I am always amazed at how new technology changes our way of living.

The introduction of the smartphone and being able to meet up using Zoom or Teams during the recent lockdowns are some examples of how technology has helped us. Even within our own industry we have seen the introduction of robotic mowers, not just for domestic gardens but they are also being used on professional sportspitches. Precision spraying and sowing is now being used, thanks to satelitte technology, which prevents chemical and seed wastage. Now I hear that drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), can be used to help farmers and groundsmen.

I recently read an article on how drones, particularly in the US, are being used as a way of spraying awkward areas on golf courses, such as steep banks and bunker edges. I saw a video clip of a greenkeeping colleague of mine, who is a course superintendent in an American golf club, using a drone to spray herbecide on a steep bank. He sprayed two acres of ground, which involved the drone needing two fills to complete the job. Each fill amounted to 19 litres of spray. Models of drones capable of lifting and transporting payloads weighing up to 250 kg are being developed and tested in Norway. 

Apparently drone technology has been around since 1987, mainly in dusting agricultural crops, but it is new technology in golf. Golf clubs have been using drones for several years to video or photograph their course but using drones as a work vehicle is entirely new. It works on the basis that the drone operator maps out the coordinates, and the spray area is controlled using GPS. The exact amount of chemical used is calculated using RTK so there is no wastage of chemicals. Service Dealer Ireland featured, in past issues, RTK being used on tractors for sowing and spraying. 

The use of drones in the agriculture industry is steadily on the increase. They can be used for precision herding of animals. This is already being done in New Zealand. The Irish Natura And Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has called for government grants to support the purchase of drones to enable this type of herding. Other uses of drones in agriculture include detecting diseases in crops, especially in the early stages of infection. 

The agricultural drone market continues to develop worldwide, with some forecasts suggesting that it may become a billion US dollar market by 2024. There are numerous types on the market.

Perhaps dealers in Ireland could consider offering agricultural drones to their customers? The question is can dealers offer an after sales service and repairs to drones like they do with more traditional machinery? Renting out drones to customers is another option to consider.

Don’t forget, there are only two months left before the Service Dealer Conference and Awards kicks off. Keep the date in your diary, 25th of November at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry in England.

Husqvarna Group in the U.S has taken legal action against Briggs & Stratton LLC (B&S).

In a statement Husqvarna said this comes after B&S announced that they would only deliver a very small portion of the engines for ride-on mowers that Husqvarna Group had ordered in advance of the 2022 season, mainly for North America.

At this late stage, said Husqvarna, their ability to secure an alternative supply of engines for the 2022 season is extremely limited. Therefore, to protect its customers and operations, Husqvarna Group on September 20th filed a lawsuit in South Carolina to compel B&S to deliver all engines covered by its orders.

Husqvarna issued a statement saying, "In a worst case scenario, the lack of engine supply could result in a loss of top line sales of up to approximately SEK 2 bn, mainly in 2022 with limited impact in Q4 2021. Husqvarna Group is optimistic, however, that the legal proceedings will have a satisfactory outcome, in which case there could be limited (or no) impact on operations, suppliers, customers and financial position.

"Given the early stage of these proceedings, and range of possible outcomes, it is too early to estimate the likely net EBIT impact of this supply dispute. It is, however, noteworthy that the affected product category has a lower profitability than the Group average."

Husqvarna Group said they would provide an update on the issue in conjunction with the Q3 interim report, which will be published on October 20th 2021.

Briggs & Stratton haven't commented publicly.

The Grounds Management Association (GMA), show organisers of SALTEX, have launched the social media campaign #SeeYouAtSALTEX and is encouraging everyone attending the show to participate through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Association says to get involved visitors can:

• Post a photo - Post a photo on social media supported by the hashtag #SeeYouAtSALTEX. This could be of yourself, your workplace, or a project that you are particularly proud of.
• Post a video - Alternatively, you can post a video (approximately 20 seconds) in which you introduce yourself and say exactly why you are looking forward to SALTEX this year. Sign off the video by saying ‘See You At SALTEX’.

“Together we have witnessed some dark times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and we hope that SALTEX 2021 will be a welcome antidote when it opens its doors in November,” said GMA CEO Geoff Webb.

“We’ve been through this together and we are coming out of this together. It is time to celebrate resilience, unity, people, companies, and all things grounds. It is time to see old faces, new ones and it is time to say See You At SALTEX for all our buyers, suppliers, educators, and members. We cannot wait to unite everyone at our event.”

There are some prizes up for grabs from a range of exhibitors including Root Start Plus - a biostimulant-based fertiliser from Advanced Grass Solutions; two knapsack sprayers from Hozelock Exel; a Remote Rain Gauge from Metos UK and a STIHL GHE 105 electric shredder from Spaldings Groundcare.

Following a photo or video submission, tagging #SeeYouAtSALTEX, the winners will be selected at random on the first day of the show (3 November)

SALTEX is taking place at the NEC on 3 and 4 November 2021. 

Kubota has announced a strategic OEM partnership with French manufacturer MX to supply loaders for the M series tractor range throughout Europe.

The agreement covers all M-series models including the M4003, M5002, MGX-IV, M6002 and M7003 models, spanning 66-170hp.

Kubota (UK) say this agreement is expected to significantly increase sales by providing a materials-handling solution which is available to order exclusively through Kubota’s dealer network. Importantly for customers, say the manufacturer, it offers the convenience of combining tractor, loader and attachments, in one integrated solution.

“This agreement makes it much easier for customers to choose a tractor and high-performance loader package that closely suits their needs,” said Henry Myatt, product marketing manager for Kubota’s M-series tractor portfolio. 

