SEEN AT THE SHOW

Highlights from GroundsFest

Service Dealer editor, Steve Gibbs, writes . . .

The second edition of the GroundsFest exhibition took place this week on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 10th and 11th 2024) at Stoneleigh Park.

Whilst there was plenty to see all round the showground, some exhibitors of interest to Service Dealer's readers included:

Kress had a huge complex of a stand that the organisers recognised with the Best Outdoor Stand prize. It truly dominated the entrance to the show. They also also chose to have a (not insignificant) stand inside too. This was a serious commitment to the show and it's visitors - allowing all those interested to get hands on with their kit outside, and perhaps have a more in-depth, quieter sit-down discussion with representatives inside.

Tony Macer

I chatted with the company's sales director UK & Ireland, Tony Macer, who told me he was delighted with the show - and indeed with the growth that Kress has seen in the UK during these past few years. He said, "We are a dealer only brand that is committed to the dealer network." He spoke of the great progress they are making placing their robotic mowers into the UK's golf courses and how further expansion is ongoing across other professional sports.

He told me, "It is a really exciting time for us at Kress in partnership with our dealers. We have so much more new technology coming down the line, we can't wait to share it with our partners."

STIGA attended for the first time this year and rather than hold their traditional dealer meetings at the National Motorcycle Museum or on tour, they instead invited their dealers to come visit them at GroundsFest. Much to the delight I expect, of many other standholders who will have noticed the definite increase in dealer numbers at the show this year.

Their large stand featured their articulated truck complete with big screens and display space, an outside area for customers to view machines, and an inside Dealer-Hub for their partners to hold private conversations with staff members. On show amongst other things, was the relaunched Mountfield range that had benefited from dealer feedback , new robotics and a new range of small, electric handtools.

Elizabeth Senior

MD Elizabeth Senior told me, "Dealers are our heart-blood - and we want to get across to them just how good electric kit can be for their businesses, with quality margins, plus ongoing service and warranty work." 

On Cramer's stand I met new national sales manager John McGrady who confirmed the brand is still looking for the right dealers in certain areas of the country. He said, "We're recruiting dealers, but we're being selective. We've appointed some well-known names such as Lister Wilder, Hopkins and Vincents, but there are still some gaps in our map for our range of battery-powered machinery".

John McGrady

I also met European product manager, Brendon Harbour, who explained how dealers will begin to see the Cramer powerhead (battery + motor + chip technology) used on other manufacturers' machinery.

Jonathan Snowball on Husqvarna's stand said that they had experienced a great show, being inundated with visitors keen to learn about their professional range of machinery. Gaining a lot of interest in particular was the hybrid ride-on / remote control mower they had running in their demo area.

Jonathan Snowball demonstrating on the Husqvarna stand

Jonathan said, "The remote control comes into its own for usage near water or on slopes for example. It really is a unique machine that has gained a lot of attention at the show."

Peter Chaloner of Cobra told me that the show was great for them and it was fabulous to see so much footfall. He said, "We are all about our dealers and creating differentials for them. That's what keeps customers returning to specialists - and that's what our Cobra and Billy Goat ranges offer."

Peter Chaloner

On STIHL's impressive stand, customers were treated to many machinery demos throughout the show, including the new BGA 250 blower and the X-Flex harness. Ben Beaumont, training team manager, told me that the pro users they were talking to were interested in making the transition from petrol to battery-powered tools. STIHL liked the set up of GroundsFest, he said, as they were able to show interested users exactly how the machines felt and operated.

STIHL's demo plot

EGO's stand looked great with its large arena allowing visitors to drive their Pro-X models around. Also gaining visitor attention was their lifestyle range which included items such as an auger, misting fans, wet and dry vac and an outdoor speaker - all powered by their own batteries of course.

EGO's stand

On the Toro stand, Matthew Coleman, sales manager professional landscape contractor & site works equipment for the UK mirect market, said, the show was an opportunity for the company to present their latest innovations directly to their audience. "The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it was fantastic to engage with so many professionals who are passionate about enhancing their work with the latest technology," he said. Visitors to their stand were introduced to a range of products, including the ProLine H600 and the eProStripe.

Toro display

Milwaukee took the opportunity to demonstrate new additions to its OPE range, including the dual battery 50cm chainsaw and M18 Forge batteries  which they say have been designed specifically for gardening, landscaping and horticulture professionals. Visitors to their stand wre also able to talk with the company's job site solutions sales team.

Milwaukee's eye-catching stand

Speaking with general manager of AriensCo UK, Sam Lewis, I was told that professional end-users are without a doubt still interested in petrol powered products for some of their needs. Catching their eye to this end was the brand new Icon 42 zero-turn, which since production has returned to the US, has undergone a complete refurbishment and includes a new Kawasaki engine.

AriensCo's Icon 42

An interesting new development for turf professionals was displayed by Redexim, with their launch of the Scarivator 2100. Described by Paul Langford, director of commercial operations, as an "in-season" renovator for hybrid pitches, he said the machine was for "precision renovation, not brutal renovation" - meaning professionals could renovate surfaces mid-season and get them back into use, rather than waiting for major end-of-season works. He also confirmed to me that they only sell through a dealer network, saying, "We want to support the trade, which is only way it should be done. We want our dealers to be able to demo our machines to customers locally."

Paul Langford

BossORV were showing the Corvus range of utility vehicles as well as the Paxster and Faunamaster ranges. Phil Everett, md, said of the exhibition, "After a great first day, it’s clear that this event is becoming a must attend show for the land management industry."

Corvus on the BossORV stand

Guy Overton on the MeanGreen stand meanwhile, told me that their new Evo 96 which is the first wide area electric mower to feature a 96″ mulching rear discharge deck with electronic folding wings, had received many bookings for demos at the show, not least due it's weight.

Guy Overton