It is sad to be hearing about the plight of the people in Ukraine. Let’s hope that peace will return very soon. The last thing we need is an outbreak of war, especially as we have just come out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The economic sanctions that are imposed resulting from the invasion are already affecting business. The sanctions have driven up fuel prices to unthinkable levels. This is making it more expensive to operate machines, deliver equipment to our customers and keeping our sales reps on the road. If you throw in the price increase in commodities such as aluminium, steel and copper, which are used to manufacturer much of the equipment we sell, it makes for a bleak future.  

Looking to the bright side, winter is now behind us and we have just entered the wonderful season of spring with long summer days to look forward to. Farm machines will soon be busy getting the fields ready for sowing and it won’t be long before we get the wonderful whiff of freshly cut grass from parks and gardens. It is time for dealers to be prepared in supplying spare parts and doing the necessary repairs associated with intensive agricultural operations.

On foot of the recent successful Golf Industry Show (GIS) in the US, it is wonderful to see the return of many of our trade shows. This month will see the return of BTME to Harrogate after an absence of two years. The exhibition dates are from March 22 -24 and a large attendance is expected. This will be a great opportunity to see what is on offer and meet up with friends and colleagues. Nearer to home the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) will be back at Punchestown Racecourse to hold their Farm Machinery Show. The show was last held in 2019. This year’s event will take place outdoors over two days from Wednesday, July 13th to Thursday July 14th. Also back after an absence of two years will be the Garden Landscape Amenity Sportsturf (GLÁS) exhibition. This takes place on July the 21st at Citywest Events Centre.

Spring is the time of year for the showrooms to be stocked with the latest range of garden mowers and equipment. Now that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted customers will be relieved to visit our premises to see what the latest deals are on offer. For those that are involved with selling garden machines it is important to know what the garden trends are likely to be for 2022. One trend that is getting very popular is the creation of wild flower and cottage gardens. This got much favour during lockdown when people began to appreciate the simplicity of nature. 

Even though we are involved with selling machinery, dealers should be knowledgeable with horticultural practices such as ground preparation and plant propagation. This will help us get an idea of what equipment is needed to stock our showrooms with It is good to know, for example, how to prepare the ground for sowing wild flora and knowing what is the best equipment to use for cutting down a wild flower meadow at the end of the season.

I do hope that, by the time I write my next blog, that the situation in Ukraine will have stabilised. In the meantime enjoy the spring and have a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Briggs & Stratton have announced that Michelle Kumbier has joined the company as senior vice president & president of its Turf & Consumer Products business, which consists of the company's Ferris, Snapper, Simplicity, Billy Goat, Victa and Branco brands of commercial and residential outdoor power equipment. 

Michelle Kumbier

Michelle joins Briggs & Stratton after more than 22 years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, where she most recently served as chief operating officer. Briggs say she has substantial experience leading transformations across multiple disciplines and driving improvements in results and customer satisfaction. Prior to Harley-Davidson, she spent 11 years at Kohler Company.

"Briggs & Stratton is quickly transforming its business and requires fresh perspectives and different experiences to drive change and success," says Steve Andrews, president & CEO at Briggs & Stratton. "Michelle's leadership and expertise in operations, supply chain and product development will be integral in continuous improvement efforts and positioning Briggs & Stratton as a best-in-class provider of innovative power products and solutions."  

In addition to Michelle Kumbier, Briggs & Stratton have named Chuck Marckwardt, previously the vice president of operations & supply chain with Brasscraft Manufacturing Co, as its new vice president operations for its Turf & Consumer Products business. 

The Jumbo 7000 series loader wagon by Pöttinger recently won the trade journalists' vote in the forage harvesting category, being awarded 'Farm Machine 2022' in an online ceremony on March 4th, 2022. 

The international award for new products and innovations in agricultural technology was previously called 'Machine of the Year;. This coveted award in the agricultural machinery industry is presented by trade journalists working for international farming magazines. There is one winner in each of 12 categories (plus an audience choice award). 

Pöttinger  say with this award, the jury recognised the uniqueness of the multi-purpose rotor loader wagon with its new drive concept, optimal power transmission and other, innovative core components.

The manufacturer says they are delighted to have won the award. Gregor Dietachmayr, spokesperson for the management team and Markus Baldinger, managing director research, development, digitisation, accepted the award online.

"This special award is pleasing confirmation that we have hit the mark with our high standards in the development of the new generation of the Jumbo. Top forage quality and cost effectiveness make the loader wagon process even more attractive, " they said.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) have revealed details of their Welcome Celebration, taking place on the opening night of BTME 2022.

