SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

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SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry: SALTEX 2025, Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management exhibition, returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 12-13 November with a fresh programme of features designed to provide resources and networking opportunities for grounds professionals and community clubs. 

The Community Sports Zone remains the go-to destination for clubs and volunteers seeking to engage with suppliers and manufacturers. Exhibitors including Campey Turf Care Systems, Dennis, SISIS, ISEKI and GreenTek will be on hand to showcase their latest products and services tailored to grassroots sports. Located next to the GMA Hub, the Zone also provides access to national governing bodies including the Football Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League who will be offering guidance and advice on sport-specific development.

SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

A new major addition for 2025 is the Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk – a one-stop service for clubs seeking advice on how to secure vital support for grassroots pitches and facilities through grants and funding opportunities. The desk equips volunteers and clubs with the practical tools and guidance they need to grow and maintain their facilities – all within the professional context of SALTEX.

Visitors can access information on:

  • Up to £100,000 in grants for pitch maintenance machinery
  • The Huddle – funding support for catering units at clubs
  • Groundskeepers Corner – join a thriving online community of peers
  • Step-by-step guidance on grant eligibility and application processes
  • Home Advantage Programme – up to £250,000 to help clubs take on grass pitch sites

Community clubs and volunteers will also be able to benefit from a series of sport-specific meet-ups and guided tours for football, rugby (Union and League) and cricket, designed to help visitors network with fellow clubs, the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service team and key National Governing Bodies.

Tours will start in the SALTEX Clubhouse before taking visitors around the exhibition floor, highlighting the most relevant exhibitors as well as key show features including the Community Sport Zone, The Workshop and the GMA Hub.

Each session offers practical guidance and the opportunity to explore support tailored to community clubs.

“We understand how vital grassroots sport is to the wider sporting ecosystem in the UK, and it’s important that SALTEX provides a platform to support clubs and volunteers alike,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA. “This year, with the introduction of the Funding Desk alongside our ever-popular Community Sports Zone and Clubhouse sessions, we are giving visitors even more opportunities to access guidance and gain the tools and connections they need to thrive.” 

Join us at SALTEX and level up your experience. Register for FREE and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools Lawn Mower, complete with charger and battery worth £2,240!

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show: Farmers and contractors are invited to step out of the yard and into a full day of machinery, technology and hands-on innovation at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, taking place on Wednesday 19 November at Newark Showground.

Now in its eleventh year, the show returns with a new one-day format that puts machines, demonstrations and innovation at the heart of the event.

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Free to attend, exhibitors’ stands will showcase new tractors, implements, ATVs and engineering solutions, alongside expert-led talks and opportunities to earn BASIS and NRoSO points ahead of year-end.

“Having everything all in one place and all in one day is our vision for this year’s show,” says Elizabeth Halsall, Events and Development Manager at the Newark & Notts Agricultural Society, which organises the event. “Time away from the business is precious, so we want to give visitors a productive, information-packed day, as well as a social and networking opportunity with their community.”

Ticket registration is free at www.midlandsmachineryshow.com and visitors are advised to pre-register for fast entry.

Those attending can expect to see machinery that’s never been to the show before, as well as a host of demonstrations in the dedicated arena, plus a hands-on experience of all-terrain vehicles.

New kit and features

New for 2025, attendees can get behind the wheel of the Can-Am Traxter HD9, with its heated cab and 65hp Rotax V-twin engine, on the showground’s off-road track. Driving experiences are being provided by 158 Performance.

Chandlers will present two AGCO tractors never before seen at the Midlands Machinery Show – the powerful Valtra S Series and the Fendt 832 Vario Gen 5.

AMTEC will make a high-profile appearance with its new Torox range of heavy-duty discs, which the company says has been built for tough soils and engineered for versatility and precision.

Taylor Attachments returns with new buckets and muck grabs accompanying its proven range of heavy-duty attachments.

Long-standing exhibitor Russells will – alongside its stable of New Holland, Polaris, Stewart and Teagle produces – bring the Horizon DSX drill to show in the demonstration ring.

Debuts for service sector exhibitors

Several new exhibitors will make their debut this year.

Fox Engineering brings its expertise in LOLER, PUWER and PSSR safety inspections, helping farms stay compliant and avoid costly downtime.

