Another positive and buoyant SALTEX took place this week.

You can read more about it here and watch a series of short videos offering a flavour of show starting here - as well as on our YouTube channel.

Alongside all the reports from the upbeat show today, there is also the news you might have read of the AEA, the GMA and BIGGA releasing a joint statement - which they chose to do the day before SALTEX kicked off.

If we're being honest, the statement didn't actually have that much meat on its bones. Its central gist was to emphasise that the three organisations believe they should be open to looking at how they can work together better in the future. Which is an undeniably noble endeavour, if a little vague. 

Where the statement did have a little more interest however, was in regards to our trade exhibitions. Talking specifically about the two main national shows for the UK commercial turfcare sector, SALTEX and BTME, the statement read "The revenue generated by these events provides significant re-investment into the communities both bodies serve."

The emboldening of the text above regarding the reinvestment into communities, is not something we've added. That is lifted directly from the statement that was sent out to media outlets this week.

One must assume it's there to stress the point that these shows are more than just money making enterprises for the trade associations.

The GMA and BIGGA are servants to their respective sectors' wellbeing. The injection of cash that their trade shows bring into their coffers each year is vital for the continuing provision of all the training, education and support they offer their turf professional members.

Now of course, this isn't exactly new information. People will have been aware that revenue from the shows has always been ploughed back into the greater good of the industry - so why choose to highlight this now?

Can we speculate that the recent news that more turfcare trade shows are on the horizon for next year, could have prompted this statement? With this public declaration this week are the trade associations reacting to these newcomers, by reminding the sector that their established shows have important roles to play in the industry, beyond the exhibitions themselves? 

Presumably there must have been an agenda for both the statement and its timing, besides just saying they are all looking to work better together in the future?

Finally as an aside, would dealers perhaps have liked to have seen the trade body that represents their interests, BAGMA, mentioned somewhere in this joint statement of future collaboration? As it was, they merely received a reference in the footnotes, explaining how they were bought by the AEA in 2021.

Seems like an odd omission.

The GMA's SALTEX took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week, once again at the Birmingham NEC.

Unfortunately I was unable to personally attend this year due to family reasons, but the Service Dealer team was out in force chatting to the great and good of the industry - and have reported a positive and upbeat couple of days.

The Service Dealer and TurfPro team at SALTEX this week

You can watch a selection of short videos in this Weekly Briefing and on our YouTube channel today. These a give a flavour of the show which, as you might expect, saw battery technology to the fore once again.

Duncan Murray-Clarke and Keith Christian with RT Machinery

Speaking to my colleagues, the impression they came away from Birmingham with was that the exhibition had a similar feel to last year - buoyant, upbeat and with plenty of business being achieved. The halls felt busy by 10-10.30, even on day two of the show, and the word was a fair few dealers had made the trip to the NEC.

David Hart chatting with visitors on the Kubota stand

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said he got the impression that several suppliers were offering some slightly different but related products to the standard outdoor power equipment ranges on their stands this year. This was giving dealers the opportunity to diversify, adding niche layers to their offerings to customers. For example, on the Toro stand were a few items of construction machinery which one doesn't often see at a show like this.

Construction equipment on the Toro stand

Duncan also mentioned how he'd had a informative chat with Stewart and Lewis Anderson on the Weibang stand, who'd told him they'd had a great show. Duncan said it was brilliant to hear how well the company is doing and what a strong relationship they have with their quality dealer network.

Service Dealer catching up with Stewart and Lewis Anderson

At the sounding of the closing bell yesterday, GMA CEO Geoff Webb was by all accounts a happy man. Apparently the feeling is that visitor numbers might be around 10% up on last year. However, as SALTEX is an independently audited show, we'll find out definite figures soon enough when the GMA presents its visitor research once the audit has been completed. 

Geoff Webb with Duncan

From what I gather anecdotally though, organisers and stand-holders alike seemed pleased with how this week has gone. It'll be fascinating to hear from any of our dealer readers who made the trip as to what they thought of the show.

Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Watch Tony Macer, national sales manager at Kress UK speak to Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke about the role the dealer network plays in Kress’s plans.

Watch Duncan Murray-Clarke talk to EGO's web content executive Emma Trill about their ‘game changing’ new zero turn.

Watch Rhys Adams, National Sales Manager, Milwaukee UK, speak to Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke about moving into the outdoor power sector and the importance of a dealer network.

Watch Duncan Murray-Clarke talk to Emilio Fattore, senior marketing & product executive, STIHL about converting professional end-users to battery products.

Watch Duncan Murray-Clarke talk to Matt Coleman, professional sales manager at Toro about the increasing moves to battery power.

Service Dealer's Laurence Gale talks to Henry Bredin, general manager at Kubota about the company's new machinery seen on their stand, including a new electric offering.

Industry trade associations the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), the Grounds Management Association (GMA) and the British International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) released a joint statement this week ahead of the GMA's SALTEX exhibition.

