Next week David Jenkins, managing director of DJ Turfcare, will celebrate 43 years of attending IOG SALTEX with the last show at Windsor Racecourse before it moves to the NEC.
His first SALTEX was at Motspur Park in 1971 and he has attended almost every show since, many of them with Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd – the company which he founded in 1981.
David began his career in publishing working with The Groundsman, the IOG’s flagship publication, and Parks and Sportsgrounds magazine.
This experience provided a springboard into the machinery side of the industry and he joined Marshalls Concessionaires, importing Jacobsen machinery into the UK.
Then came the founding of Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd and the dramatic introduction of the Verti-Drain into the UK – a machine which revolutionised pitch aeration.
Since founding DJ Turfcare Equipment Ltd in 2002 David has introduced Plugger Aerators from the US, Bushranger Edgers from Australia and Viano fertilisers from Belgium.
“It is sad to see SALTEX moving indoors,” says David, “but I have seen a lot of changes in this industry and wish the IOG every success. SALTEX has always been a place for colleagues to meet and it is very much a social event where old friends catch up.
“I look forward to meeting many of my colleagues at Windsor this year and they will get a warm welcome to the stand.”
AT SALTEX this year DJ Turfcare will have Viano organic lawn fertilisers, including the award-winning MO BACTER.
Machines on show will include the PLUGGER PL855 Pro HD aerator, the highly-rated BUSHRANGER EDGER, and second-generation ATOM EDGERS, both professional and domestic, with new Mitsubishi engines, Also on the stand for golf greenkeepers will be the proven ATOM BUNKER EDGER.
David will be on stand K55 with wife Liz and office manager Barbara Jarman.
DJ Turfcare www.djturfcare.co.uk