Last week (August 9th) saw the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 Report, which represents 195 member governments. It made for grim reading with their headline being “Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying”. The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850 -1900.

What can we do to reverse this trend? The obvious answer is to burn less fossil fuels. That’s easier said than done. Ireland is one of the worst countries in the EU for not reducing emissions. We are in the bottom third of the table. There will be a spotlight on our industry, in particular as agriculture is seen as one of the main causes of concern. The development of low emission engines and electric vehicles (provided we move away from coal use in energy production) will be more important than ever. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel combustion from agriculture/forestry/fishing contributed to over 35.4% of Ireland’s total emissions in 2019 and is projected to rise to 40% by 2030 in the ‘With Additional Measures’ scenario, in which it is assumed that planned government policies after 2019 are implemented.

With that in mind I think that we, as dealers, should encourage our customers to replace their old tractors and equipment with new ones. With new technology and EU law this has meant that new engines are required to meet Stage V emission standards. This should help towards reducing greenhouse gases, which will help towards slowing down the rate of global warming. 

The next time someone brings in a smoky old tractor or engine for repair or service, maybe that’s the time to have a chat with them to try and convince them that changing to a new one would be in the planet’s best interest. This would be one example of how we can play our part in reducing global warming.

I will finish up on a more upbeat note. As mentioned in the last edition of Service Dealer Ireland, the Service Dealer 2021 Conference and Awards will be going ahead on the 25th November. As we all know, last year’s event had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. This year’s conference and awards will take place live at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry in England. I do hope that many of you can travel and attend as a great line up of speakers will be there to give their expert opinions on the state of our industry. I am looking forward to meeting people from our industry, in real life, where I can catch up on the latest news and gossip. It would be really nice to see some Irish dealers there as well. The theme of this year’s conference will be ‘Smart Working’. This will cover topics such as mixing family life with business; how new technology has transformed the way we work and lots more. We will keep you updated on the conference over the coming weeks.

Egmont Agri, main Irish importers and distributors for SaMASZ agricultural machinery, have announced the appointment of two new dealers to sell the Polish built range of machinery.

Egmont Agri Ltd have expanded their dealership of SaMASZ agricultural machinery

They are W.R. Shaw Ltd & Bernard Byrne Combines Ltd. This expansion now brings the total number of dealers in Ireland to eight. Egmont Agri hopes to continue their dealer expansion throughout Ireland with each county to be covered by dealers in the near future.

A range of SaMASZ mowers, tedders and rakes will be available at both the W.R. Shaw Ltd, Tullamore Co. Offaly depot and the Lyons & Burton depot in Kilcock Co. Kildare.

Bernard Byrne Combines Ltd, based in Gorey, Co.Wexford specialise in combine harvester parts will also stock a range of SaMASZ machinery including mowers, tedders & rakes.

Timmy O’Brien, Egmont Agri commented, "We are delighted to expand our dealer network and believe both W.R. Shaw & Bernard Byrne Combines Ltd will help to further increase SaMASZ sales in Ireland. We welcome both companies and look forward to working together."

Organisers of SALTEX, the GMA, have announced additional, new categories to their Innovation Awards.

Entries for this year are now open via the website.

John Coleman (left) is presented with the 2019 Innovation Award for the Cub Cadet Infinicut SM34 Rotary Mower by GMA CEO Geoff Webb

There are now several innovation categories, which include: 

• Machinery
• Hand tools
• Consumables
• Vehicles
• Environmental / Sustainability
• Information technology
• Equipment
• Robotics

Organisers say all submitted entries are evaluated by an independent panel of judges before a final shortlist is devised. The finalists will be announced in the lead-up to the show and the winners will be named in each and every category in a seminar theatre on the first day of SALTEX (3 November).

Visitors will get the chance to see every entry on the show floor. By referring to either the SALTEX website or the show guide, they can pin-point the innovations they want to see and make their way to the relevant stands.  

Every innovation entered into the Awards will be featured on the trade show’s website and in the official show guide.

The winners will be presented with the award at the exhibition and will also receive post-show media coverage.

Commenting on the award, GMA CEO Geoff Webb said, “We launched the SALTEX Innovation Award to celebrate the very best in new groundscare technology. The competition has significantly grown year on year, and the Innovation Award has helped to put a wide number of products on the map.

“After considering the wide variety of innovations which enter the competition each year, we felt it appropriate to introduce several categories rather than just one overall winner.”

Royal Reesink, the international equipment distribution and aftermarket services company, recently announced that Gerrit van der Scheer has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer.

