BTME truly delivered for its greenkeeper audience this week - with the knock-on benefits for the wider industry clear for all to see.
BTME this week was absolutely buzzing!
Honestly, in all my many years attending BIGGA's turf maintenance show in Harrogate, I can't recall one that felt as busy. More importantly I don't remember one feeling as upbeat, optimistic and while it feels slightly odd to use this word to describe a trade show, happy.
There were smiles on faces everywhere you looked around the packed halls. Business was being done, connections were being made, hands shook on deals - all in great spirits and good humour. It was a pleasure to witness. Check out our video today for evidence of the great mood that prevailed.
On the morning of day two, CEO of organisers BIGGA, Jim Croxton was clearly delighted with how the event was going when he spoke to the trade press. He said day one "felt outstanding" and it was back to how the show used to be. Nostalgic is how he described it. Figures are not official yet, but they were thinking that something like 2500 came through the doors on Tuesday - which would be a record.
Jim said the only complaint he'd heard was that it was "too busy"! Which is of course, the kind of problem that event organisers don't mind hearing. He believed the numbers showed a genuine desire for the industry to get together in person once again.
Following the impressive turnout for LAMMA a couple of weeks ago, this trend must give the show runners of all the other dates in the industry calendar for this year, a hopeful feeling that the appetite for real-life gatherings is well and truly in place for 2023.
As well as being pleased with attendance, Jim also mentioned that behind-the-scenes talks with the AEA and GMA are on-going - but no further details on what that relationship might offer to the industry were given.
Jim's mood must have gotten even better on day two, because by mid-morning the aisles felt more packed than they had been the day before. It got to the stage where it was actually tricky to move around in certain areas - which hasn't been something we've been able to say about a trade show in quite a while.
Henton & Chattell md Peter Chaloner (centre) with Service Dealer's Nikki Harrison and Steve Gibbs
Talking to the machinery stand-holders who'd be of interest to our Service Dealer readers, they all seemed mightily pleased with the footfall they had enjoyed. I was hearing most say they'd experienced a good mix of dealer visitors and end-users. In terms of the customers who made the trip to Harrogate, I was told there might have been a few contractors and the occasional other professional sport, but it was the golf greenkeepers who were truly there in significant numbers.
As you walked around, glancing at people's name badges, you could quickly see that the vast majority were visiting from one golf club or another. BIGGA really have made this event a fantastic draw for their members, what with all the education and seminars that are on offer alongside the exhibition. This pull for the professional practioners is of course fantastic news for the exhibiting manufacturers - and in turn, their dealers.
I was talking to one pleased supplier on Wednesday who told me that by 11am they had already texted some hot golf course leads to three of their dealers. When a show delivers the right end-users, it's not only good for the exhibitors in the room, it should also be directly beneficial to dealers around the country.
Ripon Farm Service's Phil Gregg, Andrew Herring and Iain Booth from Farols and Steve Gibbs
BIGGA had made some tweaks to the show after the last couple of editions that had improved things. There was a slightly different hall configuration and rather than making everyone enter the exhibition from one end of the convention centre, there were entrances at either end. This meant there wasn't that lag of visitors getting around to stands at the end of the route that some exhibitors had complained about in recent years. What the changes did mean though was that a hall upstairs which had previously been one of the busiest, this time felt a bit forgotten and out of the way.
But that's a minor quibble. I genuinely did not hear any dissatisfaction voiced from the manufacturers on stands I spoke to, nor from the visiting dealers I bumped into on my way round the halls.
Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke with Husqvarna's Jonathan Snowball
Some highlights from company's of interest to our readers included:
Husqvarna featured the Ceora front and centre on their stand. I was told that supply of the robotic mower for professional use is on track for this year and golf clubs are getting on board with the concept. Similar to domestic sales of autonomous mowers where homeowners look over the fence and jump on the robotic trend if they see neighbour using one, clusters of golf courses in geographic areas are acting similarly - requesting demos of the product where they see one in action on a nearby course.
John Deere received plenty of interest in their first walk-behind battery greens mowers from the greenkeepers in attendance. The company's Chris Meacock told the press they had waited this long to release these machines as they wanted to make sure they had the technology right.
Ransomes, despite being located in the quieter upstairs hall, always had groups checking out their newly unveiled SLF1 ELiTE, described as the industry’s first fully electric five reel mower.
Kubota and Baroness shared a stand once more with both companies saying how well the collaboration works for them, Both said their new stand position, located near one of the re-opened entrances had resulted in them having a great show, meeting dealers and users alike.
