FEELING CONFIDENT? How are you finding business at the moment? by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
With the weather, World Cup and Brexit all in the mix, how are dealerships across the country faring?
You may have already read the story about Briants of Risborough unfortunately becoming the latest victims of a substantial showroom theft this week? Not pleasant reading at all.
The hope with sharing the information both here in Service Dealer and on social media, is that it raises awareness amongst the network that there are individuals out there, seemingly stealing to order. Dealers need to remain vigilant, have strong security measures in place and look out for one another.
It must be such a horrible experience for Briants and, depressingly, one which it seems is becoming increasingly common for dealers across the country.
It's enough to utterly zap your confidence..
But how are dealers feeling in general? We touched on it last week, discussing the prolonged dry spell, how for some dealerships the combination of the weather conditions and the World Cup had seen a real slow-down in sales. Add into that mix the ongoing lack of clarity over Brexit and one can start to presume that things really must be tough out there at the moment?
But how confident are our dealer readers feeling for their business's prospects? We are running a short survey today which we'd really appreciate your contributions to.
There was a story in the Daily Telegraph a couple of weeks ago headlined "Confidence now 'on a knife edge' for small businesses". The piece said that whilst more SME owners remain positive than pessimistic, the evidence may be that the tide is turning.
The article quotes Will Brown of Impact Social who monitors Tweets from small businesses to assess their mood. He said, "There's a palpable sense that even the slightest false move on Brexit rocks small business confidence." Is that a feeling which pervades our industry?
Meanwhile, this week Bibby Financial Service released their latest SME Confidence Tracker Report. Apparently their first report this year back in April had shown "rebounding confidence amongst the UK’s small and medium sized businesses" due to notable progress between the Government and the EU throughout March. However, this most recent one, which follows government resignations and in-fighting, has seen confidence "tumbling" between April and July. The report says one-fifth of SMEs reflected that Brexit uncertainty was holding-back investment and stifling growth plans.
Is a political situation such as Brexit one which has direct impact upon how much outdoor power equipment is sold? Traditionally we say it's the weather which impacts most on this industry - and we all know what that's been like lately!
I did see a couple of other interesting statistics this week, which related to online sales. The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index said that June had seen 16.9% year-on-year growth of online retail sales. "Unsurprisingly," a statement from the organisation said, "the largest sector increase was seen in Garden, with a +49.9% YoY growth."
So is there evidence of this increased interest in the garden, spilling over into bricks and mortar dealerships? We'd really appreciate you taking a few moments today to let us know your current experiences.
You can take the Business Confidence Survey here and as ever there's scope for you to leave your comments. We will publish the results in the next issue of Service Dealer along with a selection of your thoughts.
Thanks in advance for your help.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE SURVEY 2018 Let us know how you are feeling
Please take a few moments to complete our Business Confidence Survey today.
We will publish the results and a selection of your comments in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine.
Dealers Briants of Risborough were victims of the theft of two chainsaws this week - by a gang who have possibly targeted other dealerships.
Dealers Briants of Risborough found themselves victim to the theft of two chainsaws this week - by a gang who have possibly targeted other dealerships.
Briants contacted Service Dealer to warn fellow dealers of the incident and to let them know to keep an eye out in case these men appear in their stores. The company has supplied some stills taken from their security cameras which show the individuals suspected.
A spokesperson for Briants said, "To any fellow chainsaw dealers and tree workers in the home counties, on Tuesday this week (June 17th) at 16:30 we were targeted by an organised gang during opening hours. We think they are part of the same gang who we escorted from site at a similar time last year.
"They parked away from site and were equipped with door alarm/security de-tagging devices and made off with a STIHL MS150TCE and MS441 chainsaw. All three are of white of heavy build and in tracksuit/hooded tops and baseball caps. Possibly of Eastern European descent. Keep your eyes peeled in store, they appear to be "shopping" to order.
"Serial numbers have been provided to the police and STIHL so the items will appear as stolen if worked on under warranty etc."
Briants also said that having publicised the thefts on social media this week they have been advised that the same people are suspected to have stolen six chainsaws from Garden Machines Northampton back in early June. Having informed the police of this, Briants say the police are linking the events and possibly treating it as an organised crime.
