I was delighted yesterday (October 18th) to be invited to attend STIHL GB's big 40th birthday bash in Liverpool.

Joining hundreds of STIHL dealers from all across the UK, the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool's Kings Dock was the setting for the company's Anniversary Conference and Awards Dinner.

Following a buffet lunch the day began with a welcome from STIHL GB managing director Robin Lennie.

Robin began by looking back - honouring those individuals who initially set up STIHL GB in 1978. He said whilst he couldn't speak on their behalf he did know what Peter Baker would've said, were he here today - "We're here to sell bloody chainsaws!".

Robin then delegated the introduction responsibilities to Wayne Stone, the company's national sales manager. Wayne thanked the dealers for travelling from all corners of the UK to be in Liverpool. He spoke about the challenges which everyone was facing - principally amongst them consumer awareness and visibility of the dealer network. He said with their increased product offering, every home in the UK now had the potential to afford a STIHL product. "We at STIHL will be working with you," said Wayne, "to offer you our support every step of the way.

"Change is coming quicker than ever," he continued, stressing the importance of dealers making their business as visible as possible and suggesting that opening hours might be an area which dealers may want to consider looking at.

Next up to address the gathered dealers was head of marketing, Simon Hewitt with a presentation entitled 'Marketing for the Future'. Simon spoke about how 20 years ago the professional customer was pretty much STIHL's prime focus. Now however, he said, the company sees the domestic consumer as their their biggest growth opportunity - whilst still of course catering for the professionals. However, marketing to these domestic buyers is a very different challenge. "The average consumer doesn't know they need a servicing dealer," Simon told the delegates. "But this is challenge we shall face together."

Simon went on to detail the myriad of ways the company is now choosing to market their range of products to their ever widening customer base. He talked about how their customers are "quality seekers" who want to put their trust and emotional connection into premium brands such as STIHL. As such, sophisticated marketing takes place across many fronts including printed media (both trade and consumer), outdoor billboards, at shows and events, on their website and digital platforms plus ongoing sponsorship of Leicester Tigers and visibility during the Six Nations Championships.

Simon promised more marketing to come from the company to help drive customers through dealers doors. New initiatives included clever, targeted marketing through smartphones which push out notifications to users who have shown they are beginning their purchasing journey - as well as teasing a brand new TV advertising campaign which is due to launch in 2019.

Following Simon was Thomas Elsner who is the head of global product management and services at STIHL Group with his talk entiled 'Changing World - New Opportunities'. 

Thomas talked about what's to come from the company, who will of course be turning entirely orange from next year with the phasing out of the Viking product lines. He said that whilst of course there will be many new petrol products to come, a particular focus will be on battery technology. "Our battery technology is advancing fast," he said. "Within the next five years we will more than double our battery range."

As well as physical tools, Thomas also previewed the new STIHL Connected digital fleet monitoring system, plus a new digital workshop organisational tool.

The daytime conference session was concluded with a keynote speech delivered by global business speaker Hamish Taylor. Hamish is an award winning CEO and now an inspirational speaker/broadcaster whose career has taken him from international consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, consultancy firm Price Waterhouse and British Airways to become CEO of Eurostar, and then Sainsbury’s Bank - appropriately for STIHL's conference, all before he was 40!

In all cases he left behind a record of significant business growth triggered by a willingness to challenge the normal way of doing things - and this is what he was encouraging dealers to think about doing in their businesses. Hamish's principal message was that for all companies, actually putting the customer at the centre of their business was key.

He talked about what he saw as four key leadership challenges, which if implemented could lead to real turnaround in a company. He said dealers could think about changing the way they viewed customers, they could change everyone's job description, they could change where they look for ideas and they could change how they engage with customers. He stressed that if changes are indeed made within the business, don't just implement them - get the message out there that you have.

Robin Lennie closed the daytime session, with everyone returning to the conference centre in the evening for the Awards ceremony. Robin welcomed the dealers back, telling them that they are the shop window for STIHL and he wanted to thank them for all their hard work. "Savour the past, enjoy the present and look forward to the future," Robin told the crowd.

The audience was then privileged to hear from a member of the family whose company bears their name, Dr Nikolas Stihl. Dr Stihl said his family very much believe in Robin Lennie, his committed team and their UK dealers. "I would like to thank you, our STIHL employees and our dealers on behalf of my family and our executive board," said Dr Stihl. 

Despite his regret for Brexit, he stressed that STIHL will not be reducing their commitment to staff and dealers in the UK - in fact they are investing heavily in a new headquarters for the UK next year. He went to say, "Smart battery products are the future for our customers - without disregarding our gasoline products."

