TRUE ENTREPRENEURS Dealer network never ceases to surprise by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Working through the entries to the Service Dealer Awards, it has become quickly apparent that extraordinary work has been undertaken out there in the network these past 18 months.
For the past few weeks, we here at Service Dealer have been encouraging you, our dealer readers, to make sure you are in the running for a prestigious industry award - and lo and behold, our magazine now finds itself in that exact position!
You may have read already today that Service Dealer has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Business Publication Of The Year category at the Independent Publishers Awards run by the PPA. This is genuinely quite a big deal in the publishing field and the whole team is honoured to be singled-out alongside some incredibly well-established business-to-business titles.
Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke says today, "It is a huge achievement being a finalist, as the PPA awards are hotly contested and the publishing benchmark in the UK."
I must say it's all jolly exciting to be in the mix for such an accolade - but most importantly it's a real pat on the back and acknowledgement of the efforts of the whole team who put the magazine together.
It isn't often such recognition comes the way of a business when the priority is simply getting on with the tasks at hand. When it does present itself, it's rather delightful and it feels special being told by your peers that you're doing something right.
And I can tell you right now - because I've spent this week working my way through all the entries to the Service Dealer Awards - that our readers are doing tons of things right! It is apparent that extraordinary work has been undertaken out there in the network these past 18 months - under what can generously be described as trying circumstances!
The judging panel has the unenviable task of considering which companies or individuals stand out as worthy of winning an award. There are some awfully difficult decisions to be made and those choices will not be taken lightly.
I have been privy to some remarkable accounts of endeavours that have taken place at dealerships around the country. I've seen reports by the dealership teams, from suppliers and by local customers - all of which explain just how smart our readers have been with running and adapting their businesses.
Customer testimonials for example, contain a plethora of phrases such as, "Outstanding customer service;" "The personal service and advice these guys give is amazing;" "I will never buy elsewhere;" and "More companies should follow your lead." It has genuinely been a pleasure to read so many glowing endorsements.
In many ways, working my way through all the entries has confirmed what we've always known, that dealers in our sector are a resourceful, innovating, and resilient bunch. Entrepreneurs in the truest sense of the word.
But that's not to say that we haven't been surprised too. We're discovering reports of new methods of working, unique charitable endeavours and envelope-pushing embracement of new technologies. Truly inspiring stuff.
I know as a breed we're not really into trumpet blowing or self-aggrandisement. But I think on those rare occasions where five minutes can be taken to consider what your business is achieving; it is worth doing so. It seems entirely legitimate to navel-gaze once in a while and acknowledge that yes, we’re doing OK.
For one thing, it’s so important for group morale that your team know they are doing a good job. So, tell them today! Give them a big well-done. They deserve it.
A rebrand and relaunch will take place next year as a new chapter begins for the major industry event.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) have announced that GIE+EXPO will rebrand and relaunch in 2022 as Equip Exposition, evolving the tradeshow that has been taking place this week (Oct 20-22) in Louisville, Kentucky.
The organisers said the move will start a new chapter for the event while reinvesting in its host city.
“We’re excited to announce this evolution of our industry-leading tradeshow,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “The opening of our new office shows the investment our industry has in the event and in its long-standing location of Louisville. With OPEI bringing the management of the show wholly under the association’s umbrella, it was time to re-envision the event while honoring its long history.”
Kris Kiser (with scissors) and the OPEI board at the opening of the new offices this week
Concurrent with the launch of Equip Exposition, the OPEI Board of Directors and Kris, joined by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and other invited guests, cut the ribbon on new show offices on Main Street in Louisville on Tuesday night this week (October 19th).
The OPEI say plans are already underway to expand education opportunities and enhance the attendee and exhibitor experience in Louisville:
David Feherty, former professional golfer and current golf broadcaster, will give the opening keynote
Landscape Management magazine, Bob Clements International, and the Professional Grounds Management Society will host a series of educational workshops
The TurfMutt Foundation will launch the first-ever Mulligan’s 5K and Fun Run in downtown Louisville
“Equip Exposition is where the landscape changes, and is the place for landscape contractors, outdoor power equipment dealers, distributors, and manufacturers to connect, learn, and grow,” Kris said. “The tradeshow remains the best place to connect with your peers, network, and gain a competitive business edge. We’re excited to evolve the show, and can’t wait to see you in Louisville October 19-21 next year.”
