Tag Archive for: Sales

SALTEX sales smashed

SALTEX sales smashed: SALTEX is exceeding expectations with the number of exhibitors already booked for the 2022 show surpassing that of the 2021 show with five months to go until the event.

Still riding high from the huge success of the 75th show, which led the way for the industry back into live events, Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the Grounds Management Association, SALTEX event organisers, says: “Visitors will be in for a treat at SALTEX this year. Stand sales have already surpassed those of 2021 and we have a bigger and better floorplan designed for the 2022 show.

SALTEX sales smashed

SALTEX sales smashed

“With 140 companies confirmed and us welcoming back so many exhibitors from previous years demonstrates the value these industry-leading companies place on attending SALTEX. Plus, with five months until the show and so many active conversations with new companies ongoing, we can guarantee that number will only increase.”

Big brand names already on board from 2021 include Dennis, ISEKI, Origin Amenity, Redexim, Reesink UK with Toro and Sisis. And coming back to join them after a break away are Barrus, Gianni Ferrari, Ransomes, STIHL and STM.

Rob Edwards, marketing manager – tractor business unit at Kubota, another returning exhibitor, says: “It’s essential for Kubota to promote its products to customers and the turf management marketplace and we choose to use SALTEX, as the premier UK event for the turf sector, to do this. We feel that there is a distinct appetite from the marketplace to meet with industry professionals and suppliers and SALTEX is the best event for that. The combination of the exhibition, alongside the training, learning and expert advice opportunities means that SALTEX is the ‘must do’ event for the turf professional and we look forward to attending it in November.”

Sarah continues: “If companies are serious about reaching new and potential customers then SALTEX is a must for the calendar. The feedback from last year’s exhibitors covered how the show provided the platform for meeting high quality business leads from strong visitor numbers as well as giving the opportunity for networking and entertaining with existing customers.”

Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC over two days, 2-3 November, SALTEX is Europe’s largest free to attend sports amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, catering for all sectors of the grounds care industry. It showcases the sector’s latest innovations and technologies, features an education programme with CPD-accredited seminars, and hosts expert speakers providing insights and solutions to current sector-wide issues. It also provides a great opportunity to network with industry colleagues and build new business relationships.

To discuss the option of buying stand space at the 2022 show, email Sarah at scunningham@thegma.org.uk. For visitors keen to register their interest, check online at gmasaltex.co.uk in mid-June.

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New sales operation for EcoBunker

New sales operation for EcoBunker: Leading creator of synthetic bunker edging technology, EcoBunker Ltd, is reinforcing its commitment to the North American market by creating a directly owned subsidiary to support customers across the continent.

Inventor and CEO Richard Allen was the first to install synthetic bunker walls on US soil and his company, EcoBunker Ltd, has been delivering highly successful projects across the continent consistently since 2014.

New sales operation for EcoBunker

New sales operation for EcoBunker

After a short period trading under a different brand name through a distributor, Allen recognised that a better operating model was needed. EcoBunker Ltd has consequently removed its support for the alternative brand and withdrawn the privileges associated with its patented and solely owned patent pending construction methods.

The new approach will to be sell directly to market. This is being done through a new American company, EcoBunker USA LLC, which will be headed by Jay Morgan, (who until now has been running EcoBunker’s Canadian operation), and a commitment to hold stock of the EcoBunker product at several strategically selected locations across North America, ensuring that clients can be serviced as quickly as possible. Another benefit is that trading will be in dollars, making the purchase of EcoBunker as simple as possible for clubs right across the North American continent.

Allen says: “Obviously North America is the biggest golf market in the world, and figuring out how best to support that market has been an important question for us to answer throughout our history. We have developed very successful relationships with distributors across the world, but we have learned over the years that America really needs a different approach and more commitment. Setting up our own operation is a massive investment for us – the largest in the company’s history – but we have done some fantastic projects that provide a strong foundation and the potential for us to grow our business in America is huge. I know that when people think about a synthetic bunker edge, they think first about revetted pots on links courses, but when I first conceived the concept, I was thinking primarily about setting a firm, low edge for bunkers on parkland courses. With our own network of technical experts on hand, we are well placed to solve bunker edging problems for courses across North America.”

The LLC of EcoBunker USA will be established within the next week.

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New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity: Tom Weaver has been announced as the new Central Area Sales Manager for Agrovista Amenity.

Tom initially started his career as a greenkeeper and quickly worked his way up to the position of course manager. He credits his greenkeeping experience for helping to shape his career path and claims that he was proud to once have been ‘on the tools.’

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

At the age of 28 he became a sales advisor for Pitchcare, where he began advising greenkeepers and turf managers on various products – many of which he had previously used. Tom made an impact, and it wasn’t long before he was overseeing the internal sales team.

It was a period in his career that he will always remember fondly.