Naga Munchetty
 
Presented by television presenter and golf personality Naga Munchetty, BIGGA say the Welcome Celebration is a an informal event that recognises the achievements of their members throughout the previous year, including the presentation of the BIGGA Awards 2022. This year its lead sponsor is AMS Robotics.
 
The free-to-attend event takes place in the Main Auditorium of the Harrogate Convention Centre and will recognise the many people who have contributed positively to the industry since the previous BTME in January 2020.
 
The BIGGA Welcome Celebration takes place on Tuesday 22 March at 5.30pm. At the event will be announced:

• The winners of the BIGGA Awards 2022
• The winner of the Innovation and Thought Leadership Award sponsored by Campey Turf Care Solutions.

Also recognised will be the:

• BIGGA Annual Photographic Competition winner
• BIGGA’s latest Life Members
• CPD achievers
• Master Greenkeepers

Also introduced will be the association's new president and vice president for 2022.
 
BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said, “The BIGGA Welcome Celebration is the one event of the year where every BIGGA member can join us to recognise all the hard work that has been done across the association. It’s free to attend so you don’t need an invitation and there’ll also be all necessary COVID safety measures in place. All we ask is that you come along and celebrate everything we have overcome since the last time we were together in January 2020. The world has changed, but let’s use this as an opportunity to announce that we are back and better than ever!"

Husqvarna Group has been recognised as a Global Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP, a nonprofit organisation that runs the global environmental disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions.

Several thousand companies have disclosed their data in the CDP's Supplier Engagement Rating system (SER). The system evaluates supplier engagement practices with the aim of reducing emissions in global supply chains. Out of all companies participating, the top 8% are being named Supplier Engagement Leaders, 2021.

"We are proud of the progress we are making and the recognition from CDP. Our engagement in the CDP Supply Chain program has further improved our insight and capabilities in supply chain CO₂ impacts, delivering the results we needed to meet our targets", says Calle Medin, VP sustainability.

Husqvarna Group say they aim to cut the absolute CO₂  emissions across the value chain by 35% before 2025 while profitably growing the business. CDP evaluates supplier engagement by looking at governance, targets, scope three emissions, and value chain engagement. The scores in the CDP rating system are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero-carbon, sustainable and resilient economy.

Sonya Bhonsle, global head of value chains & regional director corporations, CDP, said, "Our data shows that companies currently have blinkers on when it comes to assessing their indirect impacts and engaging with suppliers to reduce them. Companies must act urgently to cascade action and manage environmental impacts throughout their supply chains to scale the level of action to secure a 1.5°C future. Many congratulations to the 400+ companies earning a place on CDP's 2021 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard.

"As a Supplier Engagement Leader, Husqvarna Group is a trailblazer driving the transition towards a sustainable net-zero future."

As the industry and technology evolves, what factors might impact on the shape of the dealer network in the years ahead?

In the latest Inside Agri-Turf podcast, a panel comprising James Tuckwell managing director of multi-branch John Deere dealership Tuckwells, David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK and Howard Pullen, Board Member of European dealer association CLIMMAR consider The Future for Agri-Turf Dealerships.

At the outset, a very strong connection was revealed between Len Tuckwell, James’s grandfather and company founder – and with David Withers’s Iseki company.

But first the panel considers the likely impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a fertile market for used tractors and machinery (6:06) with James Tuckwell reporting how his main customer has taken up arms.

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The issues then considered by the panel were Prospects for new dealerships (10:14), What makes a good dealer and supplier(14:23), Availability of funding and dealer contracts (18:12), Long line dealers and niche opportunities (23:57), Challenges of dealer expansion (29:55), Staffing for new technology (36:03) and Creating the right industry image (41:32).

All these sections can be accessed by the time-stamps on the episode show notes.

“We are fortunate in having a strong, stable and well-funded dealer network in the UK based very firmly around family companies and family values,” says Chris Biddle. “But it is inevitable that it will polarise with long-line manufacturers and their dealer network strengthening their position, allowing significant opportunities for dealers serving niche markets, with perhaps different types of dealerships emerging.”

LISTEN TO EPISODE

The organisers of the LAMMA exhibition have announced a competition open to all who register for a ticket to the show.

The prize is a two night stay at the Genting Hotel, which is close by to the Birmingham NEC where the show is due to take place on the 4th and 5th of May,

A spokesperson for the event said, "Seeing as we had to hit the pause button on LAMMA earlier this year, we thought it would be only right to make the Spring edition of the show a bigger day out."

Visitors need to register for their ticket and use the code ROOM10 to be in with a chance to win the two-night stay for the 3-4 May 2022.