SALTEX welcomes most diverse audience

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SALTEX welcomes most diverse audience: SALTEX 2024 reached new levels of international engagement, attracting a diverse audience from around the world including attendees from China, Cyprus, India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. 

This year’s show offered high-quality interactions among industry leaders, creating connections that could deliver substantial partnerships and collaborations across borders. With over 7,300 visitors, SALTEX reaffirmed its position as the must-attend exhibition for the entire grounds management industry.

SALTEX welcomes most diverse audience

SALTEX welcomes most diverse audience

The ever-popular Learning LIVE programme, which was attended by over 1,000 visitors, addressed current and future trends in the industry, covering topics from sustainability practices to technological advancements – giving visitors the insights to drive progress within the industry.

With the latest innovations in grounds management technology on display in the shape of 30+ new product launches, exhibitors were able to showcase their state-of-the-art equipment and solutions designed to advance the sector.

This year’s exhibition attracted a high calibre of senior decision-makers from organisations such as Premier League football clubs including Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC and Manchester City, as well as prestigious sporting venues such as Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, Allianz Arena and 2025 Open Championship venue Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The presence of over 130 educational institutions (including universities, colleges and independent schools) and almost 100 local authorities further emphasised SALTEX’s importance as a key networking platform for the whole grounds management sector.

SALTEX saw a rise in younger visitors, with over 20% under the age of 30. The increase shows the exhibition’s strong appeal to the next generation in grounds management.

The expanded Community Sports Zone created even more opportunities for engagement. The larger space welcomed a strong turnout of volunteers and County FA representatives, all eager to enhance their facilities.

Ian Mather-Brewster, Cricket Key Account Manager at the Grounds Management Association (GMA), said: “It was great to see so many volunteers and county pitch advisors as well as County FA and County Cricket Board representatives come together in the expanded Community Sports Zone. These are the people who are dedicated to improving community sports facilities and making their playing surfaces the best they can be for players of all ages. SALTEX offers the perfect opportunity to connect and explore the latest funding opportunities.” 

Malcolm Farrow, a grassroots volunteer from Mowbray Rangers FC said: “Being a volunteer it’s been good to see all the different aspects of turf and seeding and everything else that goes with being involved in grounds. It was definitely worth coming to see all the stands and machinery here and all the information you get that we wouldn’t usually get as a volunteer. The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant, everyone is friendly and has got time to talk to you, and the information has been second to none. Everyone’s been so helpful and friendly, there’s such a friendly atmosphere. SALTEX has been a brilliant experience, it’s been set out so well and I can’t wait to do it again.” 

Revenue generated from SALTEX is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry, helping to fuel growth and advance industry standards. As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA channels this revenue to subsidise memberships and training, while also offering vital resources like independent advice and information.

Beyond training and membership, SALTEX revenue funds several impactful GMA programmes. The annual Industry Awards celebrate excellence in grounds care, bringing recognition to professionals and volunteers across the sector. The annual #Groundsweek campaign, reaching over 18 million online in 2024, promotes the contributions of grounds staff and encourages new talent to join the field.

Additionally, SALTEX funds support diversity initiatives like the ‘Women in Grounds’ event at Emirates Stadium, spotlighting the role of women in grounds management and reaching an audience of 188 million.

Rhys Adams, National Sales Manager at Milwaukee Tools said: “SALTEX has been really good for us, and it’s been busy as always. For us it’s a nice central point for us to meet customers and there’s lots of new products coming out so it’s a great opportunity to see that. We find that there’s a lot of end users here and it’s great to see them using our products. For the users that haven’t used our products, it’s a fantastic opportunity to put the product in their hands and speak to some of the larger councils and new dealerships.” 

Geoff Webb, CEO at the Grounds Management Association, said: “The success of SALTEX 2024 reaffirms its role as an essential meeting ground for the global grounds management community. This year, SALTEX continued to attract a broad audience from across the globe, which shows the international relevance of the exhibition as the industry’s hub for knowledge sharing and innovation. It was also clear to see the significant investment from exhibitors in their stands and setups, with a large number of exhibitors choosing SALTEX as the destination to launch their brand-new products. 

“Our Learning LIVE programme continues to be one of the standout features offering visitors the latest insights on topics such as sustainability and technological progress, and more ensuring they have the tools to address today’s challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s needs. 

“We’re committed to ensuring that SALTEX remains not only the go-to event in the UK but also a significant event on the international stage, with a layout and programme tailored to serve the evolving needs of the grounds management industry.” 

Looking ahead, SALTEX will return to its traditional November slot next year, taking place on 12-13 November 2025. The event will also relocate to Halls 17, 18 and 19 at the NEC, introducing a refreshed layout designed to enhance the experience for both visitors and exhibitors.

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Avant 225 is the Perfect Workhorse

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Avant 225 is the Perfect Workhorse: For Jeff Clark, maintaining his acre-and-a-half property in rural North Wales has become significantly easier thanks to the Avant 225 compact loader.

Jeff, who has some woodland, and a main field to maintain, has found the perfect solution in this versatile machine.