Briants concluded, "It's difficult to politely convey how angry we are, but a massive thanks to some of our customers who offered their assistance at the time. Also the response we've seen from fellow dealers goes to show the power of social media."
* The above images were supplied by Briants and whilst we publish them in good faith for information purposes, Service Dealer cannot attest to the validity of the claims made against the individuals portrayed.
Cordless outdoor power equipment manufacturer EGO has published a new whitepaper that looks at the benefits of lithium-ion battery versus petrol powered outdoor equipment.
Cordless outdoor power equipment manufacturer EGO has published a new whitepaper that looks at the benefits of lithium-ion battery versus petrol powered outdoor equipment.
Steve Roskell, marketing director (EMEA) of EGO said, “In the world of professional landscaping and grounds maintenance, petrol has been the fuel of choice for over 100 years - mainly because there has been no viable challenger. Recently however, battery powered cordless equipment has begun to gain worldwide popularity and increased market share, signalling the most significant shift in the sector for decades.”
EGO say there are four key factors driving this trend: health & safety, user comfort, the environment and economics, all of which are outlined in a dedicated whitepaper commissioned by themselves, which looks at how to increase safety, productivity, sustainability and cost-effectiveness in commercial gardening.
EGO say their whitepaper provides “extensive evidence of the potential risks posed by petrol to user health and the environment and the benefits of battery powered tools to company cashflow”.
Steve continues, “In each of these areas, the benefits of lithium-ion batteries over petrol are overwhelming. Moreover, the emergence of new generation batteries and equipment by global manufacturers such as EGO means that lithium-ion batteries can now match or even surpass the performance of petrol, without any of the drawbacks.”
One of the top specialist landbased colleges in the UK, Reaseheath College in Cheshire, has secured a £15 million funding facility from the education division at Santander.
One of the top specialist landbased colleges in the UK, Reaseheath College in Cheshire has secured a £15 million funding facility from the education division at Santander Corporate and Commercial, to continue its programme of expansion.
The new £15 million funding follows an initial refinancing package of £14.5 million provided by Santander in 2017.
Reaseheath is a national leader for industry training in areas such as agricultural engineering, horticulture, food technology, agriculture and animal management. Its facilities include a licensed food centre, an animal centre with zoo, a commercial farm and an equestrian centre.
The college is currently undergoing an £80 million redevelopment programme which includes an Advanced Engineering and Agri-Tech Centre, further on-site Halls of Residence, a Sports Science and Performance Academy and an upgrade to its University Centre.
The current investment into facilities and learning resources has also been supported by funding received from the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.
Graeme Lavery, Reaseheath’s Chief Finance Officer and Director of Resources, said, “We have been delighted with the support provided by Santander. The series of new capital developments that we have underway are important for the ongoing success of the college. Our aim is to provide the highest quality facilities both for our students and for our employer partners. This ensures that we can continue to achieve our main objective, which is to fully prepare our students for their future careers.”
John Ramsay, Relationship Director in Santander’s Education Team, commented, “We are delighted to support Reaseheath College with this funding and look forward to helping it achieve its goal of expanding nationally and internationally. Reaseheath has a strong reputation in a number of key areas and its relationship with local and national businesses has been a key driver in its growth.”
Pilot event dedicated to farm machinery safety held at Emyr Evans Massey Ferguson Dealership in Gaerwen, could lead to more in future.
Massey Ferguson recently held their first workshop dedicated to farm machinery safety with members of Eryri and Ynys Môn YFC at Emyr Evans Massey Ferguson Dealership in Gaerwen.
Upon arrival, members received a presentation provided by Andrew Purnell, Massey Ferguson Area Sales Manager and Gwynedd Evans, Emyr Evans Sales Manager. They introduced the full-line of Massey Ferguson equipment including tractors, combines, balers, loaders and telehandlers, as well as providing some of the history behind the development of the Massey Ferguson brand.
The ‘Safety and Machinery Maintenance Workshop’ for Wales YFC members
For those looking for educational and career opportunities, details were given about the three-year Apprenticeship Scheme in Agricultural Engineering available with Emyr Evans and run in conjunction with MF’s parent company, AGCO and Cambria Llyfasi College.