Fireward joins the show for the first time, raising awareness of automatic fire suppression systems that prevent machinery and combine fires through instant pneumatic detection and targeted extinguishing agents. “At the moment, not enough farmers realise that fire suppression systems are an option,” says Caroline Wilson, Fireward National Sales Manager for Agriculture. “Our focus is on education – showing that there are affordable, practical ways to protect people, machinery and infrastructure.”

Beyond machinery, the show offers a packed day of networking, learning and advice designed to help farmers make confident decisions for the year ahead.

The NFU Midlands Environment Conference, chaired by NFU President Tom Bradshaw, will explore ‘Adapting Farming for the Future: Sustainable Production, Products & Markets’, offering practical insight into policy changes, sustainability and business resilience. With agricultural policy at a crossroads, these expert-led sessions provide essential guidance to strengthen farm businesses across the region and beyond.

Exhibitors are also ready to help visitors tackle the industry’s wider challenges. Openfield, the UK’s only farmer-owned grain marketing cooperative, will share expert insight on planning ahead amid market volatility and changing support payments. “There’s never been a more important time to talk about what goes in the ground,” says Jerome Fielder, Head of Farm Business Team at Openfield. “We’ll be there to offer straight-talking advice, whatever the question.”

Optimal Risk Group will launch its Rural SafeGuard Programme, providing security training and risk management solutions to help farmers protect their assets from crime. “We help farmers not just respond to rural crime, but reduce the opportunities for it to happen in the first place,” explains Frank Cannon, Senior Consultant at Optimal Risk.

Visitors can also find confidential guidance from The Farming Community Network (FCN) on topics from mental health to succession planning. “There are so many factors outside farmers’ control right now,” says Rachel Davey, Marketing and Events Officer at FCN. “We’re here to help them find a way forward and secure their businesses for the next generation.”

“Whether you’re exploring new machinery, looking for smarter solutions or simply catching up with suppliers and colleagues, the Midlands Machinery Show is a day built around real conversations and quality connections,” says Elizabeth. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Newark this November for a day that truly celebrates innovation, resilience and the future of British agriculture.

“Register in advance online now for smooth, free access to the event on the day.”

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Turf Tank exhibits new Robot Capabilities at Saltex

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Turf Tank exhibits new Robot Capabilities at Saltex: Turf Tank, a leading name in robotic line marking solutions, is proud to announce the release of its latest software update at Saltex 2025, Stand number B100. Designed to empower UK grounds teams to achieve more with less, the enhanced Turf Tank robot now boasts new features that extend its versatility from sports pitches to parking lots, and everywhere in between.

Already trusted by over 5,000 organisations worldwide, Turf Tank’s autonomous robots have transformed the way schools, clubs, and professional venues mark their grounds. The latest update, built in direct response to user feedback, introduces smart tools to further boost precision, efficiency, and user control.

Turf Tank exhibits new Robot Capabilities at Saltex

Turf Tank exhibits new Robot Capabilities at Saltex

Key Features being Showcased at Saltex 2025

  • Logo Bundles for Pro Subscribers: Instantly access and paint a library of preloaded logos for sports teams, holidays, and special events—no stencils required. Grounds teams can now easily mark out detailed designs for school events, awareness campaigns, or club matches straight from their tablet.

Car Park Marking: The Turf Tank robot can now tackle car parks as well as pitches. Mark entire car parks or individual bays on your own schedule, with the flexibility to complete the job in stages minimising disruption and avoiding the need to close off large areas.

  • Enhanced Tight-Space Navigation: Set the minimum turning distance for the robot between painted lines, making it ideal for compact or multi-use locations near fences, buildings, or other obstacles.
  • Quick Settings for Football Pitches: Updated templates let users adjust arc radius and line widths in moments, reducing setup time and ensuring consistent results.

These enhancements reinforce Turf Tank’s commitment to accurate, consistent, and efficient line marking—helping grounds teams save time and focus on maintaining first-class playing surfaces.

Request a Live Demonstration at Saltex

Curious to see the robot in action? Visit the Turf Tank stand at Saltex 2025 and request a hands-on demonstration at your own site. Select your preferred layout and watch as the Turf Tank robot brings it to life—no strings or stencils required. You can also request a demo at your site by visiting https://turftank.com/en/ or contacting your local Turf Tank representative:

About Turf Tank

Turf Tank is transforming pitch marking across the UK, from Premier League stadiums to local schools and grassroots clubs. By eliminating the stress and physical effort of traditional line marking, Turf Tank gives groundskeepers, volunteers, and facility managers more time to focus on quality and performance. With over 120 preloaded designs, custom layout options, and dedicated UK-based support, Turf Tank makes marking lines, logos, training layouts, and even car parks effortless.

