The GroundsFest Innovation Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across landscaping, amenity management, turf care and related industries. Judging was led by HortWeek technical editor Sally Drury, alongside Howard Drury, Marcus Forster and Martin Towsey.
The Stoneleigh show is expected to attract 10,000 visitors over 15-16 September and was so busy lanyards ran out on the first day.
Presentations took place on the first day at the HortWeek & BALI seminar theatre, with a champagne toast courtesy of Groundsfest. GroundsFest Innovation Awards 2026 are delivered by HortWeek and proudly sponsored by Cramer, Kress and Origin Amenity Solutions.
New product shortlist
Grass-cutting equipment
Winner: Wessex International — Wessex SuperTurf rotary mower transforms one machine into five essential pitch maintenance tools.
Highly commended: Ransomes Jacobsen — Eclipse 2 ELiTE, a walk-behind greens mower.
Shortlisted:
- Kress — Voyager 60 is an autonomous commercial mower, designed to replace commercial zero-turn mowers.
- Ransomes Jacobsen — MP670 Wide-Area Batwing Rotary Mower.
- Aebi Schmidt UK LTD — Aebi Terratrac is a highly specialized, low-profile slope tractor and versatile implement carrier.
- Kress — Master Series robotic mower M600 has is an advanced navigation system.
- Segway Navimow — Segway Navimow Terranox Series is a next-generation autonomous robotic mowing solution.
- FJDynamics — FJD Rough Ranger Versatile Robotic Mower is a versatile autonomous robotic mower designed for professional turf maintenance.
- Lawnflite — Lawnflite Direct Collect T105HL-PRO features Lawnflite's innovative Direct Collect™ cutting system,.
- James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) LTD — STERK Nursery Mower and Sprayer with bespoke, dual action attachment designed to consolidate mechanical cutting and precision herbicide application into a single operation.
- FGM Claymore - Sunseeker Elite X9 Plus is "the industry's most technologically advanced commercial robotic lawn mower".
- Ransomes Jacobsen - Ransomes Operator Cabin, a climate-controlled operator's cabin
- Trimax - Trimax OptiAdjust with in-cab cutting height control for professional mowing
- Husqvarna UK - Husqvarna Automower 540 EPOS with AI vision technology, a next-generation commercial robotic mower designed for smaller professional turf areas
- Henry Sheach (Bad Boy Mowers) - Bad Boy Raider walk-behind is a commercial-grade walk-behind zero-turn mower.
- Kress - Voyager combines cutting-edge autonomous technology, artificial intelligence and intelligent fleet management
- Toro U.K. Limited — Hayter Harrier Pro 56 60V and Harrier Pro 48 60V. The Harrier Pro 60V range delivers a striped finish with lower noise, zero engine emissions, and operator comfort.
Turf maintenance equipment
Winner: Wessex International — Wessex SuperTurf rotary mower transforms one machine into five essential pitch maintenance tools.
Highly commended: Techneat — ProE-Glide: Swift Spreadis a fully electric stand-on spreader designed for the professional application of granular materials.
Shortlisted:
- Ecorobotix — ALBA is the world's first Ultra-High Precision (UHP) sprayer purpose-built for professional turf management.
- James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) LTD — STERK Nursery Mower and Sprayer with bespoke, dual action attachment designed to consolidate mechanical cutting and precision herbicide application into a single operation.
Turf consumables
Winner: MAD Company — MAD Moisture is a 100% organic water-retaining solution for turf, soils, beds, borders, and trees.
Highly commended: Ludlow Green — Ludlow Green Plus is a refined organic-based liquid turf improver developed specifically for professional fine turf management.
Shortlisted:
- The Aquatrols Company — Xstatic Xstatic™ is a unique liquid formulation
- Origin Amenity Solutions — ThatchZyme is a patented, sprayable enzyme technology that provides a new approach to thatch management in fine turf.
Landscape equipment
Winner: T H WHITE Machinery Imports - Ohashi ES160DH is a professional-grade, tracked diesel wood chipper.
Highly commended:
Hozelock Berthoud & Cooper Pegler Professional Sprayers —Cooper Pegler MaxiPro Electric is a professional-grade 8-litre compression sprayer.
The Professional Sprayers People — The Spider ULV Sprayer uses Ultra Low Volume technology to deliver precise weed control with minimal product and water use.
Finalists:
- KERSTEN (UK) LTD — ISKA Hybrid Pro is a 2-in-1 surface maintenance solution combining hot-air thermal weed control with an integrated debris blower.
- Iconium EUK — Solvault 11 is an 1600VA off-grid micro power station.
- RUBI UK — TC-125 ENERGY CAS gives professional tile installers the freedom to cut without depending on power points, extension leads, or fixed workstations.
- Lumena Lights Ltd — Pro Solar Lava is a professional, vandal-resistant, dark sky-approved solar bollard.
- Husqvarna UK - Husqvarna 570iBT Professional Backpack Battery Blower is a next-generation commercial backpack blower.
- Aebi Schmidt UK LTD — Aebi Terratrac is a highly specialized, low-profile slope tractor and versatile implement carrier.
Landscape consumables
Winner: MAD Company — MAD Moisture is a 100% organic water-retaining solution for turf, soils, beds, borders, and trees.
Highly commended: Alba Trees Ltd — Pure Poplar Guard is a non-plastic tree guard made from untreated poplar wood
Shortlisted:
- Patio Black Spot Removal Company — Stone King - Patio Restorer and Cleaner promises to deliver visible, guaranteed results within hours.
- Monty Miracle — Complete Outdoor Cleaner | Monty Miracle® | 2L is a professional-grade, ready-to-use outdoor cleaner.
‘Stood the Test of Time’ shortlist
Winner: Trimax — Originating in the 1990s, the Flaildek is a stronger, smarter and more serviceable machine built for demanding commercial use.
Shortlisted:
- Grasshopper OutStander® SO26/52 Stand-On from Grasshopper Turf Equipment — The OutStander® SO26 Stand-On features a 26hp B&S Vanguard Engine 12cc T-Drive pump & wheel motor hydrostatic drive 52" (132 cm) cutting deck with features including an extra-wide, extra-thick pad plus shock-absorbent coil-spring suspension that provides all-day operator comfort.
- Etesia Hydro 100 — Born in 1989 and now seen in the MK III version, the Hydro 100 is famed for its ability to mow and collect in challenging conditions.
