There was a feeling that SALTEX was a little more compact this year, but still nevertheless worthwhile for those who exhibited and attended.

Arriving at the NEC on Wednesday morning, before the doors opened to visitors, my first impression was that the exhibition perhaps occupied a smaller footprint than in previous years, with the stands contained within a more confined space across two halls. There also seemed to be a little more room given over to seating areas, coffee points and a large display of vintage machinery.

There were also, undeniably, some notable absentees from the exhibitor line-up. AL-KO, Husqvarna, EGO and Kress for example, were among the familiar names not exhibiting this year. And it’s hard to pretend that their absence wasn’t noticeable.

However that said, walking the aisles and talking to exhibitors, I did come away with a positive impression of how the show had worked for those who had made the trip - not least, because those who had chosen to support the GMA's event, could monopolise those commercial professionals who had made the trip to the NEC.

And certainly between around 10am and 1pm, the available exhibition space felt busy. The aisles were packed at times, there was a good buzz about the place and, perhaps more importantly, almost every manufacturer I spoke to was pleased with the caliber of visitors coming onto their stands.

The consistent message was that, while other exhibitions might generate a larger footfall of whole grounds teams, SALTEX was primarily attracting people who were involved in purchasing decisions. Exhibitors were talking about meeting turf professionals, contractors, local authority representatives and people responsible for budgets at quality facilities, with conversations taking place with decision-makers from right across the country.

Several told me they had already arranged follow-up demonstrations and anticipated that the contacts made would translate into worthwhile leads.
And ultimately, that's what matters to our dealer readers. If manufacturers can take away a list of genuinely interested prospective customers and pass those opportunities on to their local dealers, then the show has achieved something valuable, regardless of the overall size of the exhibition.

And there were still of course, plenty of familiar brands and interesting developments to discover.

Around the show

PSD was giving prominence to the launch of the SABO MowIt Pro Premium, a fully autonomous mower incorporating radar and an intelligent camera. One of its more interesting features is that it uses conventional blades rather than the small razor-style blades found on many robotic mowers. This means it can tackle rougher areas and cope with twigs and debris in semi-rough conditions. PSD sees potential for the unit in areas such as golf clubs and local authorities. The machine can be operated remotely or autonomously, with availability through the dealer network planned for next season. The company is also looking for early-adopter dealers to help establish the product.

STIHL had a busy stand, once again this year promoting its AllPro battery system, with products from its own range alongside machines from other manufacturers, including Westermann and Kwern incorporating the technology. The company believes its television advertising has helped raise awareness of the battery range throughout 2026. Among the products attracting interest were the lightweight HSA 90 topiary hedge trimmer, a battery-powered felling wedge, the FKA 160 and the new KSA 20 battery-operated chain sharpener, making its first appearance at the show.

Greenworks Commercial occupied one of the larger exhibition spaces, displaying its expanding range of professional and commercial machinery. Its new UTV, previously seen at Futurescape, was among the highlights, alongside multi-tools and a wider selection of equipment. Following the transition from Cramer branding, many familiar machines are now carrying the Greenworks Commercial name, alongside additions to the range.

On the AriensCo stand, the AS 510 E-ProClip A, now powered by a STIHL battery powerhead, was attracting attention. The machine's ability to cut wet grass without clogging was highlighted, making it particularly relevant to local authorities and contractors. The use of the STIHL batteries I was told, also opens up the machine to customers who already have a number of these batteries in their existing equipment fleet and can therefore now expand their usefulness.

Iseki was showcasing the Raymo remote-controlled mower and the attachments available for it. These included an up-rated 42-inch cutting deck, a trimmer attachment for working around posts and puncture-proof tyres. A version combining remote-controlled operation with autonomous capability is also available, allowing work on steep banks of up to 45–50 degrees. I heard that the ability to remove operators from potentially hazardous mowing situations is proving an important selling point, particularly for roadside and reservoir maintenance. The stand also featured the company's new VinChip partnership which you can read more about here.

Ventrac who have been in the news lately were making use of the demonstration zone at one end of the hall, where visitors could watch its 45 RC remote-control tractor tackle steep slopes and bumpy surfaces. The decent crowds drawn to watch the manoeuvres saw the unit’s ability to switch between remote-controlled operation and conventional operator-driven use at the flick of a switch.

Cobra told me they had generated some promising leads for the Fortis cylinder mowers, with interest from football clubs, stadiums and large estates. Both battery and petrol versions were attracting attention, with demonstrations being arranged around the country.

Kubota once again had a prominent stand, with its front-collection machines receiving particular attention. Developed from the company's acquisition of Gianni Ferrari, the machines are becoming increasingly recognised in the professional grounds sector. The manufacturer also highlighted its work with the Environmental Farmers Group, supporting community and environmental projects through both financial sponsorship and use of their machinery.

Advanced Turf Technology (ATT) was showing its InfiniCut machines, which have established themselves at sports venues internationally. The company is now looking to develop the golf market with its 22-inch version. With more clubs introducing robotic mowing on fairways, ATT believes there may be an opportunity for greater attention to be given to the quality of green cutting, where cut quality and noise levels are important considerations.

