly md David Withers announced he was retiring at the end of the year and handing the reins over to Alan Prickett (see separate story). And secondly that they were celebrating their 100th anniversary. They had special liveried tractor on the stand to celebrate - alongside the new GPS Raymow remote controlled mowers.

Cobra featured the new Fortis stadium mower prominently on their eye-catching stand. MD, Peter Chaloner said that the show had seen the product garner a lot of interest from European grounds staff who had come onto their stand - especially football clubs. They had also seen good enquiries coming through from bowls and cricket facilities.

Price Turfcare had an interesting space in which to work with their Ventrac machine. A large, cordoned-off area at the end of the hall allowed them to, once an hour, practically demonstrate both the driven and remote controlled versions' abilities to deal with uneven terrain and traverse steep slopes - with a ramp set up onto a flat back truck. These demo sessions attracted good-sized crowds and stood out from the rest of the static stands at the show. 

Grillo had plenty to view on their stand, including the new Climber 9.22S hydrostatic ride-on brushcutter. MD Steve Gadsby said they had received some new end-user enquiries at the show, which is why they attend, as well as it being useful for brand exposure.

Looking ahead

I think all-in-all, those who both exhibited and visited SALTEX will have left satisfied. Coming off the back of a season that plenty of stand-holders described to me as incredibly challenging (or in a couple of cases, their worst ever), having the shop window of the GMA's show to display their wares to the top echelons of the professional turf care sector will have been important. 

One theme stood out: robotics and autonomous solutions are no longer emerging trends but firm fixtures. Exhibitors repeatedly told me that turf professionals are now embracing these technologies, not just exploring them. Dealers will no doubt be watching this shift closely.

As SALTEX closes its doors for another year, the hope is that the strong conversations and promising leads generated this week turn into meaningful partnerships and sales for our dealer readers.

At SALTEX this week, David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK & Ireland announced he will retire at the end of 2025 following a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in the turf care and grounds maintenance industry.

David Withers (right) with Alan Prickett at SALTEX 2025

Reflecting on his time at Iseki, David described the process of building the brand as “One of the most fun and satisfying things I have done in my career.” Under his leadership, the company has doubled its sales over the last eight years and continues to grow.

Expressing confidence in the future of ISEKI UK & Ireland, David announced his successor, saying, “I have worked with Alan Prickett for around 30 years and am very comfortable leaving the business in his hands to keep it growing and prospering for many years to come.”

He also extended his gratitude to dealers, customers, and fellow manufacturers for their support and partnership throughout his career, wishing them continued success.

David began his career demonstrating verti-drains for Charterhouse Turf (now Redexim), followed by 25 years at Jacobsen, including six years as President. His eight-year tenure at ISEKI UK & Ireland as a stand-alone entity marks the culmination of his full-time professional journey. He added, “I feel it is time to finish full time work - I may still do a bit of consulting and advise for a couple of companies, but plan to end serious work and focus on developing a golf swing and a tan!”

In addition to his roles at major manufacturers, David has been an influential figure within the industry, serving as a director of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) for many years and as its president in 2022. During the recent AEA 150th celebrations, he spoke at an event in the Houses of Parliament. David has also recently taken up a Directorship at the Grounds Management Association and intends to continue contributing to the organisation in his retirement.

In a statement Iseki UK & Ireland, its staff, and partners said they would like to thank David for his years of dedication and leadership "and wish him all the best in his future endeavours both on and off the golf course."

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he updates us on his penultimate run which took on even greater significance.

Hi everyone,

What a lead-up to the penultimate run of this crazy challenge! This week was dominated by a fantastic event: I had the pleasure of being invited to celebrate the AEA's (Agricultural Engineers Association) 150th year at a stunning dinner held in the Science Museum in London.

Now, running a marathon just a few days after a major industry gala, knowing there were bound to be a few drinks involved, is definitely not ideal prep work! But it was a great event, and it allowed me to thank all and everyone who has kindly donated and also gave me the opportunity to remind others there is still time left to sponsor.

