Registration open for SALTEX 2025

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Registration open for SALTEX 2025: Registration is now officially open for SALTEX 2025, the flagship event for the European grounds management industry, returning to the NEC Birmingham on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 November 2025.  

This year’s theme, ‘Power Up Your Performance’, captures SALTEX’s ambition to energise the sector from smart technology and new skills to expert advice and opportunities to grow.

Registration open for SALTEX 2025

Registration open for SALTEX 2025

Organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), SALTEX continues to serve the sector with great purpose, as it has done since 1938. It’s the most influential event of its kind in Europe, bringing together thousands of professionals and volunteers from across the sector.

This year’s show promises to be the most dynamic yet, with hundreds of leading brands, industry-first product launches and cutting-edge technology on display across halls 17, 18, and 19. 80% of visitors who attend SALTEX are senior decision-makers, making it the trusted annual meeting place for professionals and volunteers across all areas of grounds care.

Whether you work in sport, education, local authorities or commercial spaces, SALTEX offers fresh ideas, the latest solutions and real-world expert advice that you can take away and put into action.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association, said: “The 2025 theme, ‘Power Up Your Performance’, captures the ambition behind everything we’ve got planned for SALTEX 2025. We’re introducing fresh features and new thinking to create even more value for visitors and exhibitors. It’s shaped by what the industry’s told us it needs, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the NEC.”

Power Up Your Experience at SALTEX 2025:

  • Power Up Your Tech – See the latest kit and innovation from the industry’s leading suppliers.
  • Power Up Your Skills – Earn accredited CPD points through SALTEX’s renowned Learning LIVE programme.
  • Power Up Your Connections – Network with peers and decision-makers from across the sector.
  • Power Up Your Performance – Take away actionable insights and strategies to improve your impact on the ground.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, added: “SALTEX is built around the needs of the industry, and this year’s show reflects exactly that. From grassroots to elite level, every detail of the 2025 show has been shaped by the real-world needs of groundspeople today. And what makes SALTEX truly unique is that all revenue is reinvested directly into supporting the sector.”

Join thousands of grounds professionals and power up your performance at SALTEX 2025. Registration is free and now open at www.saltex.org.uk.

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Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

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Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest: GroundsFest 2025 is revving things up with one of its boldest and most exhilarating attractions yet — Lawn mower racing and the inaugural GroundsFest Cup.

Taking place across both days of the event, this professionally run spectacle promises edge-of-your-seat action, heart-pounding excitement, and a whole lot of fun.

Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

This is no gentle ride around the garden. These are specially modified racing mowers, stripped of their blades but supercharged with adrenaline, skill, and competitive spirit. Expect high speeds, roaring engines, tight turns, and a field of elite riders battling it out on a custom-built track in front of a live crowd.

Organised by the West Midlands Lawn Mower Racing Association, some of the UK’s most experienced lawn mower racers will be competing for glory and the honour of becoming the first ever winner of The GroundsFest Cup. It’s fast. It’s furious. It’s fiercely competitive – but above all, it’s seriously good fun.

And there’s more to it than just the thrill of the race. GroundsFest visitors will get to see a range of lawn mower brands in action, used and pushed to their limits by the pros. It’s a unique chance to witness these machines in a whole new light — not just as tools of the trade, but as vehicles of pure entertainment.

Lawn mower racing is guaranteed to turn heads and create excitement at GroundsFest 2025. It’s just one more way GroundsFest continues to break the mould and deliver something truly different to any other trade event.

Think you’ve seen everything a grounds management event has to offer? Think again. This is lawn mower racing. This is GroundsFest.

Who will take the chequered flag? Join us on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, to find out.

Register for your FREE tickets at www.groundsfest.com

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

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Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark

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Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark: Briggs & Stratton, a global leader in innovative power solutions, will present its latest product range at demopark 2025 at stand B236.

Covering an area of approximately 345 square metres near the East Entrance, the company will showcase powerful engines and advanced lithium-ion battery systems from its Vanguard brand. These solutions are specially designed for commercial use and tailored to the needs of the landscaping and green sector.

