Record number re-book for SALTEX

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Following a hugely successful SALTEX 2016, show organisers have reported that a record number of exhibitors have already re-booked for the 2017 event.

Compared to January 2016, SALTEX has accumulated more than 50 additional exhibitors during the loyalty re-booking period – the number of SALTEX 2017 exhibitors now stands at an impressive 182, which continues to grow by the day.

The combined attendance of 8,754 high-quality visitors over the two days at SALTEX 2016 no doubt played a major factor when exhibitors were deciding whether to return for 2017, but the post-show exhibitor survey offers a greater insight into the exhibitor’s experience at SALTEX 2016.

This survey confirmed the fact that 98 per cent of the 292 exhibitors rated the quality of visitors as being either good or excellent and 96 per cent of exhibitors reported that they were successful in generating new sales leads, while more than 60 per cent said that they took direct sales orders on the show floor.

A massive 96 per cent of exhibitors said that SALTEX was the ideal place to successfully promote or maintain their company profile and 93 per cent believed that they were successful in networking with existing and new customers while over 80 per cent said they achieved their objective of meeting dealers and distributors.

Survey findings also confirmed that more than 86 per cent of SALTEX 2016 exhibitors rated the build-up process as being either good or excellent with over 84 per cent commenting that they received excellent pre-show customer service. In addition, 92 per cent believed that the show organisers’ marketing and promotion of the event was excellent and in turn contributed to the large quantity of visitors.

Dean Winters, head of brands for Treadstone Products, said that after a few years away from exhibiting at the show, the company’s return to SALTEX was a hugely successful experience. “We were most impressed by the quantity, quality and diversity of visitors we spoke to. From very early on day one, the show was buzzing, with plenty of opportunities to talk to visitors about our product ranges. Over the two days, we far succeeded the amount of leads we had forecast and now have many quotes and projects to follow up.”

Ray Garvey from The Grasshopper Company reported an excellent debut at SALTEX. “This was our first year being directly involved with SALTEX, and the show exceeded our expectations. We sold a number of attachments at the show, arranged several further demonstrations and have a good number of other leads to follow up on.”

Long-term SALTEX exhibitor INTURF was also upbeat following the show according to joint managing director Alex Edwards. “We have supported SALTEX for three decades and the move to The NEC has cemented our future at the show. We had a very positive experience and have already booked for 2017.”

Tom Shinkins from GKB Machines was impressed with the widespread geographical reach of the visitors: “2016 was our second ever SALTEX as a stand-alone company, we received a good list of enquiries to follow up and we have booked for 2017. It was great to see to a wide range of people from across the industry from the UK and Europe.”

SALTEX 2017 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

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Home to a total of 25 teams, the facilities at Newmarket Town FC are certainly put through their paces. In early 2016, a £750,000 upgrade was made to install a new artificial pitch, one of the first full size pitches in the UK to have cork infill. To protect and maximise the lifespan of their investment, Club Secretary Graham Edwards enlisted the help of synthetic specialists, Replay Maintenance.

Filling a pitch with cork is becoming more common throughout continental Europe as an alternative to rubber and carries a number of benefits; its 100% organic from a renewable source; it doesn’t absorb water helping to keep the surface free draining; it’s odourless and from an aesthetic point of view, it plays and looks like a natural football pitch.

“It took 2 years of research before we decided to go for the pitch we did” explained Graham. “We visited a number of sites including a facility with cork infill at a school in Barnes and we knew straight away that’s what we wanted. It also migrates less, meaning that from a maintenance perspective it’s a lot more manageable. We can conduct regular in-house brushing to keep the infill level, but to perform a more thorough clean we needed to look for an external specialist. We contacted a number of companies and were particularly impressed with the service and expertise Replay could offer. Although this is a new project and infill type for Replay, the company has invested in state-of-the art units that can cope with different infill types including cork.

Steven Spence, Operations Manager at Replay Maintenance commented, “The uprated REVIVE PRO machine and process gives us a whole host of additional benefits. These include more horsepower enabling us to fully de-compact a surface without the need for tines – thanks to the increased control and productivity at the brush-head. It also features an uprated turbine for increased vacuum capacity and dust/detritus separation and of course the all-important cab to safeguard our Operative against noise and the elements.”

