Major industry players return to SALTEX

/in , , /by

Major industry players return to SALTEX: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is excited to welcome back some of the biggest names in the industry to SALTEX 2025, Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management show. 

Returning to the NEC Birmingham this autumn, SALTEX will once again be the place where the entire sector comes together to see the latest innovations and get hands-on with the products shaping the future of grounds care.

Major industry players return to SALTEX

Major industry players return to SALTEX

Visitors can look forward to seeing the likes of Kubota, ISEKI UK & Ireland, SIHTL, Milwaukee, SGL, Husqvarna, ICL, Ransomes, Dennis & SISIS all back on the show floor – brands trusted by thousands of grounds professionals across the UK and beyond. Their return shows just how important SALTEX is as a platform where conversations happen, and deals are made.

Frank van Beusekom, Chief Commercial Officer, SGL says: “SALTEX provides an invaluable platform for us to connect with grounds professionals and volunteers, share our latest innovations, and demonstrate how our technology and services are helping sports venues around the world achieve exceptional pitch quality. We’re excited to engage with the industry, exchange ideas, and continue pushing the boundaries of performance and sustainability in turf care.”

From cutting-edge machinery to sustainable solutions and smart technologies, the returning exhibitors are ready to show what’s new and what’s next. If you’re maintaining elite stadiums, grassroots pitches, caring for green spaces or local community parks, you’ll find real-world solutions from the companies who know the job inside out.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial, Membership and Events, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the industry leaders who continue to set the standard for innovation and quality. Their continued commitment to SALTEX shows how much value they see in being here – it’s where the industry meets face to face and builds relationships that make a real difference.”

Whilst the returning brands will once again be at the heart of the exhibition, new names like Boston Seeds, Boughton Loam, and Oasis will be making their debut at SALTEX 2025. They’ll bring fresh thinking and even more choice for visitors looking to source new products and services.

With hundreds of exhibitors already signed up and ready to showcase their latest innovations, SALTEX 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable two days for anyone working in grounds care. This year’s show will feature the ever-popular Learning LIVE programme with headline speakers already confirmed, alongside the all-new machinery workshop with Tom Stidder, offering practical, hands-on guidance.

Combined with exciting new show features set to be announced in the coming weeks, SALTEX is designed to give visitors valuable time away from the day job and ideas they can take straight back to their own roles.

SALTEX 2025 takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November. Register for FREE at www.saltex.org.uk and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools All Terrain Lawn Mower ATM53A, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

OAS Showcases Complete Solutions at GroundsFest

/in , , /by

OAS Showcases Complete Solutions at GroundsFest: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) is returning to GroundsFest in 2025 to showcase the latest in turf solutions, digital technology and line marking innovation. After two successful years at the event, OAS will be exhibiting both outdoors on stand RB140 and indoors in Hall 2 on stand 20.

Visitors can expect to see OAS’s comprehensive range of products and services, aimed at the fine turf, sports and grounds care sectors. With the largest dedicated team and unrivalled product portfolio, OAS continues to support customers with practical, innovative, and sustainable solutions backed by decades of experience.

OAS Showcases Complete Solutions at GroundsFest

OAS Showcases Complete Solutions at GroundsFest

Outdoor focus – line marking, robotics and digital tools

Outside on stand RB140, OAS will display a wide selection of line marking machinery, from pedestrian spray markers to the latest GPS-guided robotic systems. The popular TinyLineMarker robots will be on show with a technical team to explain how the technology is transforming the speed and accuracy of pitch marking.

The experienced OAS line marking team is the largest in the UK, offering unrivalled technical knowledge and support across every level of sport. Visitors can speak directly with specialists to understand the best equipment and paint options for their specific needs.

On display will be the market-leading IMPACT and Duraline paint ranges. Both are designed to deliver maximum results, and professionals trust these high-performance paints for their strong coverage, vibrancy, and ease of application. Also featured will be the latest in grounds management software. OAS will demonstrate their WeatherStation, TurfKeeper, and MachineKeeper platforms, which help grounds teams make data-led decisions, manage resources efficiently, and improve surface performance all year round. Additionally, the OAS team will be profiling its partnership with Rain Bird irrigation. After one of the driest Spring seasons on record, the bespoke irrigation solutions offered by Rain Bird and OAS will futureproof turf maintenance for years to come. 

Indoor focus – nutrition, protection and seed

Inside Hall 2 on Stand 20, the spotlight turns to turf care inputs. The OAS technical team will showcase their extensive range of plant protection products, fertilisers, and professional grass seed, offering expert guidance on improving turf health, root development, and resilience under stress.

Whether managing high-performance stadium pitches, community-level facilities, or commercial landscape projects, OAS provides tailored agronomic support based on a thorough understanding of turf management and customer priorities.

A competition will be running across both stands throughout the event. All visitors are invited to visit the OAS stand for a chance to win.

Join OAS at GroundsFest 2025

Whether you are exploring new technology, looking to refine your turf care programme, or simply want to see what is new in the sector, the OAS team will be ready to welcome you. With the people, products and expertise to support every level of grounds care, this is a stand worth visiting.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

/in , , /by

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac: At Grounds Fest 2025 Price Turfcare, Ventrac distributor for the UK & Ireland will be demonstrating, live, the amazing 30 degree slope capabilities of the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor. Their specifically designed exhibition vehicle has multiple slopes so you can see for yourself what the Ventrac can do.

