EDITOR'S BLOG
IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT COUNT
They are what make this industry so special
by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
 
Steve Gibbs

The most important element to any dealership's success is its people - therefore preparedness for inevitable departures is vital.

 


We lead today's Weekly Update with a couple of stories centred around people - around personalities who have made a significant impact on this industry.

 

Firstly, all at Service Dealer would like to extend their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Robin Nettle of Winchester Garden Machinery who has sadly passed away. Chris Biddle has put together a wonderful piece in celebration of Robin for today's Weekly Update, which through talking to those who knew him, paints a vivid picture of the man. Chris has also sourced some wonderfully evocative pictures of Robin throughout his career. We hope those who knew Robin will appreciate reading those comments today and seeing those pictures - hopefully bringing back some delightful memories.

 

On a happier note we also hear of the retirement of Clive Pinnock from Reesink Turfcare. Described by the company as a 'training trailblazer', Clive has retired following 34 years working with Toro products. We at Service Dealer join Reesink in congratulating Clive on his wonderful career and hope he enjoys a long and fulfilling retirement.

 

What events like these do highlight is how difficult it is when companies lose key members of a team - particularly with a bereavement obviously. In those cases when a colleague dies, it will of course be devastating for everyone. Business experts will say as well as offering access to emotional support channels, perhaps a business might consider how they can remember them and celebrate their life? A donation to a chosen charity, a memorial of some description or a company event might be thought of. Winchester Garden Machinery for example have set up a charity memorial donation page for people who want to honour Robin.

 

With a retirement there isn't that sadness obviously, but the business, especially a small business, does need to make sure there's continuity and preparedness for inevitable departures.

 

According to a recruitment specialist, the best thing a small business can do to protect itself against the loss of a team member is to ensure excellent communication and well-integrated teamwork. David Bloxham, managing director at a company called GCS Recruitment, has written, "Engendering an environment that promotes teamwork will mean that all roles in your company are transparent to all. This is critical - there shouldn’t be a role that can’t be picked up by someone else."

 

Another point he raises is that a small business should try not to be over reliant on a single person - that way following a departure, knee-jerk replacements are not rushed into. Filing a role quickly, should not come at the price of ensuring you are taking on the right person for your dealership.

 

On a related note, a concept I found interesting is that it's recommended that similar to the way a job seeker is told to always keep their C.V refreshed and up-to-date, so employers should always be on the lookout for new members to join their team - even when they are not actively recruiting. David Bloxham says doing this will "not only ensure you’re aware of the market and can benchmark the latest skills, it also establishes relationships with quality candidates. Don’t think just because you think your team is safe and no one has left yet, that they never will. Be prepared and avoid complacency."

 

It's been said many times before, but the most important resource that any dealership has is its people. We are hearing that recruiting at the moment is as difficult as it's ever been. The right candidates are hard to find and thin on the ground - but they must be out there?!


It's a subject which most certainly requires on-going discussion between dealers, manufacturers, trade associations, the media and employment experts. Service Dealer will continue to act as a conduit for that discussion, both through our pages and our organised events.

 

What we shall also always continue to do, is celebrate all the wonderful people who populate this industry and make it such a pleasure to work within.

NEWS
ROBIN NETTLE
Headed Winchester Garden Machinery for 47 years
by Chris Biddle
 
Robin Nettle

Robin Nettle, co-founder of Winchester Garden Machinery has passed away after a short illness.

 


Read more

The garden machinery industry has lost one of its most successful and enigmatic characters. Robin Nettle, co-founder of Winchester Garden Machinery passed away on Saturday 5 May aged 69.

 

He leaves his wife Judith, two sons Toby and Jason, daughter Louise and six grandchildren. Robin was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months before Christmas after feeling unwell whilst on holiday. Although he underwent extensive treatment and chemotherapy in the New Year, he insisted (as was usually his way) on not only finishing a project to make his garden safe for the grandchildren, but he was out with Jason delivering mowers only a couple of weeks before his last few days in a hospice.