The business end of the evening of honouring STIHL dealers then commenced, hosted by comedian John Moloney.

Prizes were handed out to dealers in the following categories:

• Best Business Growth: Farol
• Best Local Marketing: Mole Valley Farmers
• Best Digital Marketing: World Of Power
• Product Expert: Emily Waterman from Garden Tools & Engineering
• Best Customer Service: Briants Of Risborough
• Lifetime Achievement: Rob Gusthart

A great day was rounded off with music from a tribute act to a quite popular local band, The Beatles. With socialising continuing on in the hotel bars until the early hours, it really was a Hard Day's Night!

John Deere dealer Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has decided to relinquish its professional golf & turf business at the end of October 2018, while retaining Deere’s full homeowner equipment franchise.

Winchester Garden Machinery

Neighbouring dealers Farol Ltd and Hunt Forest Group will share WGM’s existing professional sales area of responsibility, with Farol’s Midhurst outlet covering West Sussex and Surrey and Hunt Forest Group at Chilbolton taking on Hampshire.

Winchester Garden Machinery has been supplying and maintaining garden and commercial grass care machinery since 1969. It will continue to trade as a main John Deere homeowner dealer, specialising in walk-behind mowers and lawn tractors, from its three domestic machinery sales locations at Winchester and Liss in Hampshire and Sunningdale in Surrey. The business also includes a Forest & Arb Sales division, which was introduced in the early 2000s.

“After over 20 years of supplying and supporting the professional golf & turf sector, Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has taken the decision to relinquish the franchise for this side of John Deere’s business,” says WGM dealer principal Andrew Hoskings, the company’s owner and co-founder with industry stalwart Robin Nettle, who sadly died of cancer earlier this year. “This decision has not been taken lightly, and with the growth in other sectors of our business - domestic, forestry and commercial - we will continue to be strong trading partners with John Deere on homeowner equipment.

“We will continue to support John Deere’s professional machinery with warranty within the valid dates and undertake service work as required. Winchester Garden Machinery is very proud of its association with John Deere and of our reputation as one of the UK’s largest specialist dealers of lawn and garden machinery, and we look forward to the future with confidence.”

Farol will now manage a total of six John Deere agricultural and turf dealerships from the Midlands down through London to the south coast of England.

“Being awarded the new area of responsibility for John Deere’s golf and turf product range in West Sussex is an incredibly exciting prospect for Farol Midhurst,” says managing director Matthew Vellacott. “We will look to continue and build on the high standards of service established by Winchester Garden Machinery, and aim to grow the business with the additional benefits of resources and specialisms that come from being part of a larger group.

“Since Farol’s debut in the professional golf and turf machinery business eight years ago, we have seen exceptional business and market share growth. This now contributes over £20 million to the group’s turnover, which makes Farol one of the largest professional groundscare machinery dealerships in the UK.

“We believe that our industry leading machine technology and aftersales departments have been key to this success, and we now look forward to demonstrating this support to our new customers in the south of the country. This latest addition to the group will undoubtedly take our golf and turf business from strength to strength.”

R Hunt Ltd and New Forest Farm Machinery Ltd recently signed an agreement to merge their two businesses under the new name Hunt Forest Group from January 1, 2019. R Hunt has been a John Deere agricultural equipment dealer since 1971 and currently runs four outlets covering Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. New Forest Farm Machinery trades from two outlets in Hampshire and Somerset and has been a John Deere agricultural dealer since 1979, and a professional turf dealer since 1986.

“This new area of responsibility sees our business expand its professional turf coverage and capability into Winchester and East Hampshire by adding the John Deere turf franchise to our existing Chilbolton facility,” says Hunt Forest Group managing director Tim Hunt. “We will be providing full sales, service and parts support for all John Deere professional turf products from Chilbolton, alongside our other outlets at Blashford, Sparkford, Tilshead and Isle of Wight, from November 2018.

“Following the recent news regarding the creation of Hunt Forest Group, we are able to quickly leverage the experience and staff within our new organisation. We are pleased to say we have immediate coverage for the new professional turf area of responsibility in Hampshire, with knowledgeable staff who will already be very familiar to many customers. We are very excited about the opportunity this brings and look forward to our customers and Hunt Forest Group growing together.”

KUHN Group has announced the signing of an agreement aimed at the purchase of all outstanding shares of the company ARTEC PULVERISATION, located in Corpe (Vendée), France.

KUHN Group has been a minority shareholder of ARTEC since 2008 and plans on becoming its sole shareholder by the end of 2018 upon the fulfillment of the conditions of the transaction.