“MX-built Kubota loaders are finished in our familiar orange livery to compliment the look of the Kubota tractor range, providing an integrated materials handling solution for all M-series tractors,” he said. 

Stanley Black & Decker has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Excel Industries for $375 million in cash.

This acquisition comes just weeks after the company bought the remaining 80% of MTD.

Excel is a manufacturer of commercial and residential turf-care equipment under the Hustler Turf Equipment and BigDog Mower Co brands. According to an official statement, with over $375 million of revenue forecasted in 2021, Excel serves approximately 1,400 active independent equipment dealer outlets that stock, sell and service Hustler and BigDog products in the United States and Canada.

In Ireland and the UK Hustler is distributed by Southern Machinery. Philip Tutty of Southern told Service Dealer, "This is a very exciting development for Excel Industries. The Hustler brand and dealer network in the UK and Ireland has grown significantly over the past number of years and we look forward to building on this success into the future." Philip went to say that dealers requiring  more information on the Hustler zero-turn lawnmower range in Ireland and the UK can visit the website.

Excel launched the first hydrostatic zero-turn mower in 1964. The Company is located in Hesston, Kansas, and has approximately 600 employees. 

Stanley Black & Decker's CEO James M. Loree said, "This is a strategically important bolt-on acquisition as we build an outdoor products leader. Excel brings a range of premier, commercial grade and prosumer turf-care equipment, an extensive dealer network, a talented team and a loyal customer base." 

It is said that the transaction will be funded with cash on hand and proceeds from borrowings.

In a recent online presentation STIHL Group's senior management have said the company has continued on its growth course from the past financial year and generated revenue of 3.51 billion euros in the period between January and August 2021.

This represents growth of 11.7% compared to the same period last year. The exchange rate adjusted increase in revenue amounts to 15.4%.

As at 31 August 2021, the STIHL Group employed 19,523 people, 7.3 percent more than at the end of 2020.

“Sales and revenue in all product groups were significantly up on the previous year - and higher than forecast," said the Chairman of STIHL’s Executive Board Dr Bertram Kandziora at the company press conference, which took place as part of the International STIHL Media Day on 15 September.

"The high level of commitment, the flexibility of our workforce and forward-looking planning in production, sales and logistics have made this possible – even though shortages of raw materials, a lack of production capacity at suppliers and at STIHL as well as limited transport capacity have led to significant disruptions in the supply chains. Without these bottlenecks, we would have been able to produce and sell even more products."

Dr Kandziora was also optimistic about the rest of the financial year, saying, “There is still strong demand for STIHL products. We are producing around the world at a high level to be able to supply our customers.”

The company said they had seen international sales growth in both petrol and cordless products. Dr Kandziora said, “We are observing a strong trend toward cordless power tools this year. It’s positive to see that we also recorded sales growth in the double-digit percentage range for products with petrol and electric drives. This development shows that STIHL is still strong in the petrol segment, but is also becoming an increasingly strong player in the cordless market.”

However, the company did address that ongoing high demand for their products also presents major challenges. STIHL said they are still struggling with disrupted supply chains around the world and significant supply bottlenecks for raw materials and components.

“Unfortunately, it is due to these external factors that we have been unable to fully meet the demand for STIHL power tools in some places. Global production is currently running at full speed to make up for the shortfalls and to better provide for our customers,” said Dr Kandziora.

“All employees are playing a big part in helping us tackle these huge challenges – doing extra shifts and showing tremendous flexibility and personal commitment. At present, we are generating record results in production, logistics and sales. It is only thanks to the enormous commitment of our workforce that our successful business development is possible."

You can read a full interview with STIHL GB's new md, Kay Green, in the forthcoming edition of Service Dealer magazine.

Visitors to the Midlands Machinery Show, 9-10 November 2021 at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, England, will get an exclusive insight into the entire production line at John Deere’s renowned Mannheim factory in Germany, thanks to a live stream.

“Building a modern tractor is extremely complex,” explains Chris Wiltshire, marketing manager at John Deere UK & Ireland. “We have just-in-time production; the cabs and engines are made elsewhere so are scheduled to arrive on the day of build.”
 
About a third of the production line is automated, with robots building the transmissions and people doing the rest, including assembling the chassis and adding the engine, transmission and cab. “Visitors will be able to see how we build and test our tractors, with commentary and close-up views which you wouldn’t even get at an in-person visit,” says Chris. “We will demonstrate everything from the making of bare components to building the transmission, final assembly, testing, and rolling off the production line.”
 
Visitors will also be able to ask questions, and can see the final results in person by visiting John Deere dealers Ben Burgess, Ripon Farm Services and Doubleday, who will be exhibiting at the event. There will also be live demonstrations of large agricultural equipment, ground care machinery and, new this year, green power.
 
“We are so looking forward to holding a physical event,” says show organiser Elizabeth Halsall. “There is sure to be a great vibe, with so many live demonstrations of cutting-edge tractors and equipment, as well as drones, robots and electric vehicles.”
 
The seminar programme will feature technical talks from experts in farm efficiencies, new technology and future farming systems. The NFU will also be holding its Environment Conference at the show, tying in with the UN Climate Change Conference and featuring live streams from Glasgow.

Visit the Kentucky Exposition Center, between the 20-22nd October 2021, to take part in GIE+EXPO’s:

• 4,000sqft hands-on Drone Zone
• UTV Test Track for driving and comparing the latest vehicles on real terrain
• Remote Pilot Certification Course
• Arborist demos and classroom courses
• Keynote presentation from Admiral James Stavridis
• Free dealer workshops by Bob Clements International, as well as much more… 

Visit gie-expo.com to find out more.