Price Turfcare's stand stood out, lifting their new Ventrac 4520 compact tractor off the ground into a striking, elevated position. The new machine didn't look much different but promised a whole series of improvements ‘under the bonnet’.
Reesink again had a large, impressive stand that always seemed busy, with the new ProCore 648s catching the eye of greenkeepers.
We will include more detail about some of the interesting new products seen at BTME in the next edition of Service Dealer magazine.
Until then, credit where it's due, BIGGA should be applauded for pitching their show just right for their greenkeeper members. When a show delivers so well for its intended audience in terms of timing, location and content, the knock-on benefits for the wider industry are clearly apparent.
Emma said, "We are running to help raise awareness and money for the Addington Fund, of which I'm a trustee, who are an incredible charity supporting farming and rural communities. Every penny will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this tremendous cause."
Duncan Murray-Clarke
Duncan added, "I am open to sponsorship and happy to sell my body if anyone wants to make a chunky donation! I’ll wear a branded baseball cap - the paparazzi will no doubt be out in force and the inevitable publicity that will follow could be substantial…"
Addington Fund supports primarily in the following ways:
Disaster Relief if someone's farm is severely impacted by adverse weather and certain animal disease outbreaks.
Retirement Homes for retiring farmers.
Affordable Houses to keep agriculturalists and rural workers in their chosen location.
Farmworker Grants for active or retired farmworkers on low incomes.
Young Entrants Scheme to help and encourage first-generation talent into the farming industry.
Dealership says the electric range fills a gap in their portfolio of grass cutting machines.
Overton UK have announced Rickerby Limited as their dealer for Cumbria, the North East and Scottish Borders for the Mean Green electric commercial mowers.
L-R: Alistair McRobert, Rickerby Groundscare sales manager and Steve Barnfather, Overton (UK) ASM
Alistair McRobert, horticulture and groundscare sales manager at Rickerby Groundscare says he has followed the Mean Green range since their introduction and after initial demonstrations to the sales team felt that the time was right to move forward.
"We chose Mean Green Mowers because it fills a gap in our portfolio of grass cutting machines," Alistair said, "and as the years have progressed we noticed that they were continually improving.
"Knowing Overton have been in business for 35 years and have been promoting the Mean Green mowers for the last 7 also gave us comfort and we are looking forward to working with the company."
Stuart Rose of Overton added, "We are pleased to add such a well-respected and professional company to our growing list of dealers throughout the country.”
Organisers of Louisville's Equip Exposition say 2023's show will offer new, advanced education, additional entertainment and show footprint expansion.
Following the record-setting attendance and sell-out of exhibit space last year, the organisers of Louisville, Kentucky's Equip Exposition say that in 2023 the event will expand on its success by offering new, advanced education, additional entertainment and events including a new arena concert, expansion into the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, and improved logistics and food options.
"Equip Expo has evolved into a unique, week-long experience for a range of interconnected businesses including outdoor power equipment, landscaping, hardscaping, tree care, design, lighting, irrigation and more," says Kris Kiser, President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns and manages the trade show. "And just like our industry is ever-evolving, so is the trade show that serves them."
Show attendees each year gain access to the latest equipment, technology and software, as well as education and connection with their peers. "But they should also expect new and improved experiences," says Kris. "So when attendees speak, we listen. Our philosophy is 'same show, new show, every year'."
New 2023 show experiences being planned include:
A new arena concert at the Yum! Center featuring headline band, Third Eye Blind.
A return of the New Product Showcase.
A Welcome Party at the downtown Kentucky International Convention Center with a concert from Expo house band, The Crashers
An keynote speech by Polar Explorer and master storyteller Ben Saunders who completed the longest-ever polar journey on foot.
The debut of the Equip Exposition Equipment Museum to showcase the evolution of the industry.
The addition of a business lounge, meeting spaces and expanded seating areas at the KEC.
Landscape education for young people sponsored by the TurfMutt Foundation. Children ages 12 and up may attend the show.
Improved shuttle bus, rideshare and transportation logistics.
More coffee shops and food offerings on-site, including breakfast options.
Also returning for 2023 are education and connection events for dealers and landscapers, live in-tree climbing demonstrations, Mulligan's Fun Run & 5K, the UTV Test Track, the Drone Zone, and Mulligan's Mutt Madness, a national dog adoption event, sponsored by the TurfMutt Foundation.
"We sold every inch of both indoor and outdoor exhibit space last year, and, in fact, had a waiting list," said Kris. "I encourage anyone seeking to participate in this year's show to act quickly. In fact, book your hotel room early. If you're going to fly, book it today. I can't stress this enough."
