SALTEX surveys offer encouraging feedback

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SALTEX surveys offer encouraging feedback: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has revealed its feedback from both the recent visitor and exhibitor surveys that influenced the decision to move SALTEX to November 2021.

Last month the GMA issued two surveys; one to every exhibitor that had signed-up to the 2020 event and one to every visitor – past and present. The aim was to gather industry feedback which could help plan for and shape the future of SALTEX.

SALTEX surveys offer encouraging feedback

SALTEX surveys offer encouraging feedback

When asked which type of show visitors would like to attend, respondents confirmed that, despite the rise in virtual events, nothing can quite replace human interaction as an indoor show proved to be the most popular choice for both 2021 and 2022.

Preferences for 2021

  • Indoor show – 86%
  • Outdoor show – 27%
  • Virtual show -18%

Preferences for 2022

  • Indoor – 91%
  • Outdoor – 33%
  • Virtual – 9%

A key question in the survey asked the best time of year to attend a trade show; November was the first option – followed by October.

  • November – 47%
  • October – 32%
  • February – 30%
  • September – 25%

Despite the pandemic it is clear that there remains an appetite for trade shows. Respondents were asked how confident they were on a scale of 0-10 (0 not likely at all, 10 extremely likely) in attending trade shows in the future. An overwhelming 73% voted 7 or above.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “Crucially, we wanted to listen to the industry and give them an opportunity to shape a show that is totally about them, and their needs. It also hugely supported our motivation to reschedule.

“We felt really encouraged by the research which pointed to a continuing demand for an indoor trade exhibition and it was also promising to see November as the preferred date.

There was a reason that we went from an outdoor Summer show to an indoor show, and I think these survey results underline the fact that SALTEX, in its current format, works for the sector.”

In addition to a core audience of regular visitors, SALTEX continues to attract new first-time visitors. An encouraging 34% visited SALTEX for the first time in 2019 compared to 28% in 2018, 27% in 2017, 26% in 2016 and 23% in 2015.

SALTEX is appealing more to the younger generation in the industry too, which is further supported by the GMA’s wider range of activities. There was an increase of 6% in visitors aged between 16-30 at SALTEX 2019.

Other notable increases have seen a rise in landscapers, local authorities and those working in junior, assistant and deputy positions.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

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

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Sharrocks strengthen with Aebi Schmidt Partnership

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Sharrocks strengthen with Aebi Schmidt Partnership: F. R. Sharrock Limited, have signed a partnership agreement with Aebi Schmidt UK that will see the dealer strengthen its position in the specialist machinery sector. They will be responsible for the distribution of the Aebi range of motor mowers and slope tractors across the North West and Midlands with immediate effect.

Commenting on the partnership, James Sharrock, Managing Director of F. R. Sharrock Limited said, “We have been speaking with Aebi Schmidt for some time and when they confirmed they were establishing a new dealer network for Aebi it was a simple choice for us. We previously distributed Aebi tractors before they were acquired by Schmidt and have always considered them to be the best in class.”

Sharrocks strengthen with Aebi Schmidt Partnership

Sharrocks strengthen with Aebi Schmidt Partnership

Speaking after completing the appointment of Sharrocks, Martin Foster, Key Account Manager at Aebi Schmidt said, “ We are committed to establishing the strongest dealer network possible to deliver our end-users the best service. With Sharrocks extensive experience in this sector their appointment is a logical one. Their commitment to outstanding customer service and unrivalled product support reflects our own values and their continual investment into infrastructure and staff to meet customers’ increasing demands is a sure sign of success.”

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Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

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Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons: Backed with advice from two trusted industry contacts Richard Ponsford, Course Manager at Clevedon Golf Club, has been delighted with his switch to Johnsons Sports Seed.

The combination of Johnsons J All Bent on greens and J Rye Fairway has now been in use at the picturesque parkland course for two years, delivering results that means that Richard would never go back to using any other seed.

Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

Advice & support secures switch to Johnsons

When Richard joined the club in North Somerset just over two years ago, he very quickly built up a rapport with Johnsons Technical Manager Ian Barnett and Joe Hendy, his local distributor for AGS. “In this industry, the support and advice of colleagues goes a long way and knowing AGS is a key distributor of Johnsons, I was keen to explore the range.” With poa/bent dominated swards on sand-based greens, the first switch was to the Johnsons J All Bent mixture.

