From the middle of March until last Tuesday (5th May) I have been limited to traveling 2 kilometers from my home. Since then the easing of the Covid-19 travel restrictions was extended to 5 kilometers and the over 70’s were allowed to go outside of their home for walks, but avoiding contact with others.

During these restrictions I was fortunate to see the fields behind where I live being prepared for the sowing of seed potatoes. It was wonderful to watch during the lovely weather we had. I was very impressed with how the machinery and equipment was being put to use. At one point there were three tractors in one field carrying out various jobs in sequence, and all done in a short period of time.

Life goes on for farmers and their machines. The photo is of a neighbouring farmer of mine preparing his land for seed potato sowing

How technology in machines has advanced over the years. I remember a retired farmer friend of mine saying to me one time that “what used take a week for me to do can now be done in a matter of hours”.

It was good to hear that an easing of restrictions will begin on Monday (18th May). It is then that the first of a 5 stage plan will kick in. This is good news for our sector as it involves the reopening of golf courses, public sports grounds and certain businesses, as long as the 2 meter social distancing rule can be maintained.

This first phase may allow service dealers in the domestic market to reopen after a long time being closed. Certain businesses are allowed reopen such as hardware stores and garden centres. There will be a phased return of outdoor workers, which will include landscapers and gardeners. Greenkeeping staff and grounds persons were already on the list of essential workers that could travel to work during the restrictions, but on a limited basis. Some of these restrictions will be eased on the 18th of May when golf courses, in particular, will reopen.

These easing of restrictions should benefit service dealers around the country. Hopefully the sales and repairs of mowers and equipment can resume again, which is badly needed.

However there are some dealers around the country who are still finding it difficult to operate. They may have huge overheads such as rent or bank loans. The banks have offered a stay of execution for struggling businesses. The government has introduced a number of additional measures to help businesses get through Covid-19 as restrictions start to be lifted.

Payment breaks on existing borrowings have been the main concern for most businesses and some banks have extended repayments for up to six months. Other businesses may need extra capital to carry them through the corona virus. Various channels are available for business customers to apply for the support they require. For example, you can contact your bank by phone, online, or calling in to your local branch. There is also help available from the government. For more information on what financial help is available for businesses affected by Covid-19 a useful website to visit is the Irish government’s Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) www.dbei.gov.ie This website gives you an up to date guide on what help is available for your business and how to apply for aid.

It is now up to the general public to ensure that we can smoothly get through the 5 stage plan. If we don’t adhere to social distancing or if we travel beyond our designated distance the corona virus could re emerge and we would then end up back at square one. That would be a disaster.

I hope your business will get through this awful time and that you and your family stay safe and well.

Etesia UK has announced the appointment of RD Mechanical Services, who will be distributing the full product range throughout various areas in Northern Ireland.

RD Mechanical Services, based in Belfast, was established in 1998 and specialise in equipment related to the waste industry. In 2019 the company opened a dedicated division for grass and grounds equipment. Since then, the company has been building its portfolio to offer a complete service to its groundcare customers.

With immediate effect, RD Mechanical Services will now supply the full range of Etesia grounds care equipment.

Sales director Alastair Calderwood, said: “We are delighted to have recently been appointed as distributors for the widely respected Etesia range of grass and grounds maintenance equipment. We look forward to a long and successful relationship together.”

AGCO / Fendt have announced that their temporarily shutdown assembly lines have restarted at the German AGCO locations Marktoberdorf, Asbach-Bäumenheim, Waldstetten and Hohenmölsen.

The company said in a statement this is possible because important suppliers in Europe and worldwide are now delivering parts again on schedule and reliably after an interruption of several weeks due to corona.

They went on to say that after intensive discussions between the management, works council, company physicians, health management and the occupational safety officers, numerous measures for the protection of Fendt employees at the assembly lines, the parts production and in the offices have been implemented.

Christoph Gröblinghoff, chairman at AGCO/Fendt management said, “We are very pleased that the supply chains are intact again and that our highly motivated Fendt team can get back to work in a concentrated manner. This week the assembly lines with high daily production rates are starting again.