Founded in 2005 by Jean-Pierre Chevallier, ARTEC specialises in the manufacture of self-propelled agricultural sprayers used for crop protection, in particular for large farms. In 2017, ARTEC’s revenues reached 19 million euros with 60 employees.

Kuhn say ARTEC’s self-propelled sprayers complement their current crop protection offering. The ARTEC products will continue to be distributed under the ARTEC brand and colors by a specialised dealer network.

As a result of the acquisition, ARTEC will benefit from the expertise and means of the KUHN Group to support its development both in France and in the international markets.

A Duchy College Rosewarne student has been awarded a scholarship with Fraddon based machinery dealership, Vincent Tractors & Plant.

This years’ recipient, Barnaby Hills has already started his work placement at the Cornwall and Devon Kubota franchise as part of his scholarship package as he works towards his Level 2 land-based engineering certificate at Duchy College.

Barnaby Hills

It is the third year in a row that Vincent Tractors & Plant have offered this scholarship to a Duchy College Rosewarne student as part of its ongoing commitment to encourage new entrants into the engineering industry. Paul Vincent, managing director at Vincent Tractors & Plant recognised that there was a shortfall in engineers and provided the scholarship as a means of encouraging youngsters into the industry.

16 year old Barnaby said, “I was really surprised and pleased to receive the scholarship. It’s really interesting working on all the different machines. The team at Vincents are great fun to work with and the staff at the college are really helpful."

As part of the application process, candidates had to complete an application form, attend an interview and carry out work experience with the dealership.

Service manager, Andrew Hoddinott said, “Barnaby is the third recipient of the scholarship in partnership with Duchy College. The other two recipients have both gone onto an apprenticeship within the company. As a business we are keen to invest in the future and this scholarship is our way of encouraging new people into the industry. We are training up local engineers to provide a good quality local service”.

Danny Sellors, program manager land-based engineering at Duchy College, Rosewarne commented, “Barnaby is settling in well to college life. This last month he has had a lot of new experiences and is coping really well. The health and safety unit is finished and we have moved onto engine technology, stripping down and assembling Perkins four and six cylinder Phaser Engines. They are now learning about engine components, two and four stroke cycles, the differences between indirect and direct diesel engines, cooling and lubrication. After half term the Level 2 students will be taking the first of three examinations, the health and safety exam”.

Several hundred students attending Merrist Wood College, a multi-award winning, 400 acre estate and ‘outdoor classroom’ in Guildford, Surrey, are benefiting from Makita UK’s 'Be Safe' training modules.

The College specialises in a variety of subjects from animal welfare and arboriculture, to landscaping, garden design, equine management, sport, Public Services and horticulture. For students on the land-based courses Makita UK has started to deliver a series of Be Safe modules in grounds maintenance, landscaping and horticulture.

These 1.5 hour Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) Correct and Safe Use modules, which carry the LANTRA Awards Approved Training Provider badge of recognition, provide a grounding in machine selection using the right tool for the job, safe use and correct control of Makita machines used for grounds care, horticulture production and amenity horticulture.

“It is important to give these students an easy-to-understand course in basic machinery safety and selection,” says Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager, Makita UK. “The students will receive some practical training during their courses but it is vital that they appreciate the risks and processes related to powerful equipment such as hedge trimmers, brush cutters, line trimmers and many more pieces of equipment in our Outdoor Be Safe seminars which brings a fresh approach to this important training.”

The first Outdoor Be Safe modules have been delivered and several more are scheduled in the months ahead. From January 2019 and onwards the October 2018 apprenticeship intake will also benefit in the course. This training is completely free of charge and certificates of training are awarded by Makita for all participating students.

“After attending the Makita Be Safe workshops our land-based students were given generous hands-on experience testing some of Makita’s cordless machinery including lawnmowers, chainsaws, strimmers. Linking with Makita UK has been really valuable for our students in showcasing safety but also the direction of quieter and more sustainable options for their core equipment needs,” says Richard Dewing, associate principal curriculum and head of campus - Merrist Wood.

Simultaneously, Makita’s Construction Be Safe modules are being delivered at Guildford College of Further Education, Guildford, Surrey (another college alongside Merrist Wood in the Guildford College group). These are being delivered to students attending the plumbing, electrical and construction courses, with day-release apprentices also attending from January 2019 onwards.

EGO say they are growing their list of independent ‘Best Buy’ awards for their range of garden technology.

The latest award is from BBC Gardeners’ World magazine who rated the EGO Power Plus PH1400E as their favourite cordless Multi-tool, stating it was “robust, powerful and comfortable to use.” Adding that it was “straightforward to change attachments.”

The Multi-Tool was trialled head-to-head with other established brands, coming out on top.

