SALTEX 2021 moves into next gear

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SALTEX 2021 moves into next gear: Early indications for the 75th edition of SALTEX, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 3 and 4 March 2021, are extremely positive following overwhelming industry support and the welcome news that exhibitions and events have been given the go ahead to restart from the start of October.

SALTEX has been serving the grounds management industry since 1938. Since then, the show has developed in stature and reputation and is now recognised as the industry’s showcase event creating opportunity for all who attend.

SALTEX 2021 moves into next gear

SALTEX 2021 moves into next gear

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, believes that the historic exhibition will be a huge first step towards the industry’s recovery.

“We believe that there comes a point where we lay the foundations for recovery and we of course want SALTEX in March to be a catalyst for this to showcase products, demonstrate the innovation this industry possesses, engage, network, renew acquaintances and generate new business for our exhibitors. In fact, we are making every provision to build assurance for a positive ‘return on investment’ for our exhibitors.”

As Geoff says, SALTEX is ‘the’ place to do business and the show’s independently audited year-on-year figures demonstrate the steady growth of SALTEX these past years.

At SALTEX 2019, the post-show survey revealed that 96 per cent of exhibitors generated new sales leads and 82 per cent took orders then and there on the show floor. The visitor survey further revealed that 79 per cent of SALTEX visitors had purchasing responsibility and 77 per cent had the ability to sign-off on amounts of more than £50,000. Therefore, it is no surprise, that SALTEX 2019 exhibitors are still reporting a high conversion rate from the leads they generated at last year’s show.

These figures have resulted in SALTEX 2021 witnessing a record-breaking loyalty period with over 75 per cent of exhibitors returning, including many stand upgrades and an influx of debut exhibitors.

The new Spring dates have not only been welcomed by exhibitors. A large proportion of visitors have voiced their support for the 2021 show with many claiming that they will be in the hunt for new products and services.

Take for example, Liverpool FC’s Senior Manager of Grounds Management – David Roberts, who revealed that he is looking forward to attending the show and will be exploring new solutions with his team.

“SALTEX provides an opportunity to see and meet manufacturers and to look at the products in the flesh. I always keep an open mind as to what we may need. As the show gets closer, we will be aware of specific problems we need to resolve and will then look for solutions at SALTEX.”

Lawn Care Legends – an online networking group consisting of over 5,000 landscapers and gardeners, are always out in full force at SALTEX, and founder John Ryan confirmed that the Legends will be attending the 2021 show.

“The Legends will be there, and we have some exciting plans for the show. SALTEX is a way to get a feel of what is coming to the marketplace and it helps you to adapt or evolve with the industry. We all use SALTEX as an opportunity to source new products and everyone is keen and eager to see what manufacturers have to offer.

“By March 2021, I think there will be a real energy to get going for the new season ahead and what better way to kick that off than by going to SALTEX.”

James Wright, Grounds & Gardens Team Leader at the University of Leeds, revealed that the new dates will be the perfect opportunity to purchase equipment in preparation for early maintenance programmes.

“Given the diverse range of exhibitors at SALTEX, myself and the team can see product innovations which may help inform purchasing decisions in the future.

“I believe the dates in March are an excellent time of year. You are able to look at products and potentially make purchases on products you could be using in 4/6 weeks’ time such as fertiliser or grass seed.  The new dates also enable you to arrange machinery demonstrations during the active growing season.”

All eyes now turn towards delivering a successful event with the potential protocols that may be in place as a direct result of Covid-19. SALTEX is in the safest and most professional of hands according to Geoff.

“The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is one of the foremost venues in the UK and as such is at the heart of discussions as to how to run events safely and securely. The GMA has also taken advantage of its membership with the Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO), who are closely working with the Events Owners Association (EOA), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Suppliers and Services Association (ESSA) – which covers almost every facet of the events industry, looking at the impact of the pandemic globally, as well as the UK from an events management perspective. We’re very proud to have established these excellent working relationships and it has allowed us to learn from others, network, and input into the guidance now issued and being supported and used by Government.

“The events sector is holding some pilot exhibitions over the coming weeks to detail the best procedures to ensure exhibitions are the best possible environments for staff, exhibitors, and visitors alike. Learning from these pilots will be addressed. In the meantime, we are currently mapping out several scenarios based on restrictions that may be in place in Spring 2021, so the event runs safely and efficiently, while creating a positive experience for both visitors and exhibitors.

“We have a very experienced team, who with the NEC, I am confident can stage a safe and successful event in the Spring next year.”

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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Mount Pleasant FA to invest in EPL expertise

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Mount Pleasant FA to invest in EPL expertise: In addition to improving the quality of the team and the coaching staff, Mount Pleasant Football Academy have plans to refurbish the surface of the field at Drax Hall where they play their home games.

Mount Pleasant FA, who are in the process of constructing their own facilities a few miles from Drax Hall, had upgraded the lights at the facility last season and will turn their attention to the surface, as soon as they can get world-class expertise from England, it is understood.

Mount Pleasant FA to invest in EPL expertise

Mount Pleasant FA to invest in EPL expertise

While saying they would use what they have at the moment, Englishman Walter “Wally” Downes, who is expected to join the coaching staff at the academy, says he will be seeking expertise from English Premier League (EPL) ground staff to get the playing surface up another level or two.

“To come from where you have come, this is fantastic,” he said in a recent interview, after meeting with the ownership and the board of Mount Pleasant FA on a trip to the island. “Whatever club I have gone to, even at the lower leagues in England, sometimes the training ground is not great but if it is my job and if I am taking a training session now this is the best we have got let’s play the best we can on it.”

