Today should have seen the re-opening of pubs in Ireland but Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced last Wednesday that Phase 4 of the lockdown easing would be delayed until August the 10th.

This is on foot of the increase in the number of cases of coronavirus infections in recent weeks and the fear of a second wave of a Covid-19 outbreak.

The majority of new Covid-19 cases has been with the younger population, i.e. those under 45 years of age. Some scientists say that the reason why the second wave is not accelerating as quick as the first outbreak, back in March, is because people have been wearing masks, washing their hands and keeping their social distance. However, it is only a matter of time, the scientists say, when the younger people will infect the older generation, which could see an escalation of infections, hence the delay in Phase 4.

The last thing we need is a second lockdown, which we have witnessed on the news in other countries. Just when our industry is recovering from the last lockdown, a second shut down of businesses would be the death knell for some dealers.

This leads me nicely to the recent CLIMMAR survey carried out last May to European dealers. Six hundred and sixty dealerships from fourteen different countries responded to the survey, which gives a good indication of the effects and impact of the Covid-19 crisis on their businesses. 80% of the dealers participating in the survey said that they were affected in one way or another from the Covid-19 crisis. The purpose of the survey was to get a quick assessment of the Covid-19 situation amongst the European dealers.

The results are very interesting and vary from country to country. It has 34 pages, mainly of charts and graphs showing results for each question asked but it is well worth looking at. It is made up of two parts. Part one shows comparisons between participating countries while part two shows the compiled results of participating countries. Questions asked were broad and wide ranging such as the implications of staff working from home to machinery sales.

Some of the charts would be relevant to dealers in Ireland. Unfortunately, Ireland is not a member of CLIMMAR. I am not sure what the reason is but I feel that being part of a European dealership organisation is more important now than ever before. I know we are an island nation but it doesn’t mean we have to be isolated.

It must be remembered that the above mentioned survey was taken in May, when the mood at that time was of hope for a recovery. Businesses around Europe were re-opening and Covid-19 cases were on the decline. But things have changed since then. The second wave of Covid-19 is rearing its ugly head all around the globe. Thankfully, Ireland is keeping the numbers down but allowing visitors from overseas to enter the country does not bode well. It will be similar in European countries. With that in mind, I would be interested to see a similar CLIMMAR survey take place in September to see if the statistics have changed.

Visit the CLIMMAR website where you can download a copy of the survey.

At its July meeting, the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) executive council elected Diarmuid Claridge as the new president of the association.

New FTMTA president Diarmuid Claridge

Diarmuid has served as a member of the FTMTA council since early 2016 and has been vice-president of the association since January 2019.

Having grown up on a dairy and beef farm in south Kilkenny, Diarmuid says that he has had a passion for machinery from an early age.

His career in the industry began as an agricultural mechanic, training with well-known dealer and FTMTA member Murphy’s Motors in Glenmore.

After spending a couple of years working in Australia, he returned to Ireland to take up positions with big-name entities in the machinery sector – such as AGCO and Lemken.

This saw Diarmuid develop his skills and experience within the industry. In more recent years he was appointed as managing director of Pottinger Ireland – a subsidiary of Austrian manufacturer Pottinger Landtechnik GmbH.

In January of this year, Pottinger officially opened its new Irish headquarters in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Looking back on his career to this point, Diarmuid said: “The farm machinery industry is an exciting and challenging environment to work within. I would highly recommend it to any school-leaver with a passion for machinery.

The new president said that “the farm machinery industry is facing a difficult and challenging time but it’s important that we focus on the horizon ahead, remain positive and, most importantly, adapt to change”.

“The FTMTA will play a vital role in ensuring that the industry continues to face those challenges and supports its members throughout Ireland.

“I look forward to working closely with the team at the FTMTA and my colleagues on the executive council as we look to the future of a progressive and vibrant trade.”

Source: Agriland

Kramp UK has made a huge investment in a brand new distribution center, relocating just around the corner within the same town of Biggleswade.

Kramp UK sales director Des Boyd, with the keys to the new building

The company say Monday 13th this week was a momentous day for them. After remaining in the current location for the last 24 years, Kramp employees moved to the new offices and are now operating solely from the new building. Logistics staff have also started to transition to the new warehouse and are beginning to move the stock to the new building.

Part of the team celebrated on Monday at the office by taking a tour of the new premises and also hosted a virtual party with those who were still working from home.

During the following weeks, the new warehouse will be operational, but during this time the existing warehouse will continue to fulfil to customers as part of Kramp’s normal service, making sure there are no interruptions to customer orders.

The company says the new, much larger, warehouse includes upgraded technology allowing them to stock many more products, and increase the stockholding of the fastest moving lines. Kramp says this will ensure an improved service and faster delivery to customers in the agricultural, forest and grass care, OEM and construction markets.

UK sales director, Des Boyd, said, “We have built a completely automated conveyor system that stems over 3 floors to improve the quality and efficiency of the warehouse. This now means that items coming in will be handled a lot quicker with an easier flow to get the items on stock. For orders, the conveyor system features new Kramp boxes, automatic weighing scales, quality handling stations, automatic packing and box sealing machines. This gives us less wastage, less recycling and improving the efficiency and overall quality”. 

Kramp describe the move as quite a large undertaking. They say the management teams and colleagues have worked hard before and during Covid-19 lockdown to keep to schedule as much as possible, responsibly, with only a three week delay. All companies involved worked hard to make sure the transition went smoothly during this period so that business could carry on as normal.

Kramp Groep state that their long-term vision is to fully support the growing UK and Irish markets. The new site also allows room for further future expansion.

