EDITOR'S BLOG
AUTO ENROLEMENT
. . and how it will affect you
by Service Dealer Ireland Editor, Alan Mahon
 
Alan Mahon

Set to come into operation next year, what implications will Auto-enrolment have on dealers and their staff?

 


A new scheme aimed at encouraging employees to save for their retirement will come into effect on the 30th September 2025. It was originally planned to start on Jan 1st 2025. This scheme is called auto-enrolment. Even though it is almost a year away, it is no harm to begin preparing for its introduction. Employers will be required, by law, to comply with the scheme.

 

What implications will Auto-enrolment have on dealers and their staff? The main thing to be aware of is that employers must match the employee’s contribution. Employees who earn €20,000 or more and are between the ages of 23 -60 will be required to contribute a minimum of 1.5% of their gross salary to the scheme per year. If employees do not meet the age and income thresholds, they have the option to opt into the scheme.

 

As well as the employer matching the employee’s contributions the government will also pay €1 for every €3 the employee puts in. In year 4 contributions will increase to 3% of gross salary. In year 7 this is further increased to 4.5% and from year 10 onwards, the employee and employer contributions will be 6%.

 

There are pros and cons to the new Auto-enrolment scheme. The main disadvantage is the extra cost that employers will face. If you are already facilitating an occupational pension scheme for your workforce then the auto-enrolment scheme will not apply. 

 

One good thing about the scheme is that employers will not be involved with the administration of it. The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) will administer the auto-enrolment scheme, leaving minimal administrative work for employers to do. NAERSA will also act as the caretaker of the employee’s interests and savings.

 

It is worth noting that employer contributions will be deductible for corporation tax purposes. It is important to be aware that employers who prevent their employees from joining the scheme, or who force their employees to opt out or suspend contributions, may be prosecuted and will be subject to fines and penalties. Withheld or underpaid contributions will attract interest payments. NAERSA will also publish a list of employers who have been convicted of non-compliance.

 

The reaction among the business community has been generally favourable but there are some concerns about how the scheme will be managed, especially if there is already an occupational pension scheme in place within the workforce.

 

With 11 months to go before the scheme comes into effect, it would be worth letting staff know what lies ahead for them. You should get familiar with how the scheme will operate so that you can address any issues or concerns your staff may have. 

 

Before I conclude I would like to remind you that the 2024 Service Dealer Conference and Awards is only one month away. It takes place on Thursday 28th November at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon. Lots of interesting speakers and topics will be covered. There will also be breakout sessions. This event will give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people where current issues facing dealers can be discussed and maybe even solved.

NEWS
LAUNCHED BY MINISTER MCCONALOGUE
FTMTA Farm Machinery Show ‘24
 
L-R: Michael Farrelly, Charlie McConalogue T.D., Karol Duigenan and Maurice Kelly

In our WEB ONLY story, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., has wished the FTMTA every success as its event returns to a traditional Winter staging.

 


B&S LICENSE SNAPPER
In North America
 
Snapper

With Briggs & Stratton in the U.S announcing they have entered into a licensing agreement for the Snapper brand, Service Dealer hears from the Ireland & UK distributor.

 


Briggs & Stratton have announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement with Daye North America for the Snapper brand.

 

 

Daye, which manufactures several lines of outdoor power equipment brands and were in Service Dealer's news pages recently for the purchase of AL-KO, will bring Snapper to mass retail, e-commerce, and dealer direct in the U.S as early as spring 2025.

 

Service Dealer reached out to the UK and Ireland distributor of Snapper, FGM Claymore to see if this news would have any impact on our dealer readers, and their md Paul Butterly told us, "Wth regards to Europe, Snapper is distributed through a network of independent distributors and I don’t see any change in that going forward. Earlier this year we celebrated our 50th anniversary of distributing Snapper in Ireland."

 

Snapper was founded in 1951 and acquired by Briggs & Stratton in 2004 ad is know for the introduction of the industry’s first rotary blade mower.

 

Christin Wam, senior director of marketing at Briggs & Stratton said, “It was important to us to find a license partner focused on taking Snapper into the future and introducing it to a new generation of homeowners. We feel that DAYE is the right partner to do just that. We were impressed by their plans to support the brand with national programs across several major retailers and to provide new life to the Snapper brand within the dealer channel.”

 

Matt Ragland, CEO of Daye North America added, “Briggs & Stratton is a valued partner for Daye and has played a major role in our global growth. We are honoured to continue our partnership by bringing an exciting line of products to market under the iconic Snapper brand.”

 

Daye say the range of existing outdoor power equipment brands manufactured by themselves gives the company economies of scale that will allow them to manufacture and market a robust line of Snapper products. Initial plans call for riding lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, walk mowers, and battery products including a 60V line-up with a brushless blower, string trimmer, and 22-inch self-propelled mower.

 

Briggs & Stratton and Daye have a history of partnership including existing license agreements in place for the Murray brand.

CURRENT BUSINESS WORSE, EXPECTATIONS BETTER
According to latest CEMA survey
 
Latest CEMA survey

Latest findings show that the general business climate index for the agricultural machinery industry in Europe has improved slightly.

 


The European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have published its October Business Climate survey. It shows that the general business climate index for the agricultural machinery industry in Europe has improved slightly but continues deep in negative territory. 