STIGA also reported good interest in both its robotic and ride-on machinery. Its initiative to introduce robotic mowers to rugby clubs has continued to develop, with around 600 clubs now signed up to the scheme.

BAGMA were promoting a new series of business training courses for dealers. The Association has teamed up with some well-known industry trainers to offer the courses, including ones on big topics such as succession planning, which they say are all geared to help build sustainable dealerships.

Quality over quantity

So overall, despite the missing exhibitor names and the condensed size of the show this week, perhaps the more useful measure of SALTEX's success is what those who did exhibit, and those who chose to visit, were there to achieve.

And like I say, pretty much universally the exhibitors I spoke to seemed genuinely encouraged by the quality of the conversations they had enjoyed, and there appeared to be a shared feeling that the people attending were there with decision-making intentions. (Although I’m not sure if the Duke of Edinburgh left with a new leaf blower?)

For our valued dealer readers though, that potentially is the most important takeaway. If those conversations that took place at the NEC turn into demonstrations, sales and on-going business at dealerships around the county, then SALTEX will have done its job.

The Duke of Edinburgh visited the GMA’s SALTEX event at the Birmingham NEC this week.

The Duke of Edinburgh with the GMA's Geoff Webb at SALTEX this week

During his visit The Duke met a range of exhibitors and was introduced to innovations in machinery, turfcare technology and sustainable grounds management solutions.

The Duke also met the incoming chief executive officer of the Grounds Management Association (GMA) Jason Booth and Tom Rowley, key ccount manager (Football), to learn more about the impact of the Association's Pitch Advisory Service and its role in improving playing surfaces across the country.

During the discussion, The Duke heard how the service supports clubs, schools and community facilities to enhance the quality, safety and sustainability of sports pitches, helping to create better playing environments and increase opportunities for participation at every level of the game.

His Royal Highness also spent time meeting grounds professionals from across the country, recognising the expertise and dedication required to maintain the playing surfaces and green spaces that support sport, recreation and community wellbeing.

A key highlight of the visit was a meeting members of GMA NextGen, the Grounds Management Association (GMA)'s network for young and aspiring grounds professionals. Discussions focused on attracting and developing the next generation of talent at a time when the industry faces a significant workforce challenge.

Geoff Webb, chief executive officer of the Grounds Management Association, said: "We were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to SALTEX as we celebrate the show's 80th edition."

"For 80 editions, SALTEX has brought together the very best of our industry, creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and innovation. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the generations of grounds professionals, exhibitors and industry partners who have shaped the profession and supported the exhibition throughout its history."

"It was particularly meaningful to showcase the breadth of the work taking place across our sector. From the exhibitors whose innovations are shaping the future of grounds management, to the impact of our Pitch Advisory Service in supporting community sport, and the young professionals developing their careers through GMA NextGen, the visit demonstrated how our industry supports participation, wellbeing and communities across the country."

The Executive Hire Show has confirmed 30 first-time exhibitors for its 20th anniversary event, promising a wider range of construction machinery, equipment, power solutions and digital services to Coventry next February.

Among the major manufacturers making their show debut are Ammann UK, Hyundai UK, LiuGong Machinery UK and Yanmar Construction Equipment Europe. They will be joined by Bay-Lynx, which manufactures volumetric concrete mixers, and Redexim, a specialist in groundcare machinery.

Other newcomers include Steve Vick International, which supplies trenchless technology and equipment to the utilities sector, attachment specialist Mount Machinery, and construction tool supplier Metex Tools. Blue Diamond, Trade Survey and Vertical Supply Group are also among the new exhibitors, alongside suppliers of welding equipment, lubricants and work-at-height products.

Power generation and energy storage will feature through companies including Energy Generating Sets, Foxtheon Energy and Lemon Energy, while the digital and fleet management sector is represented by Capja, Matrix iQ, Powered by Rental, Simpala, SmartEquip and Trackunit UK.

The expanded line-up also includes IT, connectivity and marketing specialists, reflecting the growing range of products and services supporting the hire industry.

Chris Moore, publishing and event director of the Executive Hire Show, said the variety of new exhibitors, from established machinery manufacturers to smaller specialist suppliers, would give visitors more opportunities to meet potential business partners.

The 2027 show will also introduce a free-to-attend two-day conference programme, alongside new networking opportunities and a greater focus on attracting direct purchasers from the construction, housebuilding and facilities management sectors.

The Executive Hire Show takes place at the CBS Arena, Coventry, on 10 and 11 February 2027.

VIN Chip and Iseki UK & Ireland announced a new partnership at SALTEX this week, bringing what they describe as "advanced forensic security marking and identification" to the manufacturer's groundcare machinery.

The companies said their partnership will help customers protect valuable equipment while giving Iseki's dealer network another way to support customers throughout ownership.
 
Richard Tyrrell, technical & product manager at Iseki UK & Ireland, said, “At Iseki, we take pride in supplying quality machinery built to last and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Partnering with VIN Chip is a natural extension of that commitment, bringing specialist forensic security marking and identification technology to our groundcare machinery to help customers protect their investment and enjoy greater peace of mind.”
 
