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Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

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Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter®, the premium British lawncare brand, has concluded a highly successful appearance at Glee 2026, marking its 80th anniversary with a refreshed stand experience and the introduction of a new Lawn Care Tools range designed to strengthen its position as a complete garden performance brand.

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Hayter® celebrates 80 years of British lawncare with a successful Glee

Across the three-day event, Hayter presented its iconic Harrier® and Hawk lawnmowers alongside early merchandising concepts and POS solutions for the new tools range. Retailers responded positively to the brand’s clear product direction, premium packaging and design-led approach to elevating the lawncare category.

The Harrier, first introduced in 1970, remains one of Hayter’s most recognisable products and continues to be a cornerstone of the brand’s heritage. The model has earned long-standing industry recognition, including a BAGMA ‘Machine of the Year’ award in the 1980s and the ‘Mower of the Decade’ accolade from Service Dealer in 2007.

The Hawk range also attracted strong interest from retailers seeking lightweight, compact solutions for smaller gardens. Available in 36cm and 43cm cutting widths, Hawk models offer Hayter’s signature cut quality with an innovative storage design that reduces the mower’s footprint by up to 70%.* This feature was particularly well-received by retailers serving younger homeowners and customers with limited storage space.

A key highlight of the show was the preview of Hayter’s new Lawn Care Tools range. Designed to complement the brand’s mower portfolio, the tools feature premium materials, full-colour retail packaging and merchandising concepts that provide garden centres with a cohesive, high-quality alternative in a category often dominated by mass-market imports.

“Glee 2026 has been an important milestone for Hayter,” said Craig Hoare. UK sales and Marketing Manager. “As we celebrate 80 years of British lawncare expertise, we’re proud to present a product direction that blends heritage, innovation and modern design. The response from retailers has been extremely positive, and we look forward to building on this momentum throughout the 2027 season.”

Hayter will continue to roll out updates on the Lawn Care Tools range ahead of its full launch, with further details to be shared with trade partners later this year.

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STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

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STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

A successful press day took place at Allianz Stadium on September 23rd, as STIGA teamed up with England Rugby to host trade and consumer press, alongside influencers, to celebrate the brand-new, revolutionary pitch and the latest chapter in their multi-year partnership.

STIGA & England Rugby Press Day...Getting the Pitch Perfect

STIGA & England Rugby Press Day…Getting the Pitch Perfect

And when we say pitch perfect, we mean it!

The partnership underlines STIGA’s commitment to supporting volunteers and grounds teams, helping create world-class playing surfaces at every level of the game…from grassroots rugby right through to the international stage. Because, as every rugby fan knows, you can have all the talent in the world, but it helps if the pitch behaves itself too!

The day provided a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the RFU and STIGA teams, get behind the scenes of the new pitch and, of course, capture plenty of interviews and content.

Jim Buttar, RFU Head of Grounds and Technical Operations, and Alex Cohen, Stadium Development Director at Allianz Stadium, delivered excellent presentations covering both the reasons behind the new pitch and the technical detail involved in getting it laid and ready for action.

The STIGA team were also on hand to explain how the partnership with England Rugby is making a difference across the game. James Gordon, Managing Director of STIGA UK, and Sam Fletcher, Business Development Manager at STIGA UK, shared how STIGA’s robotic mowing machines are helping rugby clubs keep their pitches in top condition…while also supporting the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make match day possible.

They explained how the partnership is helping clubs and communities from the grassroots up, giving grounds teams and volunteers a little more time to concentrate on what really matters…rather than spending every waking hour chasing a mower around a pitch!

The day finished with a behind-the-scenes tour of Allianz Stadium, taking in the press areas, changing rooms and, finally, the star of the show…the brand-new pitch.

And what a pitch it was. Absolutely outstanding.

After all, at Allianz Stadium, the players might be responsible for the tackles, tries and turnovers…but STIGA is making sure the stage is set for the rugby community to put on their own show.

A great day, a great partnership, and one seriously impressive playing surface.

For more information on how rugby clubs can get involved with the partnership and sign up for benefits, please go to: www.stiga.com/uk/stiga-x-rfu

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Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

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Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Managing 76 acres of school grounds, 16 football and rugby pitches, 14 cricket squares, athletics facilities, tennis courts and woodland is no small task. For Grounds Manager Shaun Crowley and his team at Farleigh School in Hampshire, finding smarter ways to maintain the site without compromising standards has become essential.

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

Kress Gives Farleigh School More Time Where It Matters

The answer came in the form of Kress robotic mowers and battery-powered equipment, enabling the team to work more efficiently while maintaining the high-quality presentation expected at one of the country’s leading independent schools.

Having worked at Farleigh School for 15 years and spent the last six as Grounds Manager, Shaun oversees a small team responsible for keeping the extensive sports facilities in first-class condition throughout the year.

With staffing pressures increasing, Shaun began exploring robotic mowing technology to free up valuable time for his team.

