Today sees the announcement that I know many of our dealer readers have been waiting for - the opening of entries to 2024's Dealer of the Year awards.

You can find all the all the links you need to enter each of the categories in today's Weekly Update here, or on our website here.

This year we're running all the core machinery specialism awards again (Farm, Garden, Professional Turfcare, Forestry, ATV/Quad - plus a New Initiative prize). Alongside these are several special categories for outstanding individuals within the dealership (Leadership, Star and New Technician).

Each dealership that enters into a machinery category will also be in the running for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year prize - which is presented by our Principal Sponsors, who once again are our friends from Kress.

As has been the process before, any dealer reading this today can put forward their own company for consideration into any of the categories in which they specialise. Also, you can nominate your colleagues for any of the individual honours.

We also, of course, want to hear from third parties such as suppliers and manufacturers, to tell us about who within their network deserves industry recognition for the efforts they put in, year-round. You know who goes above and beyond, so please do get in touch to let us know.

The organising team would absolutely love it, if this year a record number of entries were received for the awards. You all know just how hard you have been working this past year, in trying circumstances, so why not top off those efforts with a lovely award that you can shout about?

Because shouting about it, is a big part of being nominated for, and indeed winning, an industry award such as these. Independent servicing dealers need to do all that they can to differentiate themselves from the huge national chains and the internet bandits. And not just differentiate, but grab any opportunity to shine a light and focus attention on all the marvellous work that they do. Being able to point to a nationally recognised award hung on your showroom's wall (or a graphic on the website!) will only help towards that.

Why enter?

The publicity that winning an award can generate, both via all your own social channels, and through contacting your local traditional press outlets, can be real fillip for a company. In theory, the exposure could attract new customers who may not have been aware your existence before. It can also position the dealer as a real leader within the industry - potentially opening doors to new opportunities.

As well all the positive buzz that you can generate around your dealership, some of that should rub off inside your business too. Being given a big pat on the back and confirmation that you and your team have been doing the right thing, can be a genuine motivational boost. We all know how good it feels to be told 'well done, you're doing great work'. It naturally puts a spring in one's step, and inevitably, makes you want to continue to strive for excellence. Being up for an award can only enhance this feeling.

It's clear the level of respect that our Dealer of the Year Awards are held in, by simply looking at the list of the top name industry sponsors that the Service Dealer Conference & Awards has attracted this year. Each company on this list is prestigious, highly regarded in their field and, crucially, well known to your customers. Service Dealer thanks them all for their wonderful support.

If you've entered before, or if you're considering throwing your hat in the ring for the first time, please do take a moment to consider just how beneficial a process this could be for your dealership. The judging panel wants to hear stories about you and your team, and your relationships with customers, that make your company special. Bar-graphs and spreadsheets can go so far, but we want to learn about the human interactions at the heart of your dealership that keeps your community returning to you, year after year.

Whenever it comes around to this point in the magazine's calendar, when I eventually to get to read through all your entries and nominations, it is always so inspiring. Hearing tale of the innovative, entrepreneurial, and downright quality work being undertaken in dealerships across the UK, is a genuine joy.

So please, get entering!

Service Dealer is today opening the entry process for 2024's Dealer Of The Year Awards.

Below you will find all the links you'll need for dealerships to enter themselves and their staff for as many awards as they like. 

Also, dealerships and individuals can be nominated by any third party who feels they are deserving of recognition. These nominations can come from manufacturers, suppliers, customers, staff members etc.

Entries must be complete and include a 250-word supporting statement and at least one piece of supporting evidence. The awards will be judged taking into account the 12 months prior to the submission date.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We want to hear from as many of our amazing dealer readers as possible this year. We especially want to hear the human stories behind the business - not just the facts and figures."

More detail on entries can be found by clicking the relevant category links below. Entries must be in by midnight on Friday 18th October 2024.

A judging panel will review all the nominations prior to the Awards Ceremony on the 28th November. All entries for the categories below will be considered by the judging panel for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year award (sponsored by Kress).

Below are the categories available for dealers to enter themselves, or be nominated by a third party.

Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Husqvarna

Have you gone above and beyond this year to satisfy your domestic customers?

ENTER GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Ibcos

Would your farming customers say you are outstanding in your field?

ENTER FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Forestry Equipment Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Societe Generale Equipment Finance

Is your dealership at the top of the tree when it comes to supplying forestry equipment?

ENTER FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR

Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Toro UK

Is your team firing on all cylinders when it comes to your commercial turfcare customers?

ENTER PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR

ATV/Quad Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Yamaha

Are you the dealership customers turn to for tackling all terrain in the outdoor sector?