 

It was whilst they were both working at Huxleys in Alresford that Robin teamed up with Andy Hoskings when they spotted an opportunity to open a garden machinery business in Winchester in 1971. “It was a relatively untapped area,” says Andy, “and we managed to find a unit on an industrial estate.”

 

As the business grew, they realised they needed to be more ‘in the sun’ and a chance conversation with local garden centre owner, Hillier and Sons, saw them offered a greenhouse on their site in Winchester in 1975. With a long heritage as nurserymen, and holders of the Royal Warrant since the 1930’s, Hilliers Garden Centres had long been a destination venue. It proved to be an inspired move, the vastly increased footfall really opened up new business in an era before the ‘sheds’ were fully established.

 

The greenhouse was soon replaced with a purpose-built showroom, and over the years, Winchester Garden Machinery established branches at Hilliers at Liss and Sunningdale. George Hillier, great, great grandson of the founder says that the relationship with WGM was always more of a partnership than that of an owner/tenant.

 

As the industry evolved from the days when dealers were severely challenged competing with the ‘big-box’ stores, through to the internet era which became more a level playing field for dealers, Robin was always ahead of the curve in making sure that WGM offered a personal service to customers that paid dividends in customer loyalty and repeat business over the years. When the opportunity arose, WGM were one of the first specialist dealers to embrace an on-line presence, but ensured that customers always knew that products were backed by a ‘bricks and mortar’ business with a solid heritage.

 

With my Service Dealer hat on, and when anywhere near Winchester, I knew I could always be assured of an open door, cup of coffee and ‘both-barrels’ on whatever issue was taxing Robin at the time. Much of it was unprintable for legal reasons, but as an insight into the mind of a real ‘thinking-dealer’ it was always exhilarating and never less than highly relevant.

 

Keith Christian of BAGMA in his Claymore days dealt with Robin on a regular basis. “He could be complex in many ways,” he says, “and often kept you talking, waiting for an order, teasing you, only to open the desk drawer to pull out an already written order just before you left. Arguments with him were inevitably pointless because he often had the last word - and was invariably right. That said I cannot think of anyone in recent years who has had the drive, the foresight and the personal magnetism of Robin. Our industry will be the poorer without him.”

 

David Hart, then Divisional Manager for Turf and Utility Equipment at John Deere said, “I don’t know what word to best describe Robin. On the surface he could irascible, tetchy, and even cantankerous, particularly when faced with a demanding supplier!  But he knew the industry inside out, and championed the specialist dealer at every opportunity. And what a salesman!  He often helped man our stand at Chelsea Flower Show and knocked the spots off everyone else. To see him sweet-talking a customer as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth was quite a contrast to some of the negotiations we had over the years. Robin was a very special person, we’ll miss him tremendously.”

 

Final word to an unnamed dealer who said, “Heaven is now in for a real wake-up call!” And I suppose if there is a such a thing as a celestial garden machinery dealership involving the likes of Peter Rochford, John Bufton and now Robin Nettle, what a formidable outfit that would be!

 

Robin’s funeral takes place at St John’s Church, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AG on Thursday 17 May 2018 at 11.00am.

 

A charity donation page has been set up in Robin's memory. It will support the Rosemary Trust which provided Robin with 'at home' care and St Michaels Hospice where he spent his final days.   Click here for details

CLIVE PINNOCK RETIRES FROM REESINK TURFCARE
Described as a 'training trailblazer'
 
Clive Pinnock

After 34 years, Clive Pinnock is retiring from Reesink Turfcare and the training department he helped develop.

 


After 34 years, Clive Pinnock is retiring from Reesink Turfcare and the training department he helped develop.

 

Turf equipment aftermarket manager at Reesink, David Jackman, says Clive trailblazed his way through the industry he loved and will be much missed, not only by his employer but the industry.

