2012 PRO AWARDS: Report and pictures of the glittering Industry Awards, incorporating Dealer of the Year Awards and Turf Pro Awards, held on the first evening of SALTEX
SALTEX 2012: Show review and new products on show at the leading turfcare exhibition
FEATURE: Compact Tractors: What's new in the compact tractor market
DEALER PROFILE: Winchester Garden Machinery, winner of the 2012 Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year Award
COURSE REVIEW: Sundridge Park Golf Club, a hidden gem seven miles from the centre of London
PRODUCT FEATURE: Wiedenmann launch a new line up of machines in Germany
PLUS: NEWS, VIEWS, COMMENT . . . AND JIM GREEN
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2012 INDUSTRY PRO AWARDS Stunning set designed for flagship event
The first evening of SALTEX is when the industry comes together at the annual Industry Awards held at Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park. This year the event surpassed itself combining the countryside and an Olympic flavour with a stunning set built by Malcolm Hill of Emerald Bay Events featuring wildflower turf that had graced the Olympic Opening ceremony, supplied by Wildflower Turf Company.
The Awards evening also this year supported the horticultural charity, Perennial, and raised more than £12000 on the night.
The winners award winners are pictured above, fronted by Chris Biddle who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Agri-Argo UK Ltd).
In a citation, Kim Macfie said "Chris manages to hit just the right tone covering issues of importance to dealers and their suppliers as well as having sufficient gossip for readers to want more. He has been wedded to the machinery business all his life: it has given him much fulfilment and his contribution has enhanced the industry as well as the lives of those who serve it. His love of it has always been palpable"
The winners of the Service Dealer Awards for 2012 were
2012 DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (sponsored by Lucas Fettes & Partners) Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year: Doubleday Group Professional Turfcare Dealer: Platts Harris Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year: Winchester Garden Machinery ATV/Quad Dealer of the Year: Hughes Brothers
2012 Online Retailer of the Year: Mower Magic
2012 CUSTOMER SERVICES AWARDS (sponsored by Stihl UK) Website of the Year: Anglia Mowers Showroom of the Year: Godfreys, Sevenoaks Advertising Award: Torne Valley Farm and Garden Stores Marketing Award: Longham Garden Machinery
2012 STARS OF THE DEALERSHIP AWARDS (sponsored by Briggs & Stratton) Salesman of the Year: Chic Macdonald MBE, Double A Trading Partsperson of theYear: Carl Brumpton, Green Stripe Garden Machinery Technician of the Year: David Hollingshead, Sharmans
John Ledwidge (left) head groundsman of the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry, receives his Turf Pro Young Turf Professional of the Year award from Richard Comely of Ransomes Jacobsen at Windsor