“We’ve overseeded with J All Bent, which contains Arrowtown and Manor, and it has done a fantastic job at reducing Poa annua invasion, increasing the bent content and thereby improving the playing speed of our greens. This autumn, I consulted again with my technical managers about one historical problematic green which was adversely affected by disease in the summer – the suggestion was rather unconventional, oversowing with J Premier Wicket. We needed something that would take well and become a nurse crop for the Arrowtown and Manor as we head into the cooler months. While we only put this perennial rye mix down at the end of October it has established well, and is growing in to give us coverage and strength for the winter.”

For their divot mix and overseeding on other areas such as tees and collars, Richard is using the hard-wearing J Rye Fairway mixture. “This delivers really quick establishment making it ideal for repairs. Our members carry divot bags with them, and they enjoy seeing the quick response they get from using the Rye Fairway mix on divot marks.”

At the time of writing, the second lockdown in England has seen play suspended for four weeks giving Richard and his team time to complete a bunker renovation project which commenced in October. “We’ve seeded the new bunker surrounds with the J Rye Fairway mix, instead of turfing them, which will be established and presenting well by the time members return for play, and will save us both time and money.”

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Irelands Lincolnshire GroundCare takes on Baroness

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Irelands Lincolnshire GroundCare takes on Baroness: Irelands Lincolnshire GroundCare are pleased to announce they have recently signed an agreement with Baroness to supply and support the professional range of Golf and Fine-Turf mowers across Lincolnshire, Rutland and Peterborough.

With immediate effect, the already successful dealership will be actively promoting the leading Japanese brand who have been building quality machinery for over 100 years. Baroness machines are built to last, and offer a precise quality of cut, lower cost of ownership and are both simple and efficient to use.

Irelands Lincolnshire GroundCare takes on Baroness

Irelands Lincolnshire GroundCare takes on Baroness

Jonathan Ireland MD Irelands adds: “We believe Baroness are a long-term partner and they are very much in our plans as we continue to develop and move forward. I am delighted that we are in a position to be able to offer our new and current customers the benefits of the Baroness range. This range ideally sits alongside our existing quality brands such as Kubota and ensures we can provide an unrivalled range of equipment for the fine turf market.”

Adam Butler, Baroness Sales Director added: “Bringing Irelands into our already substantial dealer portfolio was an easy decision for us. Their back up and customer service is second to none in the area and we are very excited to be working with a company that demands such high standards. Yes, our machines are great but we must have great service to back them up.” #JapaneseExcellence

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Winter-ready with Kubota

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Winter-ready with Kubota: With the worst of the winter weather ahead, there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing that roads and footpaths have been cleared of snow and ice before setting out in the morning.

Since 2003, Vale Engineering (York) Ltd has been manufacturing winter maintenance equipment from its base at York, with products built in-house from sheet steel upwards. The company also offers a specialist winter equipment seasonal hire service to local authorities, providing complete solutions from mounted and trailed gritters to de-icing sprayers and snowploughs, carefully matched with compact tractors.

Winter-ready with Kubota

Winter-ready with Kubota

Having used a range of brands in the past, Vale Engineering has now switched to an all-Kubota fleet, adding 15 new B-series and L-series tractors for the 2020 season.

“Our priorities are high residual values and good dealer back-up and that’s exactly what we get with Kubota,” explains managing director James Wilson. “Tractors stay in the fleet for four years, and are hired out for a 20 week period. While they don’t clock up that many hours, they have to be reliable to go out every day and work in all weathers and we are also fortunate to have excellent support from Russell’s.”

Mr Wilson points out that the factory-fitted cab on the B-Series is a major advantage over other compact tractors.

“The cab is purpose-made for the tractor so it fits well and remains tidy through its service life,” he comments.

While one L-series model has a mechanical drive, the majority are hydrostatic, which makes for easy operation for hirers.

“Apart from the de-icing sprayers,  most of the equipment is hydraulically driven, and the B-series tractors have plenty of hydraulic capacity, with the straightforward cab layout making it simple to operate implements.”

With its own workshops, Vale Engineering carries out most of the maintenance and servicing in-house, and Mr Wilson comments that the tractors are straightforward to work on.

“Buying tractors is very much a business decision, and combined with the dealer back-up, Kubota makes business sense for us,” he says.

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