I managed to catch up with some great individuals, and there was one conversation that truly blew me away and, sadly, left me speechless when I heard the news. The reality is, cancer seems to only affect the great ones out there; it truly does not discriminate. This reminder of why I’m running hit me like a physical blow, injecting a fresh, raw motivation into the miles ahead. All I can say is, keep fighting. And if you need to catch up, blow a gasket, or just talk some shit, then you know where I am.

The Penultimate Plod: Done!

The run is done! I was joined by my brother Toby (pictured above) for this Remembrance Run and we managed to complete it in a respectable 5 hours and 21 minutes, respectable for me. Considering the lack of training and the pre-race festivities, I’ll take that time! The entire event held extra significance as we dedicated our miles to honouring those who served, using that solemn purpose to push through the aching legs.

I'm incredibly grateful to Kress for stepping up to sponsor this crucial run. Their support is a huge boost as I tackle these final, exhausting miles.

The motivation remains laser-focused. Thanks to your phenomenal generosity, we have already soared past my target to a staggering £13,442! It’s fantastic to see so many familiar names popping up on the sponsorship page, truly showing the community spirit behind this challenge.

Why we keep running

Every agonising mile I run is dedicated to turning pain into real support for Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice, and St. Michael's Hospice.

With only one marathon left, the end is in sight, but we need to maximise this final total! Please, if you haven't yet, there's no better time to sponsor this challenge.

I'll be back soon with the details for the final, climactic run of the challenge!

According to data just released by the AEA, having nudged above last year’s level in September, the number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK in October was once again lower than in the same month of 2024.

At 746 machines, the shortfall was only 9%, though, less than over the year to date. That figure is still 10% below the five-year average for October but that is the closest that registrations have come to the seasonal mean so far in 2025.

Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth, explained, "It looks increasingly likely that this year’s registrations will be the lowest in the AEA’s records, which date back to the 1960s. A combination of weather challenges, low grain prices and political and economic uncertainty have led to a lack of confidence in the UK’s agricultural sector, which has affected farmers’ willingness to invest in machinery."

John Deere have announced that they will run a free online Military Hiring Programme event on Wednesday 3 December to help service leavers understand how their skills transfer into careers working with advanced agricultural and turf machinery.

The manufacturer says their virtual session will give attendees a clear view of the roles available across the UK and Ireland dealer network, the training pathway, and the support on offer to those leaving the forces.

Allan Cochran, training centre manager at John Deere, will outline how the programme works and what candidates can expect once they start their transition into civilian employment.

“We know the skills, discipline and problem-solving experience found in the armed forces match perfectly with our technician and support roles,” said Allan. “This is a chance to hear directly from our team and speak with people who have already made the move. Service leavers bring huge value to our dealers and we will continue to invest in pathways that help them succeed.”

Former Royal Navy engineer Graham Walker will share his journey. His 24 years in service were mostly spent aboard nuclear submarines. Graham then used his background, technical versatility, and leadership experience to move into a senior role at John Deere dealer Smallridge Bros.

On board the submarine, with no access to spare parts, Graham and his team often had to manufacture components from raw materials to keep critical systems running. He became skilled in hydraulics, gas and atmosphere management, propulsion, and nuclear engineering - all under pressure and in confined conditions.

Since following the Military Hiring Programme pathway, Graham has now taken the role of service manager at Smallridge’s Callington depot in Cornwall.

“Attending an event like this is online introduction to the programme is thoroughly worthwhile,” said Graham. “You understand the scale of the opportunity and hear first-hand from people who have already made the move. The support is there from day one and the programme helps you map out your next steps.”

The online event will also feature Chris Giles from Tallis Amos Group’s Leominster depot, who previously served in the forces and has since built a successful career in the dealership network.

James Evans, division customer support manager for John Deere, will explain how the business supports ex-forces staff as they move into the workshop and wider dealership environment.

The online event starts at 7pm on 3 December. Registration is open now. 

