Last week I, along with a few thousand attendees, took time out to attend this year’s annual GMA Saltex, held once again at the NEC Birmingham.
I attended both days of the show in my role of editor of TurfPro, with the aim of catching up with turf professionals and exhibitors to gauge the current state of our industry and see what new products and services are on offer.
Myself and my work colleagues on the TurfPro / Service Dealer stand at SALTEX
As usual, the show for me is all about catching up and trying to meet as many people as I can over the two days. This year I was particularly interested to discover the thoughts from those attending of the recent announcement of yet another trade show, Groundsfest 2023, scheduled for next September to be held at another Midlands location, Stonleigh Park, Warwickshire.
All in all, the feedback I received was essentially a 50/50 split in opinion. Yes, potentially a good idea, but why do we need yet another exhibition? From talking to the organisers of this new show, they say there has been some significant interest in the event since it has been announced.
The proof will be in the pudding in terms of the final take up and success of the show. I am sure however, it will raise much debate in our industry during the coming months. I personally think that a recent joint announcement from the GMA, BIGGA and AEA prior this year’s SALTEX, was addressing their feelings towards this recent announcement.
For me, I have been saying for many years that our industry needs only one show annually. I believe there is no reason why both organisations could not work together, along with some other major influencers such as RHS, PMA, Landscape Institute, Fields in trust and others, to organise a fantastic new show that incorporates our whole diverse industry and finally brings together a wider audience to our annual industry show case - whilst still ploughing the vital funds back into industry training, education and support that the trade associations facilitate.
As for this year’s SALTEX, again it was nice to be able to meet up with friends, colleagues and fellow grounds professionals to see the latest innovations and products coming to market.
Friends and colleagues Roy Rigby, Manchester City FC and Barry O'Brien, Burnley FC
Around the halls
Earlier this year Bayer completed the sale of its Environmental Science Professional business to the international private equity firm Cinven, and now trades under a new divested business and will operate as an independent company called Envu.
Envu were making their debut at this year’s show and I managed to catch up with the new team whose stand was conveniently situated next to our own.
The New ENVU team
Also at the show was Ted Mitchell and his team of RFU rugby connect team promoting the new pitch advisory service.
Ted Mitchell and RFU connect team
The promotion of battery powered products was certainly at the forefront of the show with many exhibitors now having an array of battery powered products on display. Kress was one such exhibitor promoting an innovative new battery system. The fact that their batteries can be recharged in 8 minutes will no doubt be a game changer for professional end users.
The Kress stand
Also on show, there was a plethora of robotic mowers, with several manufacturers exhibiting a wide range of products along with a number of now popular robotic line markers such as the Turf Tank.
Husqvarna robotic mowers
With battery products to the fore, I caught up with David Hart of Kubota who have launched some new products that included their impressive battery powered LX e- 261 26 HP compact tractor. This tractor will be made available for a long-term rental service for local municipalities in Europe starting in April 2023.
David Hart
The LXe-261 is equipped with a large-capacity battery that can provide rapid one hour charging and an average three to four hours of continuous operation.
The LXe-261 also realizes the output necessary for mowing, hauling, and other green space management work in parks and other natural reserves. It even offers almost the same compact size as tractors with diesel engines.
Trade press at SALTEX
For me, one of the show’s,game changing announcements was the acquisition of Lloyds Mowers of Letchworth and Hunter Grinders by Dennis / SISIS of the Howardson Group.
Yours truly, Paul Rabbits and Wayne Grills
I also managed to catch up with Paul Rabbits Chairman of the Parks Management Association and Wayne Grills Chief Executive at British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), taking the opportunity to discuss some of the issues relating to the current funding and management issues facing local authorities and contractors in terms of education, training, and recruitment withing the local authority sector.
Overall, I found the show to be its usual vibrant self, with most of the exhibitors I spoke to pleased with the turnout - with both days being busy between the hours of 11am-2pm.