"The changeover of the tractor assembly to a two-shift model is protecting our employees and it also brings, together with other measures, additional production capacities to work up the backlog partly or if necessary completely. This enables us to deliver the ordered Fendt tractors and Fendt Full-Line machines to our customers via the Fendt sales partners as soon as possible."

Steyr, a brand of CNH Industrial, has welcomed Peter Friis as the head of commercial operations in Europe.

Peter Friis replaces Thierry Panadero, head of CNH Industrial Agricultural Commercial Operations Europe. This appointment is part of a wider reorganisation of CNH Industrial Agricultural brands in Europe and supports the commitment of the group with regards to the Stery brand.

Peter Friis joined the company in 1984 in Copenhagen and counts over 30 years of experience within CNH Industrial. He covered positions in marketing and commercial departments in the UK & ROI, Denmark and Nordics and Baltics, before being appointed as head of commercial marketing and network development for Case IH and Stery Europe in 2017.

“I am really excited to take on this new challenge. Being part of the Steyr team with a full dedication to the brand will enable us to unfold the potential of Steyr, ensuring a steady growth in the years to come. This role is also an opportunity to work closer with our existing and new business partners and ensure premium service and support to our customers.” says Peter Friis.

“Peter has held positions of increasing responsibility in our organisation, across various markets and at European level. He brings significant experience in sales, marketing and network development and has steered the Steyr project in the last years. I am convinced that his background and leadership will help growing Steyr Europe.” adds Thierry Panadero.

Claas has announced the election of Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser as Chairwoman of the CLAAS Shareholders' Committee, so completing the transition to the third generation of the Claas family.

Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser and Helmut Claas

She takes over the role from her father, Helmut Claas, who held the position for 25 years and who has now been named Honorary Chairman.

During Helmut Claas's tenure, the company intensified its international presence in countries beyond Europe. New production and sales locations were opened in India, the USA, Russia, China, South America and elsewhere. An important strategic milestone was reached in 2003 with the acquisition of the French tractor manufacturer Renault Agriculture.

The Shareholders Committee which Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser is now Chairwoman of, sets the strategic direction of the family business and works closely with the Group Executive Board.

Kendrick “Ken” B. Melrose, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Toro Company, passed away Sunday, May, 3, 2020, at the age of 79.

“Ken was a great man, and the epitome of an exceptional leader,” said Rick Olson, current chairman and chief executive officer of The Toro Company.

“The culture he instilled continues as a positive influence and will guide The Toro Company long into the future. Ken was passionate about supporting the industries we serve and helping our customers succeed. The impact of his generous philanthropic initiatives will continue to positively affect many in our industry and our communities.”

Ken joined The Toro Company in 1970, and over the course of the following decade served in a number of leadership roles with increasing responsibility. In 1981, as the company faced extremely challenging times, Ken was named president. Toro say that Ken’s belief in and ability to connect with people, his fortitude while making tough decisions, and his commitment to quality and innovation, all helped lead the organisation through financial difficulty to record results at the time. 

Ken outlined his business philosophy in his book published in 1995, Making the Grass Greener on Your Side: A CEO’s Journey to Leading by Serving. As Ken wrote, “Everyone has the potential to contribute to achieving the goals of the company. If you unleash that potential, market leadership and financial success will be natural by-products.”

After leading the company for 24 years, Ken retired as CEO in March of 2005. During his tenure, Ken oversaw a number of acquisitions including Wheel Horse, Exmark, Lawn-Boy and Hayter, and company sales grew from $247 million to $1.7 billion.

“We owe much to Ken’s principled leadership, and his legacy cannot be overstated,” added Rick Olson. “He was a rare transformational leader who saw the best in people and knew how to inspire them to work together and exceed their own expectations in order to achieve great things.”

Kubota has announced its investment in FarmX, a California-based start-up which provides crop management services based on advanced modelling and technologies that use AI, machine learning and IoT sensors.

FarmX’s all-in-one platform is designed to manage and automate irrigation through data, analysis and predictions. The company says they help farmers’ profitability by increasing yields while decreasing the need for labour, water and power.

Through this investment, which Kubota says showcases their continued investment in innovations and a commitment to the future of agriculture, the manufacturer aims to contribute towards the efficiency and profitability of farm management.