Show season is now well and truly underway with LAMMA taking place on Wednesday and Thursday this week at the NEC.

I'm sure plenty of our agricultural machinery dealer readers made their way to Birmingham to check out what was on show. If that was you, what were your thoughts? Did you see anything interesting or pick up on any vibes on how the industry is feeling at the start of 2024? Please let us know if you did.

Speaking to our agricultural machinery editor, Martin Rickatson (whose brief summary of the show you can read today before a more thorough analysis in the next issue of the magazine), he told me that whilst the show felt busy and saw the return of some manufacturers who hadn't been in attendance for a couple of editions, plus some interesting first time exhibitors, he said he certainly picked up on some doubt in the industry regarding what sort of year this one is going to be.

He said he felt there was some real uncertainty around the halls - and that this is likely being prompted by factors such as inflation and interest rates affecting prices and farmers' spending power. The question is then, to what degree those elements, plus other social and political issues, will impact the market this year?

I wonder if any of our dealer readers are picking up on that kind of thinking in the industry currently - or indeed are having those kinds of thoughts themselves?

It's BTME in Harrogate next week, which I'll be attending alongside other members of the Service Dealer and TurfPro teams, so it'll be interesting if we register any similar feelings in the professional turfcare sector.

I often think that shows themselves tend to be quite positive places. Obviously you always get show rumours doing the rounds and they are fantastic places for consuming all the latest industry gossip. But generally, with manufacturers showing their new wares and colleagues and peers coming together to interact and socialise, I usually find our sector's exhibitions to enjoy relatively upbeat atmospheres.

A lot of that can possibly be put down to the sense of the newness and innovation seen across the exhibitors stands. End-users can be excited about new machinery options for their facilities, whilst dealer visitors can view new kit from existing suppliers - or indeed seek out entirely new brands to themselves - to consider stocking in their showrooms. All of which can engender an atmosphere of potential good times and fresh starts to come.

Along similar lines, we've featured a couple of stories lately (including today with Cramer) about suppliers seeking to set up or enhance their dealer networks for newly introduced products. So I wonder if many readers are thinking about kicking this new year off with the introduction of some new brands to your sales offerings?

That's clearly a decision never to be taken lightly, the adding or replacing of a franchise. But it is one that all dealers will face at various moments. Sometimes it will be thrust upon dealerships with the redrawing of manufacturer's territory maps, other times it will be an entirely self-generated, business decision to shake things up.

So with these couple of trade shows for the differing market sectors and with activity amongst industry suppliers, I wonder if there is much appetite as we commence 2024, for dealers to be embracing new franchises? There can be an inevitable excitement in perusing new avenues, but also of course, the risk of the unknown.

So please, if you are thinking of taking a plunge with a different brand this year - or indeed are sticking firmly with what you have - let us know what your thinking is behind your decision?

This week’s LAMMA farm machinery show at the NEC in Birmingham witnessed a ‘record breaking surge in visitors’ according to organisers Agriconnect, and on the basis of the crowded aisles during much of the first day, it was hard to argue, writes Martin Rickatson, agricultural machinery editor for Service Dealer.  

The business behind the show reckoned to have welcomed over 22,000 attendees through the doors on day one, and with 95 new exhibitors said to have been signed up for this year’s LAMMA, there appeared to be much less of the dead space and spread-out stands that have been a feature in some hall areas during recent editions of the event. Among those new exhibitors were some big names such as Case IH, which returned with a full stand in its own right, plus newer makers including Chinese tractor firm Lovol, while companies such as AGCO and Krone underlined their market commitment with particularly large stands. 

There remained some notable absences, including John Deere, Claas and Kuhn, but the event does seem to have started to build some atmosphere at its new home - not an easy thing, given the linear layout. It remains to be seen how many serious enquiries were being made, and how many will translate into dealer orders over the coming weeks - there was certainly some caution about the effects of inflation on new equipment prices, interest rates on farmer spending power, and excess machine stocks loaded onto dealers by manufacturers. But on the basis of the number of smiling faces seen enjoying a day browsing new kit in the warm and dry, LAMMA 2024 was undoubtedly successful.

Read Martin's full report from the show in the next edition of Service Dealer magazine.

In March 2023 the business of F G Adamson & Son was acquired by Ripon Farm Services.

 
Ripon say the acquisition represented an important milestone in their evolution as they entered the professional turf market for the first time, whilst supporting and strengthening its presence in the domestic turf sector.
 
As part of the acquisition, the name ‘F G Adamson & Son’ has continued to be used, with the depots at Swanland and Langworth continuing to specialise in the supply and support of commercial and domestic turf equipment. However, following the successful integration of the two depots into the group, these former F G Adamson & Son sites will now trade under the name of ‘Ripon Ground Care’.
 