“We were a staff member down and needed to maximise the best way of cutting the grass,” explained Shaun. “We couldn’t afford to have someone sitting on a mower all day, so we started looking at robotics.”

After researching several options, Kress stood out.

“What really sold Kress to me was the charging time and the runtime. A quick charge gives you hours of cutting, so they spend more time working than sitting on charge. They’re also incredibly flexible and can work day or night in virtually all weather conditions.”

Following an initial demonstration from local Kress dealer ATH Machinery, Shaun introduced his first Kress KR236 robotic mower before quickly expanding the fleet to three machines.

Today, the robotic mowers maintain around 78,000 square metres of grass, saving approximately ten and a half hours of mowing every week.

Those time savings have transformed the way the grounds team operates.

“The robots aren’t replacing anyone,” said Shaun. “They’re giving us more time to do all the other jobs that often get pushed aside. Instead of spending hours cutting an outfield several times a week, we can concentrate on all the other tasks that make a difference.”

The lightweight nature of the robots also provides significant advantages throughout the year.

“If you miss a cut with a conventional mower because the ground is wet, suddenly you’re trying to catch up. The Kress robots keep on top of the grass all the time. They’re lightweight enough to work when larger machinery might not be suitable, and because they’re cutting little and often, the quality of finish is consistently high.”

Alongside robotics, Shaun has invested heavily in the Kress commercial battery-powered range, including hedge trimmers, blowers, brushcutters, pruning equipment and walk-behind mowers.

“The battery equipment has been a no-brainer for us,” he said. “The runtime is fantastic and the fast charging means we’re never waiting around. On some of the batteries you’re talking about an eight-minute charge before you’re back working again.”

Beyond productivity, the battery equipment has improved the working environment for the team.

“Not having petrol fumes, less vibration and lower noise levels makes a huge difference, especially around a busy school. We’ve also got solar panels generating electricity, so charging the batteries simply made sense. It fits perfectly with where we’re heading.”

Equally important has been the support provided by local dealer ATH Machinery.

“You can have the best product in the world, but without good backup it’s pretty ineffective,” Shaun explained. “Tim Lane and the team at ATH Machinery have been brilliant. If I have a question, they’re always there to help, and that gives you confidence when you’re investing in new technology.”

For Shaun, the move to Kress has been about far more than simply changing machinery.

“It’s helped us work more effectively, maintain high standards and make better use of our time. I genuinely think robotics are the way forward for schools. They’re another member of the team, helping us keep on top of everything while allowing us to focus on the jobs that really need people.”

For more information, please visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/

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Agrovista scales up robotic infrastructure to meet growing demand

Agrovista scales up robotic infrastructure to meet growing demand

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Agrovista scales up robotic infrastructure to meet growing demand

Agrovista Amenity has significantly expanded its robotics division following a sustained increase in demand for autonomous turfcare solutions, reinforcing its commitment to providing market-leading support, installation and aftersales service.

Agrovista scales up robotic infrastructure to meet growing demand

Agrovista scales up robotic infrastructure to meet growing demand

Having spent more than a year successfully distributing line marking machines and mowers, the company has made a major investment in its robotics infrastructure to support continued growth and ensure customers receive best-in-class technical expertise.

As part of this expansion, Agrovista has come to an agreement to succeed XDC’s robotic operation. The move sees experienced robotic specialist Liam Pindred join the Agrovista team, alongside autonomous solutions and drone technology specialist Brian Turner.

Together with Dave Mitchell, who joined the business in 2025, the trio forms a dedicated robotics division focused on demonstrations, installations and aftersales support across the UK.

The investment reflects the rapid growth of robotic technology within the amenity sector, with more customers embracing autonomous solutions to improve productivity, consistency and efficiency.

“We’ve seen exceptional growth in demand for robotic technology over the past year, and it was clear we needed to invest further in the infrastructure behind the technologies,” said Dan Hughes, Head of Commercial (Amenity) at Agrovista UK.

“By expanding our dedicated robotics team with some of the industry’s most experienced specialists, we’re ensuring customers receive the highest levels of support from initial demonstration through to installation and long-term aftersales care. This investment is about building the expertise and service infrastructure needed to support the continued evolution of robotics in the amenity sector.”

Alongside strengthening its technical support team, Agrovista continues to benefit from ongoing developments across its robotic product portfolio.

The RM21 robotic mower has received a series of specification enhancements, while the RLM01 robotic line marker continues to evolve through battery improvements, software upgrades and enhanced logo-marking capabilities, delivering greater efficiency and performance for customers.

To complement its robotic line marking systems, Agrovista has also developed its own specialist line marking paints and nozzle range. Dave Mitchell, Line Marking Business Development Manager comments that ‘the MaxLine range has been formulated for optimal presentation and value at all levels, the Titanium paint has been launched as a premium RTU (ready to use) which we have made to optimise spray lines through robotic line marking technology.”

The expansion positions Agrovista to support the growing adoption of robotics across sports turf, golf, local authority and wider amenity markets, ensuring customers have access not only to the latest autonomous technologies but also to the technical expertise required to maximise their investment.