In 2019, the trade show was the 6th largest in the United States according to the Gold 100. It attracts more than 20,000 attendees hailing from all 50 U.S. states and 54 countries. The show has an economic impact on Louisville of more than $20 million, has 20-plus acres of newly renovated outdoor demonstration areas, and more than a thousand exhibits. It co-locates with Hardscape North America.
A futurist, a social media specialist and a robotics entrepreneur will be sharing their expertise at next month's Service Dealer Conference.
Smart Working is the theme for this year's Service Dealer Conference that takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry, on Thursday 25 November 2021.
Throughout the day there will be presentations, seminars and breakout sessions exploring the theme. Working with our delegates on the subject will be a selection of specially invited expert speakers:
Ed Gillespie
A popular speaker at our 2018 event, Ed is no stranger to the Service Dealer Conference.
An international speaker, writer, communications specialist, podcast host, serial entrepreneur and futurist, Ed’s core talent is to take the complex challenges the world faces, from climate change to disruptive innovation, and make common sense of them for a wider audience.
Currently Ed’s focus is using his twenty-five years of experience to help organisations understand the new Covid-19 world. From ‘unlearning’ the mistakes of the past, to asking the right (often awkward!) questions, and moving beyond the discomfort of today into being the better, more resilient, responsible and sustainable businesses of tomorrow.
Highly adaptable, constructively challenging and happy to push audience assumptions of business as usual, Ed enjoys opening minds then mapping possible practical solutions and opportunities, with thoughtful insights, trends and humour.
We are delighted to welcome Ed back to the stage as he opens the event launching delegates into Smart working in a changing world – what does the future look like for your business?
Teresa Heath-Wareing
An award-winning international social media and marketing speaker and trainer, Teresa is also the host of the popular weekly podcast “Marketing that Converts”. A TedX speaker, Teresa has spoken alongside some of the world’s social media & digital marketing thought leaders and is widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s leading marketing influencers.
With over 15 years in marketing, working with international brands such as Land Rover, Jaguar, Rightmove and Leadpages, Teresa speaks to and trains, business owners and marketers all over the world, as well as through her online membership - The Marketing that Converts Academy.
Teresa was part of the development team for the Service Dealer Toolkit and as such is very familiar with today’s audience. Promising to captivate our guests, providing the latest knowledge, proven strategies and practical tips: we are sure that Teresa will leave you all with some fantastic take-aways to support your business in the online world.
Sam Watson-Jones
Sam, a fourth generation arable farmer, is Co Founder and President of the Small Robot Company. Sam is focused is on using technology to grow productivity and efficiency, as margins continue to shrink – put simply Sam has a clear motivation for making farming better.
An experienced business operator, having run a diversified family business for many years. Sam has a range of previous experience including as an angel investor in EdTech start-ups. Sam was previously a management consultant at Accenture and specialised in global technology implementations of minimum $100m, leading multisite teams of 100+ people.
Sam has strong connections within the farming industry and has been involved in initiatives such as NFU Development Programme and Monitor Farm Programme. He has used this network to secure commercial trials of the Small Robot Co technology in 2018.
Sam also has a strong track record for philanthropy. He successfully launched Jamie’s Farm in 2008, a charity working with deprived children on behavioural issues through residential courses on farms.
With Sam’s knowledge of the land-based sector and awareness of the challenges involved in growing a new tech business, we look forward to hearing how new technology will empower us.
Kubota is looking at introducing a quota system for machines in 2022 which will be fair to small and large dealers
Kubota UK is looking at applying a quota system for dealers on all its products in 2022 says md David Hart.
“After our experiences this year, we need to manage stock availability very carefully, making sure that we apply a fair ratio for small and large dealers,” he said.
Already dealers are placing larger than normal orders perhaps anticipating that they will not get everything they order he added.
