LAMMA 2025, which was held last week at the NEC in Birmingham, saw a strong attendance at the show. With over 40,000 visitors attending and over 650 trade stands sold can we see this as a sign of good times ahead for dealers?

Over the past few weeks there have been subtle signs of optimism and improvement in the market. For example at the recent FTMTA exhibition that was held in Punchestown last November all the stands were fully booked out well before the cut-off date. It should have been worthwhile for the exhibitors as huge numbers attended over the three days. It would be good to know if the large attendances translated into new orders.

With BTME taking place this week in Harrogate. I hope that the same level of enthusiasm will continue at this event, which is mainly aimed at the horticultural and sportsturf industry. BTME attracts many Irish dealers and groundsmen so it is an important event for many of us. Signs are looking good as the organisers are saying that trade stand bookings have already exceeded the overall total reached in 2024. 

Another sign of optimism has been the recent turnaround in market trends. The European Agricultural Machinery Association’s (CEMA) business barometer reports have shown a continuous improvement since November 2024, even if it is at a snail’s pace. A majority of CEMA’s survey participants expect incoming orders to rise in the coming six months.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) recently published their tractor licensing figures for 2024. Even though it shows the number of new tractors registered for the whole of 2024 was down 8% on the 2023 registration figures, the December 2024 registration numbers paint a much different picture. It shows an increase of 7% on the previous year. Over in the UK the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) show similar figures to Ireland except that the AEA’s December 2024 figures are double the Irish stats with a 14% increase of tractor registrations over the same period in 2023. Is this another sign that the market is improving?

With energy costs at January 2022 levels (before the Russian invasion of Ukraine) running a farm, sportsclub or business should be less expensive than it was a year ago. This could mean the difference between making a profit and may encourage farmers and sports facilities to invest in new tractors and machinery. Interest rates on loans have been dropping and economists are predicting that the European Central Bank (ECB) will reduce interest rates in 2025. If this is the case then taking out a loan on capital machinery purchases would be more favourable giving a much needed lift for dealers around the country.

The budget last October was one of the biggest giveaway budgets in recent years, paving the way for more disposable income. This may encourage spending on recreation and home improvement items, including new equipment for the garden, which should be good news for dealers in the domestic garden machinery trade. 

I am optimistic that things will improve for dealers in 2025. The one concern I have is what will President Donald Trump do? We don’t want him throwing too many curve balls at us.

JCB have announced they are to restructure the distribution of its growing range of agricultural products in Ireland with the appointment of a network of new dealers.

Pictured L-R at last week's LAMMA Show are Louise Hemmings, JCB Agriculture general manager; Kevin O’Riordan (Atkins Farm Machinery); Joe Whelan (Whelan’s Garage); Billy Murphy (Kilkenny Agri Machinery);Charles Hutcheson (Armstrong Machinery) and JCB Agriculture MD John Smith
 
The appointments will take effect from February 1st, 2025 and the company say they will strengthen their presence in the Irish agricultural market.
 
JCB Agriculture md John Smith said, “We look forward to working closely with our new dealer network to provide first class products and support to our agricultural customers. The JCB agricultural range is expanding quickly and this restructure will allow renewed focus on a market which is very important to JCB.”
 
The new distribution arrangements will see the appointment of the following dealers:

• Whelan’s Garage - covering Galway, Clare and Limerick
• Atkins Farm Machinery - covering Cork
• Kilkenny Agri Machinery - covering Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary and Laois, Carlow, Wicklow, Kildare and Offaly
• Armstrong Machinery - covering Dublin, Meath, Louth Cavan and Monaghan

Murphy’s Motors, one of the South East’s most popular tractor and farm machinery traders, held an Open Evening at its Glenmore depot on Thursday, January 9th to mark its 65th anniversary in business. 

Dick and Bernie Murphy cut the 65th anniversary cake surrounded by family members and customers. Photo credit: Patrick Browne

Multi-generational customers, several of whom first crossed the business’s threshold during its earliest trading years, joined the Murphy’s Motors team to mark this significant milestone. 

“We were thrilled to have so many people pop into us for a cup of tea and a chat over the course of the evening,” said co-proprietor Bernie Murphy, who runs the family-owned enterprise alongside her brother Dick. 

