We are in very worrying times right now.

Just when we thought we were dealing with the coronavirus, the recent increase in Covid-19 cases, on a daily basis, is a cause for concern. Level 2 restrictions have been imposed around the country, with Counties Dublin and Donegal placed on Level 3. To make things worse, indications are that other counties may be entering Level 3 restrictions if the cases continue to rise there. There are no signs yet that the number of positive cases is decreasing.

Even though this is a publication about dealers and distributors of agricultural and horticultural equipment, the news of this pandemic is just as relevant to our industry. We have a duty to act responsibly as individuals but also as business people, to lead by example in promoting best practice to our customers. What I mean by this is making sure that all the notices are in place around our premises and showrooms, that the wearing of masks, by customers and staff, is adhered to and that hand sanitisers are clearly visible and regularly topped up. The last thing our industry needs right now is another lockdown.

I was very impressed to see at my local farmer’s co-op, a member of staff standing at the entrance making sure that no more than seven people were inside the premises at any one time. This would often lead to some queues forming outside but it needed to be done. It may be necessary to limit the number of peole in your premises as well, especially on busy days.

With regard to the holding of outdoor events such as machinery demonstration days, my understanding is that a maximum of 100 people can attend. The Irish Government, on their website relating to organised outdoor gatherings, say that up to 100 patrons are permitted for the majority of venues.

Who would have thought that, a year ago, trade and agricultural shows would be cancelled right around the country in 2020. These shows mark the highlight of the summer for many, especially in rural communities. They are not just places where buying and selling is done but they are also social events where friends and colleagues meet up as well as family day outs. You can imagine the dissappointment when they didn’t happen.

It is anticipated that 2021 will see the return of the shows to their normal schedule. Only last week the National Ploughing Association announced the dates for their 2021 event, which you can read about in this edition of Service Dealer Ireland. The Grounds Management Association (GMA), in the UK, are anticipating their flagship event, Saltex, to take place at the NEC in Birmingham in March 2021. However, BIGGA’s event – BTME will not be happening in Harrogate in January 2021, but their ‘Continue to Learn’ education programme will be taking place in January, albeit as an online event. BIGGA hope to host a ‘festival of turf’ during the summer of 2021, to make up for the loss of the Harrogate trade exhibition.

The return of trade and agricultural shows and, dare I say, a normal life, will depend on how we all adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines. Let’s up our game to try and flatten the curve and, in the meantime, stay safe.

The National Ploughing Association (NPA) managing director Anna May McHugh, following an NPA Executive meeting on the 17th of September, has announce that next year’s National Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska, Co Laois on Sept 15th,, 16th, 17th & 18th.

NPA managing director, Anna May McHugh, announcing plans for the 2021 World Ploughing Contest

“It is a particularly special year as we will be celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the National Ploughing Championships and hosting the World Contest with International competitors and visitors from over 20 countries.

"The site in Ratheniska is ideal as it has all of the criteria to qualify as an excellent location with great ploughing ground, easy accessible road network combined with a beautiful scenic setting in the middle of Ireland.

"Given the year that everyone has experienced it is wonderful to announce some positive news and with hope we look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s ‘Ploughing’ in County Laois.”

Ploughing’s Chief Organiser & World Ploughing General Secretary Anna Marie McHugh said, “I would first of all like to take this opportunity to thank all involved for making this year’s digital ploughing such a success this week under unchartered & unprecedented circumstances.

"And it is with great delight we welcome all of our international colleagues, ploughers & friends to such a fantastic venue for next year’s 68th World Ploughing Contest in Ratheniska, Co Laois.”

Briggs & Stratton announced on Tuesday last week (September 22nd 2020) that KPS Capital Partners, LP through a newly formed affiliate, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Briggs & Stratton Corporation and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

In a move which was described as “a somewhat surprising first major business decision” by the Milwaukee Business Journal, the new owners moved quickly to replace longtime chairman, president and CEO Todd Teske with Steve Andrews, who led KPS Capital Partners’ portfolio company International Equipment Solutions LLC.

The report also stated that Briggs & Stratton will have a new board of directors, even though KPS Partners initially indicated it would retain Teske and the current board.

In an official statement, KPS is said to have acquired the assets "free and clear of substantially all liens, claims, encumbrances and interests" through a sale under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri formally approved the transaction on September 15, 2020. With the completion of the sale to KPS, Briggs has successfully exited from its Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceeding.

The sale to KPS includes all Briggs & Stratton International Entities, including EMEA.

Briggs & Stratton will now operate as an independent company with what’s described as the long-term support of KPS.

The small engine manufacturer is now unencumbered by over $900 million of its previous obligations, and will now have access to the financial resources required to carry out its ambitious business improvement and growth plans.

According to U.S trade journal, Rural Lifestyle Dealer, new president and CEO Steve Andrews had previously led International Equipment Solutions for KPS, which operates 14 manufacturing facilities and employees 2,700 people. KPS Partners sold International Equipment Solutions' attachments division to Black & Decker in March of last year.

Michael Psaros, co-founder and co-managing partner of KPS, said, "This is the beginning of a new era for Briggs & Stratton. The Company has a new owner, a new CEO, a new Board of Directors and a renewed focus. Briggs & Stratton launches with a portfolio of industry-leading products sold under iconic brand names, a rock solid capital structure and access to KPS' financial resources and expertise. We look forward to accelerating the Company's growth by increasing its already substantial investment in research and development, technology and new product development. KPS will also provide the capital for Briggs & Stratton to pursue strategic acquisitions.