This is one of several Best Buys awarded to Ego over the last 12 months from prominent industry influencers. These have included awards for EGO Power Plus ST1500E-F 38cm Loop Handled Line Trimmer, LM2001E 49cm Mower and most recently the LM2024E-SP 50cm Self-Propelled Mower.

Steve Roskell, marketing director (EMEA) at EGO said, “Since our launch, we have been awarded numerous independent ‘Best Buys’ for how sophisticated but easy-to-use our tools are.

“Our customers always provide us with incredible feedback so it’s fantastic to know that more independent reviewers are showing their support for EGO. This proves that choosing to sell our products is a reliable and sensible choice for stockists.”

Originally designed by Old Tom Morris, Ladybank Golf Club is a rare thing in Fife, enjoying as it does a reputation as one of the finest inland layouts in Scotland and providing a classic heathland test to lovers of golf away from the sea.

Recently ranked #2 in Great Britain's Top 100 Courses under £100 by National Club Golfer magazine, Ladybank is established on the Fife Open Championship Qualifying Trail, and has hosted final qualifying on seven occasions since 1978 for the Open Championship played at St Andrews. It was also a qualifying venue in July for this year’s Senior Open Championship on the Old Course.

Course manager Colin Powrie and head greenkeeper David Gray of Ladybank Golf Club (left & right) with John Deere dealer Double A golf specialist John Bateson

Managing secretary Gordon Simpson joined the club over two years ago and carried out a comprehensive assessment of the whole club and course set-up. He knew the course and its quality from playing regularly in qualifying tournaments as a PGA professional, and immediately recognised that the combination of an ageing machinery fleet and increasing repair bills meant a replacement policy needed to be implemented.

Gordon therefore asked the six-strong greenkeeping team led by course manager Colin Powrie and head greenkeeper David Gray to put together a wish list of new machinery from scratch, that would help them to maintain the golf course to the required high standard. As a result, the club has made its first ever John Deere fleet purchase, with equipment supplied by John Deere dealer Double A of Cupar in Fife.

The new machines include a 7500A fairway mower with TechControl display and smaller QA5 cutting units, a 4049R compact tractor, a Pro Gator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayer and two 220SL walk-behind greens mowers.

“We conducted the usual tender process and gave the different manufacturers a list of the priority kit we required to replace the older machines,” says Gordon. “Double A and the dealership’s golf specialist John Bateson were superb throughout the process, both in supplying demonstration machines throughout 2017 and in their overall level of service, support and advice to help us develop the golf course in the way we wished.

“The process was admittedly a lengthy one but the ongoing feedback we had from the membership was invaluable to me in the decision-making process, particularly with regard to the high levels of presentation and finish right across the course. This ultimately showed us that the quality of cut from the John Deere machines was far superior and sharper looking.”

“We have quite undulating fairways, so the smaller QA5 cutting units on the fairway mower suit our terrain very well by getting easily into the dips and hollows,” adds Colin Powrie. “The new hand mowers are used on the 1st and 18th tees and the collars, so these are now nicely striped up for better presentation.”

Gordon Simpson admits John Deere would not have been his original number one choice, having never done a deal with the company before in his previous roles. However, he is now happy to state that everything the club experienced over the 20-month process of choosing a new supplier proved that he wanted to partner with John Deere as a brand and Double A as a local business.

“With the volume of kit that had to be replaced, it was always the case that the club would need to spread the investment over several years to make it more manageable,” says Gordon. “With all the work they put into the tender, John Deere and Double A simply stood out a mile, and we knew this was the manufacturer and dealer we wanted to partner with.

“We were looking for a long-term relationship with our supplier, which is why it took us so long to make the decision, but we certainly feel that we’ve picked the right route for us and our ambitions for the club.”

The CropTec Show’s overriding theme of promoting technical excellence to help farmers drive down their unit costs of production will be at the fore of the event’s seminar programme this year.

The programme (see below) covers four key areas: crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection and crop breeding, examining some of the most important and promising science, research and technology that will help growers remain profitable in the years ahead.

Soil health, novel nutrients and biostimulants, crop protection post Brexit, biological control of diseases and pests, pest and weed resistance, and designing future wheats are just some of the key topics to be highlighted.

New for this year is a panel session including four well-known growers who will discuss different approaches to crop establishment, against the background of the past, very difficult season.

The CropTec Show’s development director Stephen Howe says: “This past year highlights the increasingly unpredictability of the seasons and the challenges we all face in achieving those all-important yields and quality, to help us compete effectively in today’s dynamic global market.

“If that’s not difficult enough, UK farmers are also competing with increasing environmental constraints, political uncertainties at home and abroad and the big unknown that is Brexit.