ENTER ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

New Technician of the Year - sponsored by Kubota

Technicians are the staff who keep the wheels turning - this is your chance to highlight someone in their first four years of the role.

ENTER NEW TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Star of the Dealership - sponsored by EGO

Do you have a staff member who’s made an exceptional contribution to the business?

ENTER STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP

Best New Initiative - sponsored by STIHL

Have you implemented something new - be it a fresh idea, some renovation, diversification, or branching out with new tech, let us know!

ENTER BEST NEW INITIATIVE

Leadership Award - Sponsored by AGCO

Does your dealership benefit from a great team leader who leads from the front and acts as a great example to all?

ENTER LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner following the Service Dealer Conference that takes place on Thursday 28th November 2024 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford upon Avon. The theme for this year's event is Driving Success.

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd has announced the successful acquisition of The Burdens Group Limited’s southern Lincolnshire branches, located in Sutterton and North Kyme. This acquisition was facilitated through the appointed administrators at Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP, following The Burdens Group's entry into administration.

L-R: Graham Parker (sales director) and Angus Doe (managing director)

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, a family-owned business with a heritage dating back to 1898, said in a statement they are fully committed to extending their footprint into Lincolnshire. With existing branches across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, this expansion aligns with their commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to their growing customer base.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Sutterton and North Kyme branches into the Ernest Doe family,” said managing director Angus Doe. “Our focus is on maintaining the strong customer relationships cultivated by The Burdens Group, while introducing the high standards of quality and service that have defined Ernest Doe & Sons for over 125 years. We look forward to serving the local community and supporting our new customers with the expertise and dedication that our longstanding customers have come to rely on.”

Angus continued, "Customers of the Sutterton and North Kyme branches will have the same points of contact, allowing a smooth transition. We will be working hard to invest in and improve the business and look forward to furthering our understanding of customers’ needs within the area."

Ernest Doe went on to explain that for any financial matters concerning The Burdens Group prior to the acquisition date, please contact the administrators’ office at Sheffield.north@btguk.com. All outstanding debts or creditor claims will be managed directly by Begbies Traynor, who will provide the necessary guidance.

Ben Burgess has announced they have become the official importer of Laski products in the UK, as of Wednesday this week (September 4th 2024).

Louis Phillippo, Ben Burgess's group arboricultural specialist

They say the partnership will bring a wide range of equipment to the UK including the Laski stump grinders, previously marketed as “Predator Power” in the UK, trenchers and leaf vacuum truck loaders. 

Ben Burgess said in a statement that they are committed to expanding the Laski dealer network and service centres across the UK. Existing Predator dealers, they explained, will have access to a wider product portfolio, a larger parts and machinery inventory and enhanced support from Ben Burgess including, as they put it "improved warranty and financing packages with zero and low-interest financing options developed in collaboration with Arb Lease."
 
The Laski product lineup will see new additions including a 14HP 360SW equivalent stump grinder and a wheeled 38HP option for easily accessible areas. This expansion complements the brand's focus on narrow-access solutions, providing a range of stump grinders for arboricultural needs. 

Louis Phillippo, group arboricultural specialist at Ben Burgess, explained, “The range and quality of the Laski products will be a winning combination with narrow access at its heart alongside performance and reliability. We look forward to offering a product we truly believe will become a valued asset to many arborists.”

The new range of stump grinders will be on show at the upcoming APF show on September 19th-21st. 

A team of five STIHL GB colleagues is undertaking a charity bike ride on Saturday 28 September in aid of Perennial - STIHL’s current chosen charity.

STIHL's ride team. L-R: Simon Hewitt, Gavin Hamson, Nathan Kelly, Tom Peacock, Ben Beamont
 
Perennial is the UK’s only charity supporting all those working with plants, trees, flowers or grass and people retired from these industries.  
 
The team will be cycling 100 KM across the Surrey Hills - starting and finishing at Denbies near Dorking.
 
“We’re really excited to working with Perennial, a charity so closely associated with our industry” said Simon Hewitt, head of ,arketing at STIHL GB.

“Raising funds for Perennial’s work is key to our aims. Donations of any size will be hugely appreciated and can be made directly to Perennial.”

The ride map

Four former employees were recently treated to a VIP visit to JCB to mark the 60th anniversary of their recruitment as the company’s first ever apprentices.

