March 7, 2025 - Turf Matters

FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services: An FSI B21 stump grinder is proving that compact certainly does not mean a compromise in efficiency and performance for Joe Baker of JB Tree Services.

With the majority of jobs coming from residential customers in and around Trowbridge, his recently purchased FSI B21 gives him the manoeuvrability to tackle stumps in tight and restricted spaces as well as providing full control over his work schedule compared to the trepidation of relying on hire machines.

FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services

After working as a tree surgeon for Bath Council for six years, Joe started working for himself full-time in 2021. Commercial and council work for Trowbridge Town Council remains a key part of his offering, but he explains that the majority of demand for him and his team of two comes from residential customers. “These sorts of customers are looking for a ‘one stop shop’ – if they’re having a tree removed, they also want the stump dealt with on the same day.”

“I started off hiring a stump grinder as and when I needed one, but found they’d turn up used and abused, nearly always blunt. The time was definitely right to invest in our own machine that would be well maintained and available whenever we needed it.” While no stranger to stump grinders, Joe had no prior experience of an FSI, but admits it took little convincing that the brand was the perfect solution! “We had the slightly bigger FSI B31 on demonstration from GA Groundcare Ltd and the first thing we noticed was the outstanding build quality. The whole team had the opportunity to use it and all agreed that of all the various makes and models they’d used, in operation, this was by far the best.”

Peace of mind

Decision made, the pedestrian FSI B21 stump grinder joined the machinery fleet in August 2024. “There’s a lot to like about this machine, with a lot of features bringing newfound efficiency to stump removal.” He explains, “Firstly, the 14hp engine delivers impressive power. The turntable feature is brilliant in terms of operator comfort, the safety bar allows us to disengage the cutter wheel for safe and unhindered movement around the stump. The hill-hold system which is unique to FSI is another gamechanger – blocking any forward wheel motion and allowing us to pull the machine backwards to easily navigate ramps, steps and uneven terrain.”

“The peace of mind of being able to fell a tree in the morning and having the FSI B21 to hand to grind the stump in the afternoon is brilliant, seeing the machine in high demand since we’ve had it. The back-up from GA Groundcare has also been excellent. We can’t fault the machine or the service we’ve had from start to finish.”

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GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues: Following an outstanding 2024 event, GroundsFest 2025 is set to be even bigger, with significant growth in exhibitor numbers, stand space, and industry influence. The event’s rapid expansion highlights its position as the largest event for the grounds management and landscaping industries.

The numbers speak for themselves:

19,365sqm of sold exhibitor space already—with seven months still to go
6,300sqm of extra stand space added to accommodate exhibitor demand
91% of 2024 exhibitors have rebooked, proving the event’s exceptional value
52 brand-new exhibitors already confirmed for 2025, with many more to come

GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues

This rapid expansion cements GroundsFest as the industry’s fastest-growing trade event, offering exhibitors and visitors more brands, more networking, and more hands-on experiences than ever before.

The 2025 exhibitor list is already shaping up to be the event’s most diverse yet, with leading industry names and exciting newcomers joining the GroundsFest community. Some of the new first-time exhibitors include, DEWALT, Bosch Outdoor Garden, AMAZONE Ltd, Martin Lishman, BLOCK BLITZ, Först, Wessex International and Trilo – to name just a few.

The addition of these exhibitors—along with the overwhelming rebooking rate from returning companies—is a clear indicator of GroundsFest’s growing influence and industry-wide trust.

Sales Director Charles Neale expressed his enthusiasm for the show’s exceptional momentum, stating:

“The speed at which GroundsFest is growing is simply phenomenal. The fact that 91% of last year’s exhibitors have already rebooked speaks volumes about the success of the event and the business opportunities it provides. The increasing demand for space, the addition of 52 new exhibitors, and the support from the industry show that GroundsFest is exactly what the sector needed—an engaging, interactive, and accessible event that truly delivers for exhibitors and visitors alike.”

With its expanding footprint, exhibitor line-up, and industry support, GroundsFest 2025 is shaping up to be the most impactful edition yet. The event’s strong focus on education, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiences, is setting new standards for industry trade shows.

GroundsFest 2025 takes place on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Stay tuned for more updates as the industry’s biggest and most exciting event gets even bigger.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.