The associations said that in recent months round table discussions have taken place between themselves, with the collective view of all three being they should " . .be open to looking at how, on a proactive and collaborative basis, we can work better together."

They were at pains to point out though, that a merger between the professional sports turf organisations, GMA and BIGGA, as has been spoken about in the past, "is not a part of discussions".

Published in this week of one of the industry's major national events, the statement addressed the issue of shows, pointing out how the GMA and BIGGA organise our industry's two highest-profile exhibitions (SALTEX and BTME). The joint statement said, "The revenue generated by these events provides significant re-investment into the communities both bodies serve. On a wider level, we wish to gain an understanding of the competing pressures that businesses in our sector face in a period that has created economic uncertainty and risk, and in turn the impact on exhibitions and events."

The associations confirmed that both events " . .will continue for the foreseeable future."

The statement then continued, "Our associations are all aligned towards building a better industry, and we believe by collaborating that we can create good foundations to build from and to support the vital work individuals, teams and companies do more effectively. 
 
"Our most recent round table was encouraging, as all represented had a sense of responsibility, an understanding of the issues and a willingness to underpin our shared objectives to create a vibrant and buoyant sector."
 
The statement concluded, "The three associations have committed to renew a conversation with the industry in general and will be appointing an independent research company to conduct a detailed survey to gather the input of those working in sports turf, including our respective members, and to discover whether a new approach where everyone can benefit is required. 
 
"In these tumultuous times we invite associations, companies, and individuals to join the conversation and to help create a new era of co-operation so we can raise the profile, the status, and the standing of this passionate and outstanding sector."

The statement was signed by the CEOs of all three associations, Ruth Bailey, Geoff Webb and Jim Croxton.

November 1st this week marked a new era in Rea Valley Tractors’ 38 year trading history as they embarked on new franchise agreements, and an extended territory. 

L-R: Andrew Petrie (NH area sales manager); Pat Smith (NH UK business director); Steve Petford (RVT group managing director); Simon Clarke (RVT chairman); Matthew Clarke (RVT / Dunstall Holdings); Matthew Mulligan (RVT operations director)

Making them one of the biggest agricultural machinery dealers in the country, RVT is opening three new branches in Middlewich (Cheshire), Ormskirk (Lancashire) and Denbigh (North Wales). This is in addition to existing branches in Welshpool (Mid Wales), Sudbury (Derby), Newport and Shrewsbury (Shropshire).

This means RVT will now more than double its trading area for its new franchise New Holland, and enhance the coverage for JCB and Kuhn Farm Machinery and the other agricultural brands it already supplies. 

Their Sudbury depot moves forward as a JCB Centre of Excellence and has also secured an enhancement to their current Kuhn portfolio as a dedicated Kuhn Baler Centre. 

RVT say the changes have created more than 60 job opportunities throughout the company, whilst retaining 95% of their current workforce. Alongside the introduction of dedicated product specialists for harvest products, JCB, and in-field parts, the dealership says they have invested heavily in their people and workplaces to maximise their customer service levels.

The dealership says they recognise that these changes and consolidations to the UK agricultural dealer network, which are happening throughout most areas of the UK, can be both exciting and unsettling for some customers. 

Steve Petford, RVT’s managing director, addressed their customers, saying, “New relationships will take time to build, but in a relatively short time, RVT’s aim is to provide all customers both established and new, with a much more enhanced service than ever would have been possible before. Through our seven depots we will have dedicated specialists in your field, who will be operating with local support by local teams and we look forward to showcasing the outstanding service RVT has to offer."

RVT’s chairman Simon Clarke added, “This is a new dawn for Rea Valley Tractors. After 38 years, we are really excited by the opportunity not only for our business, but customers alike by supplying and servicing machinery from world-class British manufacturers. Combined with our skilled workforce, knowledge of the area and drive to move our business forward, the future is tremendously exciting."

At this time of year landscape tidying and garden clearance is a big job. Available in the UK via Henton & Chattell, Hansa Chippers are the ideal tools for this job. 

Established in the 1980s, Hansa specialises in the design and manufacture of high-quality brush chipping and shredding equipment. The family run company, based in New Zealand, has a strong heritage combined with constant evolution and innovation, with a focus on sustainable growth.  

As trees and hedges are pruned back, they can create messy piles of debris that are often used to create smoky, polluting bonfires. Family run company, Hansa, is dedicated to changing this practice, by offering an alternative solution. Instead of building climate-damaging fires, Hansa sees chipping as a cleaner, greener way of getting rid of waste. By using a chipper, green waste can be transformed into valuable mulch that can be used in beds and around tree bases. This recycled material helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds while it breaks down and provides nutrients to plants as it decomposes. 