Class of '64 - Chris Carnwell, Keith Hepden, Mick Higgs and Nigel Heinich

A total of nine 15-year-old boys started as Craft Apprentices at the Rocester plant in 1964 and four of them - Chris Carnwell, Nigel Heinich, Mick Higgs, and Keith Hepden - retraced their footsteps to the factory to mark the diamond anniversary of the JCB apprenticeship programme. They were welcomed by JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who also started work at JCB in 1964.
 
The quartet were trailblazers for JCB’s apprenticeship scheme, which currently has around 300 apprentices on scheme and in the last 12 years alone has seen the company recruit 1,500 apprentices. When they started work, they were earning £3 a week. During their visit they were given a tour of the Story of JCB exhibition, met some of the newest apprentices and were given a special VIP lunch.
 
Lord Bamford, who served an engineering apprenticeship in France before joining JCB in 1964, said, “The recruitment of our first apprentices 60 years ago laid very firm foundations for the future. We have recruited hundreds of apprentices since those early days and many of them have gone on to senior positions in the company. It really is a fantastic way to start a career.”

Apprentices in 1964
 
Chris Carnwell, now 75, of Tean, near Cheadle, Staffordshire, retired from JCB in 2008 after nearly 45 years with the company.  He qualified as a tool maker after his apprenticeship and ended his career as a senior engineer. He said:  “When I was at school, I was always very good at woodwork and metalwork and used to come top of the class in that field. I wanted to do something to use those practical skills and enquired about getting a position at JCB which, in 1964, was still an up-and-coming company. I had two interviews and was lucky enough to be selected for an apprenticeship along with two others, Billy Brighouse, and John Millward.”
 
Six other apprentices then joined JCB throughout 1964: John Smith, Mick Higgs, Geoff Mellor, Keith Hepden, Don Rushton, and Nigel Heinich. Nigel, 75, of Uttoxeter, joined JCB on August 31st, 1964 said: “Mr Bamford was very proud of that first apprentice intake and he paid particular interest in our progress. For most of us, out of our first wage packet, we had to buy our first pair of steel-capped, toe-tector boots, which we had to wear in the college workshops or the factory. I went on to work for JCB for more than 35 years in many different roles including service technical clerk, training instructor, service supervisor. Sixty years on, it’s a route I’d highly recommend any young person to follow. It sets you up for life.”
 
Mick Higgs, 75, of Wetley Rocks, Stoke-on-Trent, went on to work for JCB 38 years and rose to the position of director and worked for several years for JCB in India. He said: “Starting an apprenticeship at JCB really did lay some fantastic foundations for my career and opened up a world of opportunity for me including working for the company in both India and Germany. Apprenticeships are a route I would recommend to any young person without any hesitation.”
 
Keith Hepden, 75, of Foxt, near Cheadle, said: “One of my favourite memories of those early days was actually a time when I was off ill and my mother spotted Mr JCB’s Cadillac coming up the drive and it turned out to be one of the company’s chauffeurs delivering my wages which were paid in cash those days!”

Ascendant: Your Partner in Growth

At Ascendant UK, we are more than just a global payments provider; we are a trusted partner in our clients' growth journeys. Our commitment is demonstrated through our ongoing support for TRP Imports, as they showcase their innovative Green Buster machinery on Rat Barrow's stand at Groundsfest 24.

Optimising Costs to Foster Innovation

Our collaboration with TRP Imports goes beyond standard payment solutions. We provide tailored services that allow them to focus on innovation while we optimise their non-GBP transactions. This approach helps them reduce costs, freeing up resources to reinvest in their business and drive further growth.

A Partnership Built on Shared Goals

We work hand-in-hand with TRP Imports to develop financial strategies that align with their business objectives. By offering expert guidance in international trade and currency management, we ensure they have the support needed to thrive in a competitive market.

An Extension of the TRP Imports Team

At Ascendant UK, we don't just serve TRP Imports; we integrate with their team, providing specialised knowledge and dedicated account management.

Jonathan Pearson

Jonathan Pearson of TRP said, "Working with Ascendant feels like an extension of our own team. Their insights are invaluable. Our account manager, Stuart Bidwell, who has a deep understanding of the Groundscare and Agri industries, bring valuable insights that contribute to our success".

Stuart Bidwell

As TRP Imports gears up for Groundsfest 24, we're proud to support their journey and look forward to their continued growth and achievements in the industry.

Our 2020 Summer research showed that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year.  This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.  

This site was purpose-built just for skilled servicing ground care dealers by the team that bring you Service Dealer Magazine. It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year for a full listing.  As this dealer site is designed to promote the UK dealer network, all revenues in 2022 will continue to be reinvested into promoting the site online and so supporting the dealer network.

Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.

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