 

Clive Pinnock

 

“Clive has been instrumental in helping us grow the company to where it is today,” David Jackman says. “He’s been an ambassador not just for us as a company, but The Toro Company too, and has passed his wealth of knowledge onto so many of our customers, employees and distributors.”

 

Clive has worked with Toro products for 34 years, he explains: “I started at Lely, as it was then, one year after Lely became Toro distributors for the UK. As the only product specialist for the aftermarket service team for 12 years, I was responsible for supporting dealers and customers in a technical and product support role for the south of the country and Europe.”

 

When Clive turned 65 he decided he didn’t want to retire, but equally didn’t want to be driving around the M25 so much, so it was agreed he would move into the training department in Reesink’s head office in St Neots, which is where David takes over the story:

 

“It was the perfect solution for Clive, and us. We kept Clive’s product knowledge and training ability, and we had somebody that customers and dealers knew and trusted delivering our training. There are four people in the training department now, delivering nine training courses – that’s one of the biggest selections from a distributor – and Clive has been a big part of building that success.”

 

In fact, Clive has been quite the training trailblazer since his move into the training department. He was first in the turfcare sector to achieve a level four in the Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme (LTA), which is one of the highest training accolades there is. Clive completed all his training through Reesink, which was recognised as an assessment training centre in 2016, because, he says: “I wanted to add to my practical experience with the training qualifications I strongly believe in, so when Reesink was made a training centre it made absolute sense to go through the training pathway, and it was a great experience.”

 

David concludes by saying: “Clive has been an inspiration, his passion for learning and sharing his knowledge was evident in how he delivered our training; it was always with such enthusiasm attendees couldn’t help but be motivated.

 

“What I’ll remember about Clive is his knowledge and ability to recall things, especially when it comes to the older products. You can ask Clive a question regarding a machine that was made in the 1990s and he’s able to list all the modifications or upgrades that were carried out on the machine, what cutting units or deck option had been fitted, and so on - Clive could retain it all! How do you replace that? You can’t, it’s irreplaceable.”

MAJOR OWEN GO FOR GOLD
Awarded by Kubota for 6th consecutive year
 
L-R: Gordon Smith - Regional Service Representative for Kubota, Andy Jones – MD for Major Owen Ltd., Malcolm ‘Barney’ Barnett – Construction Sales Manager for Major Owen Ltd., Tom Lockwood – Regional Service Representative for Kubota, Rob Jones – Workshop Manager

For a sixth year running North Wales dealer Major Owen Ltd. has been awarded Gold for Kubota Dealer Service Excellence.

 


For a sixth year running North Wales’ main Kubota dealer, Major Owen Ltd., has been awarded Gold for Kubota Dealer Service Excellence.

 

L-R: Gordon Smith - Regional Service Representative for Kubota, Andy Jones - MD for Major Owen Ltd., Malcolm ‘Barney’ Barnett - Construction Sales Manager for Major Owen Ltd., Tom Lockwood - Regional Service Representative for Kubota, Rob Jones - Workshop Manager

 

Kubota UK introduced the Dealer Service Excellence programme (DSE) in 2003 to measure each dealer's service capability and to improve the standards nationwide to meet Kubota’s and their customers expectations.

 

Biannual grading has now been updated to annual grading for dealers and is based on a scoring system. This system covers all aspects of the service department including customer satisfaction surveys, mechanical training and competency, workshop area and facilities, warranty, and administration.

 

Major Owen Ltd. say they were eager to take part in the DSE programme and joined in 2006, first receiving a Bronze Award in this year for their Groundcare division.

 

Major Owen Ltd. was established in 1977 by Major Raymond Owen and operated from his Garden Shed in Penrhyndeudraeth. Fast forward 41 years and expansion has continued. Major Owen Ltd.’s site now houses approximately 18,500 sq. feet of covered trading space, incorporating showroom, workshop, parts, warehousing, and administration areas. Currently the company employs 26 people including a team of 14 after sales staff.