“Our customer base, primarily drawn from Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, has remained so loyal to us over the years. Their support, combined with the expertise of our dedicated staff and the relationships we have developed and sustained with our valued suppliers, has made Murphy’s Motors what it is today. From a family perspective, this anniversary is also a very emotional one for both Dick and I thanks to the drive and determination of our late mother, Peggy, who laid such solid foundations for this company, and it’s been our honour to build on her legacy. She really kept us on our toes - and she would have loved a night like this.” 

Bernie continued: “What I find most rewarding and fulfilling about my role is seeing satisfied customers. Also, meeting long-standing customers, particularly third-generation customers who knew my father, Michael, is not only nostalgic but it’s a special reminder of the long-lasting relationships we have built and the trust that people have placed in us over the years.”

Given the company’s status as the longest serving New Holland dealer in County Kilkenny, the Open Evening also featured the unveiling of the T5.120, which is specifically tailored for dairy farmers given its increased power, loader and front axle capacity. Through its ‘5 plus 60 for 65 years’ promotion, the first 12 New Holland tractors sold by Murphy’s Motors this year will qualify for an incredible offer of 1% finance over five years. 

Congratulating Murphy’s Motors on its anniversary, Liam Hayde, sales manager with New Holland (Republic of Ireland), stated: “Given our day-to-day interactions with Bernie, Dick and the whole team, to see a business like Murphy’s Motors continuing to grow after 65 years is a very special feeling. It’s an achievement that the Murphy family should be very proud of and it’s an occasion that New Holland is delighted to be associated with.” 

Among the long-established customers who attended the Open Evening were father and son Neddie and James Aylward, who run a dairy and beef farm in Glenmore. 

“My father James started doing business with Murphy’s over 60 years ago,” said Neddie. “I came in here with my father when I was young and then James came in alongside me as a youngster when the time came for me to do the buying. We’ve always been looked after so well by the Murphys; there’s been great value whenever we’ve traded up and the finance deals have always served us well. Good value, good service and keeping your trade local: sure that’s what it’s all about.” 

Casting an eye across the new trading year, Bernie Murphy stated: “We’re optimistic about what lies ahead given the strong prices of both milk and beef. In 2025, we’re hopeful that farmers will be on a firmer footing and that this will be reflected in our trading levels both here in Glenmore and at our Parts and Sales Depot in Cillín Hill.”    

Under a strategic marketing agreement covering Ireland, the UK and Europe, Wiedenmann turf equipment is now available for purchase through John Deere dealerships. 

A Wiedenmann Terra Spike SL6 attached to a John Deere 2520
 
The two companies will continue to share technology and work on development projects together under the agreement which was established in 2021. 
 
The agreement has been extended to provide all John Deere dealers with access to the ever-growing Wiedenmann range of specialist machinery for turf maintenance and regeneration.
 
John Deere division sales manager for Golf and Turf, Chris Meacock, said, “This partnership is beneficial to turf customers who want to access Wiedenmann’s catalogue of products through John Deere’s extensive dealer network. 
“Wiedenmann products are routinely used with John Deere machinery so we see this as a natural fit. Our dealers are able to offer the same great service they provide for John Deere products with Wiedenmann machinery.”
 
Wiedenmann UK sales manager, Michael James, said, “I welcome the opportunity to continue to grow our company’s sales by supplying John Deere users with turf maintenance and regeneration solutions. I look forward to demonstrating the benefits of our innovative range to new and existing customers moving forward.”
 
Wiedenmann will exhibit a Terra Spike SL6 deep aerator on the John Deere stand at this year’s BTME event, taking place this week. The machine will be attached to a 2038R tractor fitted with GPS. This high precision aerator package utilises John Deere Precision Turf Technology which they say increases productivity and sports turf quality.
 
The John Deere team will be available at stand 222 at BTME in Harrogate from 21-23 January to provide further information. 

AGCO Corporation has unveiled plans to build a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) in Amnéville (les Portes de l’Orne) just 12 kms from its historical Ennery site, on the outskirts of Metz (Moselle), France.

