Today is the final Service Dealer Update of 2017 before we pause for the Christmas break.

We'll be back with you from Friday January 5th - and by then you should have also received the first Service Dealer magazine of 2018. It's a cracking issue with a freshened up design, a superb supplement entitled Communicating With Dealers which has been put together by Chris Biddle, as well as our traditional industry events Wallplanner. It'll be like Christmas has never ended when that bumper lot drops onto your matt!

So I won't bang on here today, rather I'll let you get on with winding down (hopefully) for a relaxing break.

I'd just like to say once again on behalf of all the team here at Service Dealer, thank you for your continued support during 2017 to all our readers and our commercial partners.

It's a real pleasure to bring you all the industry news each week with this Update and in-depth articles every other month with Service Dealer magazine.

I think the community which this industry engenders was exemplified last week with the deluge of well-wishing messages we received for Ron Miller. It was truly delightful to see so many come through and every single one was appreciated.

I leave you today with a Christmas Panda game which the Service Dealer team has put together. I'll warn you now though, it's incredibly infuriating! I tired it for a bit - but gave up once I realised I was swearing at my computer even more than I usually do.

If you do manage to stick with it as far as level 15 (20 levels in total) you can enter the draw to win an Amazon Echo Dot. The draw will take place on 5th January 2018.

Click here to play

Good luck! And have a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Cheers!

Steve

The organisers of the Garden Trader website, which puts specialist dealers in front of customers, are encouraging dealers to sign-up for 2018 before their free listings are removed.

The site's owner Duncan Murray-Clarke, who also owns Service Dealer, pointed out that the website which launched in February this year is the only independent national website that is targeting customers at the point which they are considering a purchase.

Duncan said, "The site's content ensures that customers know the advantages of using our skilled dealer network. The nice thing is that we already have all sizes of dealer committed to next year - from the smaller single branch businesses to some of the multi branch companies.

"We currently have over 100 dealers signed up for 2018 and there will no doubt be a late flurry of sign-ups as the deadline approaches. In fairness to all, any non paid-for listings will be taken down at the start of 2018."

Duncan continued, "Site visitor numbers have been strong in 2017 and we will continue to invest in site traffic next year. Garden Trader dealers are going to benefit from this visibility and it will give them an advantage over their competitors. Membership is just £95 plus VAT per year, which equates to £1.82 per week. To sign-up only takes two minutes by credit card."

Also keen for dealers not to miss out on what the site can offer them is Garden Trader dealer communications manager Ron Miller. He said recently, "I truly believe the vehicle to start portraying the dealer network to the public as an industry is the Garden Trader website. Yes, we want to use it to persuade customers through individual dealer doors, but surely the main thrust of the site is to name the dealer as the expert where service comes first?

"The site's purpose is to enable the public to recognise and respect dealers for what they really are, professional, customer oriented, educated, trained, trustworthy, available and easy to do business with.

"Given the right support from manufacturers and the dealer network, Garden Trader can become the true dealer 'Voice of the Industry' to the consumer."

Duncan Murray-Clarke also confirmed that STIHL GB and Briggs & Stratton have continued their commitment to Garden Trader into 2018 and said two more major site sponsors are expected to be announced soon.

The number of people killed by lawnmowers in the US has been named as 2017's top international statistic.

The BBC reported that Kim Kardashian tweeted the figure back in January this year in response to a migrant ban proposed by President Donald Trump.

She highlighted that 69 people were killed annually by lawnmowers in the US, compared with two killed by Islamic jihadist immigrants.

The UK's top statistic went to the fact that only 0.1 percent of land area is densely built on.

The death by lawnmower statistic had originally appeared in a Richard Todd article for the Huffington Post.

The Daily Mail said Todd and Kardashian's use of these figures shows how everyone can deploy statistical evidence to inform debate and highlight misunderstandings of risk in people's lives.

Judging panel member Liberty Vittert said, "Everyone on the panel was particularly taken by this statistic and its insight into risk - a key concept in both statistics and everyday life.

"When you consider that this figure was put into the public domain by Kim Kardashian, it becomes even more powerful because it shows anyone, statistician or not, can use statistics to illustrate an important point and illuminate the bigger picture."

Statistic of the Year is a new initiative for 2017 that celebrates how statistics can help us better understand the world around us.

The winning entries were all felt by the judging panel to capture the spirit of 2017.

Nominations were made by members of the public as well as sought from RSS members worldwide.

An independent audit has confirmed that the combined attendance over the two day exhibition totaled 8,909 - the highest ever since SALTEX moved to the NEC, Birmingham.

After two successful days, the 72nd SALTEX exhibition came to a close on 2 November. Over the past two years the exhibition has recorded an encouraging and consistent flux of visitors on each occasion, but this year, say the organisers, a boom of visits seemed to be apparent.