 

Now serving 32 years as a Kubota dealer, Major Owen Ltd. have raised their service level through the years from bronze to gold. This year, they have been awarded the Gold Award in Groundcare and Construction for a sixth consecutive year

 

Malcolm ‘Barney’ Barnett, Construction Sales Manager at Major Owen Ltd. said, “What a great achievement! I’m very proud of our company. Well done to all the service team and a big thank you to our customers and Kubota UK for helping us to achieve Gold yet again!”


Gordon Smith CE Regional Service Representative for Kubota says "Major Owen achieving Gold in their DSE is good for Kubota and our customers. The award means the after sales at Major Owen are to a high standard and will reassure confidence in our customers that Major Owen technicians are fully trained in Kubota products and equipped with the correct tooling to carry out any after care tasks. Well done to all the staff at Major Owen"

SPECIAL EARLY BIRD PRICES NOW AVAILABLE
For Service Dealer Conference & Awards
 
Early Bird prices are available now for 2018's Service Dealer Conference & Awards

Book now for November's event to take advantage of some very special ticket prices.

 


The 2018 Service Dealer Conference & Awards takes place on Thursday 15th November at the Oxford Belfry Hotel, Thame, Oxfordshire.


The title of the Conference this year is To 2048: Insights for our Industry - Helping you to prosper over the next 30 years.

 


It will be a very special event this November, to celebrate Service Dealer’s 30th anniversary and to look forward to the next 30 years of success for the independent dealer trade.

 

The event will include leading industry speakers and experts, panel debates and breakout sessions. Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke commented, "The Conference will cover topics that will help your business to prosper over the coming years.

 

“We aim to give dealers tangible insight into future challenges, tackling topics such as Succession and Urbanisation – plus guest speakers will give first-hand accounts of what large spending customers expect from a Dealership. The breakout sessions enable even greater participation having proved extremely useful in previous years, raising many valuable talking points.”

 

Also in the evening at the Oxford Belfry the prestigious Dealer of the Year Awards dinner and ceremony will take place.

 

You can secure your tickets now for this valuable event which is intended for dealers supplying and/or servicing the garden machinery, professional turfcare, farm machinery and outdoor power equipment industries.

 

You will find very attractive Early Bird prices on Service Dealer's new website, offering significant savings over tickets bought closer to the event.

 

Ticket packages are available for entry to the Conference only, the Dealer of The Year Dinner only, or for the Conference & Dinner combined. Visit the website for full details of the offers.

 

Also there you will be able to find details of special conference rates being offered by the Oxford Belfry Hotel on accommodation rates.

 

Visit the Service Dealer website now to secure your place at these special rates.

AEA WELCOME NEW TECHNICAL & STANDARDS ENGINEER
Robert Cook joins
 
Robert Crook pictured at the recent AEA AGM and luncheon

Newly created position within the organisation to strengthen the existing Technical and Standards Group.

 


The Agricultural Engineers Association has announced that Robert Crook has joined the AEA team in the role of Technical and Standards Engineer. This is a newly created position within the organisation to strengthen the existing Technical and Standards Group.

 

Robert Crook, right, with Dr Keith Hawken, AEA Technical and Standards Director pictured at the recent AEA AGM and luncheon

 

Robert’s responsibilities will be primarily in the farm equipment sector supporting the Industry’s input to global standards organisations and providing technical and standards support to AEA members.

 

The AEA say Robert has extensive knowledge and experience of agricultural equipment from his 30 years working in Product Development for CNH Industrial where he held positions managing test and development groups for tractors and harvester machines. In these roles, he worked at many global locations gaining practical exposure to local markets, customer requirements and the agricultural business operations. Robert worked in Product Safety for CNH Industrial gaining knowledge of industry standards, legislation and technical organisations to ensure that products were developed to meet legal requirements and maintained good safety practice.

 

Robert completed a BSc Hons Degree in Agricultural Engineering at Silsoe College, Cranfield University. He is a Chartered Engineer and Member of both the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

 

From a farming background, Robert continues to maintain a practical working interest on the family farm. His other interests include motorsports and travel.