Manufacturer says they are building on their commitment to deliver the best sales support to their dealers and customers.
Kuhn Farm Machinery have recruited Gordon Logan to the company’s regionally deployed sales team.
Gordon Logan
Gordon specialises in bedding and feeding equipment, as well as the company's range of hedge cutters, and will manage the north of England and Scotland.
“We’re continually building on our commitment to deliver the very best sales support to our dealers and customers,” said Siân Pritchard, managing director of Kuhn UK. “Our investment in people mirrors our success in increasing sales and growing market share in priority product areas.
“Having skilled and dedicated people on the ground is an important part of building strong relationships with our dealer network and is becoming an important differentiator for the business. It’s a crucial factor in ensuring that we provide a more complete, efficient, and thorough service to our UK customers and, as a result, are able to push UK sales figures to new heights.”
Organisers say event will be centred around a series of hubs, debates and with over 100 exhibitors.
Agriconnect - parent company of LAMMA Show, CropTec Show and Farmers Guardian - has announced a new event for 2023.
The Future Farming Expo Scotland event will be held over two days on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th of October 2023 at P&J Live in Aberdeen.
Organisers say it is their intention for the show to help producers prepare for the future, become more sustainable and manage innovation for change.
Nichola Bell, head of events for Agriconnect said, “Our aim is to provide attendees with ideas and inspiration for their businesses, as well as a clearer path forward during a challenging time both in Scotland and globally.”
Centred around a series of hubs, debates and with over 100 exhibitors, organisers say Future Farming Expo Scotland has been developed after research with Scottish farming businesses.
“This will not be another run-of-the-mill conference where visitors will be talked at,” explained Emma Penny, event producer, Future Farming Expo. “Instead, it will be dynamic, practical and offer attendees the chance to bring their own issues forward for in-depth, one-to-one discussion with other farmers, exhibitors and experts.”
Claire-Lena Miller-Davis, exhibition sales manager at P&J Live says: “It’s great to launch a new trade exhibition in Aberdeen that focuses on one of the region’s most prominent sectors, agriculture. The organisers are very experienced at delivering successful events throughout the UK including LAMMA which is held in NEC Birmingham. This will be their first Scottish event, and indeed the first large scale dedicated farming event to happen out with the Scottish central belt.”
To find out more about the event, including the featured hubs, visit their website.
The Dyno Day and vintage tractor display returns this year, for another day of "power and noise".
Dealership Crawfords have announced that their charity Dyno Day and Vintage Display is returning this year.
Taking place at their Kent depot in Charing on Saturday 18th February from 10:30am - 3:00pm, the dealership says they are looking forward to "another great day of power and noise."
This year they shall be raising money for charity, GUTS UK.
To attract visitors Crawfords say they will also have prizes to be won, a merch shop, raffle and food available.
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers say the winners have very much solved an industry need with their innovative new system.
Pentair Hypro a supplier of pumps, nozzles and sprayer components to sprayer manufacturers and distributors around the world, has won IAgrE's Ivel Award for best new product or environmental innovation at LAMMA 2023.
Charlie Nicklin IAgrE CEO (right) presents the Ivel Award to Roger James of Pentair Hypro
Presenting the award at LAMMA this week, Charlie Nicklin CEO of IAgrE said, “Safely handling agricultural chemicals has been an industry challenge for many years, not only from an operator safety perspective, but also making sure we’re mindful of waste, recycling and the effect on the environment.
"Pentair have very much solved the industry need with their innovative new system, which longer term will be adopted by chemical and equipment manufacturers. Their novel close-coupled transfer system allows chemicals to be decanted into the sprayer and the containers washed without the operator having any contact with the contents or even having to open the container. This winning solution protects operators, reduces waste and demonstrates professional practice, whilst caring for the environment. A clear engineering solution.”
Roger James, product manager for Cleanload Nexus, who received the award said, "I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of Pentair Hypro and for the recognition that this important new technology is receiving."
Cleanload Nexus is a mechanical device for closed transfer of agrochemicals. Used with a compatible easyconnect cap, it will open a container, remove the contents (fully or partially) into the sprayer tank, and then clean and reseal the container.
The Cleanload Nexus from Pentair
It is designed to protect sprayer operators from the splashes and spills that inevitably occur when pouring from a bottle, but without slowing down or adding complexity to their filling operations.
It can be plumbed into any sprayer that has suction (usually drawing from the bottom of an existing induction bowl) and may be permanently mounted on the sprayer, or alternatively on a wall, stand or bracket (in which case it is connected to suction during filling using dry break couplings and also to clean water for rinsing).
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