John Lally, CEO of VIN Chip, added, “Our partnership with Iseki is an important step in extending specialist forensic security marking and identification across the groundcare sector. By combining VIN Chip’s technology and registration expertise with Iseki’s established dealer network, we can help make effective asset identification more accessible to machinery owners and support the identification of stolen equipment when recovered."

The system combines concealed UHF RFID chips, SmartWater forensic marking and microscopic identification dots (microdots) with visible warning labels and QR-coded identification labels. Each registered asset is linked to the secure Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRiS) database, enabling police using compatible VIN Chip scanners to read RFID chips from up to 30 metres.

According to data released by the AEA, the number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK in October was once again higher than last year.

For the first time since April, it was also slightly above the five-year average for the time of year (2020-24); at 865 machines, the monthly total was 16% higher than in October 2025 and was 4% above the seasonal average. 

Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth, explained, "That took registrations for the year to date to 9,182, already more than the 8,791 recorded in the whole of 2025 and 17% higher than in the opening ten months of last year."

He continued, "While this year's tractor market still looks likely to be towards the bottom end of the range seen in recent years, at least it marks the start of a recovery."

A Cumbrian plant and machinery specialist is entering a new market after joining the national Polaris dealer network, covering Carlisle, West Cumbria and Penrith.

L-R: Adam Tinkler, Cubby Plant Hire managing director; Neil Pirie, Polaris UK district sales manager; and Dan Burrow, head of Polaris at Cubby Plant Hire

Cubby Plant Hire has been appointed an official dealer for the ATV and UTV manufacturer, marking a new chapter for the business as it expands beyond its established plant hire operations into off-road vehicle sales.

The move will give farmers, landowners, forestry operators and rural businesses across the region access to the full Polaris Ranger and Sportsman range, backed by local expertise, servicing, genuine parts and comprehensive aftersales support.

The expansion also sees Cubby Plant Hire strengthen its regional presence with the acquisition of the Penrith dealership from Burrow & Rutter-Armstrong and the appointment of Dan Burrow as head of Polaris, bringing product and customer experience to the operation.

Operating from its Carlisle headquarters and new Penrith depot, Cubby Plant Hire will support customers across a territory stretching from Carlisle to Hawick, the Lake District, West Cumbria and the Eden Valley. Burrow & Rutter-Armstrong will continue to operate its tuning and remapping business as normal.

Adam Tinkler, managing director at Cubby Plant Hire described the move as a "perfect fit for the region’s customer base."

He continued, “As demand for versatile utility vehicles continues to grow across agriculture and industry, the partnership reinforces Cubby Plant Hire’s commitment to supplying reliable, high-performance equipment backed by trusted local service from an experienced team with an in-depth understanding of customer needs and requirements.”

Neil Pirie, district sales manager for Polaris Britain, added, “We are delighted to welcome Cubby Plant to the UK Dealer Network. With their passion and knowledge of their industry alongside Dan’s Polaris experience, we are excited to see what they can achieve in the coming months. This is a new direction for Polaris and branching into new industries will allow us to grow the overall coverage and volume in the UK.”

The Cobra Fortis professional range enjoyed a highly successful SALTEX 2026, attracting significant interest from groundsmen and turf professionals across the two-day event at Birmingham's NEC on 11–12 November.

Taking centre stage was the NEW Cobra Fortis Rotary 34, a professional 34-inch rotary mower available with a choice of Honda petrol or EGO battery power. Featuring innovative X-FLOW™ collection technology, a generous 90-litre grass collector and a split differential rear roller, the machine impressed visitors with its combination of cutting performance, manoeuvrability and practical design.

Alongside it, the impressive Cobra Fortis Stadium 34 demonstrated the precision and versatility of the Fortis cylinder mower range, featuring TRUECUT™ technology and the interchangeable Sports Cartridge System.

Feedback from visiting groundsmen was particularly encouraging, with interest focused on the machines' build quality, ease of operation and practical advantages over competing equipment, including their versatility, choice of power sources and innovative cutting technologies.

Peter Chaloner, Managing Director, commented:

"SALTEX has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase just how far the Cobra Fortis range has developed. The response from professional groundsmen has been extremely encouraging, particularly towards the new Stadium & Rotary 34. We've focused on delivering machines that combine outstanding performance, practical innovation and genuine value, giving grounds professionals a compelling alternative to established brands."

The event reinforced Cobra Fortis's growing reputation in the professional turfcare market, highlighting its commitment to developing innovative, reliable machinery designed around the needs of today's grounds professionals.

Missed us at SALTEX? Discover the Cobra Fortis difference for yourself. Whether maintaining sports pitches, stadiums or fine turf, the Fortis range offers the performance, precision and versatility to achieve exceptional results.

Contact the Cobra team to find out more or arrange a demonstration and see what Fortis can bring to your grounds.

Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk to find out more.

For more information, visit www.cobragarden.co.uk, or contact the Henton & Chattell sales team on 0115 986 6646.

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