After a year’s absence, SALTEX roared back into life and celebrated a very memorable 75th anniversary.
Put back a year due to the pandemic, the buzz was certainly back on the show floor as SALTEX 2021 reunited the industry and brought together almost 7,500 attendees across two days.
It was apparent among exhibitors and visitors that Europe’s largest annual turf management event was exactly what the grounds management industry needed.
The annual exhibition organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), offered visitors a fantastic opportunity to witness the largest product and service showcase in grounds management, including many new innovations being unveiled for the first ever time at this year’s vibrant show.
New and inspiring technology was celebrated through the SALTEX Innovation Awards; a prestigious hallmark for products showcasing the future of groundscare. From robotics to battery-powered mowers, tractors to utility vehicles, grow lights to chain saws, the entries included a wide variety of high-quality products, services and equipment.
Judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the following innovations at this year’s awards ceremony took the glory:
- Machinery - Ritchie & Ritchie Products LTD - Reversible Bottom Blade
- Consumables - Belchim Crop Protection – Enclean
- Vehicles - Etesia - ET Lander
- Environmental & Sustainability - Reesink Turfcare - Farmtrac FT25G
- Information Technology - SGL – TurfPod
- Equipment - EGO - EGO Professional-X CSX3000 Top-Handle Chain Saw
- Robotics - AMS Robotics - Bigmow RTK and Parc mow RTK
- Special recognition - Origin Amenity Solutions - Origin Amenity Solution Turf Science and Technology Centre
Innovations continued to flourish throughout the event and the ever-popular Eco Village attracted a large amount of footfall. Visitors were able to see cutting-edge sustainable technology in action by GroundWOW, Dennis Mowers, Allett Mowers, Campey Turf Care Systems, Overton UK, Toro and Avant UK.
Every person who registered for SALTEX was in with a chance of winning the battery-powered E6 compact loader from Avant UK on loan for a period of six months, and after being selected by random on the first day of the show, Richard Mason from Sedbergh School was handed the keys to his new prize.
Elsewhere on the show floor, Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s all-encompassing education programme featured over 30 sessions and a number of high-profile speakers who tackled a number of key issues such as the future workforce, climate change and mental health.
Other show features on the GMA Hub, including Pathology and Soil Science Live, Ask The Expert and the Job Clinic, offered invaluable free advice and career progression opportunities.
Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association (GMA) CEO, reflected on what may well have been the most meaningful SALTEX yet. “On behalf of all of us at the GMA we really want to extend our thanks to all our exhibitors and visitors that have showed their support for SALTEX this year. It has been a turbulent period for us all and we are delighted that we got the opportunity to celebrate the 75th edition with so many of you.
“I believe SALTEX 2021 has brought hope for the future and has showcased what our industry is capable of overcoming.”