With approximately 35 hours of use per week, and that looking to increase next year, the maintenance is going to be vital to keep the surface safe and playing to its full potential. “Replay have been in twice so far,” says Graham, “and each time the work has been thorough and when they’ve left the surface has looked as immaculate as it did when it was first installed – we’ve been really impressed with the work they have carried out. All in all we’re absolutely delighted with the whole pitch and particularly the cork infill. With the
two-pronged maintenance taking place there’s no reason why we shouldn’t reach the maximum expected lifespan our investment offers.”

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

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The Southland Cricket Association groundsman has had a tough assignment in the past couple of weeks battling the wet weather while trying to prepare a pitch for Southland’s Hawke Cup showdown against Mid Canterbury in Invercargill this weekend.

That alone is a challenge.

But added to that is Osborne himself is preparing to line up in the game for Southland.

He’s a key figure in the Southland setup with both bat and ball and is juggling that with his duties as the groundsman.

He has spent a fair bit of time at Queens Park of late, whether it be pulling covers on or off, rolling the pitch, or squeezing in his own training commitments.

“It’s been pretty busy just trying to get some rolling in when the showers clear and getting the covers on and off.”

Come game day on Saturday Osborne will take a step back from his groundsman duties with coach Steve Jackson wanting him to focus on the game rather than juggling marking and rolling the pitch between innings.

Osborne’s work mates at Southland Cricket will step in and help.

“Jacko wants me to focus on just playing. I’ll get it ready and they can take care of it on game day so I can just focus on the cricket. It should work out quite well.”

Southland has what might be a unique advantage which most cricket teams don’t have by including the groundsman in the team.

“I guess there will be a bit of inside info there,” Osborne joked.

Osborne only took on the SCA groundsman job in September and he was loving the challenge.

“It’s been bloody good, I’m learning as I go. We’ve got a Volts [one-day] game in a couple of weeks so it is pretty full on at the moment.”

On the playing front, he is in his third season in the Southland Hawke Cup team after he made his debut towards the end of the 2014/15 season.

He said it was exciting being part of the dramatic first up outright win this season against Otago Country last weekend.

“It was unreal, it was magic sort of feeling being part of that.”

Southland have brought Marist captain Jeremy Boyle into the 12 for this weekend’s two-day game against Mid Canterbury.

The spinner has been a consistent performer in club cricket in recent seasons.

Jarred McKenzie is the only player missing from the win over Otago Country and is likely to be replaced by James Ng at the top of the order.

To read the original article, click here

Better Billy Bunker and Durabunker Partnership

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Better Billy Bunker and Durabunker are pleased to announce a partnership agreement which brings together two leaders in the world of bunker construction. The agreement will see Better Billy Bunker serve as a representative for Durabunker in the United States. Similarly, Durabunker and its team of professionals become a certified licensed installer of the Better Billy Bunker method.

Better Billy Bunker has been installed on over 600 courses worldwide. These courses range from municipal facilities to major championship and Ryder Cup venues. The ease of installation, superior performance, and affordable cost have pushed BBB to the forefront of bunker construction methods.

Durabunker, likewise, has established itself as a leader in durable and cost effective bunker edge and bunker wall solutions. Durabunker synthetic technology, debuted on the PGA Tour in 2015, received outstanding reviews at the 2016 LPGA Tour Championships and has been commissioned at a cross- section of courses from world top 100 venues to council run municipals. With a global reach, from Australia to America, Singapore to South Korea, Durabunker has recently agreed partnerships to drive the product forward in a number of markets, America being a primary target.

Todd Jenkins, Vice President of Better Billy Bunker said “A collaboration with Rhydian and the Durabunker team made perfect sense for us. It will allow us to offer not only the fastest draining durable layer in the industry, but also a long-lasting, sustainable edge solution. The combination truly offers a fully sealed bunker. We look forward to a successful relationship with Durabunker for years to come.”

Durabunker Founder, Rhydian Lewis coadded “The position Better Billy Bunker hold in the market place, the respect they have in the industry, the quality of their product and professionalism of their customer service makes them a perfect partner for us in the USA. The two patented products combine beautifully and though they will not be sold exclusively as a combination, together they offer the complete bunker solution. We are very excited to be working with them.”