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SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

May 19, 2020/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021: In light of continued restrictions surrounding mass gatherings, combined with the unprecedented impact on all of us from Covid-19, the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Board of Directors has taken the unanimous decision to move SALTEX to early Spring 2021. This outcome has been guided by discussions with key industry […]

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

May 18, 2020/in Machinery, Press Release/by Lee Stern

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners: Honda UK Lawn & Garden has declared the UK a nation of green gardeners as planting season leapt into full swing. Gardeners made the most of lockdown, social distancing and the glorious sunshine by cultivating their way to a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle as Honda tiller sales soared and […]

SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

May 19, 2020/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

May 18, 2020/in Machinery, Press Release/by Lee Stern

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SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

May 19, 2020/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021: In light of continued restrictions surrounding mass gatherings, combined with the unprecedented impact on all of us from Covid-19, the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Board of Directors has taken the unanimous decision to move SALTEX to early Spring 2021. This outcome has been guided by discussions with key industry bodies, as well as exhibitors.

Like everyone else, the GMA has continued to follow Government guidance, and the science involved, to guide its business during this unprecedented time. Despite early optimism, a decision has been made to move the exhibition to March 2021 – taking into account the best interests of all parties involved.

SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

By acting now, it gives the sector an opportunity to re-group and recover ahead of the next trade show. SALTEX will be now held on 3 and 4 March 2021, and the GMA is also realigning the following year so that SALTEX runs in Spring 2022.

The GMA’s decision is based on ensuring the safety of everyone connected with such an event. The association believes this is the most responsible course of action – given current circumstances.

Speaking about the announcement David Carpenter, Independent Chair of the GMA stated: “We would like to reassure our community that personal wellbeing remains our top priority. It is a case of mixed concerns at the moment, but I am hugely optimistic because I believe that the rescheduling of SALTEX in November 2020 will result in a much stronger show in Spring 2021. The new date will enable even more people to visit and celebrate the innovation, technology and the passion that the grounds industry represents – including excellent networking opportunities, as well as focussing on new business needs.”

Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA said: “This has been a difficult decision to make, and I hope all our exhibitors join forces with us to mark a return to more ordinary working conditions in the not too distant future. Professional and personal lives have been placed on hold, and that in turn will have a knock-on effect. We want to help ease that load at the moment.

“We’ve seen the grounds community come together and adapt during this challenging period, and we hope that exhibitors help us host something beyond a trade show – a celebration of what our industry can overcome when working together.”

The GMA also believes that holding the 75th SALTEX on 3 and 4 March 2021 will help all companies get the respite required to readjust to changing professional and personal circumstances. The organisation understands the impact of Covid-19 for many businesses and individuals within the grounds management industry.

Geoff Webb continues: “Next year, the event will provide a huge opportunity for our sector to regroup, reunite and celebrate. After this difficult period, the show will help to rekindle the economic activity of the industry. Until then, all our thoughts and support are with those facing the challenges posed by the spread of Coronavirus.”

GMA is pleased to be able to honour all existing bookings and has also secured the same halls at the NEC to minimise disruption for exhibitors. It is also in the process of contacting exhibitors with new payment terms, with later dates, and it is also working with companies that may require further assistance during this challenging period.

The GMA and its SALTEX partners are working closely together to assist businesses with the transition. The GMA can be contacted for further support via SALTEX@thegma.org.uk.

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UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

May 18, 2020/in Machinery, Press Release/by Lee Stern

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners: Honda UK Lawn & Garden has declared the UK a nation of green gardeners as planting season leapt into full swing.

Gardeners made the most of lockdown, social distancing and the glorious sunshine by cultivating their way to a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle as Honda tiller sales soared and the Lawn and Garden division achieved 110% of targeted sales in April. There was plenty of mowing and trimming action, too, as the perfectly manicured garden captured Britain’s imagination.

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

An appetite to garden, and more specifically plant, swept the nation. Honda’s tiller sales outstripped target by 327%, signalling sowing season is well underway and the grow your own movement is taking hold in flower beds across the country.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, vegetable planting is in-vogue; a third of a million people sought advice online on growing food at home and research on sowing seeds was also up 40% in the first 9 days of lockdown.

The grow your own movement was already fast-gaining momentum with Wyevale Garden Centres reporting vegetable plant sales rose by 30% over the five years leading up to 2018. The lockdown has encouraged even more Brits to bring food from pot-to-table into their diet and reduce their carbon footprint in the process by adopting an environmentally conscious, self-sufficient lifestyle.

Lawns were not to be ignored though as keen gardeners flocked to buy izy lawnmowers, which accounted for 42% of Honda Lawn & Garden’s April sales, with the powerful, robust and lightweight HRG 416 PKEH model topping the charts.

Fully-charged with technology and left to its own devices, Small Miimo lavished greens with TLC leaving owners to enjoy, tan and play in their gardens without lifting a finger. Having just joined the Lawn & Garden range, it’s little surprise the smart and feature-packed model made up 78% of Honda UK’s robotic lawnmower sales in the month.

Sure to help those in market for a new lawnmower is the ‘know before you mow’ tool (https://www.hondaengineroom.co.uk/power/know-before-you-mow/). The free, simple, online tool matches your mowing needs to the right mower; choose your garden size, the type of gardener you are and you’ll be paired with the perfect model from Honda’s expansive range of push, ride-on and robotic lawnmowers.

The ‘Trade In To Trade Up’ savings campaign assisted with April’s success. With £100 off Small Miimo, £75 off petrol izy and electric izy-On push mowers and £50 savings on tillers, there’s a deal to had for everyone in the campaign that applies widely to the Lawn & Garden product range and runs until September 30^th2020, online (https://store.honda.co.uk/) and in dealers.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Products at Honda (UK) comments: “It’s great that we have managed to overachieve this month despite the circumstances. I’m delighted to see the public making the most of the brilliant weather and lockdown conditions, too, tending to their gardens to make them summer-ready with a Honda power tool”.

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.

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SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

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SALTEX to reschedule to March 2021

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

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