Where did the months go? I can’t believe that I am writing my last blog for 2021. How quickly the year flew by.
It was another extraordinary twelve months. We started the year still in lockdown but things were looking reasonably good, especially when the first vaccines were given in February. Some outdoor events took place during the summer months and by September, 90% of the population was fully vaccinated. It looked like that this coronavirus was well under control.
Unfortunately things started to go downwards by the end of November with the Omicron strain being discovered. Alas, we now find ourselves being restricted, once again, as we head into Christmas. The timing of the Service Dealer Conference and Awards was very fortunate. Had it happened a week later, things may have been very different. I know, from a personal point of view, that I may not have been able to travel to the UK, due to the restrictions that were put in place by the Irish government.
However, one thing that stood out for me, this year, was how well people adapted during the pandemic. Within our own industry some dealers were particularly innovative in coming up with different ways of trading. Some of the many ways businesses adapted included creating virtual showrooms; developing online trading, especially for spare parts and accessories. One such business even created QR codes to make it easier for many of their older customers to access spare parts on their machines.
2021 was a year that focused a lot on climate change and recycling. World leaders gathered for almost two weeks discussing ways of reducing global warming. Our own industry was at the forefront of this issue with more electric and robotic mowers being sold. New EU regulation on engine emmissions was introduced. One Irish sportsturf machinery hire company did their bit to become carbon neutral by introducing a rule that every diesel machine must be replaced by an electric vehicle. The same company now collects and stores their own rainwater which they use in their wash bay.
Sadly, the recent new Omicron variant has forced new restrictions. As recently as last Friday new restrictions were announced and will take effect from today. These include pubs and indoor events to close by 8pm each day. One large company has already pulled out of Lamma ’22. LAMMA is due to take place at the NEC, in Birmingham from the 11th – 12th of January and will be celebrating their 40th year exhibiting,. Also last Friday the organisers of BTME, which was scheduled to take place in Harrogate from the 24th – 27th of January, announced the postponement of the event to the 22nd – 24th March 2022. Agritechnica, due to take place in February, has been cancelled. For those of you who are willing (or will be allowed) to travel abroad, the GCSAA are to host their Conference and Trade Show in San Diego from the 5th – 10th of February.
I still remain hopeful that we will get back to near normal life sometime in 2022. I am particularly looking forward to returning to attend exhibitions and demonstrations, both indoors and outdoors.
Finally, I want to wish you, your family, friends and customers a very enjoyable Christmas and I hope that 2022 will be a successful year for you and your business.
