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James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

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James Haskell to headline at SALTEX: SALTEX, the UK’s cutting-edge sports turf, grounds care and landscaping exhibition, is set to welcome one of the most recognisable sporting personalities, James Haskell, for an unmissable Learning LIVE and Clubhouse DJ session on day one of the show. 

Held at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November 2025, SALTEX promises a vibrant mix of industry insight and entertainment. Haskell, a former England international rugby player, will join the stellar Learning LIVE line up and deliver a keynote session. His talk will explore the parallels between elite sport and professional development, touching on leadership, resilience and the importance of adaptability in high-performance environments.

James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

As a former professional athlete, James understands first-hand the critical role high-quality playing surfaces play in elite performance, and he brings a genuine appreciation for the work of grounds staff and turf professionals at all levels.

He is one of the best-known rugby players and sportspeople in the UK, having played 77 times for his country, as well as competing internationally and for the British and Irish Lions. He’s known as much for his ability on the field as for his personality off it.

James will also perform an exclusive live DJ set at the SALTEX Clubhouse to kick off Happy Hour on the afternoon of Wednesday 12 November. Known for his love for electronic music and high-energy performances, he set is said to bring ‘Café Mambo vibes’ to Birmingham – blending uplifting house beats with a relaxed, Ibiza-inspired atmosphere. The Clubhouse offers visitors a unique opportunity to unwind and network in a vibrant, informal setting.

The SALTEX Clubhouse has been revamped for 2025 to provide even more opportunities to unwind. Open throughout the show, it will host informal meetups and specially designed networking events to help visitors build meaningful relationships.

James Haskell said: “I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at SALTEX this year. I know first-hand the difference that world-class pitches make to performance, so it’ll be great to share my experiences from the professional game with the people who make it all possible.

“High performance isn’t just about elite sport and sportspeople, it’s about mindset and finding ways to bring out your best every day. I can’t wait to dive into that with the visitors, and then round things off with a DJ set in the Clubhouse.”

Since retiring from professional sport in 2019, James has embarked on a multi-faceted career as a podcaster, presenter and professional DJ.

He hosts several podcasts, including The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, one of the biggest sports podcasts in the world. He’s also appeared on hit shows such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, The Chase, A League of Their Own, Question of Sport, Fighting Talk, and many more household-name programmes.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have James Haskell joining us at SALTEX 2025,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association. “He is one of the UK’s most recognisable sporting personalities and brings a wealth of experience from the very highest levels of performance, both on and off the pitch. His session will offer valuable insight into resilience and mindset but also provide plenty of entertaining stories.

“Adding someone of James’ stature to an already fantastic Learning LIVE programme just shows the breadth of knowledge and inspiration visitors can expect at this year’s show. And of course, what better way to round off the day than with James swapping the microphone for the decks to kick-start Happy Hour in the Clubhouse Bar. It’s going to be a real highlight of the show.”

SALTEX 2025 is expected to welcome thousands of professionals and volunteers from across the sports turf, grounds care and landscaping sectors, with more than 400 brands and 65+ expert speakers confirmed.

Register for FREE at www.saltex.org.uk 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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Performance leads Brighton College back to Baroness

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Performance leads Brighton College back to Baroness: Brighton College has improved productivity in its grounds maintenance operation with the purchase of a new LM531 fairway mower from Baroness.

Chosen for its outstanding cut quality and ease of use, the new machine will keep on top of mowing the heavily used rugby and cricket facilities at the Jubilee Ground and joins a Baroness LM281 which has been delivering reliable service at the College’s Home Ground for the last four years.

Performance leads Brighton College back to Baroness

Performance leads Brighton College back to Baroness

Head Groundsperson Adrian Brunton oversees a dedicated team of five and, together with a separate gardens team, they manage the three sites which make up the College, Prep School and Pre-Prep School. The grounds are used intensively – not only by pupils but also local sports clubs and even international teams, most recently the New Zealand Women’s Rugby squad as part of their World Cup preparations.

With such high levels of usage, maintaining consistent playing surfaces is key and, as Adrian explains, the Baroness equipment has played a part in that over recent years. “It was partly down to our relationship with Lister Wilder that we really got familiar with Baroness. We purchased an LM281 triple for the Home Ground and that has delivered on all fronts.”