Gerrit van der Scheer and Boris Schoepplein 

Boris Schoepplein has started as Chief Executive Officer beginning August 1st 2021, and at the same time Gerrit van der Scheer has joined the Supervisory Board.

"My passion for Royal Reesink, with its 235-year history, the employees and suppliers have been the main drivers throughout the years. Together, we have achieved a good result and a financially healthy company. I believe now is the time for me to hand over the baton and use my expertise as a member of the Supervisory Board and as an advisor to the company”, said Gerrit van der Scheer.

In the almost 23 years that Gerrit van der Scheer has been involved with Royal Reesink, of which 13 years have been as CEO, the company say he has made a decisive and valued contribution to their success.

Cees Veerman, President of Royal Reesink, said "Under Gerrit van der Scheer's strong leadership, the company has grown from EUR 150 million to EUR 1 billion, with a good profitability. We are very grateful to him for this. He is a strong leader with a sharp eye for people, details and business. These capacities will be very useful in the coming period as a member of the Supervisory Board.”

The company says Boris Schoepplein has extensive management experience and a broad international background in the machinery, automotive and capital goods industries, with a proven track record delivering strong business results. His expertise in corporate strategy, business transformation and value creation programs fits seamlessly with the objectives of Royal Reesink in its new phase of further growth and professionalisation.

According to reports in the U.S Stanley Black & Decker is negotiating to acquire MTD Products, Inc., whose brands include Cub Cadet, Yard Machines, Troy-Bilt, Robomow and others.

The company bought a 20% stake in MTD back in 2018, with the deal at the time allowing an option to buy the remaining 80 percent of the privately held firm beginning on July 1, 2021.

American trade magazine, OPE Business, this week reported on a recent earnings call, where Stanley Black & Decker CEO James Loree said, “Our option to acquire the remaining 80% of MTD opened up at the beginning of this month. This opportunity is exciting as we bring leading brands and capabilities in the electric outdoor category as well as the ability to deploy the SBD operating model and apply our global scale. MTD brings superb product engineering and manufacturing expertise in outdoor power equipment, capabilities in robotics technology as well as access to the independent dealer channel in outdoor."

The report says that James Loree continued, "We were just at MTD’s facilities in Valley City, Ohio, last week and came away even more energised by the pipeline for innovation and the runway for growth in 2022 and beyond.

“The strategic fit is hand in glove and the revenue and cost synergy opportunities are compelling. We are currently in negotiations with MTD on the option execution. And should they come to a successful conclusion and subject to all regulatory approvals, we will begin work on tackling this multiyear opportunity for growth and margin expansion upon closing.”

The 44th edition of the Bologna-based EIMA event will host the Tractor of the Year awards ceremony and will feature a 'parade' of the fourteen finalist models in a new outdoor arena set up to present the competing machines. 
 
Organisers say EIMA International 2021 will focus on new products and offers a wide-ranging showcase for the Tractor of the Year competition that selects the best models produced during the year, awarding prizes to the winners in various categories.

An awards ceremony will be held for the winning four models - Tractor of the Year, Best Utility, Best of Specialised and Sustainable TOTY, The winners will be based on votes cast by an international jury of 26 journalists from trade publications.

However, organisers say the Tractor of the Year event is not limited to the award ceremony, as it will be a major attraction throughout the five days of the event. It will be one of the main new features of this edition of EIMA.

Within the exhibition complex, in the area between Halls 37 and 35, an open-air arena with grandstand, barriers and a green area will be set up to display the finalist tractors.

The fourteen models that competed for the "Tractor of the Year" award will also be on display in motion while their technical features are described by a speaker.

EIMA International 2021 takes place at the Bologna trade fair from 19 to 23 October.

Retired U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral James Stavridis has been announced as presenting the GIE+EXPO keynote in Lousiville, Kentucky this October.

Entitled, 'Leadership and a New World Order: The Need for Resilience', taking place on Wednesday, October 20, 2 - 3pmm the longest-serving global combatant commander in recent American military history, Admiral Stavridis will provide answers and strategies to address the most pressing global affairs challenges.
 
Admission to the keynote, which is sponsored by John Deere and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), is included with trade show registration. 
 
“This past year and half has reminded us that people and connections are so vital to how we live, partner, and thrive. That’s why John Deere is especially proud to be sponsoring the 2021 GIE+EXPO keynote. We’re honoured to help support the return of one of the most important events in our business,” said Stephanie Johnson, Manager, B2C Marketing for John Deere.
 
Stavridis led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy and cyber security. Subsequently, he served as the 12th dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Earlier in his naval career, he was Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America. He holds more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations. He is currently an Operating Executive at Carlyle Group.