Jeff has extensive experience with various types of equipment, often testing new machinery for manufacturers. Initially, he sought a ride-on mower but soon realised he needed something more versatile. “I went to Clwyd Agricultural looking for a flail mower to attach to my ride-on, but I saw the Avant and thought it looked interesting,” Jeff says. After some consideration and a test drive, Jeff traded his ride-on mower for the Avant 225, along with various attachments for it.

“I needed a machine that could mow, tow a trailer, and help me move things around the garden,” Jeff explains. “I’m 76, not getting any younger, and not as strong as I used to be. The Avant seemed to be the perfect machine to help me. It’s invaluable and well worth the money we invested. The bucket on the front is large and versatile; you can even mix cement in it, which I’ve found very useful.”

One of the standout features for Jeff is the quick-release coupling for changing attachments. “The changeover of attachments is very quick. A quick flick of a lever and there’s no effort involved,” he says.

The Avant 225’s versatility shines through in various tasks. “I’ve planted apple trees with the mini digger attachment. Rather than spending hours digging a hole, it’s done in five minutes,” Jeff explains. “The 1500 out-front mower attachment does an extremely good job, and the adjustable height of cut is perfect for the different areas we have here.”

Jeff also utilised the Avant 225 for a significant project on his driveway. “The front drive was covered in pebbles, and I didn’t want to lose them when I had it tarmacked. The Avant picked up 8 tonnes of pebbles, which I’ve since used around raised beds and paths. The machine has probably paid for itself already.”

For Jeff, the best feature of the Avant 225 is its versatility. “It does everything I want – it carries weights, pulls the trailer, and carries most things in the bucket up and down the garden. I even use it to pull trees from the woodland area with a rope. It’s a muscle saver and works really well. I don’t think I could do without it.”

“The joystick is easy to use, and the seat warmer is fantastic in the winter,” he adds.

The Avant 225’s impressive capabilities include a 1.4m lift height, 350kg lift capacity, 10 km/h speed, and 42 L/min auxiliary hydraulics. Easy to transport with a car trailer, it’s a powerful and versatile compact loader despite its small size. The articulated design and hydraulic 4×4 transmission are similar to larger Avant models, ensuring efficient operation with excellent visibility and easy-to-use controls.

As well as being impressed with the machine Jeff praised Clwyd Agricultural, the local dealer, for their excellent service and support. “They are lovely people, easy to deal with, and very helpful,” he notes.

Overall, the Avant 225 compact loader has proven to be the ideal workhorse for Jeff Clark, providing the versatility and efficiency needed to maintain his land with ease.

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk

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GMA unveils Pioneer Legacy

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GMA unveils Pioneer Legacy: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has proudly launched the Pioneer Legacy initiative, a new recognition scheme that celebrates the remarkable achievements of both past and present members of GMA NextGen sponsored by Reesink UK (formerly the GMA Young Board).

This initiative aims to honour the contributions of young professionals who have significantly shaped the future of the grounds management industry. At its core is the Pioneer Mark, a unique legacy number awarded to each GMA NextGen member, symbolising their lasting impact on the profession. These marks will be awarded retroactively to previous members and will continue to be given to new members as they join.

GMA unveils Pioneer Legacy

GMA unveils Pioneer Legacy

“The GMA NextGen Pioneer Mark is a tribute to the remarkable work carried out by our NextGen members and former Young Board members,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA. “Their contributions have helped shape the industry we see today and will continue to do so for years to come. By awarding each member with a Pioneer Mark, we are recognising their individual achievements and ensuring their legacy lives on within the grounds management industry.”

The first three Pioneer Marks were presented at SALTEX 2024, the UK’s premier event for the grounds care sector, to three GMA NextGen members: Louise Saunders, Joe Broadwood, and Anthony Facey, who have stepped down after a combined 20 years of exceptional service between them.

Anthony Facey (#016), Vice Chair of GMA NextGen, has brought innovative ideas and a collaborative spirit to the group. His work on various projects, including the ‘Schools into Stadia’ initiative, has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the industry.

Louise Saunders (#031) has been a driving force in promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. As the first female member of the NextGen group, she has made great strides in championing women in the industry – as a result the group has welcomed three inspiring women (Meg Lay, Liddy Ford and Beth Gibbs) who will continue to drive the EDI strategy forward.

Joe Broadwood (#025), Chair of GMA NextGen, has been instrumental in advancing the professional development of young grounds people. His leadership in the ‘Schools into Stadia’ programme has been particularly impactful, helping to foster a new generation of grounds management professionals.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA, has paid tribute to the three members stepping down: “Louise, Joe, and Anthony have each brought fresh energy and vision to GMA NextGen. Over the years they’ve been instrumental in progressing key initiatives with the aim of getting younger people into the industry. Their leadership will be missed but their influence will continue to shape the industry through the legacy they leave behind. The aim of the new Pioneer Legacy initiative is to ensure the contributions of past and present members to the grounds management industry are recognised in the right way.”

This initiative not only celebrates individual achievements but also ensures that the contributions of these young professionals are remembered and honoured for years to come.