“The results, reliability and aftercare we’ve had with that machine meant that, when the time came to upgrade to a wider mower for the Jubilee Ground, we didn’t look anywhere else.” The new Baroness LM531 features five 22” cutting units which offers high productivity for large areas and superb contour following ability. Powered by a 25hp Kubota engine, it features industry leading blades and cylinders that stay on cut up to three times longer than the competition.

Adrian notes, “The cut quality is outstanding. The cylinders keep their edge to deliver a consistent, high-quality finish from the start of the job to the very end. Since it’s delivery in early August, the LM531 has been out twice a week and then this will drop to roughly once a week over the slower growing months.” He adds, “This machine also enables us to cut down to 10mm which is lower than our previous mower and will give us a better playing surface particularly for cricket.”

The college, too, have been impressed with the service received from both Lister Wilder and Luke Collins from Baroness. “He’s been a constant point of contact for us since our first purchase and has always made himself available for advice and to answer any follow-up questions. That level of support makes such a huge difference.”

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GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

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GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success: As the operations of family-run arb firm Koala Tree Care have grown, as has their relationship with GreenMech – with two efficient and easy-to-maintain woodchippers working hard on jobs across North Somerset.

The most recent addition to their fleet is the turntable Eco 135TT which, running alongside a gravity-fed CS100, provides an economical and safe solution to domestic tree work.

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

Callum Emery founded Koala Tree Care in 2019 and, with the assistance of twin brother Aaron, provide a one-stop shop for all aspects of tree, hedge and general garden maintenance to customers in and around Bristol. With client demand increasing, the business quickly outgrew its small initial chipper and needed equipment that could keep pace with their growth.

Their first upgrade was to a compact, yet capable, CS100 from GreenMech. Ideal for working in tight spaces such as residential gardens, the CS100 offers the quick processing of branches and brash of up to 4”. But with workload still on the rise, the time was right to add an even bigger machine to their fleet in the form of the Eco 135TT.

“Our GreenMech machines have made a massive difference to our workflow” comments Callum. “While the CS100 is still used frequently because of its ability to be wheeled through a house where no external access is available, the investment in the Eco 135TT makes light work of larger jobs. The turntable is such a useful feature – this machine is used most days and is rarely ever used in the straight position! We can alter the chipper to any angle for safe and convenient feeding, and ensure the chippings cleanly make their way into the truck.”

Another thing Callum praises is the ease of maintenance. “Looking after both of these machines is incredibly simple. The Eco 135TT features their disc-blade chipping system which enables me to turn the blade three times before the need to resharpen – which I can also do myself with GreenMech’s disc blade sharpener. This means we can keep downtime to a minimum and keep our busy diary on schedule.”

Processing large and heavy branches with ease, it isn’t just the performance of the ECO 135TT that has impressed the brothers – the service from local GA Groundcare has also been ranked as first rate. “Everything with the purchase and the delivery of the machine in May was really simple.” He adds, “The team at GA, especially Matt Textor and Ashley Stevens, go above and beyond to make sure we’re getting the most out of our machines and are quick to answer any queries or questions we might have.”

For more information on the cost-effective Eco woodchipper series, visit www.greenmech.co.uk

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STIHL to showcase new machines at GroundsFest

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STIHL to showcase new machines at GroundsFest: STIHL will exhibit a range of new products at this year’s GroundsFest, a leading trade show for the grounds management and landscaping industries, taking place from 9th – 10th September 2025 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Among the tools on display will be STIHL’s latest charging innovations and a range of its popular 2025 launches, plus several new battery-powered products such as the PKA 30 Battery Pump Head, the SGA 30 Battery Sprayer, and the WSA 40 Battery Water Container.

STIHL to showcase new machines at GroundsFest

STIHL to showcase new machines at GroundsFest

On stand OSA 30 STIHL will showcase the new CM 8 Charging Management System, which allows up to 8 chargers to be powered via a standard GB 230 V Socket. The CM 8 allows twice as many chargers to be charged on a single fuse, providing a simple solution with no electrical expertise required. Built-in overload protection ensures safe and reliable operation.