Members also carried out an assessment on a tractor which was led by Michael Butland, Massey Ferguson Technical Service Specialist. The tractor was set up with a number of faults and members were asked to identify them to test their awareness skills. This included items such as missing bulbs, mirrors and bolts. Members also received guidance on how to carry out daily checks on their machinery and how to operate the tractor in a safe manner.
Dafydd Jones, Wales YFC Rural Affairs Chairman said, “As it stands around 20% of work related deaths in the UK occur in the farming industry and as the next generation of farmers we have the ability to make a change. It was great to see members addressing the daily checks on the tractors, learning about how to use the tractors and other farm machinery in a safe manner as well as sharing good practices.”
“As a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, Massey Ferguson is committed to the promotion of safety and the correct use and maintenance of machines,” remarked Andrew Purnell. “This workshop at Gaerwen was a pilot and we are very pleased with the positive feedback from Wales YFC members. As a result, we look forward to supporting more events like this in the future,”
Added Gwynedd Evans: “It was a pleasure to spend time with the young farmers. Members showed a high level of interest in the workshop and their attendance clearly showed they understand the need to give safety on the farm high priority. At Emyr Evans, we want to do all we can to assist in lowering farm machinery-related accidents. Workshops like this are an excellent way of building awareness.”
TYM Tractors has welcomed Rafferty Newman in East Hampshire to its dealer network, and in doing so doubles their coverage to the groundscare market in the West Sussex area.
TYM Tractors has welcomed Rafferty Newman in East Hampshire to its dealer network, and in doing so doubles their coverage to the groundscare market in the West Sussex area.
Mick Challen, left, owner of new TYM dealer Rafferty Newman, with Reesink’s Scott Turner who is shaking hands with Rafferty Newman’s Joe Challen
It’s not one of the biggest counties in the country, but Sussex has plenty of agricultural and groundscare customers, including private estates, smallholdings and farms in need of a compact tractor, says Mick Challen, owner of the 50-year-strong Rafferty Newman.
“There was a demand to meet in our area. Tractors have been part of our range in the past and after hearing about TYM’s reputation for quality, we got in touch with its distributor Reesink Turfcare and joined forces with them.
“Often customers come into the shop without knowing exactly what kind of product they’re after but knowing the tasks they need it for. We’ve previously offered tractors but more recently, while we’ve been specialising in UTV and ATV vehicles, there have been times when customers’ tasks have called for more than a vehicle - for front loaders or PTOs.”
Scott Turner, southern regional sales manager at Reesink Turfcare, said, “There’s enough of a demand for TYM in Sussex to warrant two dealers meeting it and the appointment of Rafferty Newman ensures sufficient coverage in the area. There are a good many reasons why Rafferty Newman has such a strong, loyal customer-base and we are very glad to entrust them with the TYM brand by welcoming them to our ever-expanding dealer network.”
Purchase is a continuation of the long-standing relationship between Ransomes, The Turney Group and Blenheim Palace.
Blenheim Palace, located in Oxfordshire, and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, has taken delivery of a Ransomes MP495 cylinder mower to maintain its prestigious gardens.
Delivered by local dealer The Turney Group, this purchase is a continuation of the long-standing relationship between Ransomes, The Turney Group and Blenheim Palace.
L-R: Robert Millar, area sales manager, The Turney Group, Hilary Wood, head of gardens at Blenheim Palace, Trevor Wood, operator at Blenheim Palace, Bernard Guilford, area sales manager, The Turney Group
Blenheim Palace is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal English country house to hold the title of ‘palace’. The Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and welcomes around 800,000 visitors every year.
Hilary Wood, Head of Gardens at Blenheim Palace, manages a team of 10 full-time and six part-time staff who are tasked with manicuring 120-acres of gardens, and some of the 2000-acres of parkland across the 12,000-acre estate.
“We have a lot of land to maintain at Blenheim Palace, and it’s important that we have the correct machinery for the job,” Hilary said. “We have been using Ransomes ever since I first arrived in 1981; so more than 37 years. We have had Ransomes Commander mowers in the past, which have been brilliant, and we have now opted for the new Ransomes MP495, which we have been using since April, and it has exceeded all expectations.