“For me, the biggest achievement was the team ethos that we have created,” he said.

“We’ve been on a journey together and the department is now such a well-oiled machine.

We’ve got staff ranging in age from 21 to 65, who are all pushing in the same direction – it’s great to see and even better to be a part of.”

Based in Allscott, Telford, Tom will still be leading the internal turf team but in addition he will also be focussing on the external side of the business.

“It is not a case of reinventing the wheel because the external team is the best in the business,” said Tom. “I’m there to offer support and to ensure that I’m always available on the other end of the phone if they need advice or solutions.

“I’m sure there be will lots of twists and turns in the road ahead, but that is part of the job and I fully intend on successfully overcoming any challenges. In terms of my direct line of management I could not ask for much more – my relationship with Dan Hughes (Head of Commercial) and John Marland (Head of Amenity) is very strong and it’s always nice to have their support.

“2022 has the potential to be hugely successful and I truly believe we can do great things here.”

Commenting on Tom’s appointment, Dan Hughes said: “Tom joins an exceptionally talented and experienced Area Management team of James Watson (South) and Ramsay MacGregor (North). Despite still being relatively young, Tom brings a wealth of agronomy skill and proven management experience to the role. At heart Tom is an industry person, sports enthusiast and a conscientious team player who will strengthen our business and engagement with customers.”

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

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New divisional sales manager for Vitax Amenity

New divisional sales manager for Vitax Amenity: Vitax Amenity has appointed a new divisional sales manager as it continues to drive forward plans to expand its presence in turf management and groundcare markets, both in the UK and internationally.

Greg O’Leary joins the team from Roechling Engineering Plastics where he has spent the past 10 years as sales manager responsible for leading the sports and leisure division.

New divisional sales manager for Vitax Amenity

New divisional sales manager for Vitax Amenity

Prior to joining Roechling, Greg has held several national sales manager and sales manager roles, including over 15 years’ experience working in global markets.

Managing a team of six, Greg will be responsible for working with existing UK clients whilst maintaining and growing Vitax Amenity’s international customer-base.

Carl Welsh, Vitax’s managing director and group CEO, says: “Greg has a thorough understanding of the markets we work within, the challenges the industry is experiencing post-Brexit and good ideas about where and how we can continue to grow our portfolio.

“It is an exciting time to join Vitax Amenity and Greg’s strong sales background speaks for itself. We are thrilled to have such an experienced manager join the team.”

Greg will work across all Vitax Amenity’s divisions including Supaturf and Thomas Elliot Fertilisers.

“After working in the same industry for most of my career, I have been looking for a new challenge and I am looking forward to working for a well-established company with its excellent reputation within the industry,” says Greg O’Leary, divisional sales manager at Vitax Amenity.

“Vitax are continually innovating and are well-known for producing a comprehensive range of products with a strong emphasis on quality and cost-effectiveness. I am delighted to be joining such a strong team and looking forward to the new challenges my role brings.”

In his spare time, Greg is a keen golfer and an avid supporter of Make a Wish Foundation, helping to raise funds for children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, as well as speaking on behalf of the charity at events.

To find out more about Vitax Amenity, visit: www.vitaxamenity.co.uk

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New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL: ICL has announced the appointment of Rob Ainscough and Fergal Greenan who both join the company as Technical Area Sales Managers.

Rob Ainscough, Technical Area Sales Manager – North West England

Rob has always held an interest in the science behind sports surfaces which he says was ignited after playing a wide range of sports from an early age. His interest was piqued furthermore when he carried out his school work experience with the grounds staff at Bolton Wanderers FC.

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

This work experience convinced Robert that he wanted a career in sports turf and after school he embarked on a National Diploma at Myerscough College. During his studies he volunteered to be part of the greenkeeping team at the Scottish Open which took place at Loch Lomond Golf Course.

His career in greenkeeping quickly took off and after a spell at Loch Lomond he became the Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Leigh Golf Club.

To further continue his development Robert accepted a two-week trial at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. His trial was quickly extended and after gaining six months experience here he went onto spend a further year in Australia working at Manly Golf Club and Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Upon his return to the UK Rob was offered his previous position Leigh Golf Club and was quickly promoted to Head Greenkeeper at 25 years old.

Fergal Greenan Technical Area Sales Manager – Ireland

Based in Ireland, Fergal joins ICL with an excellent combination of industry qualifications and practical experience.

His extensive skillset has been displayed while working on various major golf courses in the US through the prestigious Ohio State Program.

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

New Technical Area Sales Managers for ICL

Fergal also boasts a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Horticulture, Landscape and Sports Turf Management, together with a Certificate in Teaching, which was utilised in his previous role as a Lecturer (in Horticulture) at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Fergal will be working under Colman Warde, Ireland Country Manager, to build the business and to support ICL distributors.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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