"KPS is delighted that Steve Andrews will serve as President and CEO of Briggs & Stratton. Steve is an outstanding leader with a demonstrated track record of transforming and growing companies. We have worked successfully with Steve in the past and look forward to collaborating again as the new Briggs & Stratton.

Steve Andrews said, "I am honoured to lead Briggs & Stratton. Free of any legacy liabilities, and with a strong balance sheet and the Company's world-class workforce, we have an exceptional opportunity to build upon the Company's leading market position. I am also pleased to partner and collaborate again with KPS, a firm that has distinguished itself as a global leader in transforming businesses and is ideally suited for this exciting venture.

"On behalf of the Company, I would like to thank former Chairman, President and CEO Todd Teske for his decades of service and many contributions," Mr. Andrews concluded.

John Deere has announced that it will not attend any international agricultural and turf trade shows in Europe and the CIS during the company’s 2021 fiscal year (1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021).

In an official statement the company said the decision is based on ensuring the safety of customers and employees. They say that as attending shows in Europe and the CIS would require extensive international travel, they will instead, "use a new marketing mix of traditional and digital tools to deliver information to customers." The manufacturer confirmed to Service Dealer Ireland that this hiatus of attending shows does only apply to Region 2 - meaning the company could appear at shows in the U.S.

Denny Docherty, John Deere vice president sales & marketing, Region 2, said, “The pandemic has changed the world and our industry is undergoing a period of great change too. This also applies to our marketing activities.”

The company says the need for a new approach to communications with customers has prompted them to reduce its participation in trade fairs for the time being. They say their key focus in 2021 will be the change in its operating model, to become a "smart industrial company".

Deere says it is moving towards being "a production system-based organisation", which they say will allow them to build a more customer driven and streamlined business. Described by themselves as being one of the biggest organisational restructurings in the company’s 183-year history, it requires a change of marketing approach and an extended focus on Precision Ag technologies.

“We are also expecting a major change in the exhibition landscape, driven by Covid-19 and digitalisation,” said Andreas Jess, John Deere director marketing, Region 2.

“In the medium term, our company would welcome a new timetable to be implemented by the international trade fair organisations, to free up the show cycle across Europe. However, we will continue to support our John Deere dealers if they decide to participate in their local agricultural and turf shows, always based on the fact that the health and safety of both customers and dealers can be ensured.”

Following on from the success of their Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting Apprenticeship Programme Major Equipment International Ltd will soon be starting their 2020 stream.

Paul Kilkenny, one of the students who just completed his 4 year Apprenticeship Programme with Major International Ltd. Photo by Keith Heneghan

This programme is run in conjunction with Solas and ETBI and will offer twelve school leavers a practical “learn and earn” approach to a qualification by combining paid, on-the-job training with training centre based study, over four years. The programme will begin in October.

On successful completion of the programme the students will be awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft in Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting. The MAMF Apprenticeship programme is a minimum of 4 years and consists of 7 phases; 3 Off-the-Job Phases with the Education & Training Boards (ETB)/ Solas/Institute of Technology and 4 On-the-Job Phases with Major Equipment Intl Ltd.

Paul Kilkenny from County Mayo was one of the students who completed his four years “I went to college at 17 and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was into my first year of college when I knew I’d made the wrong choice. I have just completed my seven- phase apprenticeship in Mechanical Automotive Maintenance Fitting with Major Equipment. It was hands on and I learned something new every day. I’m far better off doing something I enjoy and I never have any problem facing work on Monday morning because of that. The most important thing is that you like what you’re doing.”

Pottinger Ireland Ltd held a successful demonstration day in Killinick, Co. Wexford on the 16th and 17th of September last.

Paul Wilson, Pottinger Ireland’s Territory Manager for East of Ireland

They showcased their range of agricultural implements, including some new to market equipment. Weather and ground conditions couldn’t have been better for the demonstrations.

Some of the equipment on display included Pottinger’s Impress 125FC Pro baler, the Vitasem 302-ADD seeder, the Hit 16.18T tether, the Top 612 mounted center delivery rake and the Terradisc 10001 T disc harrow.

Around one hundred and fifty to two hundred people attended, which included farmers, contractors and Pottinger dealers. It was a great opportunity for them to get up close and see for themselves the range of new equipment on offer from Pottinger.

Depending on Covid-19 restrictions, more demonstrations are planned to take place in Cahir, Middleton, Kilkenny city, and Skerries. Pottinger Ireland Ltd also hope to include Moira, Co. Down, and Limavady, Co. Derry as part of their demonstration venues.

AriensCo has announced the appointment of Stephen Kuester as head of engineering EMEAA reporting to vice president Darren Spencer.

Stephen has spent almost 30 years leading teams developing and launching new products across the consumer, aerospace, automotive and medical device sectors; both in house and as a consultant. He joins Ariens from Adlens Ltd, a company pioneering adaptive optics technologies, where he worked as Engineering Manager since 2018, leading and overseeing a team of mechanical and design engineers to develop novel precision actuated fluid filled lenses for augmented and virtual reality applications for a global US player.

Darren Spencer said, “Stephen joins AriensCo with an impressive track record of managing industrial design and engineering of new product development, from concept through to production. Stephen has owned his own businesses developing new innovative products and has also worked for organisations leading design and engineering teams.

"With this experience, Stephen has developed a skill set that I have no doubt will support the development of AriensCo’s new product development in the future, whilst also becoming a key member of the organisations senior leadership team.”

Stephen says he is extremely pleased to be leading the engineering team in the UK and to have the exciting opportunity to be involved with enabling innovation in new product development to support the growth of the Ariens business.