SALTEX and events director, Luke Perry, has spoken about the planned exhibition for next March saying they don't yet have all the answers but he believes the show will play an "integral" role of bringing the industry together following the events of this year.

Luke Perry

Luke Perry was appointed by the Grounds Management Association six weeks before the 2019 event. Luke has previously worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious exhibitions, including BBC Countryfile Live, The British International Motor Show, Autosport International and several specialist events in the hospitality industry.

Enthused by his first taste of SALTEX, Luke says he was straight to work on preparations for the show’s 75th anniversary, spearheading the team of organisers in coordinating the strategy. “Putting on a two-day show is an enormous amount of work - it really is a 365-day project, but I wouldn’t have been in the events industry for so long if I didn’t love what I do,” he said.

Luke says he is looking forward to making his mark on SALTEX’s 75th anniversary but will of course, have to wait longer than originally planned, following the announcement that the show has been postponed from November 2020 to Spring 2021.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but absolutely the correct one,” he said. “I think the feedback and support from the industry certainly is testament to this.

“We’ve had a fantastic response from exhibitors with many claiming that it will provide them with enough time to recover and plan effectively. In fact, many have suggested that Spring is actually a better time of year and that echoes the same feedback we have had from visitors. With such an unprecedented year ahead, we’re planning more than ever behind the scenes to make sure it hits the right mark.”

Luke admitted that show preparations are somewhat different to the usual event planning. There is still uncertainty and questions arising as to how large gatherings and exhibitions will be delivered.

“The honest answer is that we do not have all the answers yet, but we do have time on our side,” he said. “Our main priority is to put the safety of everyone connected with SALTEX above all else – and this is one of the reasons why the show was postponed.

“Nonetheless, we are working around the clock and planning for every eventuality. Part of this planning involves ensuring that we can deliver a show in which people can assemble and interact with a real awareness of the need to maintain safe practices. Should guidelines or restrictions still be necessary in March, we are working hard to ensure the show remains a brilliant and valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors. All we can do is take it step-by-step and ensure that we are prepared for each part of the journey.

Luke belives that after an extended period of isolation, there will be a real appetite for SALTEX. "All signs are pointing towards an incredibly busy and vibrant show and we’re planning to deliver exactly that.”

Luke contnued, “As the GMA is a member organisation, it’s extremely close to the ground to the issues that matter most across the sector, at all levels. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to the industry and, in response, have quickly developed and issued essential Covid-19 resources.

"After this difficult period, I believe that SALTEX will play an integral role to helping the industry network, collaborate and continue to support one another more than ever before.”

SALTEX will take place on 3 and 4 March 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham.

The tenth chapter in the Service Dealer Digital Toolkit is now available.

TAP account manager, Kate Godber, said, "This week’s chapter will help you make the most of your business listing on Google. In just 30 minutes you can make yourself more visible online and increase your number of potential leads."

For those of you that have already registered use the login details emailed to you by Service Dealer (check your junk mail and add us to your safe senders list if you haven’t received the email) or if not, sign up here: https://www.servicedealer.co.uk/dealer-digital-toolkit

Campey Turf Care Systems has appointed well known industry figure, Nick Brown, as their new export sales manager.

Nick has over 20-years of experience in golf, and sports turf and through his previous role at Ransomes Jacobsen has extensive knowledge of the international markets. His understanding of these areas doesn’t only come from work. Four generations of his family were born and worked in the Far East, and he has lived in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and predominantly Indonesia across 25 years.

Campey say his experience in this part of the world, in particular his knowledge of local cultures, makes him exceptionally well suited to the role.

Nick said, “In my new role, I want to build on the consistent and well-known message that Campey is always willing to go the extra mile to help. I have always worked on the basis of ‘making a customer, not a sale,’ and that matches perfectly with the common goals and message the Campey team has.

Nick joins Campey during a challenging time for global travel and distribution, but Campey chairman, Richard Campey, believes Nick’s knowledge and enthusiasm will bring a fresh approach to the situation.

Richard said of Nick's appointment, “He joins us at a time of constant change in terms of global travel, in particular the restrictions we have to work with while still providing the best service to our customers. With support from our director Lee Morgado, who is already well-known to our dealer network and end users from the middle east to Australasia we hope to continue to grow in these established and new markets. That will require a different approach in terms of connecting with our export markets, and I’ve got no doubt that Nick will take that challenge on with enthusiasm.”

Etesia UK has reported a "huge uptake" in its petrol powered Buffalo ride-on mowers.

The company are putting this rise in popularity down to the outlawing in many city centres around the world, of the use of diesel powered products - and the lack of a battery powered ride-on machine, offering professional end-users similar power.

Eteisa UK md, Les Malin, said, "Who knows what the future holds, but, quite simply, the fact is that there is not currently a battery-powered machine on the market which is capable of equalling the performance of a professional petrol-powered ride-on mower.

“When you take into consideration the wide-spread demonising of diesel and the lack of professional battery powered ride-on mowers then there are unfortunately few solutions."

It is for these reasons that Etesia UK believe they have seen record-breaking growth in sales for its range of Buffalo ride-on mowers - which they say are the only commercial, petrol powered ride-on machines available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

The range first launched six years ago, doing well in the European markets as countries such as France and Germany replaced huge fleets of diesel-powered ride-on mowers with Buffalo ride-on petrol mowers.

The international landscape, outdoor living and equipment show.

Visit the Kentucky Exposition Center, between the 21-23rd October 2020, 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.