SALTEX has been a cornerstone of the Groundcare industry since it first opened its doors in 1938 as the National Association of Groundsmen Exhibition. After early years at the Hurlingham Club, the show evolved into today’s Sports Amenities Landscaping Turf Exhibition, better known as SALTEX. Its move to the NEC Birmingham in 2015 transformed it into Europe’s largest annual turf-management showcase, attracting thousands of visitors and leading manufacturers from around the world. SALTEX 2025 continued that legacy, offering a vibrant platform for innovation, learning, and hands-on demonstrations across the entire turf and landscape sector, and we got to attend!
After a very rainy drive to Birmingham, we were all grateful that we were attending a firmly indoor event. For us, SALTEX is more than just an exhibition; it is a chance to immerse ourselves in the heart of the industry. Turney Groundcare were eager to get stuck in, exploring the latest machinery, whilst connecting with customers and industry peers face-to-face, allowing us to stay ahead of trends, gather insights, and better support our clients.
Here are some of our machinery highlights:
Ransomes always catch out attention, but this year they were the talk of the show. Partially because they were showcasing a lime green Jacobsen Eclipse 360 Elite Ride-On Reel Mower, which caused a number of double-takes, but largely due to the impressive, central stand they had, manned by a plenitude of helpful employees.
Launched recently, Ransomes has introduced an all-new operator cabin, designed to enhance operator comfort, control and visibility. The cabin and operator platform are ISO-mounted to reduce vibration, and include a full-suspension, high-back seat, panoramic visibility, an advanced SureAir conditioning and heater system, a control console fitted with a full-colour display for streamlined diagnostics and machine settings and the ultimate ergonomic comfort. We tested the seat for ourselves, and can attest that this cabin is seriously comfortable, seriously user-friendly, and seriously safe. It’s a yes from Turney.
Iseki reached a huge milestone this year, as an indispensable presence for a whopping 100 years. From inventions and rapid growth, to overseas expansion, strengthened support and accelerated global expansion Iseki has gone from strength to strength, and look forward to the next 100 years shaping the future of Agriculture and Landscapes.
Amongst the machines on their sparkling stand, was the TM 4370, a versatile and compact 25 horsepower tractor known for its high performance in a small, lightweight frame, making it suitable for a variety of tasks from fine turf maintenance to light farming and snow clearance. The hinged bonnet allows for easy access to the engine and service points, simplifying maintenance. Our customers have praised its reliable performance and build quality, noting its capabilities being more than that expected of a compact tractor.
Teetering on the edge of 100 years themselves, SISIS machinery came to impress with their vast range of high-quality, durable and effective machinery, used to perfect sports fields.
The Rotorake TM1000 is a specially designed tractor mounted unit with a choice of five quick release interchangeable reels to aid the removal and control of thatch, and help to reduce standing water surface by improving water infiltration. The floating unit, to avoid ground contours, the fast ground coverage, simple adjustment and consistent, clean grooves (due to the Contra rotating reels) are just a few of the many reasons that Turney Group loves this product.
One Sisis customer had remarked that this machine alone reduced thatch by 15% in one year. You cant argue with those numbers!
Renowned for achieving a next level ‘stripe’ on prestigious sports and ornamental lawns worldwide, Dennis is always one to visit at events, with the employees offering a wealth of knowledge and support.
The Simplex, is, as per the name, a simply operated lawn mower, that allows complete and utter control around flowerbeds and complex shaped lawns. Available in both 51cm and 61cm cutting widths, with either a 5 or 7 bladed cylinder, this machine is built with well proven design intuition and efficiency. The Simplex has a strong, modular construction, a high capacity grass box, low vibration handlebar mounts, easy heigh of cut adjustment and low noise Honda power.
Ventrac, Ventrac, Ventrac. They bring the energy every event, and SALTEX 2025 was no different.
Ten minutes before the hour, every hour, both days, Ventrac showed us exactly what sets them apart with a live demonstration of the 4520Y in action, a machine with the perfect combination of peak power and agility. Ventrac has become the #1 choice for versatility in the Groundcare sector, due to their huge range of compatible attachments and advanced engineering and design efforts.
Turney Group is particularly excited about Ventrac, because, with the opening of our fourth Depot, we are now renting these incredible machines out, allowing customers to trial the products, eliminate maintenance and repair costs, avoid storage expenses, fulfil seasonal duties and reduce manual labour. This option is available from all of our locations!
Beyond the machines themselves, the opportunity to connect with customers, industry peers, and the passionate teams behind these products was equally invaluable. Face-to-face conversations allowed us to share knowledge, gather feedback, and strengthen relationships, all while keeping a finger firmly on the pulse of industry trends and challenges. It was a reminder that SALTEX is not just an exhibition – it’s a hub for learning, collaboration, and growth.
We left SALTEX 2025 energized, inspired, and more determined than ever to support our clients with cutting-edge equipment, expert guidance, and innovative solutions. From showcasing our rental options for Ventrac machinery to helping customers maximize efficiency and minimize costs, Turney Group continues to evolve alongside the industry. The exhibition reinforced our belief that staying ahead in groundcare requires curiosity, dedication, and a willingness to embrace new technologies, all of which we bring to every customer interaction.
