SALTEX

SALTEX, the Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition, is gearing up for its 78th edition under the theme of “Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress”

This year’s SALTEX event will take place from 30th to 31st October at the NEC Birmingham, marking another milestone in the grounds care industry. The exhibition will bring together industry-leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe, showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and practices in grounds management. With over 400 brands and thousands of visitors expected, SALTEX 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The Clubhouse has undergone an impressive revamp, introducing a brand-new bar area with stylish wooden slats designed to offer a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Alongside this, SALTEX has curated an agenda within The Clubhouse to foster networking and collaboration across the different sectors. This year, the aim is to unite the industry and power progress by creating opportunities for attendees to share ideas, tips, and insights, driving forward collective growth and innovation. Visitors will also benefit from the Trophy Room, a space available for private meet-ups or team meetings providing a dedicated environment for focused discussions and networking.

This year’s theme centres around how SALTEX enables the industry to continually progress by bringing people together from around the world, helping drive innovation, education, and networking. The exhibition will feature cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to help professionals maintain and improve sports amenities, parks, and public spaces. After a year of remarkable growth in the industry, SALTEX 2024 will welcome back industry giants such as Kubota, Toro, and ISEKI UK & Ireland, reaffirming their support for the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) vision of excellence in grounds management.

Visitors will have a unique opportunity to network and share experiences, and this year’s exhibition promises even more exciting developments. The GMA Hub will provide vital information, including advisory drop-in sessions with experienced pitch advisors, offering personalised advice on the challenges and opportunities that professionals face in their daily operations. There will also be engagement with national governing bodies (NGBs), such as the Football Association, Football Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.

And following its triumphant debut in 2023, the Community Sports Zone is back, dedicated to the unsung heroes of community and volunteer sports grounds. This year, the zone promises to be the place to be for all things turf maintenance for grassroots and community sports clubs. With more space, more machinery, and its very own Learning LIVE stage, the zone will host ten engaging sessions across two days. Topics include Essential Planning for Pitch Improvement Projects and Quality Surfaces on a Shoestring Budget. The machinery on display, from brands such as ISEKI, Dennis and SISIS, Campey Turf Care Systems, and Trimax Mowing Systems, will offer practical solutions for clubs with limited resources.

SALTEX is also renowned for its exceptional professional development opportunities through its industry-leading Learning LIVE programme. Over 20 pioneers, technical specialists, and experts will speak across three stages, including the brand-new Community Sports Stage, making it the largest free live learning event in the sector. The Learning LIVE programme will cover hot topics and issues, offering attendees the opportunity to gain CPD points and engage in big conversations with experts like UEFA’s Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert Lee Guerriero.

Several exhibitors will debut exclusive product launches at SALTEX 2024, giving visitors the first glance of some of the latest technologies. KAR UK will introduce Hunter Industries’ Wireless Valve Link, an innovative system revolutionising irrigation control with unmatched flexibility and efficiency. Kersten will unveil the Zasso ZAP Weeder, the world’s first battery-powered electric walk-in device, designed for eco-friendly weed management. Major Equipment Ltd will showcase its upgraded TDR Rotary Mower, a professional tractor-powered groundcare mower designed for parklands, sports pitches, and semi-rough golf course grass.

This year’s event also marks the retirement of Derek Walder, fondly known as ‘Mr SALTEX,’ after 42 years as Operations Manager. Derek’s career, which spans over six decades, saw him begin as a gardener and rise to Grounds Manager for a major sports field complex in Southwest London. His dedication to the industry has been widely recognised, earning him a British Empire Medal and the GMA Lifetime Achievement Award. SALTEX 2024 will be a special opportunity to celebrate Derek’s contributions to the industry and the exhibition.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA reinvests revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry. Thanks to the success of SALTEX 2023, the GMA has been able to subsidise approximately 67% of its membership base, supporting those at the heart of grounds management. In addition to membership support, the revenue has also funded 1,900 GMA training courses, both in- person and online, further advancing the skills and knowledge of professionals across the industry.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30th and 31st October 2024. For more information and to register, visit [www.saltex.org.uk](http://www.saltex.org.uk/)

HIGHLIGHTS

Kubota introduces zero-turns mower

Groundscare and multi-tool equipment specialist, Kubota, is expanding its zero-turn lawn mower range with the new Z4-541 on show in the UK for the very first time. The Z4-541 features a robust 54” steel fabricated deck, 24hp petrol engine and 360-degree turning capability to effortlessly navigate obstacles and deliver exceptional balance and stability for mowing tasks on uneven terrain.

It is equipped with side discharge, with an optional Operator Controlled Discharge Chute (OCDC) enabling operators to temporarily shut the chute to prevent clippings from ejecting onto pathways. A mulching kit for the Z4-541 is also available. Launched in July, the Z4-541 is the latest addition to Kubota’s zero-turn line-up, which combines unbeatable manoeuvrability with a range of chassis sizes, power sources and discharge options to suit all domestic, pro- consumer and professional applications. Kubota can be found on stand C070

DrainTalent to showcase solution for strong, sustainable sports fields

Following its announcement of an exclusive UK partnership with Hewitt Sportsturf, DrainTalent will showcase its sustainable, circular soil management system at SALTEX. The team will be on hand on stand F107 to discuss the benefits of balancing moisture content and how their award-winning system can contribute to high quality surfaces, capable of hosting more play with fewer cancellations.

DrainTalent can add to pitch quality and plant health. DrainTalent monitors the moisture within the profile in real-time to keep the soil conditions balanced, based on the pitch requirements and live weather conditions. Innovative and unique in its operation, the fully automated DrainTalent system can effectively extract water from the top layer of the pitch during periods of rainfall or re-infiltrate water when required, to support healthy growth and recovery. In addition to moisture management, DrainTalent can also pull air into the subsoil and through the profile to create conditions for vigorous growth and a more stable, hardwearing pitch. DrainTalent is exhibiting on stand F107

Foamstream says it will bring “future of weed control” to SALTEX

Visitors to SALTEX looking to discover the “future of weed control” can visit stand H068, where Weedingtech is showcasing its non-herbicidal solution, Foamstream. Powered by a range of patented machinery developed by Weedingtech, Foamstream has undergone independent academic trials which show it can deliver efficacy comparable to traditional chemical treatments on moss and a wide range of weed species.

The product combines hot water and an organic, biodegradable foam made from plant oils and sugars which insulates the water to retain the heat, ensuring it effectively penetrates the plant and its roots. Together with eradicating the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, reducing future weed growth, treatment cycles and cost. Weedingtech is at stand H068

SAPCA & SportsNation

The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) team will be at SALTEX, with Technical Lead Colin Corline among the event’s speakers. Colin will present a session titled “Artificial grass pitches - what the future looks like” on Wednesday 30 October at 12.15pm.

SportsNation will also be exhibiting and will be on hand to share the magazine’s plans for 2025. Both the SAPCA and SportsNation team will be on hand throughout SALTEX at stand K105