I attended the Saltex show at the NEC Birmingham last week and, as always, it was a joy to catch up with many fellow turf professionals and of course the many exhibitors that continue to support our trade shows.
The layout of the show seemed more spacious this year, with larger stands on display and wider walkways. It was difficult to judge how busy it was compared to previous shows. I attended both days and there was a busy spell around late morning to about 1pm each day.
Kubota's stand
Talking to both traders and punters there was a mixed feeling about the show in terms of what was on display and the ongoing commitment to support trade exhibitions. Some exhibitors had vastly reduced their stand space to save expense and time in bringing large amounts of equipment to the show. Others had taken the opportunity to expand their space.
The Kress stand
It will be interesting to hear the final, official attendance figures for the show, but I would guess it’s likely to be around the 6000 mark over the two days - the normal average for our current industry trade shows. The question our industry needs to ask itself now, I believe, is how we can improve the attendance figures for all our trade events. For many years they have remained stagnant.
One major issue I see, is that we have lost interest from local authorities. They, and other large organisations, now tend to buy machinery through procurement processes, meaning fewer council employees come to these shows.
GKB stand
The days are gone when people turned up at trade shows and placed direct orders with the manufacturers or dealers. Most business is now done outside of the trade shows. Our events are now primarily a shop window to see some new products.
Personally, I think it is important for all practitioners and managers to attend these shows; one, to support the industry; two, to keep abreast with the array of services and products now available; and three, for the opportunity to meet up and network.
For me it’s the people that make our industry what it is today. We are all going through our individual career paths, and it is the passionate driven people that change and shape our industry. It was nice to meet so many committed industry professionals all doing their bit to drive, maintain and manage our living spaces.
L-R Toby, Simon and Lee
During the two days I caught up with many industry champions who have dedicated their lives and have successful roles in delivering services and products to the end users. It was great to catch up with Toby Clarke of SIS Pitches and formerly Dennis / Sisis, Simon Gumbrill SGL and Lee Morgrado , Campey Turfcare who have risen through the ranks and become successful in driving our industry forward.
Toby has just taken on the role of global sales director for SIS, whist Simon is the global key account manager for SGL. Lee meanwhile spent many years working for Campey Turfcare under the supervision of Richard Campey and now has the role of director with the company
Lee with the new Sarel Roller
On their stand, Lee was keen to show me their latest product, an electric sarel roller - a robust, 60 cm-wide aerating roller designed to improve soil health and optimise grass growth on areas up to 3,000 m². Using 70 sharp, durable spikes, the roller precisely penetrates the soil 223 times per square meter, increasing air circulation and water absorption. Which would be a good acquisition for bowls, cricket and golf clubs.
L-R: Geoff Burgess, Derek Walder, and Geoff Webb, GMA
Other industry leaders at the show included, of course, the GMA leading lights Geoff Burgess, Derek Walder and Geoff Webb who were walking around the show, pleased with the turn out.
L-R Stuart, Paul and Andy
I also manged to catch up another three stalwarts Stuart Yarwood, DLF, Paul Lowe Aquatrols and Andy Ralphs, HG Delemere Forrest GC - all long-standing pals who started their careers as greenkeepers.
This theme of meeting people continued with a large contingent of Wolverhampton ground staff under the leadership of Wayne Lumbard, the HG at Wolves.
Wolves' grounds team
I also manged to catch up with Richard Brown from Germinal Seeds who have supported our trade shows for many years.
As for products, there was plenty to see at the show, with robotic mowers taking centre stage with a plethora of examples on show. Both robotic line-markers and mowers are now becoming widley used. Origin with their Tiny Robots line-markers told me they have sold over 400 units to date, with them becoming popular with schools, contractors and rugby / football clubs. My local rugby club for example, have recently acquired one and tell me it has made a great difference to the presentation and efficiency to the marking out of the pitches.
Origin's Tiny Robots on show
Husqvarna's robotic mowers
Golf courses and large estates are more confident in purchasing robotic mowers now they have better understanding of what role they can play - combined with their increased reliability, their ability to cut grass at specific heights, their safety features and the fact that they can work at night.
The concept of using robotics is only going to get more popular in the coming years. We already seeing a number of golf course investing in robotic mowers to cut their fairways and other general areas that frees up the labour to do other jobs around the course.
Todd Harrison, Andy Silvey and Ian Sommerville, RFU pitch advisors
I also caught up with some of the GMA pitch advisors who were on hand to give advice to many of the attendees at the show. There are plenty of loans and grants now available for machinery and pitch improvements.
Far right, Jim Clarke
As for other visitors, I caught up with Jim Clarke from Fine Turf Machinery, a dealer in Shropshire who sells a range of professional products that include Dennis/ Sisis and Kress products who was walking around the show with his two mechanics.
All in all, for me it was a good event for enabling me to network and catch up with fellow work professionals - hopefully gleaning some potential articles for TurfPro in the coming months.
As for our trade shows in general, I personally think we are missing a trick in not inviting schools and colleges to attend the last day, with the aim of giving them the experience of seeing what our industry is all about. This would clearly boost attendance figures but, more importantly, raise the profile of our industry. I also think we should be trying to get top professional sports personalities to attend and support the show.
Lizzie, Annie, Duncan and Nikki on our stand
Finally, I must mention my work colleagues Keith, Steve, Lizzie, Annie, Duncan, and Nikki who helped man the TurfPro and Service Dealer stand throughout the duration of the show.