In an official statement Ripon Farm Services said, "Over the next few weeks as this transition occurs, Ripon Ground Care will replace the name of F G Adamson & Son on our websites and social media, on stationery, clothing and on signage. Staff email addresses will also change.
 
"The transition represents a further significant milestone for Ripon Farm Services and will build on and strengthen our presence in the grounds care sector."

Kioti has announced a new partnership with ATVTrac, officially endorsing its security tracking device.

Kioti’s Patrick Desmond said, “We’re pleased to be able to endorse ATVTrac for fitment on our entire line-up. Theft is an ever growing issue for machinery, so we were keen to be able to make a recommendation for our users by way of an official endorsement. While there are many types of security products on the market, we believe that tracking provides the only truly credible solution. The team at ATVTrac have proven their credibility over many years, in a wide-range of circumstances, so we were delighted to partner with them.”

As well as Thatcham approved security that protects owner’s machines via GPS, GPRS and Radio Frequency technology, ATVTrac say they utilise the same technology to keep workers and riders safe too, with functions like ATV Over, that can send a text or email, should the tractor, ATV or UTV topple over with the ignition turned on.

ATVTrac’s Rupert Archer Smith added, “We’re extremely pleased to add yet another high-end manufacturer to our list of endorsed partners. Kioti offers products for many different sectors of industry, much like we do, so it’s great to be acknowledged and endorsed. We’ve worked hard to make ATVTrac a truly useful asset, enabling single users and large estate operators to make use of its additional functions too.”

Kioti say that their official UK dealers will be able to offer customers more information on the fitment of the ATVTrac unit. 

Tom Bailey, the former sales manager at RT Machinery, has joined Price Turfcare, the UK distributor of the Ventrac 4520 all-terrain compact tractor.

Tom Bailey has joined Price Turfcare as area sales manager

Tom joined RT Machinery Ltd in June 2015 as a trainee area sales manager, rising through the ranks before being appointed sales manager in November 2022. In 2019, Tom won Price Turfcare’s Dealer Sales Achievement award.

Commenting on his appointment, Rupert Price, managing director of Price Turfcare, said, “We are delighted to have secured Tom’s services; he is a very welcome addition to our sales team. His sales record at RT Machinery was second to none and that can be seen by his 2019 dealer sales award. He fully understands the attributes of the machine and its accessories and his knowledge of the golf and groundscare industries across the south of England is superb, with the added bonus that he is well respected across his territory.

“The industry tends to forget that we are still a relatively young business; it was only 2017 when we first introduced this unique compact tractor, with its multiple range of dedicated accessories, to the UK market. Now we are in an excellent position to move the company forward and Tom will be an integral part of our growth strategy.”

Equip Exposition, the trade show for the international outdoor power equipment industry, will once again take over the city of Louisville, USA, from October 15-18, 2024. “Only this year, we’re making some fundamental shifts and improvements that will elevate the show to the next level,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns and manages the show.

New for this year, 2024 attendees can expect:

• A Tuesday evening Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, which is marking the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby this year
• A special happy hour in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) starting just after the show closes on Wednesday.
• A Thursday evening arena concert at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville featuring multi-platinum entertainer and musician, Trace Adkins.
• The return of the successful and well-attended Women’s Reception.
• More opportunities to connect in-person with social media influencers at events like the Morning Show at Expo..
• Improved logistics, including a shuttle bus drop-off at the West Wing which will improve parking lot congestion.
• Kevin O’Connor from This Old House as keynote speaker.
• Expanded Spanish-language education focused on helping crew leaders become better managers. 

Kris continued, "We’ve listened to our attendees, and are adding new experiences to give them more of what they want: Being with their peers, talking about business struggles and getting real answers.

“There’s no other place where landscapers, equipment manufacturers and dealers can come together to talk to each other, peer to peer, in such a supportive environment. Whether you need help with people, products or processes, the answers to your questions are at Expo.”

Equip Expo features over a million square feet of exhibits and a 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard. The 2023 show brought together more than 27,000 participants from all 50 U.S states and 46 countries. Landscape contractor registrations increased by 20 percent over the previous year, and dealers were up five percent.

“We’re always in expansion mode," said Kris. "Due to space demand last year, we opened up the West Wing to exhibitors to great success. And we’re going to improve the exhibitor experience there in 2024 by making the West Wing a much larger hub of activity, including putting our pet adoption event Mutt Madness, and the main food offerings there, as well as the Drone Zone, a golf simulation and an attendee lounge.”