To find out more about the GMA NextGen, or to see how you can get involved, please visit www.thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors

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Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

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Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS: AMS Contractors have been praised for their role in a multi-year project to improve the quality of the sports surfaces at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

The team visited in early 2024 to re-grade and fully renovate the second of three football pitches at their Teddington Lock Sports Campus, where the university are still reaping the rewards of last year’s renovation work with enhanced pitch appearance and performance.

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Overseeing the 30-acre campus, which includes sports pitches, athletics facilities and amenity areas is Grounds Manager David Ember. He explains that a combination of location and high usage is driving the current facility improvement programme. “The three football pitches, rugby pitch and practice facilities operate at over 90% capacity with mid-week games, as well as fixtures at the weekend for commercial and community teams. With a number of local clubs already calling Teddington their home, and other notable venues like The Lensbury nearby, we felt the time was right to invest in our surfaces.”

David spoke with AMS Contractors who undertook the first phase of the works in April 2023. “They did a pitch levelling operation which involved fraise mowing the top of the surface off, power-harrowing, dressing, raking and levelling the surface before re-seeding and beginning the feeding programme. The whole project went swimmingly and, with a little help from mother nature, the results were fantastic!”

“Come the end of the season, the pitch had withstood the pressures of the high wear – even the goal mouths, which tend to be the telltale areas, had retained coverage.”

With one pitch renovated, AMS returned at the end of April 2024 to commence works on the next. “This pitch had always been problematic with significant undulations and steep hollows which risked injury to the players. The process was similar to that conducted previously, with the addition of laser-grading to ensure we achieved optimal, pin-point accuracy with the flattening and finishing.”

Though the weather wasn’t as kind this time around, it didn’t dampen spirits… or results! “AMS had three operatives on site every day, including Myles Strange who was involved in every stage of the project and still checks in regularly to make sure everything is on track.” David adds, “When you see the team arrive on site, with quality equipment that looks well maintained it all helps to instil confidence in what will be achieved. What was really appreciated was AMS’ willingness to juggle their schedule to get our job done at the right time, in the right conditions. This undoubtedly helped the end result, which is fantastic once again.”

“We’re now find ourselves in a position where the quality of the pitches is better than the infrastructure we have to support them, so reviewing things like our irrigation systems is the next step. We’ll then speak with AMS again about bringing similar improvements to the rest of the surfaces on the site.”

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Green-tech and HC Wraxall Announce Strategic Partnership

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Green-tech and HC Wraxall Announce Strategic Partnership: Green-tech has announced a strategic partnership with HC Wraxall to strengthen its green roof substrate supply in the South of England. This collaboration will see Wraxalls manufacture, bag, and distribute the market-leading Green-tree Intensive substrates.

This collaboration represents the culmination of a longstanding relationship between the two companies, both renowned for their contributions to the UK green roof sector. It reinforces their commitment to raising standards and promoting sustainable practices.

Green-tech and HC Wraxall Announce Strategic Partnership

Green-tech and HC Wraxall Announce Strategic Partnership

Both parties recognised the potential for joining forces to grow their market share in substrate supplies. Wraxalls will manufacture and bag the Green-tree Intensive product in the south. In turn, Green-tech will offer substrate in the north, reducing lead times and transport-related carbon emissions. This arrangement provides both parties with a wider geographical area and the ability to maintain quality product supply.

Green-tech’s range of Green-tree soils and growing media is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. Products are manufactured using organic compost and overburdened sand from quarries, which would otherwise end up in landfills. Green-tree products are used in projects focused on environmental sustainability and maintaining green credentials.

Green-tree substrates have been specified on many green roof projects throughout the UK and are currently serviced from their facilities in North Yorkshire. By aligning with Wraxalls, Green-tech aims to streamline delivery and availability, making it easier to meet growing demand from urban and green infrastructure projects in the South of England and London.

Mark Wood, Business Development Director at Green-tech, commented, “Wraxalls has been a respected supplier and member of the UK green roof sector for many years, and this agreement marks a new chapter in our relationship. With the growth in the UK Green roof sector, expanding our supply capabilities in the south is sensible. Our two companies share common values and goals, and working with Nigel Wraxall and his team to finalise this agreement has been a pleasure. It’s exciting to see Green-tech’s strategy for growth in the market and our push further into Green Blue infrastructure taking shape.”

Nigel Wraxall, Managing Director of HC Wraxall, echoed these sentiments. “I’m delighted to be partnering with Green-tech. I’ve known the business and Mark personally for many years and have been impressed by their approach and ambition. I look forward to increasing our supply in an exciting and rapidly expanding market. Our collective expertise and infrastructure mean customers across the UK will have even better access to high-quality green roof substrates. As demand for sustainable building materials continues to rise, this agreement puts us in a strong position to meet the needs of the industry.”

Production is already underway, with stock available to service the southern market. This partnership solidifies Green-tech and Wraxalls as key players in delivering sustainable and innovative green roof solutions, reinforcing their commitment to advancing the green building movement in the UK.

This collaboration marks a new era in Green-tree substrate availability, providing clients with easier access to sustainable materials while maintaining the highest quality standards and environmental responsibility.

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