“We have a very happy relationship with our dealer; it’s a family-run business and we receive a very friendly, personalised service. We can always rely on them to be with us whenever we need them, which is something we haven’t had from other suppliers in the past. The Turney Group always let us demo a machine over a period so that we can try it in various conditions and make an informed decision. This gives us confidence in the purchase we make.”
The new agreement is part of Bombardier Recreational Products’s ongoing strategy to forge partnerships with relevant organisations to increase awareness of the Can-Am off-road range.
BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), is to become the official all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and side by side vehicle (SSV) partner for Scotland’s leading agricultural lobbying organisation National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) with its Can-Am brand.
Can-Am Outlander
The new agreement is part of BRP’s ongoing strategy to forge partnerships with relevant organisations to assist in increasing awareness of the Can-Am off-road range.
The agreement will see BRP offer an exclusive deal to eligible NFU Scotland members for its Can-Am Outlander ATV and Can-Am Traxter utility SSV line-up including its exclusive LinQ quick attach accessories range.
Both BRP and its Can-Am off-road dealership network as well as NFU Scotland will be promoting the partnership offer throughout the year.
David Lewington, NFU Scotland’s sales and marketing manager, says, "As an organisation, we are constantly on the look-out for brands that will not only enhance our range of offers but also benefit our thousands of members in their day to day businesses. The decision to bring Can-Am on board as a partner was an easy one because of the wide range of vehicles that our members will be able to choose from based on their needs and requirements. We look forward to working with the Can-Am team to promote the partnership to our members through various activities and events throughout the coming year."
James Dalke, BRP commercial development manager UK, adds, “The Scottish utility market is growing and we are always looking at ways to expand the reach of our ATVs and SSVs, which in turn will assist in increasing our share of the utility market in the region. This exclusive offer will allow us to showcase the ATVs and SSVs' key benefits.”
Väderstad has launched a new app that brings pictures in brochures marked with the Augmented Reality (AR) logo into a three dimensional picture format and video.
Väderstad has launched a new app with smartphone and tablet compatibility that brings pictures in brochures marked with the Augmented Reality (AR) logo into a three dimensional picture format and video.
For example, the Väderstad AR technology allows farmers and advisers to see how the Tempo seed meter works and is able to deliver precision at high speed, or how a roller change in the metering system Fenix III is carried out.
“The Väderstad AR technology makes content in our new brochures come to life, and is a good way for us to highlight the agronomical benefits on a farm level,” says Vaderstad UK’s marketing manager Andy Gamble. “The AR app is easy to use. Simply point the smartphone or tablet at the AR icon and this activates the facility so the user can see images and movement videos on the chosen apparatus.”
The Väderstad AR app is available for free download in Apple App or Google Play Store and the first brochures to use this technology is for the Tempo planter and the Seed Hawk air seeder. Five additional brochures released in October 2018 will follow these.
Watch Honda's Mean Mower V2, which is vying for a new Guinness World Record, in action at the recent Goodwood Festival Of Speed.
Honda's Mean Mower V2, which is vying for a new Guinness World Record, was recently seen in action at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed.
Many vehicles have attempted the hill climb course in the past, but not many will have been as unusual as this!
Watch the below video to see how the machine got on - and keep an eye out for more Mean Mower news as we get it.
JOBS
PSD GROUNDSCARE Business Development Manager (West Midlands & Wales)
Covering the West Midlands & Wales areas, PSD Groundscare are looking for an enthusiastic, focused and self-motivated individual.
Are you interested in working for a national distributor of specialist groundscare and woodland equipment?
Covering the West Midlands & Wales areas, we are looking for an enthusiastic, focused and self-motivated individual. You’ll work as part of our UK sales team developing product ranges from AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl & TS Industrie with a primary focus of developing an extensive network of dealers and hire companies.
We are looking for a candidate with a well rounded experience of selling, preferably from a capital equipment background, with a sound knowledge of the UK Groundscare and Hire Equipment markets being a distinct advantage.
Sales presentation, communication skills combined with strong organisational and planning abilities along with the ability to identify sales opportunities are essential.
Competitive salary and benefits package available.
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