“CropTec 2018, with the main seminar programme at its heart, will provide the ideal platform to help the arable sector plan for a secure long-term future, whatever our climate or politicians throw at them.”

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

The CropTec Show opening presentation by headline sponsor Corteva AgriScience

• Setting the scene for profitability
• Prospects for the combinable crops sector
• What might the future hold for UK farming following the publication of the Agriculture Bill, which outlines the government’s intentions for future domestic agricultural policy? 

Crop Establishment Sponsored by Horsch and Certis UK

• Measuring, managing and improving soil health
• Testing times for crop establishment: What might I do differently?

Crop Nutrition Sponsored by Yara

• Managing potash and sulphur
• Managing Digestate: What is its true value and how to use it?
• Biostimulants and their role in crop nutrition

Crop Protection Sponsored by Nufarm

• Crop protection post Brexit
• Biological solutions for disease and pest control
• Preventing weed and disease resistance

Crop Breeding Sponsored by InVigor

• Shaping the Recommended List for the future
• Designing future wheat
• Traits in oilseed rape

HAMILTON BROTHERS (Part of the Hamilton Ross Group) are leading suppliers and service contractors of Groundcare Machinery to numerous golf courses, Premier Division Football Clubs, local councils and sports arenas across West Central Scotland.

An exciting and challenging opportunity exists for a dynamic Groundcare Service Manager to effectively manage our Groundcare Workshop at Bishopton Headquarters and lead a team of highly qualified Groundcare Technicians to meet and supersede deadlines and achieve great customer satisfaction.

Requirements:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good management skills.
• Excellent IT, organisational and administrative abilities.
• Technical knowledge of grass cutting machinery and the groundcare and golf retail markets is not vital but would be beneficial.

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the workshop, surrounding areas and equipment are maintained regularly and kept tidy.
• Managing and supporting the Warranty Administrator.
• Ensuring Service staff are well trained to perform to the best of their abilities.
• Liaising with the Parts Department to ensure effective parts supply.
• Updating all job types, maintaining all relevant records and creating overtime rotas.
• Taking responsibility for the regular upkeep of the Service Department Health and Safety standards.

Benefits:

• The full support of an employer interested in your success and training.
• A competitive salary.
• 22 days holiday plus 8 public/bank holidays per annum.
• Long established, local and trusted employer.

An excellent remuneration package awaits the right candidate- is it you? Please send or email your CV with a covering letter to Kenneth Smyth at kens@hamiltonbros.co.uk

The countdown is on to Europe’s largest annual turf management event and here is a reminder of everything you need to know ahead of SALTEX 2018, which takes place at The NEC, Birmingham on 31 October – 01 November.

Firstly…

1. Register for FREE to get your ticket in advance and avoid the queues.
2. Plan your route. Located in the centre of the UK, whether you are travelling from overseas or within the UK, the NEC is easy to get to by car, rail or air.

This year, anyone attending SALTEX, can save 25% on car parking charges. Event organisers have negotiated a freeze on the £12 charge, which the NEC have just increased to £16 for other visitors. Alternatively, the IOG is also providing one free parking voucher for each membership account, be that an Individual or Organisation/Company. Simply bring your membership card to the IOG Hub (stand C180) and collect the FREE car park voucher

When you get to SALTEX 2018…

1. Update yourself on industry trends, techniques and latest innovations at the Innovation Hub on stand K021.
2. Gain CPD points by attending any of the 53 FREE-to-attend educational seminars through the Learning LIVE programme.
3. Bring along your soil sample to the Pathology & Soil Science LIVE clinic, located on the IOG Hub between 11am and 1pm each day.
4. Get face-to-face FREE expert, impartial advice from the IOG’s regional pitch advisors on stand E180.
5. Make sure you sign-up for the Women in Turf (via the IOG Hub) and the Lawn Care Legends (Concourse Suites 22-23) networking events.
6. Ready to make your next career move? Visit careers counsellor Frank Newberry between 9am and 3pm each day at the Job Clinic on the IOG Hub for the best career advice you’ll ever receive.
7. See the latest products in action at the SALTEX Outdoor Demo area, outside Halls 6,7 & 8.
8. Bring your shooting boots and try your luck in the penalty shoot-out competition on stand K189. Hosted by Rigby Taylor on behalf of the Perennial charity the competition is free to enter, but donations are appreciated - and a major prize is up for grabs!
9. Have fun! Walk the three large halls and network with thousands of other like-minded individuals – don’t forget to bring your business cards!

SALTEX 2018 is free to attend. To register your attendance and beat the queues visit www.iogsaltex.com

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX

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