According to Price Turfcare’s Rupert Price, since Ventrac’s introduction into the UK, hundreds of customers have adopted it to solve labour intensive vegetation management on steep slopes. Additionally some are rethinking turf area maintenance by replacing mower only machinery with this multi season workhorse. Once adopted, the Ventrac 4520 can then complete other grounds maintenance tasks that would usually necessitate the purchase of hire of specialist machines. Tasks such as gravel and hard surface pathway maintenance, stump grinding, trenching, seeding and materials handling to name but a few.

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

Price Turfcare encourage you to visit them on stand RB50 to see our live demonstrations

www.priceturfcare.com

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

/in , , /by

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever: GroundsFest 2025 is raising the bar yet again – and this year’s FREE cpd-accredited educational programme is set to be bigger, and more varied than ever before.

With FIVE dedicated seminar theatres, a host of expert speakers, and topics that truly reflect the challenges and opportunities in today’s outdoor spaces, GroundsFest is the go-to destination for professional development – whether you’re in turf, landscaping, horticulture, groundscare, or greenkeeping.

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

Here is a snapshot of what to expect from the education programme:

A Must-Attend for Greenkeepers

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) will be delivering a selection of educational seminars, specially designed for greenkeepers or anyone working in golf course management. BIGGA’s seminars have built a reputation for combining practical insight with thought leadership. Expect expert-led discussions, game-changing ideas, and actionable advice to take your course management to the next level.

Pitchcare Theatre

Tackle key sports turf topics including moisture management, plant growth regulators, and the rise of robotics, along with sessions on employment and biodiversity. These seminars will be delivered by a range of leading sports turf experts.

Lantra Theatre

Lanta will be exploring ‘How industry can collaborate in addressing recruitment and retention’. Acting as session chair, Lantra trustee – Professor John Moverley will set the scene, introduce individual members of the panel and then invite them in turn to speak for about 5 minutes each. The panel has been chosen to draw from different sub sectors to share thoughts and experiences around sector recruitment and retention. After the presentations, John will then invite the audience to make comment and ask questions. In this seminar theatre visitors also can discover what’s changing at BASIS, with essential updates on how training and certification are evolving to support the sector.

The Landscape Theatre

From AI in marketing to urban sustainability, mental health in the trades to wildflower meadows, this theatre brings together real-world business strategies and green innovation. With speakers from Glendale, Blakedown, The Green Partnership and more, these sessions are a must for anyone in landscaping or urban greenspace development.

Hort Week Theatre

Join Hort Week’s Rachael Forsyth and leading horticultural experts for a packed agenda. Topics include integrated weed management with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, machinery tips, scam prevention, and a lively Horticulture Question Time. Plus, don’t miss the Innovation Awards in this theatre, sponsored by Cramer and Bosch, celebrating the products shaping our industry.

Bowls Seminar Theatre

Dedicated to improving greens and supporting bowls clubs at all levels, this two-day masterclass will offer insider knowledge from top suppliers and provide greenkeepers with actionable takeaways to improve playability and performance. It will feature insights from DLF, Aquatrols, Agrovista Amenity, Dennis, SISIS and KAR UK. From seed selection and fertiliser to machinery and irrigation, these sessions will cover all the essential elements that contribute to a high-performing green. Whether you’re a club volunteer or a full-time professional, this is your chance to learn from the very best in the business.

From sports turf to local authority, estate management to landscaping – GroundsFest’s education programme is tailored to every corner of the industry and it’s completely free to attend.

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

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

/in , , /by

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success: A host of the biggest brands in ground and turfcare were on show at Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day, at East Horton Golf Club on 3 July, attended by groundcare professionals and buyers from across Southern England.

Wildwood Machinery Managing Director, James Bastian said: “We put on the Open Day to thank our partners, suppliers, staff and customers. It was an opportunity to showcase our growing range of state-of-the-art machinery, and I wanted to do it in an environment where everyone could relax and have a bit of fun, but also try putting the machinery through its paces.”

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

“We’re very lucky that East Horton Golf Club is a core part of our family business and it proved to be the perfect venue. Lots of our guests were also able to enjoy a round of golf as part of the day – a perfect mix of business and pleasure!”

“We can all sit at our desks sending emails and making phone calls”, says James, “but ultimately, we want the end user to get their hands on this equipment and see just how good it is.”

Manufacturers showcasing their wares included: Aspen, DeWalt, ECHO Robotics, Gambetti Amenity & Golf, INFINICUT, ISEKI, Jacobsen, Ransomes, Raymo, RovMo, Stogger and Wessex International.

According to James Bastian, the Wildwood Machinery Open Day was “such a huge success that we’re already looking forward to doing it again next year – but bigger and better!”

“The whole environment had a lovely vibe about it today. We’ve had great support from our manufacturers and our customers have turned out in force. What more could we have asked for?”

The next major event for Wildwood Machinery, marking the company’s rapid growth since launching in 2022, is the opening of a purpose-built new showroom and headquarters on the East Horton site, scheduled for late 2025.

With a growing number of elite sports clubs, local authorities, estates and schools tapping into Wildwood’s unmatched range of manufacturer partnerships and reliable after-sales service, the business has grown steadily throughout 2025, necessitating more showroom and workshop space.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.