The show’s debut year at the NEC in 2015 saw 8,714 attendees, 2016 recorded 8,754 and this year saw a record 8,909 - which the show's organisers say didn’t go unnoticed by exhibitors.

“An excellent show in 2017,” said Jeremy Hoyle, director at Earlsmere. “Enquiries on the stand were up 15% on last year, and we gained a number of significant leads with sports turf professionals, schools and colleges featuring heavily within our stand attendee list.”

“We were really impressed with the amount of customers visiting our stand this year! SALTEX TV was excellent too, perfect for promoting a new product,” said Holly Jones, marketing manager for Reesink Turfcare.

Price Turfcare, a newly established business founded by Ransomes Jacobsen's former sales director, Rupert Price, was another exhibitor that achieved all of its objectives. “As a start-up business which has only been in existence since the beginning of the year, our first visit to SALTEX has been a very positive experience. One of our aims at SALTEX was to look for new dealer partners and this worked well for us. I can safely say that SALTEX ticked all the boxes,” said Rupert.

Chris Wood, pitches consultant at England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), suggested that SALTEX is a place where some of the greatest industry ideas are born. “The value of a show like this is being able to talk to colleagues from other codes of sport and share ideas. Not only that, it is a place to challenge exhibitors about new technology and that is how new innovation comes about.”

He continued; “I’ve been in this business for 50 years and the opportunities for young groundsmen now, compared to when I first started, are profound.”

SALTEX 2018 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November.

Etesia UK dealers recently visited the company’s HQ and factory in Wissembourg, France to see their state-of-art factory and production line.

More than 15 dealers, made up of new and existing companies, took part in three days of visits. They got the chance to see the newly-refurbished visitor centre as well as the automated fabrication and production line.

Etesia say they boast one of the best networks of green space maintenance equipment specialists in Europe; it has become a key supplier of local authorities and landscape contractors throughout Europe, while acquiring an International dimension with operations in over 40 countries spread over five continents.

Les Malin, operations director of Etesia UK, kick-started the trip by relaying the benefits of Etesia machines, while Patrick Vives, President of Etesia SAS told the story as to how it all began with the Hydro 100 machine over thirty years ago. Attendees were then delivered a presentation on the advances in technology, a sneak preview of the new products which will be launched ahead of 2018, followed by a tour of the factory.

After lunch the opportunity arose to get hands on with some of Etesia’s machinery outside.

The day was rounded off with an evening visit to the luxurious Royal Palace, Kirrwiller, which saw everyone enjoy live music, acrobats, and other enchanting entertainment.

The last day began with a tour around the picturesque town of Wissembourg with a private guide before meeting the town’s Mayor for a greater insight into what Etesia offers the local area in terms of employment and export.

The trip was concluded with a visit to Maginot Line - a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany and force them to move around the fortifications, which was constructed on the French side of its borders with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg.

At the end of the visit Les Malin, operations director of Etesia UK, thanked everyone for attending: "We are very proud of the work we do in the UK with our dealers and of our facilities in France. To be able to show the people, who are effectively our sales force, just how much effort goes into achieving the best, and to get their feedback, is invaluable."

Glee 2018 will be benefiting from a complete relocation within the NEC to halls 6,7,8, 19-20, providing the show with a much bigger footprint.

Organisers say that exhibitors will be able to relocate, whilst visitors will be walking an updated floorplan; discovering new products and companies at every turn.

They claim the overall effect will be a refreshed, revitalised event. Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director said, “Glee has been growing at a significant rate - for example we had over 200 new brands join us at the 2017 event - and that means we’ve outgrown our current home.

"Glee has successfully relocated before, and we believe that this next move will be received with the same level of industry support. Not only will the exhibition be able to better accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, but its refreshed layout will breathe new life into the show.

"This move is inspired by the way that retailers keep their store interesting for customers by constantly revising the layout. This way customers discover more, and ultimately spend more - something we know our exhibitors and visitors want to replicate during their time at Glee.”

Glee’s added value content, such as the Seminar Theatre, will also be getting an upgrade in 2018, including a relocation in hall 8.

Matthew continues, “Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2018 event. Garden retailing is continuing to buck the trend, with growth for both garden retailers and suppliers continuing to grab the headlines. At Glee 2018 look out for more features, seminar sessions and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issues set to affect the industry in the years ahead.”

Glee 2018 will also see more focus on new products, including the New Product Showcase relocating to the main floorspace.

Farmers are driving change behind 2018's Cereals Event say the organisers, with the inaugural meeting of the Farmer Advisory Board sparking lively debate and plenty of bright ideas.