STIHL will also be showcasing its most popular 2025 launches, including many AP System battery-powered tools, such as its RMA 7 Lawn Mowers, the BRA 500 & 600 Backpack Blowers, and HSA 140 & 150 Hedge Trimmers.

Visitors can also get hands on with the GTA 40 Pruner and see demonstrations of the new MS 400.1 Chainsaw, which boasts the best power-to-weight ratio of any professional chainsaw in the 60cc class. In addition, complementing this launch, will be three new ranges of chainsaw PPE.

Covering all work cases, the FUNCTION range is ideal for occasional use, while the ADVANCE range is designed specifically for professional arborists and tree workers.

Debuting at GroundsFest is the battery-powered PKA 30 Pump Head, which can be added to the STIHL SG 31 manual sprayer or cut-off machine water tank, helping users to maintain constant pressure automatically. This energy-efficient tool removes the need for manual pumping, saving the user time and boosting productivity.

Also, supporting users in achieving an even liquid application as a full solution, is the SGA 30 battery-powered sprayer. As with the PKA 30, this new tool supports precise distribution of liquids, with a variable pressure adjustment.

Alongside the PKA 30 and SGA 30, visitors will also get to see the new WSA 40. This battery-powered water container has been designed to deliver a mobile water supply to a cut-off machine, such as the TS 410 or TSA 300. Providing automatic and constant pressure, the WSA 40 delivers up to seven tanks of water, with a 30-minute run-time using one AS battery.

Visitors to the STIHL stand OSA 30 will get the chance to see these new tools up close, observe live demonstrations, and speak with STIHL experts for advice and guidance on all STIHL machines.

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

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Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

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Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest: At Groundsfest 2025, Fendt proudly presents a bold new chapter in sustainable machinery: the Fendt E100 Vario, the first fully electric tractor commercially available within the UK & Ireland.

Built for professionals who demand precision, reliability and environmental responsibility, the E100 Vario is a game-changer for grounds care, municipal work and estate management. With zero emissions and low noise, it’s ideal for sensitive environment. The E100 Vario combines the trusted comfort and control of Fendt’s Vario transmission with cutting-edge electric drive technology. It’s quiet, clean and built to the same exacting standards that define every Fendt machine.

Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

“The Fendt e107 S and V Vario will be available to order from autumn 2025 and is being produced at the Marktoberdorf tractor plant. Both the new e100 S and e107 V are supported and serviced by the Fendt dealer network, with trained technicians able to help introduce farmers and growers to the technology and help them reap the full benefit of these innovative machines,” explains Fendt’s Ed Dennett.

The e100 is virtually CO2 neutral, which means CO2 emissions and the tractor’s running costs are significantly reduced. Further cost savings are realised by not having exhaust gas after-treatment, engine filters and engine oil to run the machine.

“With a battery capacity of 100 kWh, the tractor achieves an operating time of around 4-7 hours when used in the partial load range, such as for mechanical weed control or planting work. Energy-intensive operations, like using a trailer in transport, will reduce the operating time,” says Mr Dennett.

The electrically powered tractor is quieter than machines with a conventional diesel engine. This extends the operating time in noise-sensitive areas, especially in residential or urban areas. Approved for a speed of up to 40 km/h, the e-tractor can also be used for short-distance transport to reduce fuel costs.

The Fendt e100 S Vario can be optionally equipped ex works with the Fendt Cargo 3X65 front loader. The design of the Fendt comfort cab is optimised for use with a front loader, with a roof window that offers the best view with a 100° viewing angle. This facilitates front loader work at height, such as storing bales.

“An optional 3L-joystick can be used to operate the front loader which has an integrated directional shift function so operators will not need to change their grip,” adds Mr Dennett.

In line with the automotive standard, the Fendt e100 models are equipped with a CCS2 socket and is compatible with standard wall outlets or public charging points. The Type 2 plug enables charging via alternating current up to 22 kW. The electric Fendts can also be charged via a widely used industrial socket with 32 A in combination with a mobile charger with 22 kW. With this charging capacity, the battery can be fully charged within approx. 5 hours.

Ready for future developments, DC fast charging with up to 80 kW charging power is possible via a CCS socket. Crucially for more demanding operators, Fendt’s battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in around 45 minutes.

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