The show takes place every October and brings more than $21 million to the city. “Louisville is a fantastic place for us; it’s the home for our global industry event," explained Kris. "But since we take over Louisville for four days, I’m giving one word of advice: book your hotel and airline tickets early if you want to attend this year’s show. Those two things will grow scarcer with every passing month. And you won’t want to miss Expo - not this year.” 

Registration for the 2024 show is now open.

Risebridge Golf Centre in Romford say continued investment and the hard work of their greenkeeping team has seen the 18-hole pay and play facilities go from strength to strength - as has the club’s relationship with dealers George Browns Ltd, who have recently installed another batch of maintenance equipment.

Doug Mackison (left) pictured with Luke Farrow of George Browns Ltd and a selection of his machinery fleet

Spearheading the full-time team of four is head greenkeeper Doug Mackison, who says George Browns Ltd have played a supporting role in operations across the parkland course for the last four years.

“We struck up a relationship with Tim Mason initially, who helped us out with some hire equipment before the funding became available to invest. By this point I’d been in the industry for over 40 years and in that time there weren’t many brands of mower I hadn’t tried. Baroness, however, was one of them but Tim demonstrated how good the cut performance and build quality was and it was on the back of this that we purchased a fleet of fairway mowers, greens and tees mowers and a bunker rake. We’ve not looked back since.”

Doug continued, “Luke Farrow installed the recent trio, he was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the procurement process and continues to support us as we get to grips with our new machines.

“Actually, the support we’ve had from George Browns Ltd has always been excellent! We go to them for some of the annual servicing requirements and the rest of the time they’re always on hand to answer questions from our mechanic. On the odd occasion we’ve needed a spare part, these have always been supplied quickly.”

Doug concluded, “It’s the whole package which keeps us loyal. The top service and the 13 machines that George Browns Ltd have supplied are a real asset to us and our course.” 

The recently-introduced 80-120hp Plus series Steyr tractors, which marks the return of the name to the brand’s line-up, has been acknowledged by the German Design Council, which has granted the new range a prize for Excellent Product Design in the Utility Vehicles category of the German Design Awards.

The Awards are judged by an international jury of experts from across multiple design disciplines. According to the German Design Council, their remit is to seek competence in design innovation and a sharp focus on the demands of customers and the market.

With five models from 80-120hp, the new Steyr Plus series replaces the Kompakt range. In addition to giving the tractors a new look, the company says the new styling uses the louvre stripes of the grille’s centerpiece to also ensure maximum engine air flow. Black worklight bezels contrast with the white surrounds and enhance lighting, while a pointed hood edge blends sharp styling and good forward visibility.

“The CNH Design team is really proud to have seen their efforts in styling the new Steyr Plus recognised in this way,” says David Wilkie, design director at CNH.  

“It’s a fitting acknowledgement of the importance of good design in creating not only stylish equipment, but also machines that provide maximum practicality.” 

Leading garden machinery brand, Cobra, has launched a collaboration with creators of battery-powered outdoor equipment, EGO Power+. With a focus on innovation, the companies have joined forces to create a unique offering for lawn-lovers in the form of the new ‘Fortis powered by EGO’ products.

Last year, Cobra launched its Fortis range of petrol-powered cylinder lawnmowers with eight interchangeable cartridges, creating the ultimate lawncare system. Now, it has partnered EGO Power+ to provide the same level of lawncare for those who prefer a battery alternative.

The new ‘Fortis powered by EGO’ mowers offer the same extensive specifications and technology as the petrol models, combining the cutting expertise of Cobra with the revolutionary power and eco-credentials of EGO’s 56volt Arc Lithium battery technology.

There are four sizes available in the Fortis range, starting with a compact 14” model, and ranging to 17”, 20” and 25”. They are all self-propelled and have a three-way drive facility, allowing the blades to be disengaged without having to stop the engine.

Fortis mowers all feature a six-blade precision ground-cutting cylinder to give the finest, most precise cut possible. The height of cut can easily be adjusted too, with variants as low as 6mm and ranging up to 30mm. The finishing touch to the perfect cut comes from the steel front roller giving an enhanced definition to the iconic lawn stripes.

What makes the Fortis machines the ultimate in lawncare, however, is their ability to transform into seven other machines to ensure that lawns are immaculate and healthy. The Fortis six-bladed cassette can simply be removed and replaced with another accessory cassette in the range to switch its use. Other cartridges include a verticutter, scarifier, dethatcher, aerator, turf rake, lawn brush and ten-blade cassette. 

The ‘Fortis powered by EGO’ mowers will be available from spring 2024 and will be on display at this years BTME exhibition 23rd-25th January. 

For more information on Cobra visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk

or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

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