He also revealed that Kubota UK had 50 containers on the ship that grounded in the Suez Canal last March “and a further 500 containers in the ships queued up behind”.
David Hart was speaking as a member of the panel assembled for the 50th episode of the Inside Agri-Turf podcast hosted by Chris Biddle.
“Organising a panel session for the podcast was a first” says Chris “and I wanted to put together a diverse set of industry folk from different backgrounds). The podcast, Agri-Turf Talkwent live on Wednesday 20 October and runs for 40 minutes.
The other members of the panel were Kit Franklin, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University, but better known as one of the team behind the Hands Free Hectare, now Hands Free Farm project.
Will Foster, formerly Training Manager for the tank fleet at the Royal Armoured Corps headquarters. On leaving the Army, Will initially considered a career in the railway industry but ‘discovered’ agricultural engineering and today works as a technician for Ben Burgess Ltd.
The final member of the panel was Lauren Savage, who originally worked as a car technician but again ‘discovered’ ag engineering and today is an AGCO apprentice with Chandlers Farm Equipment, Bristol branch and was a finalist in the AEA Technician for 2021 Awards.
Chris Biddle says that such was the success of the panel session that regular editions of Agri-Turf Talk are being scheduled for 24 November, 15 December and 26 January 2022.
The AEA has released figures analysing how tractor registrations so far this year compare with those in 2020, in terms of their distribution across the regions of the UK and power of machines.
The AEA has released figures analysing how tractor registrations so far this year compare with those in 2020, in terms of their distribution across the regions of the UK and power of machines.
Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth said, "Overall, registrations in the opening nine months of 2021 were 19% higher than in the same period last year. By the third quarter, year-on-year growth had slowed to 7%, although that is largely because registrations had begun to recover by this time a year ago."
Regions
The figures released show that all regions of the UK have recorded growth in tractor registrations this year, except for Yorkshire & the Humber, where they were almost unchanged from January to September 2020.
The strongest growth has been seen in the East Midlands (+62%) and Northern Ireland (+50%). Stephen explained, "These regions saw somewhat slower growth in the third quarter, although still above average, when the fastest increase was in the Home Counties, albeit from a low base. As well as Yorkshire, the North West of England and South Wales saw small year-on-year declines in the latest three months."
Power
Across the year to date, the figures show that registrations were up on 2020 in virtually all power bands, although there was little growth in the 161-200hp band. Growth was particularly strong in the 121-140hp range.
"This band," said Stephen, "also saw solid growth in the third quarter but was outpaced by the 201-240hp range, while some power ranges saw fewer registrations this year.
"Overall, it appears that the average power of machines registered this year will be slightly lower than a year ago, with the mean figure for January to September 2021 standing at just under 170hp, down from 172.5hp in the same period of 2020."
Dealership holds first event after their regular programme of open days and demonstrations were halted by Covid restrictions.
Groundscare specialist GGM Groundscare say they are celebrating a successful customer event held recently at Leigh Sports Village.
The ‘Innovations Trail’ was an opportunity for customers to view the latest groundscare technology and learn about new developments first hand from manufacturers.
It was the first event the business has held in almost two years, after their regular programme of open days and demonstration events was halted by Covid restrictions - with GGM describing the customer turnout as fantastic with over 100 people attending across the two sessions.
The event was supported by a number of manufacturers including Kubota, Baroness, Roberine, Amazone, Dennis, Toro, Husqvarna, Ariens, Major and PSD Groundscare. A range of equipment was showcased including a number of new machines.
Managing director Chris Gibson said, “At GGM, we pride ourselves on offering our customers a range of events and open days throughout the year, which were obviously abruptly put on hold during the pandemic. Following the challenging last 18 months we were excited to be able to showcase many exciting new products and to get everyone back together in a safe and controlled manner."
Chris continued, “We’re absolutely delighted with how well the Innovations Trail went. It was wonderful to see people face to face once again and get back to doing what we do best - showcasing leading innovations to the people who will be using them. It was particularly pleasing to receive such positive feedback following the event."