 

Ruth Bailey, CEO of the AEA said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to have Robert on board. We are moving into an era where our technical input in standards and regulation will be critical to the UK, however it may look after Brexit. It's imperative that we ensure that the AEA is fully conversant and involved in shaping future legislation. I cannot think of a more relevant and experienced person to support our members and provide technical expertise and service from the AEA. I’m sure all our members, many of whom I believe will already know Robert, will welcome him openly.”

CAN-AM TAKE PART IN CONQUEST TOUR
Visiting auction marts throughout Britain
 
Outlander 450

Tour's introduction follows a consultation with UK Can-Am dealer network that identified auction marts and livestock sales as one of the key locations to target both new and existing customers.

 


An initiative designed to put the Can-Am All Terrain (ATV) and Side by Side Vehicles (SSV) at the forefront of farmers and utility users’ minds when they come to purchase a new vehicle is being implemented by BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) during May and June.

 

The Can-Am Conquest Tour will be visiting 20 livestock sales and auction marts, including Gisburn, Bentham, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Thame and Ashford, during a seven-week period, to showcase the benefits the Can-Am off-road range can deliver to consumers, while continuing to raise awareness of the brand.

 

Outlander 450

 

The introduction of the tour by BRP follows a consultation with its UK Can-Am dealership network that identified auction marts and livestock sales as one of the key locations to target both new and existing customers. It is part of Can-Am’s ongoing efforts to increase its market share in the UK utility ATV and SSV sectors, while engaging with consumers to understand their requirements and highlighting the Can-Am Outlander 450 and 570, and Can-Am Traxter models.

 

The road show will arrive onsite with a branded truck transporting a selection of Can-Am ATVs and SSVs, with supporting promotional merchandise and offers. BRP’s dealers will be present for the duration of each sale to provide attendees with insights into the vehicles and to arrange demo rides with interested consumers back at their premises.

 

Anita Gobbo, BRP regional commercial manager UK, Italy and Spain, said, “Our client base works hard and requires a suitable hardwearing vehicle to assist them onsite, but we know that users cannot always get to dealerships to see and try the bikes. This is why we are bringing our ATVs and SSVs to them.

 

"These auction marts provide the Can-Am brand with an efficient lever to secure visibility and raise awareness. The Conquest Tour provides participating dealers with a high footfall platform to talk directly to their potential customers and promote their businesses to the targeted end user.”

DOUBLE MILESTONE FOR HUNTS ENGINEERING
Midlands-based dealership
 
Hunts Engineering

Hunts Engineering Ltd is celebrating a double milestone this year after reaching its 10th anniversary in business and its first year working in partnership with Kubota UK.

 


Hunts Engineering Ltd is celebrating a double milestone this year after reaching its 10th anniversary in business and its first year working in partnership with Kubota UK.

 

To celebrate these key milestones, the Midlands-based tractor and groundcare dealer recently held a special two-day event at its premises in Shipton-on-Stour, welcoming over 250 customers through its doors.

 

The team at Hunts Engineering

 

Visitors to the open days had the opportunity to see Kubota’s complete range of equipment, with machinery experts from Hunts Engineering and Kubota UK on-hand to help and answer any questions and queries. A number of live demonstrations also took place across the two-day event, giving visitors the chance to see the machines in action.

 

Kubota UK say their partnership with Hunts Engineering is going from strength to strength since the two joined forces in 2017. For Hunts Engineering, they say it has enabled the business to target a much wider customer base, including the commercial arena. This now allows Hunts to supply machinery to commercial landscapers, local authorities and grounds maintenance professionals across Shipston and spanning a 20-mile radius including Banbury, Chipping Norton and Stratford.

 

For the first time, Hunts Engineering also now supplies UTVs, sub-compact tractors and ride-on mowers through Kubota’s product portfolio. 

 

Peter Hunt, Managing Director at Hunts Engineering Ltd, said: “As a family-run business, we are delighted to be celebrating our ten-year anniversary, whilst also marking our one-year milestone as a Kubota dealer.