 

In October, the index increased from -54 point to -52 points (on a scale of -100 to +100). The slight improvement in the business climate is for the second time in a row solely due to less negative expectations for the coming six months, while the current business has again been downgraded and is now evaluated at a record low level.

 

The survey confirms once again that the direct customers of the manufacturers, the dealers, have still not been able to pass on their numerous orders to the end customers. According to the survey, the dealer stocks remain at very high levels in almost all European markets. Against this background, despite slight improvements, there is still not one single European market with positive confidence levels from the perspective of manufacturers. 

 

The markets that have seen the largest declines to date, such as Spain and Italy, are at the top and upper part of the regional ranking, meaning that fewer survey participants have negative turnover expectations for these countries over the coming six months. Germany, Austria and other Central European countries, conversely, are found at the lower end of this confidence ranking.

 

NEW HEAD OF DIVISION
Appointed by Husqvarna
 
Maha Elkharbotly

Company says new appointee brings vast experience from building brands as well as driving international expansion and business transformation.

 


Maha Elkharbotly has been appointed president of the Husqvarna Group Gardena Division and will also be a member of Husqvarna Group's executive management team. 

 

 

Maha Elkharbotly holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Illinois and is currently president at I-Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of DSM Firmenich. Maha has previously held multiple executive positions at DSM Firmenich, LIXIL, Grohe and Whirlpool. 

 

Pavel Hajman, CEO of Husqvarna Group, said, "I am very pleased to welcome Maha to Husqvarna Group. Her broad experience and strong knowledge in sales, marketing, channel management and leadership will be valuable assets in the continued journey of Gardena. Maha brings vast experience from building brands as well as driving international expansion, innovation and business transformation. This expertise will be central to continue building Gardena’s position as a global leader in watering, as well as advancing smart garden systems including robotic mowers for passionate gardeners."

 

Maha Elkharbotly will be based in Ulm, Germany and assume her new position within the Gardena Division on January 1st, 2025.

PRAISE FROM KNOCK GC
New fleet
 
Knock GC

Venue located on the outskirts of Belfast was one of the first in Northern Ireland to adopt brand.

 


The course manager at Knock Golf Club has praised Baroness equipment.

 

 

The venue located on the outskirts of Belfast was one of the first in Northern Ireland to adopt the brand, and close to a decade on from the purchase of their LM2700 and LM315, they now run a fleet of six mowers which executes the majority of their cutting operation.  

 

Lee Eager has been course manager for the last 18 years and maintains the challenging 18-hole parkland course with the assistance of a team of five.

 

“We’ve been Baroness users since 2015 and were one of the first here in Northern Ireland to take the plunge - but from the purchase of those first two machines, we’ve never looked back,” he emphasises. In the years that have followed, Lee has added a second LM315 triple greens mower, along with a GM2800 and GM2810 five-deck rotary mower and LM331 surrounds and trim mower to his armoury. 

 

“There’s two main reasons we remain loyal to Baroness," confirmed Lee. "The first is the outstanding service and support we received from our local dealer, Cyril Johnston, and in particular Ian Ellis. Secondly, it’s the performance and quality of the cutting cylinders which, in my opinion, are the best on the market.” 

 

He continues, “All of our mowers deliver pinpoint precision and a sharp cut which is critical for retaining the aesthetics and health of our playing surfaces. They also stay on cut better than any alternative we’ve previously used and weather the challenges of course life - with bedknives lasting as long as four years, and some of our older models delivering day-in, day-out despite having over 2900 hours on the clock.” 

 

Running alongside the mowers is a SP05A bunker rake and RR1000 greens roller, also from Baroness. “The bunker rake is a vital part of our arsenal and is out five days a week during the summertime. We can also equip this with a dozer blade which has been incredibly useful on construction jobs. Whether it’s elevating bunker presentation or helping us out on larger projects, this machine has been faultless.” 

 

“The RR1000 greens roller gives us that little bit of extra pace in the greens, and that’s been faultless too!” he exclaims. “We couldn’t be happier with the performance and the support we receive with Baroness, it’s the full package for us.” 

SENIOR GROUNDCARE APPOINTMENT
Covering Ireland
 
Matt Wilson

Joins the team with more than 20 years of industry knowledge having gained dealership, distribution and manufacturing experience.

 


Kubota (UK) have announced that Matt Wilson has joins their marketing team as groundcare product and key account manager for the UK and Ireland. 

 

Matt Wilson

 

Matt joins the business's marketing team with more than 20 years of industry knowledge having gained dealership, distribution and manufacturing experience with a variety of businesses involved in the amenity, golf and turf sectors. Matt’s desire for market and product information will be instrumental in his role to further develop the groundcare portfolio, together with working alongside Kubota’s European groundcare product management team.

 

Matt explains, “I have always wanted to work for a top-tier manufacturer, and joining Kubota is certainly a highlight of my career to-date. Ethically, Kubota’s core disciplines, family values and its honourable nature are values that are close to my heart.” 

 

Commenting on the recent appointment, Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare sales manager Tim Yates said: “Matt's in-depth industry knowledge gives us a strong foundation on which to continue supporting the groundcare sector with market-leading products.”

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