Reesink UK expanded its presence in Scotland with the opening of a new depot in Lossiemouth this January, which they say enhanced sales and aftersales support for customers in the area north of Aberdeen.

Jim McKay and Gordon Rodgers

Operational since February, the Lossiemouth depot is now receiving daily deliveries and is fully staffed with Jim McKay, Area Sales Manager North, and Gordon Rodgers, a full-time engineer/mechanic. 

Matching the product range of the Reesink Scotland Livingston branch, the depot sells leases primarily for Toro machinery. ReeAssure maintenance plans are available through the satellite branch, too.

Reesink Scotland branch manager, Mike Turnbull runs the depot, drawing on over 25 years’ industry experience at Reesink UK and Toro Spellbrook. He said, “I’m setting a clear trajectory for growth with the new depot, closely modelled on the operations down in Livingston. This is a really exciting venture - I’m pleased Reesink UK and Toro let us expand our business to support the growing customer base.” 

Rather than a standard walk-in depot, customers can continue to contact Reesink Scotland in Livingston to enquire about prices or demos, buy a lease, or book a service, who will then connect them to the appropriate branch depending on their location. 

The Lossiemouth depot currently stocks all the fast-moving genuine parts, and in most instances, when needed, can courier other parts from Livingston so they reach Lossiemouth by the next morning.

STIHL has introduced a new charging management system designed to make charging multiple batteries more efficient, reliable and user-friendly. 

The STIHL CM 8 Charging Management System allows up to 8 chargers to be powered via a standard GB 230 V Socket. This enables twice as many chargers to run on a single fuse, providing a simple solution to maximise charging capacity and manage batteries more productively. 

With no electrical expertise required for set-up, the CM 8 has been designed with intelligent overload protection, ensuring safe and reliable charging without the risk of fuse tripping when used with the correct STIHL charger combination.

The innovative system can run twice the number of chargers compared to a standard socket, thanks to smart electronics developed by STIHL experts. Built with an intelligent automatic switch, the CM 8 enables two charging banks to run one after another. This means that once the system’s ‘bank one’ has fully charged all of the batteries in its connected chargers, ‘bank two’ will automatically begin its charging process. 

A light on the CM 8 clearly indicates which bank is active for instant visibility and peace of mind.

To avoid overloading a circuit, the CM 8’s maximum power consumption of 1840 W must not be exceeded. With this, STIHL’s wide range of chargers have a label to indicate wattage, with this information also available to access on the STIHL website. The wattage combination of all chargers plugged into the CM 8 must not exceed the 1840 W maximum limit. Utilising the CM 8 with 8 x AL 301-4 multi chargers, 32 batteries can be charged overnight via one plug socket.

Complementing the CM 8, STIHL’s CB 1 Charging Box and CR 6 Wall Mount Charger further enhance battery management, offering convenient solutions for both mobile and fixed charging setups.

The STIHL CB 1 Charging Box offers a practical storage and charging option for AP batteries and chargers. Compact and easy to transport, the CB 1 can accommodate up to two AL 301-4 multi chargers for up to 8 batteries, allowing users to safely charge on-site or in transit while keeping equipment neatly organised.

For those seeking a fixed charging solution, the STIHL CR 6 Wall Mount Charger provides a permanent, space-saving option ideal for workshops, depots, and service vehicles. Designed to deliver fast, efficient charging for the STIHL AP System, the CR 6 ensures batteries are always ready for use while helping to keep workspaces clear and organised.

To find out more about STIHL charging solutions, visit your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer, or www.stihl.co.uk.

Our Briggs & Stratton Pre-Season Offer order form & brochure are now available to download by clicking the links below.

Please refer to the order form for full terms & conditions.

Briggs & Stratton Brochure Download

Briggs & Stratton Order Form Download

Our Kawasaki Pre-Season Offer order form & brochure are now available to download by clicking the links below.

Please refer to the order form for full terms & conditions.

Kawasaki Brochure Download

Kawasaki Order Form Download

Please only use the downloadable order forms to place your orders and email them to: info@uni-power.co.uk

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