 

“Becoming a Kubota groundcare dealer has enabled us to take the business to a new level, securing a breadth of both residential and commercial clients. Whilst its product range is second to none, Kubota’s commitment to aftersales and service also reflects our own dedication to servicing and parts, which remains very much at the core of our success.”

 

Having been an agricultural engineer for a number of years before launching the business with his wife, Julie, Hunts Engineering boasts a first class workshop and team of Kubota trained engineers who hold over 80 years of servicing experience between them.

 

Adrian Langmead, Groundcare Business Development Manager at Kubota, added: “Over the last year we have seen significant growth through our partnership with Hunts Engineering. Our dealer network is vital to our continued growth and success, so having such a dedicated and committed dealership representing our product range, whilst also providing excellent aftersales service, is a fantastic extension of our brand. We look forward to continued success for many years to come.”

NORTHERN APPOINTMENT AT OPICO
New territory manager in place
 
Colin Grigor

Opico has appointed Colin Grigor as a new territory manager to cover Northern England and Southern Scotland.

 


Opico has appointed Colin Grigor as a new territory manager to cover Northern England and Southern Scotland.

 

Colin will add further strength to the sales team to reflect the company’s increasing customer base and portfolio of products, taking responsibility for all the OPICO, SKY, HE-VA, Strautmann and Maschio Gaspardo brands in this area.

 

Commenting, Charles Bedforth, OPICO UK Sales Manager said, "I am delighted to have taken on such a talented individual. Colin comes from a farming background and joins OPICO with a wealth of experience gained most recently at Ancroft Tractors and prior to that at Henderson Grass Machinery."

 

On his new appointment Colin said, "I am really excited to be joining the OPICO team and to be selling such a wide range of products from livestock forage and feeding, to cultivations and grassland equipment, as well as grain drying. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to picking up with dealers and customers across my area.’

 

Colin will be based from home in Haddington, East Lothian and his contact details are, wmail: colin.grigor@opico.co.uk , mobile: 07535 266 365.

CHATSWORTH SHOW GARDEN TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF TRACTORS
John Deere's first RHS sponsor
 
John Deere's RHS Chatsworth garden

John Deere’s first sponsored garden at an RHS flower show celebrates 100 years of tractors and a time innovation revolutionised agriculture and the worked landscape.

 


Designed by Elspeth Stockwell and Jo Fairfax, John Deere’s first sponsored garden at an RHS flower show celebrates 100 years of tractors and a time innovation revolutionised agriculture and the worked landscape.

 

The garden features a circular sculpture of 100 golden tractors and the planting mixes meadow and monoculture planting styles. A charred oak backdrop and circular seating suggest farm buildings dotted across the pastoral landscape. The garden reflects the atmosphere of walking through the countryside, where nature looks on as tractors cultivate the fields.

 

John Deere's RHS Chatsworth garden

 

The planting depicts the landscape’s natural beauty through a combination of native and non-native flowering grasses and wildflowers. Around 2000 individual plants include Calamagrostis Karl Foerster planted en masse to mimic fields of crops, while Papaver cambricum and ferns portray John Deere’s green and yellow corporate colours. Camassia leichtlinii caerulea is a North American prairie plant and a reference to John Deere’s US origins. Betula pendula and Digitalis lutea also feature in the planting scheme.

 

The plants are being supplied by Miles Nurseries. The contractor is David Greaves Landscape Design and Construction and CED Stone Landscape are providing the hard landscaping materials.

 

Elspeth explains the inspiration behind the garden: “John Deere’s 100 years of tractors made me think how innovation in agriculture has transformed the landscape over the last century. Working in collaboration with Jo Fairfax, I wanted to create a garden that depicts the rhythms and seasonality of the land.”

 

John Deere celebrates 100 years of tractor manufacturing in 2018, and the company’s longstanding commitment to support those who cultivate, transform and enrich the land. The company says the garden portrays John Deere’s aims and this special anniversary.