Join us at Saltex 2025 and discover why thousands of clubs trust Turf Tank to streamline their pitch maintenance and elevate their facilities. Visit https://turftank.com/en/ for more information.

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Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

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Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025: Trimax will launch its latest innovation, OptiAdjust, at Saltex 2025. This groundbreaking system allows operators to change mowing heights without leaving the cab, improving productivity, safety, and cut quality.

Visitors can see OptiAdjust in action on the Trimax stand. Integrated with the Trimax Connect app, OptiAdjust enables operators to adjust cutting heights between 10–80 mm instantly from inside the tractor — reducing downtime, improving workflow, and ensuring greater precision across every pass.

Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

Trimax Unveils OptiAdjust at Saltex 2025

“OptiAdjust is all about giving operators smarter, safer control and increased productivity,” said Rikki Bown, Business Development Manager at Trimax. “It’s a major step forward in mower efficiency and ease of use.”

In addition to OptiAdjust, Trimax will also showcase its proven range of commercial rotary and flail mowers:

  • Striker – Ideal for use on compact tractors, the Striker is a multi-spindled rotary mower offering superb presentation, easy operation, and extremely low maintenance — perfect for sports clubs and private estates.
  • ProCut S5 – Built for full-time commercial use, the ProCut S5 roller mower delivers a high-quality cut and excellent clipping distribution, while eliminating daily maintenance requirements.
  • Force – Trimax’s toughest and most robust flail mower to date. Engineered for extreme conditions, the Force can mulch prunings up to 90 mm and is equipped with a Safety Dispersion Guard meeting ISO17101 standards.

See the future of smarter mowing at the Trimax stand H082 at Saltex 2025.

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SALTEX introduces new arcade zone

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SALTEX introduces new arcade zone: SALTEX, the UK’s cutting-edge turf management show, is thrilled to unveil its brand-new Arcade Zone, a dynamic and interactive space bringing gamification and play to the heart of the exhibition. 

Located in Hall 17, between the Spotlight Stage and the VIP Lounge, the Arcade Zone offers a space to recharge and get stuck into a bit of friendly competition, all without leaving the action. It allows visitors the chance to press pause on business and dive into fast-paced games and win a whole heap of prizes!

SALTEX introduces new arcade zone

SALTEX introduces new arcade zone

Key Features Include:

  • GMA Grass Identification Game– Put your turf knowledge to the test, complete the quiz correctly in the quickest time, and win a year’s GMA membership!
  • Husqvarna Robot Mower Racetrack– Ready, Set, Mow! It’s a battle of speed on Husqvarna’s custom-built track to be crowned champion.
  • Cramer’s Leaf Blower Darts– Propel the ball through the launch tube and register the highest score to win Cramer’s 82V Blower 22 N.
  • Fast Feet Football Challenge– How quick are your feet? Step into the arena and test your agility in this timed football skills challenge. Compete for the leaderboard and bragging rights and your chance to win £100!
  • Racing Simulator -Take on a range of racetracks and be in with a chance to win an Ultimate Adventures Experience Box.
  • Virtual Golf: Closest to the Pin Challenge– Grip it and rip it! Take your best shot on the cityscape hole for your chance to win an Ultimate Adventures Experience Box.

The Arcade Zone is just one of several exciting new features launching at SALTEX in 2025.

Visitors can also look forward to The Workshop with Tom Stidder, offering hands-on guidance to help grounds teams get the best out of their equipment, and a headline Learning LIVE session on mindset from rugby legend James Haskell – followed by a DJ set in the Clubhouse during Happy Hour. And, for the first time ever, parking is FREE for all attendees.

“We’re always looking for fresh ways to enhance the SALTEX experience,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association. “We listen closely to the demands and needs of the industry, and we know that as much as SALTEX is about business and discovering what’s new, it’s also about connecting people to others in the industry. The Arcade Zone brings a playful new energy to the show, encouraging people to interact and enjoy being part of something bigger.”

The Arcade Zone is open to all visitors and free to enjoy. Join us at SALTEX and level up your experience.

Register for FREE and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools Lawn Mower, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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

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