With dedicated specialists, enhanced infrastructure and continually evolving technology, Agrovista is strengthening its position as one of the UK’s leading providers of robotic solutions for the amenity industry.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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SALTEX 2026 exhibitor line-up gathers pace

SALTEX 2026 exhibitor line-up gathers pace

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SALTEX 2026 exhibitor line-up gathers pace

SALTEX 2026 is continuing to gather momentum ahead of its landmark 80th edition, with a growing line-up of leading brands, innovative suppliers and new exhibitors are set to showcase the latest products, technologies, and services for grounds management professionals at the NEC Birmingham on 11-12 November.

SALTEX 2026 exhibitor line-up gathers pace

SALTEX 2026 exhibitor line-up gathers pace

Bringing together the entire grounds management community under one roof, SALTEX remains the industry’s premier destination for discovering new solutions, comparing products, and building relationships with the people shaping the future of sports turf, amenity, and landscape management.

This year’s exhibitor line-up reflects both the strength and evolution of the sector. New exhibitors for 2026 include Consolidate Turf Solutions, Mammotion, Amazone, Graco BV and Limonta Sport, all of whom will be showcasing innovative products, technologies, and services to the grounds management community.

David Thomson, Marketing Manager at Amazone LTD said: “We are excited to be back at SALTEX after eight years and are looking forward to meeting both new and existing customers.

SALTEX provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our new Profimowers to the grounds management sector. It represents a different market to those we have traditionally operated in, but one with significant potential. We believe our machines are ideally suited to a wide range of applications, including local authorities, golf courses, contractors, caravan parks and other amenity environments, and we’re excited to demonstrate their capabilities to visitors.”

They join a strong list of returning exhibitors, including industry leaders Dennis Mowers and SISIS, ISEKI UK & Ireland, Kubota, MJ Abbott, GKB Machines, Howardson Group, Raw Stadia, Net World Sports, Campey Turf Care Systems, Baroness, Tudor Environmental, WorkPal, STIHL, Wiedemann, STM, STIGA and Kioti.

Demonstrating growing confidence in SALTEX and its ability to connect suppliers directly with buyers and end users, several exhibitors have increased their investment in the show. Cramer, Stogger Turfcare, D.W. Tomlin and Wessex International have all significantly expanded their stand space for 2026, creating greater opportunities for visitors to explore their latest products, technologies, and services.

The calibre of SALTEX visitors continues to be a major draw for exhibitors. Three-quarters (75%) of attendees are senior decision-makers with influence over purchasing and operational strategies, while 36% manage purchasing budgets of between £200,000 and £500,000. SALTEX is also attracting an increasingly international audience, with international attendance growing by 7%, creating valuable opportunities for exhibitors to connect with high-value buyers, industry leaders and decision-makers from across the UK and overseas.

New and returning exhibitors alike will use SALTEX as a platform to showcase the latest innovations shaping the future of grounds management, reinforcing the exhibition’s reputation as the industry’s leading destination for product launches, technological developments, and practical solutions.

Few companies demonstrate the heritage of SALTEX better than Howardson Group, which has exhibited at every edition of the show throughout its 80-year history, underlining the event’s enduring importance to the grounds management sector.

For visitors, the benefits extend far beyond viewing products. SALTEX provides a unique opportunity to compare equipment side-by-side, speak directly with manufacturers, explore emerging technologies and discover practical solutions to many of the challenges facing the industry, from sustainability targets and labour shortages to improving playing surfaces, managing resources efficiently and enhancing operational performance.

Whether managing a Premier League stadium, racecourse, golf course, school, university, local authority facility or community sports club, attendees will have access to products, expertise and solutions designed to support better outcomes both on and off the field of play.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events, Grounds Management Association, said: “The exhibitor line-up for our 80th edition demonstrates the continued strength, diversity and innovation within the grounds management sector. We’re delighted to welcome new exhibitors to SALTEX, while also seeing long-standing supporters return year after year and several companies significantly increase their presence.

“From established brands such as Net World Sports, Campey Turf Care Systems and Baroness to innovative new exhibitors bringing fresh solutions to market, SALTEX remains the best place to see what’s new, compare products and make informed purchasing decisions.

“The quality of the audience is equally important. With the majority of visitors involved in purchasing decisions and significant budgets represented across the show floor, SALTEX continues to provide exhibitors with direct access to the people who influence investment and operational decisions throughout the sector.

“Whether visitors are looking for the latest machinery, sustainable solutions, autonomous technology, facility management tools or expert advice, SALTEX continues to provide unrivalled access to the people, products and innovations shaping the future of the industry.”

Alongside the extensive exhibition, visitors will be able to access more than 30 hours of free CPD-accredited education through Learning LIVE, network with peers in the Clubhouse and discover the latest developments shaping the future of grounds management.

With exhibitor demand continuing to grow and major brands increasing their presence, the landmark 80th edition is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most influential SALTEX events to date.

For more information and to register for free, visit www.saltex.org.uk

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