 

Blacksmith John Deere founded the company that bears his name in 1837, in Illinois, when he developed an innovative plough that could work the heavy soil of the North American prairies, thereby revolutionising agriculture and making farming profitable in the region’s tough conditions. In 1918 the company entered the tractor business with the acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and its iconic 27hp Waterloo Boy.

 

A century of tractor innovation has followed, including the launch in 1963 of the company’s first lawn tractor, the 7hp 110, drawing on the experience and technology of its larger agricultural cousins. John Deere has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural, turf and lawn and garden equipment, its ethos firmly rooted in its founder’s core values of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation.

 

In addition to the show garden, John Deere will also have an adjacent trade stand to showcase models from its range of lawn care equipment including lawn tractors, robotic lawnmowers and walk-behind mowers.

HOLE LOT OF SUCCESS
Vincent Tractors organise 'Dig Day'
 
Vincent Tractors' Dig Day

Vincent Tractors, based in Fraddon mid Cornwall, held a successful Dig Day where visitors were able to put a range of equipment through its paces.

 


For the third year in a row dealers, Vincent Tractors, based in Fraddon mid Cornwall, held a successful Dig Day where visitors were able to put a range of Kubota excavators and other equipment from its construction range through its paces.

 


The event, which was held at Gnome World Holiday Park on 26th April, enabled visitors to try out several different excavators and wheeled loaders.


One machine that attracted a lot of interest was Kubota’s latest addition to its range, the KX030-4. The mini-excavator was launched earlier this year. Visitors were impressed with how easy it was to operate.


Matt Fox, Vincent Tractors’ construction salesperson said, “It’s not often that people get the chance to try out so many different excavators in one location. The Kubota range is fantastic, and an added bonus was that we had a number of different manufacturers here which allowed visitors to see a number of different attachments for excavators in operation."

JOBS
E P BARRUS LTD
Marketing Executive
 
E P Barrus Ltd

E P Barrus Ltd is looking for a Marketing Executive to specialise across their Lawn and Garden Machinery portfolio.

 


E P Barrus Ltd is looking for a Marketing Executive to specialise across our Lawn and Garden Machinery portfolio.

 

Working across a comprehensive range of premium quality lawnmowers, powered garden equipment and accessories from leading brands including Cub Cadet, Lawnflite and Agri-Fab.

 

Responsibilities to include the development and co-ordination of marketing communication materials across all channels including: print, digital, events, dealership POS and advertising. Working with the PR team to expand product and brand profile pieces across all types of trade and consumer media along with the development of all social media marketing and writing content for ecommerce and brand websites.

 

The successful candidate will be marketing degree qualified (or equivalent) with at least five years’ experience, either client or agency based. You will have multi-channel experience incorporating print, digital, social, POS and events and excellent eye for copy editing. Experience in the lawn and garden industry would be favourable. You will be a competent and proactive communicator and have the ability to develop and build relationships at all levels.

 

A competitive salary will be offered to the right candidate.

 

Please apply enclosing your full CV to: Recruitment, E.P. Barrus Ltd, Glen Way, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4UR or email: recruitment@barrus.co.uk

 

www.barrus.co.uk

KAWASAKI MOTORS EUROPE N.V - ENGINES DIVISION
Position: Application Engineer
 
Kawasaki Engines

To aid further expansion in Europe, Kawasaki Engine Division are offering a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to work with OEMs on new products by providing technical support for engine installation in new product development projects and applications across the EMEA trading area.

 


Kawasaki Engine Division is a market leading supplier of top-of-the-line commercial and residential lawn mower engines (from walk behinds to commercial out-front riders) and for other garden and general industrial equipment.

As engine and drivetrain technologies continue to advance, installations are becoming more complex and our OEM customers require expert technical support for OEM product development projects.

 

To aid further expansion in Europe, we are offering a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to work with OEMs on new products by providing technical support for engine installation in new product development projects and applications across the EMEA trading area.