A campaign was launched earlier this year by Hansa Products to offer garden machinery businesses around the UK the opportunity to grow.
Bob Gadsby from Country Services Limited in Burton on Trent has been announced as the winner of the Hansa Helping Grand and has received £1,000 to invest in his business.
Steven Milburn, managing director of Hansa Product Europe presented the prize to Bob Gadsby from Country Services
The campaign was launched earlier this year by Hansa Products to offer garden machinery businesses around the UK the opportunity to grow.
As a family run business, Hansa say they are passionate about helping others, with the Helping Grand being an example of it supporting small businesses and independent garden machinery specialists. Hansa products are sold exclusively in the UK through Henton & Chattell dealerships and Bob faced competition from over 1,500 other eligible companies to win.
The £1,000 can be spent in any way that is related to improving the business and encouraging growth. When asked what he’d do with the prize money, Bob said that he would like to invest the money in promoting and celebrating his company’s recent relaunch and move to a new, larger facility.
The world’s first production methane power tractor has picked up an award at this week's EIMA exhibition in Bologna, Italy.
New Holland Agriculture was crowned with the Sustainable Tractor of the Year 2022 prize for their world’s first production T6 Methane Power Tractor at the EIMA exhibition which has been taking place this week in Bologna, Italy (19-23 October 2021).
The jury panel of farm equipment journalists from across Europe singled out the T6 from shortlisted tractors in three main categories.
Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, said of the win, “This is the culmination of New Holland’s pioneering work on the use of alternative fuels through our Clean Energy Leader strategy, and it is a significant step forward on the path to decarbonizing agriculture.
"This award is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the development of the T6.180 Methane Power tractor series, from our engineering teams to the whole Basildon plant team.”
Oscar Baroncelli , head of tractor product management, added, “The T6 Methane Power tractor we are presenting here at EIMA is our production unit, and this technology is available to our customers now. With the economic and practical advantages it brings, further enhanced when using biomethane, we expect a lot of interest from biogas plant operators and suppliers, and also farmers with access to the gas network. Municipalities are also showing a lot of interest in adding this tractor to their fleets of Compressed Natural Gas vehicles to further reduce their emissions footprint.”
New Holland is producing the full series production at the brand’s Basildon tractor plant for Europe, with units currently undergoing practical testing by farmers across European markets.
Mark Howell, global product manager alternative fuel at New Holland, said, “The benefit of methane as a fuel is that it can create a circular energy system. When burned in controlled circumstances in an engine like that in the T6.180 Methane Power, the by-products are carbon dioxide and water.
"When you consider the CO2 released in creating the fuel, not only do our customer benefit from the 11% CO2 saving for the exhaust pipe but they can also benefit from the source of the fuel. When using methane produced from a biogas plant with a mixture of waste and crops customers can achieve carbon neutral, but when the methane is collected directly from a slurry lagoon, not only are the methane emissions being stopped from escaping into the atmosphere it is being used instead of a fossil fuel bringing a double benefit in CO2 savings.
"Farms can become not just food producers, but fuel sources too, and methane-fuelled tractors are the enablers for this circular process. Waste products such as livestock manures suddenly become valuable fuel sources. Methane is cleaner to handle when refuelling and during combustion in the engine. It is a fuel readily available and this allows our customers to start the move to lower their CO2 today rather than waiting for other fuels that may or may not come in the future”.
L-R: Richard Jones, Oakley's professional machinery sales manager; Kenny Macnab, Oakley's sales manager; Stuart Rose, Overton (UK) sales director
Kenny Macnab, sales manager at Oakleys said, "We were very keen to move more into the battery powered grounds equipment market as we are already selling a lot of hand held machines and can see it is the future."
Richard Jones, Oakley's professional machinery sales manager, added "We had seen the Mean Green mowers at SALTEX and as the years have progressed we've noticed that they were continually improving. We feel Mean Green are the world leaders in electric mowers so it was time for us to join.”
Guy Overton said, "We're very pleased that Oakleys are the latest dealership to chose to take on Mean Green. We will shortly be announcing more dealer appointments."