Hansa prides itself on the ethos of “providing the best chipping experience”. Whether being used in a garden at home, by a landscaper, professional arborist or other commercial user, Hansa chippers are all designed to make tough work enjoyable. It’s about getting the job done in the most efficient way. 

The domestic gardener can choose between electric and petrol options with the C3E and the C4, both weighing up 70kg making them perfect for home usage and storage. The C7 is the most popular model and, with a 6.5hp petrol engine, is ideal for those with larger gardens. For landscapers the C13, with a 13hp engine, easy engagement system and efficient self-feeding action, makes light work of large jobs. 

For large-scale, commercial applications there is the C21 and the C27. Both are extremely robust and have heavy-duty cutting disks that meet the rigorous requirements of heavy branches and bushy foliage. The C27 has a 360-degree turntable that allows feeding from any direction.

For more information on Hansa chippers visit: www.hansaproducts.com/gb/

Or to become a Hansa dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

The STIHL BGA 200 cordless blower clears large areas of leaves quickly and efficiently.

With a blowing force of 21 Newton, STIHL’s BGA 200 cordless blower is one of the most powerful in the STIHL range and features a high air speed for coping with wet leaves. 

The BGA 200 is exceptionally easy to handle, thanks to the comfort carrying system. This innovative accessory allows the tool to be used in different ways depending on the application; hand-held in confined working areas or suspended in the carrying system for larger-scale cleaning work. This approach is practical, efficient and increases operational comfort.  

Thanks to its low-noise operation, the BGA 200 can also be operated without restriction in noise-sensitive areas and can be used without hearing protection. The blowing force has three different settings, which can easily be selected by the user via a selector switch. Furthermore, the user can easily adjust the length of the nozzle to meet different requirements and operating situations with the help of a quick adjustment system. 

Toro is excited to introduce new machines to its Revolution Series of battery-powered commercial lawncare equipment, designed to meet the evolving demands of landscape contractors. Now consisting of ride-on and stand-on machines, walk-behind lawnmowers, and handheld tools, the Revolution Series offers flexibility, cuts down on emissions and can complete more jobs with less hassle.

Grandstand® Revolution

The Toro GrandStand Revolution stand-on mower is a powerful machine designed for high performance and professional lawncare pros focused on optimising their businesses with the next generation of landscaping equipment. It’s the same ride you’ve come to trust with its space-saving, flip-up platform, only now it is powered by Toro’s durable HyperCell™ batteries.

Featuring a Turbo Force deck with adjustable baffle, operators can adjust the deck baffle to get the most pristine cut in any conditions. The Turbo Force deck is a 50 KSI 7-gauge high strength steel deck, complemented with an extra strength tubular chassis and durably rugged I-beam front-end. It also features industry-leading dual capture anti-scalp rollers to ensure the highest quality of cut in the harshest terrain. Discharge and disperse clippings with the industry’s highest IQ system—rubber discharge chute clears obstacles, while debris dispersion is second to none.

Rough bumps and challenging terrain are all in a day’s work. Feeling them shouldn’t have to be. The Toro GrandStand Revolution combines the speed and comfort of a zero-turn rider with the on-and-off ease of a wide area walk-behind — creating a fast, manoeuvrable and more productive alternative to meet your quiet, battery-powered, efficient mowing needs.

 
Z Master® Revolution

The past and present just became the future with the new Toro® Z Master® Revolution zero-turn mower. Built on Toro’s commercial-grade Z Master 4000 Series frame and legendary Turbo Force® deck, the new Toro Z Master Revolution offers robust battery-powered go-all-day comfort with Toro’s patented MyRIDE® suspension system. The suspended operator platform and easy to adjust, personalised ride settings maximize comfort. All day run time from Toro’s HyperCell Power System seals the deal.

Revolution Professional Hand Tools

Revolution professional handheld products run on our 60V* Flex Force Power System® and work with our entire line of Revolution commercial grade handheld tools. The backpack, available as a power source for our blower, string, and hedge trimmers, is built for comfort and ready to keep jobs moving all day. It has the capacity for you to swap batteries, so when one battery is done, you’re not. Our 60V power comes to you fast: just 50 minutes to charge our largest battery to 100% and easily outpacing the charging speed of larger, lower voltage batteries.

Horizon360™

The best thing about the two new Toro ride-ons is that they come Horizon360 capable. Toro’s new business software for landscape contractors drives more profits and increases business efficiency and effectiveness.

This powerful, new, all-in-one software suite allows landscape contractors to more effectively track the productivity of their crews and equipment, automate their billing process, and enhance the time management of their businesses. Horizon360 also offers proof of service, job notes and office notes, real-time equipment tracking and a bi-lingual phone app for managing scheduling, weather events and multiple crews.

For more information on Toro, please visit www.toro.com/en-gb or to become a dealer of Toro U.K. Limited, please email our sales team: mailto:sales.uk@toro.com?subject=Interested%20in%20becoming%20a%20Toro%20Dealer%20 today.

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