Briggs & Stratton's innovative power solutions at demopark

Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark

The focus is primarily on Vanguard petrol engines equipped with advanced Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). Especially in the strong 40 HP class, these engines offer a fuel-efficient, low-emission, and reliable alternative to commonly used diesel engines. They are ideally suited for powering professional landscaping equipment as well as for agricultural and forestry applications.

Briggs & Stratton will also present Vanguard engines featuring innovative technologies such as Oil Guard, Oil Xtend, and TransportGuard. These systems are designed to extend engine life, optimise maintenance intervals, and minimise user error, all while aiming to reduce operational costs, increase reliability, and maximise uptime.

These technologies are utilised, among others, in Vanguard single-cylinder engines with horizontal shafts, built for heavy-duty continuous operation. Models ranging from Vanguard 100 to Vanguard 400 are equipped with TransportGuard technology, which automatically shuts off fuel flow, prevents fuel and oil mixing, and thereby reduces unnecessary maintenance costs due to transport-related damage—especially significant in rental applications.

The largest of the smaller single-cylinder engines comes equipped with EFI and ETC technologies. EFI ensures easy starting, smooth operation, and low fuel consumption, while ETC guarantees rapid load response, consistent performance, and stable speed. These two innovative technologies are included in Vanguard engines with outputs ranging from 14 to 40 horsepower, ensuring dependable performance on any terrain.

This also applies to the CXi engine on display, which features both EFI and ETC as well as the Oil Xtend system. Oil Xtend enables up to 250 operating hours between oil changes—compared to the usual 100—and allows for fast and straightforward servicing.

The Oil Guard system from Vanguard enables up to five times longer maintenance intervals between oil changes, as demonstrated by the 28 HP Vanguard engine with a vertical shaft. This can reduce oil maintenance costs per unit and season by up to 60%, compared to the standard 100-hour interval. Particularly useful for unmanned, remote-controlled machinery: in combination with EFI, Vanguard engines featuring Oil Guard can operate continuously on slopes of up to 45°.

The demopark showcase will also include a comprehensive portfolio of Vanguard lithium-ion battery systems for commercial use. These will be displayed both as individual components and integrated into example applications of Vanguard partners. A highlight is the tool-free swappable 48V 1.5 kWh battery pack (Si1.5), which is interchangeable and suitable for various applications, offering maximum flexibility and minimal downtime. The only requirement is that the respective device must be equipped with the appropriate interface. Also on display are fixed battery packs ranging from 1.5 to 7 kWh, capable of operating in parallel with up to 10 units to deliver up to 70 kWh of energy. With the matching chargers, the Si1.5 can be fully recharged in just 75 minutes, and the larger 7.0 kWh fixed unit in only 3 hours.

In the outdoor area, well-known manufacturers such as Eliet, Jo Beau, Swardman, and Briggs & Stratton’s own subsidiary Ferris will demonstrate application examples from landscaping, agriculture, and forestry sectors using Vanguard power solutions. Visitors will gain practical insight into how Vanguard’s “Passion for Power” is realised in real-world applications.

“With our modern engines and battery systems, we are setting new standards in terms of performance, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Pia Weimer, Marketing Director EMEA at Briggs & Stratton. “We’re excited to present innovative solutions at demopark 2025 that meet the green industry’s high demands while helping to reduce operating costs and support environmental standards.”

Visit Briggs & Stratton at demopark 2025, Stand 236 (East Entrance, Aisle B), and experience the future of power technology in the green sector first-hand.

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GMA Connect heads to Durham

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GMA Connect heads to Durham: Following the successful launch of GMA Connect in Bristol last month, the Grounds Management Association’s new regional event series continues in the North East on Wednesday 18 June at Durham County Cricket Club.

Designed to bring the grounds industry together in key regions across the country, GMA Connect is a hands-on, one-day event offering a unique mix of expert seminars and live demonstrations from leading manufacturers.

GMA Connect heads to Durham

GMA Connect heads to Durham

Some of the industry’s top brands will be on show in Durham, including headline sponsor Cramer, ISEKI UK & Ireland, Campey Turf Care Systems, Fleet Line Markers, GKB Machines, Abundigro, The Aquatrols Company, AriensCo, Redexim, and Dennis & SISIS.

Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to see the latest machinery and solutions from the likes of Cramer, who will present a full battery-powered range, including robot mowers, a zero-turn model and all-terrain pedestrian mowers. ISEKI and GKB Machines will jointly demonstrate a compact tractor fitted with a Combi Tool and Deep Tine Aerator, whilst Campey Turf Care will demonstrate their UniRake and display smaller machines pitch side, including the Vredo Turf Buddy and Electric Sarel Roller.

Line marking solutions will be available from Fleet and, new to Durham, Dennis & SISIS will bring the FT mower and Auto Rotorake Mk5, whilst Ariens will display zero-turn and high-grass mulching mowers.

Redexim, The Aquatrols Company and Abundigro and will all be on hand to share practical advice and showcase turf maintenance essentials.

A packed seminar programme features weather expert Mark Hunt’s ‘Turf Management in the Current Climate’, a popular practical soil session led by Alex Vickers, and guidance on using a Playing Surface Assessment to upgrade your facility from the GMA’s Ian Mather-Brewster and Chris Hunter.

The day will close with a panel discussion on climate change at top sporting venues, featuring Vic Demain (Head Groundsman, Durham CCC), Alex Vickers (Turf Consultant), Aaron Tong (Head Groundsman, Hull City MKM Stadium) and James Wright (Senior Maintenance Manager, University of Leeds).

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA, said: “Bristol was a huge success for everyone involved, and we’re now really excited to bring GMA Connect to Durham. This event series has been designed to serve the needs of the industry, giving grounds staff at every level access to expert advice and practical solutions within their region.”

Jordan Watson, Area Sales Manager for Cramer UK, said: “We want to support events like GMA Connect because it’s a great networking opportunity and it’s a great way to show the industry everything that we do and the technology that Cramer UK can offer to help them in the future.”

Tickets are free for GMA members, while non-members can attend for £15. Membership provides additional value, including exclusive resources, discounted training, access to the Member Assistance Programme and more.

For more information or to register, visit thegma.org.uk/events.

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Toro UK to Launch Dedicated Dealer Hub at GroundsFest

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Toro UK to Launch Dedicated Dealer Hub at GroundsFest: Toro U.K. Limited is set to unveil a brand-new Dealer Hub at GroundsFest 2025, taking place 9th – 10th September at Stoneleigh Park. Purpose-built for its dealer network, the hub will serve as a central meeting point for strategic updates, early product previews, and meaningful conversations about the season ahead.

Positioned within Toro U.K.’s significantly expanded stand, featuring the full breadth of the Toro® and Hayter® ranges, the Dealer Hub underscores the company’s commitment to supporting its nationwide dealer base.

Toro UK to Launch Dedicated Dealer Hub at GroundsFest

Toro UK to Launch Dedicated Dealer Hub at GroundsFest

“GroundsFest is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with our dealers in person,” said Craig Hoare, Sales and Marketing Manager, Toro U.K. Limited. “This year, we’re putting our dealers front and centre. Offering early access to new-season materials and a dedicated space to talk opportunities, challenges, and everything in between. The Dealer Hub is our way of saying: we’re here, and we’re listening.”

In addition to the Dealer Hub, visitors can explore Toro and Hayter’s latest innovations across the residential, landscape contractor, and grounds care sectors, including:

  • Walk-behind and zero-turn mowers.
  • The latest Harrier® Pro and 60V Hayter models.
  • Toro Revolution™ battery-powered tools.

Dealers visiting the hub will benefit from:

  • Early-release product information and campaign previews.
  • Exclusive co-branded sales materials and POS tools.
  • Direct access to Toro and Hayter’s commercial and marketing teams.
  • Light refreshments in a relaxed, business-friendly setting.

Invitations are on their way to existing dealers. To help us plan accordingly, we kindly ask all invitees to RSVP directly to Toro U.K. upon receipt.

GroundsFest is free to attend and combines live demonstrations with an industry-led exhibition, educational sessions, and entertainment. Toro U.K. Limited invites all dealer partners and professional users to visit the stand, discover the latest product developments, and see how Toro continues to support the turf care industry, every step of the way.

To register for GroundsFest, visit: www.groundsfest.com

To explore the full Toro and Hayter range, visit: www.toro.com/en-gb | www.hayter.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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