The manufacturer says it is finalising the development scheme worth a total investment of approximately €87 million. As part of the site, AGCO’s approximately €17 million low-emission, sustainable facility will primarily serve Europe and the Middle East (EME) and be the Master Depot for supplying parts into North America, South America and Asia Pacific from Europe.

The facility is intended to be operational by the end of 2026.

“This new centre is instrumental in AGCO’s transformation journey to further strengthen our industry-leading parts supply to dealers and farmers in EME while offering the best experience to our employees,” said Jena Holtberg-Benge, AGCO Vice President, Aftersales Parts. 

The PDC will span 84,000m² under roof on an approximately 200,000m² site.

The new facility will continue to serve all AGCO brands by consolidating five facilities into one operation with what the company describes as enhanced environmental, safety and operational excellence, including 24/7 ecommerce parts ordering for dealers and farmers. They also say hey will also utilise leading-edge technologies, including the advanced scanning equipment and automated storage and packaging systems to boost order fulfillment.

They manufacturer also says that sustainability is top of their mind for the project. Equipped with solar panels on the entire roof, they promise it will produce renewable energy to help power operations including automated processes, air conditioning and recharging of electric vehicles.

JCB has announced that they have cleared significant hurdles in its development of the world’s first hydrogen combustion engine after securing landmark rulings from licensing authorities allowing it to be used commercially in machines.

Lord Bamford pictured with the hydrogen combustion engine

The manufacturer says they are the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen and a team of 150 engineers has been working on the £100 million development for over three years.

JCB have confirmed that 11 licensing authorities across Europe have now given permission for their hydrogen engine to be sold across Europe - with authorities in other countries set to follow suit with certification in 2025.

Chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, said, “This is a very significant moment for JCB. To start the New Year with certification in place in so many European countries bodes very well for the future of hydrogen combustion technology. JCB has proved in recent years that it is a proper zero emissions solution for construction and agricultural equipment.

“This formal type approval/certification paves the way for the sale and use of hydrogen engines right across the UK and Europe. I couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the year. Most of all, I am delighted for our team of British engineers who have worked tirelessly to reach this stage.”

The manufacturer confirmed that the Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority RDW was the first licensing authority to issue official certification, giving permission for the engine to sold in The Netherlands. Other licensing bodies across Europe have followed RDW’s lead by issuing the necessary certification, including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. Licensing authorities in other countries are set to follow with certification during 2025.

JCB has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. Real-world testing of JCB’s hydrogen equipment on customers’ sites is now at an advanced stage and described as "progressing well."

The U.S-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance advocacy efforts for the agricultural equipment industry.

AEM senior vice president Curt Blades (center) and CEMA secretary general Jelte Wiersma (right) shake hands after the MoU signature in Bologna, in the presence of CEMA vice president Alessandro Malavolti (left)

They say the agreement aims to create a positive legislative and regulatory environment across the Atlantic and globally, ensuring alignment on key issues impacting manufacturers in both regions.

The MoU establishes a framework for the two organizations to work together toward alignment, achieving mutual recognition, ensuring regulatory compliance, and harmonising practices and standards in several key areas that impact agricultural equipment manufacturers today.

Signed last month at two major industry events - EIMA International in Bologna, Italy, and AEM’s Annual Conference in Palm Springs, California, USA - the agreement formalises the partnership between CEMA and AEM.

“With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, AEM and CEMA look forward to enhanced collaboration in order to address key issues of importance and ensure there is alignment between Europe and the U.S. as it relates to our two very important global machinery markets”, said AEM senior vice president Curt Blades.

The MoU specifies several areas where the two organisations agree to increase cooperation:

• Engine emissions
• Autonomous equipment
• Cybersecurity
• Machine safety and technical requirements
• Advanced technology in agriculture
• Sustainability

“This agreement strengthens the transatlantic connection between AEM and CEMA, as we work together to support agricultural equipment manufacturers as they build the products that help feed our world”, said CEMA Secretary General Jelte Wiersma.

By focusing on these shared priorities, AEM and CEMA aim to help the industry navigate global markets while advancing innovation, sustainability, and safety standards for the benefit of manufacturers and farmers alike