Downes, an experienced coach with stints at several clubs in England, said he would not put up with any grumbling about the field. “I don’t want people moaning about it, when we get a better pitch we will get a better pitch, but today in this session this is the best that we have got so let’s get on with it make the best of it.”

The question, he said, was, “Can we improve the training ground as it is now? Yes, I think we can. We may have to train on it for the next two or three years until we get the big, new academy up and running.”

Downes said he had spoken with the club’s board about his plans to help with the field and had got its blessings. “They have given me permission to go home and also interview a couple of Premier League groundsmen, asking if I can loan two of their groundsmen or two of the young fellows who are in university.”

Explaining that to be a groundsman at the Premier League level in England requires university training, he said he would ask: “Can I take two of your guys over for a month to educate the guys here and to work on the pitches for a month? They would give these guys their Premier League knowledge, when they go away the guys have a plan to work on the pitch and make it better, then when they come back in a month’s time and educate the guys who are working on it now, because they need help. There is not enough equipment to make the grounds better, so bring in people who can help them.”

Downes said in the future the local groundsmen will improve over time with the clubs investing in them and they in turn would help others in the art of preparing the fields.

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Fairways Warehouse launches online

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Fairways Warehouse launches online: Fairways Warehouse is the used equipment division of Fairways GM.  Fairways Warehouse retails high quality used ground care machinery so that you can buy with confidence.

The new website – www.fairwayswarehouse.co.uk – lists machines across the following categories: golf mowers, sports mowers, commercial and slope mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, aeration, implements and attachments, golf cars and more. The website offers intuitive navigation to help customers find exactly what they want. It gives a real sense of every machine with enhanced details and photographs, ensuring transparency and conveying the good condition that stands Fairways Warehouse equipment apart. Prior to listing, all machinery sold through Fairways Warehouse passes the Warehouse inspection.

Fairways Warehouse launches online

Fairways Warehouse launches online

As a Fairways Warehouse customer, you can gain access to the same excellent standard of service and after-sales support which has earned Fairways GM its reputation.  For over 15 years, Fairways GM has offered market leading ground care equipment, backed by an unrivalled service department and supply of high-quality parts.  Those purchasing Fairways Warehouse machinery can choose optional service packages, for extra peace of mind, subject to geographical limits.

Since launching in mid-June, the Fairways Warehouse website has received very positive industry wide reaction with clients encouraged to look back often to see additions as stock changes frequently.

Follow Fairways Warehouse online at www.fairwayswarehouse.co.uk  or on twitter @FairWarehouse, or on instagram @fairwarehouse or by telephone on 0800 028 1700

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“Bio-mowers” yield big haul for golf course

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“Bio-mowers” yield big haul for golf course: A family of water buffalo greenskeepers are helping maintain interior of Laguna Golf Long Co and feed local community.

Laguna Golf Lang Co’s family of famous water buffalo greenskeepers have helped the club reap a record rice harvest: the fruits of which are going towards feeding members of the local community in Central Vietnam.

“Bio-mowers” yield big haul for golf course

“Bio-mowers” yield big haul for golf course

The bovine brood has been bolstered by the birth of Lulu, a new baby daughter, who joins fellow recent arrival Luna, eldest calf Bao and father and mother Tu Phat and Chi Chi in the workforce.

And the extra sets of hooves have dramatically boosted productivity with the club gathering 28 tons of rice from the 7 hectares of fields right in the middle of the Sir Nick Faldo Signature layout — a record harvest-time haul.

The buffalo “bio-mowers” have been vital in helping to maintain the elevated status of the layout, which winds its way through tropical jungle, ocean sand dunes and ancient rice paddies.

They help to manage the 7 hectares of rice fields located right in the middle of the course by eating excess weeds, crops while tilling the soil in the area that would otherwise require machinery and additional manpower to maintain.

The rice-fields, though, are not just for show. Harvested twice a year, they have previously yielded up to 20 tons of rice that are used to support the organic farm at Laguna Lang Co and donated to families and seniors in the area who are in need of extra support.

This winter’s record haul, however, surpassed previous harvests by some way. Additionally, the bumper crop could not have come at a timely juncture, with Vietnam’s economy taking a hit on tourism as the international borders remain closed to combat the spread of the global pandemic.

“The communities that have limited economic means have been hit the hardest by the economic downturn that has resulted from the global pandemic,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co. “The fact that we are able to donate even more rice to locals who need it most this year was a really positive outcome for our edible golf course.”

The utilization of water buffalo as greenkeepers is part of a wider push by Laguna Golf Lang Co to be the most sustainable course in Vietnam. It has completely eradicated the use of single-use plastics in almost all aspects of its operations, scrapping items made of plastic such as on course garbage bags, locker room accessories, plastic cups and straws and replacing them with ones made from materials such as bamboo, paper, steel or natural grass.

Laguna Lang Co Resort has just finalized the installation of its own water bottling plant to allow the resort to completely eliminate plastic water bottles and utilize reusable glass bottles.

The club is also one of only three golf courses in the world to achieve EarthCheck Gold certification, a status it earned at the end of 2019.

“Continually mowing the fields to maintain vast rice terraces can consume a large amount of labour and fuel,” Calver added. “The water buffalo act as bio-mowers and help us protect the natural feel of the landscape; they give a true sense of place.

“Since we introduced the buffalo we have seen a number of birds such as egrets, moving in as they feast on the insects as the buffalo till the soil. We are currently building a new home for our family of ducks which will be used next year as part of our ‘Integrated Rice-Duck Farming Program’.”

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