Drawing on the experience of arable farmers across the UK, the Advisory Board will identify what visitors really want from the event, complementing the Exhibitor Advisory Board, to ensure feedback from both exhibitors and visitors.

“We are continuing to press the reset button for change,” explains event director Jon Day. “We received some very good feedback from the farmers’ perspective on changes that we can make to the 2018 event and continue to develop in the future.”

Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward reckons the new collaborative approach is a really positive move. “The event is for the benefit of the industry, and as farmers are such a huge part of that, it is only right that they have a say in its direction and content.”

The initial meeting highlighted some particular focus areas such as increasing the innovation and technical side of the event, as well as simplifying the registration process, and improving the on-site navigation and connectivity. “It is really positive to see the new Comexposium team fully behind the changes we want to see,” explains Cambridgeshire farmer, David Knott. “There are plenty of good ideas and it will all bring change for the better – I really felt like we were being listened to more than ever before.”

While some of the farmer feedback was similar to the Exhibitor Advisory Board’s input, there were some interesting additional themes, says Mr Day. “It’s clear from the Board feedback that we are in the midst of a technological revolution in agriculture, and visitors really want to see the latest cutting-edge technology from a mixture of established businesses and start-ups,” he explains.

“Automation and robotic technology is likely to play an important role in the future, so we’re delighted that Cereals 2018 will feature the only live demonstration of Harper Adams’ Hands Free Hectare equipment in the country. The Board were genuinely excited by and interested in that.”

Students represent the future of the industry, and the team will be working closely with agricultural colleges and young farmers clubs to encourage more of the next generation to visit.

With 2018 marking a turning point for the Cereals event, the changes the Comexposium team are making will play a crucial role in keeping it as the top arable event, adds Mr Ward. “There’s no doubt that it can be a great event.”

The new and updated Cereals will return to Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on 13-14 June 2018.

Both Advisory Boards will meet again in February 2018.

Emak UK Ltd., manufacturers of the Efco & Bertolini branded garden machinery ranges have appointed Steve Barnfather as the new Area Sales Manager for the Scotland area.

Steve has a wealth of experience in the field having been in the forest and grasscare, as well as the agricultural industry for over twenty years, working for the likes of Ransomes Jacobsen, Kramp and most recently Gwaza.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all of the current Efco Dealers in Scotland and bringing some new Dealers on board,” says Steve, “I’m sure I will see some old faces too!”

Dealers can look forward to seeing Steve in the New Year.

Bomford Turner have recently celebrated their 50-year relationship with their distributor for France, Sarl Quitte et Fils of Niort.

A Bomford Raven reach arm mower painted in Gold and Blue was presented to mark the 50 year anniversary

The Quitte company was started 60 years ago by Mr. Roger Quitte to supply agricultural machinery to the French market, both as a dealer and as an importer. The relationship between the Quitte company and Bomford began 50 years ago, with sales all over France of the yellow reach arm mowers.

This was to be the foundation of what has turned out to be a long and lasting relationship, with many 1000s of reach arm mowers and hedge cutters sold, in every region of France, through many generations of farmers and contractors.

Mr. Didier Quitte, Roger’s son, is now running the company – and with great success. The business has navigated through the difficult political, and economic changes that not only have affected France, but the wider markets. This resolve from the Quitte company has seen record sales in 2017 as the company approached its 50th year trading with Bomford Turner Ltd.

James Cuthbertson, Director of Sales & Marketing at Bomford said, “We felt that as a mark of this achievement we should give Didier, and the Quitte company a special gift - and we presented a Bomford Raven reach arm mower painted in Gold and Blue to mark this 50 year anniversary.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank, Mr.Didier Quitte, his family, employees and all of our loyal customers in France for this momentous occasion.”

Sulky Burel UK has appointed Craig Thomson as sales manager for Scotland and Northern England.

From a farming background Craig has spent over thirty years in agriculture, twenty-four of which he has worked in the agricultural machinery trade.

Craig will be involved in the joint UK co-operation between Sulky and Gregoire Besson UK. The two companies have shared several functions since Sulky launched its UK subsidiary in November 2015, including a sales team, co-located office space and a parts distribution centre in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

Serge Suffissais, Export Manager, Sulky Burel says, “We are delighted to welcome Craig to the Sulky Burel family. His significant experience in the industry will be a great asset to the team, helping us to grow the Sulky brand in the UK and deliver outstanding service to our Scottish and Northern dealers.”

Since starting Craig has received training on both the Sulky Burel and Gregoire Besson products and can be contacted on 07341 959273.

Following last week's spotting of Father Christmas at T&H Power Products, it seems his little helper has been round to Rodger Bentley Power Equipment in Driffield.

Here 16 year old Bertie can be seen getting into the festive spirit.

Merry Christwoof!