I suspect many reading this today will have already seen the article, but there has just been a fascinating piece published in Farmers Weekly, looking at what they describe as "Britain's biggest farm machinery dealers."
The detailed and well-researched story by ag journalist Peter Hill entitled Turnover stats reveal Britain’s biggest machinery dealers, looks at some remarkable turnover increases seen in businesses in the farm machinery sector during 2022. Encouraging to read, there are names of many companies familiar to our readers who it seems have experienced a buoyant period.
As well as sheer hard work throughout a turbulent time that was beset with issues regarding machinery supply, several of the dealerships mentioned in the piece with large increases in turnover, have also recently acquired or merged other dealerships into their structure - which as we know, is an on-going trend in the marketplace, especially in the ag machinery space.
Anyway, if you haven't read it, do take a look as it makes enlightening reading.
Encouraging the next generation
Of course, to ensure their continued prosperity into the future, all of these successful dealerships - and indeed ones not featured, who instead focus on garden machinery or professional turfcare machinery - will be reliant upon a stream of enthusiastic young people to regularly join their businesses. Which as we all know, is hardly the easiest!
It happened to be National Engineering Week last week, and I read some interesting quotes on this subject from the CEO of a company in a different engineering sector to ours, but one that nonetheless clearly experiences similar issues with recruiting young people into mechanical-minded roles.
CEO of multi-disciplinary engineering firm adi Group, Alan Lusty, had issued a press statement commenting on what he described as the "dire need" to engage and inspire young students into the engineering profession.
He said, "Creating environments that nurture the growth of STEM skills, eliminate stigma and break down barriers is invaluable. Put simply, the perception of engineering needs to change in the eye of young people if we are to make progress."
He continued, "Stigma surrounding engineering is a major obstacle. Negative perceptions of the industry are widespread, largely stemming from a harmful lack of awareness and understanding of what engineering entails."
These views are very much familiar territory for dealers in our sector looking to recruit young people into their workshops. It's a subject that is constantly discussed by dealers, manufacturers, trade associations and the press - with, for many, frustratingly slow progress. We are frequently told by our readers that when they are looking to employ, youngsters simply don't appear to be interested in a career in OPE maintenance.
I think everyone concerned fundamentally knows why it's hard to encourage fresh blood to join. Concepts such as the perception of the industry as one inherently greasy and dirty; a lack of awareness regarding the diverse range of opportunities available; competition from other similar, but perhaps more glamorous or well-paid industries - these factors and others are frequently cited as barriers to entry.
Equally, I think there is a rough consensus on what could or should be done to increase the numbers joining the sector. Notions such as collaborating with schools, technical colleges, and vocational training programs to promote careers; emphasising the technological advancements and innovations within the industry; highlighting the various career pathways available; promoting a positive workplace culture that values diversity, inclusivity, and employee well-being - these and other ideas to cast the industry in a positive light are often talked about.
I suppose going forward, efforts from all with a vested interest will need to be redoubled and laser-focused into getting these messages across to the right audiences. Steps must continue to be made - which of course they are. I'm aware for example, that there's some great content being worked on by a new industry group, who aim to spread the word of what a career in a dealership can offer, specifically to young women thinking of how to start their working lives. We will keep you informed of how that endeavour progresses.
Until then, what are your thoughts on how best to encourage young people to join the industry?