 

Main purpose of Job:

  • This positon seeks, creates and supports OEM/Distributor product development projects in all aspects of the correct installation of an appropriate Kawasaki engine for the OEM application.
  • It further ensures the current and future compliance of Kawasaki engine ranges to required legislation in the trading area.

Main Tasks:

  • Communication with OEMs on initial and future product development project requirements
  • Working closely with OEM R&D Engineers throughout the machine development process to ensure the correct fitment of Kawasaki engines to their products and to enable it to gain final OEM and Kawasaki approval
  • Manage development and test schedules to OEM requirements
  • Accurately maintain all New Specification Request files and manage and maintain specification development schedules to OEM requirement
  • Liaison with Kawasaki factories for sample development

Experience required;

  • Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering Degree (or similar) with several years practical experience in preferably horticultural or agricultural machinery industry
  • Technical and market knowledge of diesel and petrol engine market and industry
  • Experience and knowledge of Turfcare OEM standards and working practices

Other information;

  • This position reports directly to the Sales Manager and is responsible for engine installation and pre-sales issues projects with OEMs
  • Within the daily operation this position has the freedom to plan and organise the activities as seen fit to perform the duties involved in the job, keeping the Sales Manager informed of any significant developments.
  • Candidates should live within commuting distance from the Bourne End (Bucks) office.

Applications; Interested applicants should send their CV and a covering letter to;

Andy Pringle, Sales Manager
APringle@Kawasaki.eu

SHARROCKS
Groundcare Field Service Engineers (covering S & W Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Notts)
 
Sharrocks

Due to a significant increase in business Sharrocks are looking to recruit Groundcare Field Service Engineers to carry out service & repairs on customer's equipment as well as their own hire fleet.

 


 

Established since 1926 we are a family run business specialising in Agricultural and Groundscare Machinery holding many market leading dealerships including Case IH, Ransomes, Jacobsen, Iseki, Ferris, Wright, Redexim, Jensen, Spider, Wessex, Stihl, Husqvarna, Etesia, Trilo, Cushman & EZGO.


Our company strongly believes in investing in its engineers with continual specialised manufacturer training being provided. Due to a significant increase in business we are looking to recruit Groundcare Field Service Engineers to carry out service & repairs on customer's equipment as well as our own hire fleet. We have opportunities in the South & West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire areas.

 

Candidates must have workshop & field based engineering experience with groundscare, plant or agricultural machinery and hold a current driving licence.


To apply or for more information and a full job description, please contact victora.kay@sharrock.co.uk

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BIG ONLINE ADVANTAGE FOR DEALERS
Garden Trader website/directory
 
Map of dealerships registered with Garden Trader

Garden Trader is a product and dealer search website/directory only for specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK. It has been designed to support and promote our dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.


Garden Trader is a product and dealer search website/directory only for specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK. It has been designed to support and promote our dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.

 

It costs just £95 + VAT per year to be listed and all revenues this year will be reinvested into promoting the site online.

 

 

Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our 170 subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership”.

 

FIND OUT MORE

Events
LATEST SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS
Sponsored by STIHL GB


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SIDE ADVERT

PARTNERS
STIHL GB
 
STIHL GB
ASPEN FUEL
 
Aspen
Bagma
 
BAGMA
Catalyst Computer Systems
 
Catalyst Computer Systems
Evopos
 
Evopos
GardenCare
 
GardenCare
Garden Trader
 
Garden Trader
Grizzly Tools
 
Grizzly Tools
Handy Distribution
 
Handy Distribution
Henton & Chattell
 
Henton & Chattell
Husqvarna
 
Husqvarna
Rochford Garden Machinery
 
Rochford Garden Machinery
Stens
 
Stens
uni-power
 
uni-power
TurfPro
 
TurfPro
CURRENT ISSUE
May / June 2018
 
Service Dealer May / June 2018
PRODUCED BY THE AD PLAIN