Jason Howard (right) from Howard & Sons hands over the keys to Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Neil Freegard
The 45hp tractor will be used to transport the fuel bowser around the base for refuelling the helicopter and will also aid the upkeep of the charity’s land.
Devizes-based Howard & Sons is a family company which has been involved in the agricultural industry for three generations. The business sells farm machinery and tractors across the UK and exports worldwide and have been preferred Kubota suppliers for the past three years.
Sales manager Jason Howard said, “Wiltshire is an extremely rural area and we know the air ambulance is regularly called out to incidents on remote farm land and involving machinery.
“We wanted to play our small part and, having spoken to the staff at the airbase, it was felt this new Kubota tractor will be important for their work.”
Wiltshire Air Ambulance ground base manager Richard Miller said, “We can’t thank Howard & Sons enough for their support with the gifting of this tractor, as well as taking care of its servicing and insurance.
“It will be a huge help to our team as we look to carry out our lifesaving service up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Each year it costs £4 million a year to keep the air ambulance flying and the charity receives no regular direct funding from the Government or National Lottery grants.
Toro U.K. are looking to recruit for the position of Technical Service Representative for the U.K.
Toro U.K. Limited manufacturer of Lawnmowers and Turf Equipment. Established in 1946 as Hayter Limited the company has been actively promoting and distributing Garden and Grounds Care machinery for over 75 years. We are looking to recruit for the position of Technical Service Representative for the U.K. We require an individual with a passion for the industry and who wants to work as part of our successful EMEA Customer Care team. Reporting to the UK Service Manager, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with market leading brands and products.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Technical Service Representative will be responsible for:
Technical Support on Hayter and Toro Consumer, Landscape Contractor and, Siteworks System products primarily in the U.K.
Technical Support on new technologies and products as they are launched.
Receiving and responding in a timely manner to incoming dealer, service provider, mass retail and end user technical communications (telephone, email etc.).
Serves as the technical product expert for dealers, customers and other departments within Toro.
Assisting in creating and presenting training materials.
Able to work safely and efficiently in a workshop.
Able to carry out fault diagnosis and repair on products.
Maintaining the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
Working as part of the EMEA Customer Care team.
Will need to live in a convenient location as this position will be based at our Spellbrook location.
SPECIFICATIONS
The Technical Service Representative will possess the following:
Excellent communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work well in a team-based environment.
Ability to be flexible and work well under pressure.
Have drive, commitment and enthusiasm.
Have an eye for detail.
Possess sound analytical and numerical skills.
Sound understanding of combustion engine, hydraulics and electrics / electronics technology.
Strong technical skills in PC and mobile operating systems and applications.
Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Ability to work effectively across different business functions.
Must be self motivated and able to work autonomously.
Work requires the level of educational development normally acquired through completion of a degree in a technical field.
Now available for the first time in the UK via Henton & Chattell, Hansa Chippers are the ideal tools for this job.
At this time of year landscape tidying and garden clearance is a big job. Now available for the first time in the UK via Henton & Chattell, Hansa Chippers are the ideal tools for this job.
Established in the 1980s, Hansa specialises in the design and manufacture of high-quality brush chipping and shredding equipment. The family run company, based in New Zealand, has a strong heritage combined with constant evolution and innovation, with a focus on sustainable growth.
As trees and hedges are pruned back, they can create messy piles of debris that are often used to create smoky, polluting bonfires. Family run company, Hansa, is dedicated to changing this practice, by offering an alternative solution. Instead of building climate-damaging fires, Hansa sees chipping as a cleaner, greener way of getting rid of waste. By using a chipper, green waste can be transformed into valuable mulch that can be used in beds and around tree bases. This recycled material helps to retain moisture and supress weeds while it breaks down and provides nutrients to plants as it decomposes.
Hansa prides itself on the ethos of “providing the best chipping experience”. Whether being used in a garden at home, by a landscaper, professional arborist or other commercial user, Hansa chippers are all designed to make tough work enjoyable. It’s about getting the job done in the most efficient way.
The domestic gardener can choose between electric and petrol options with the C3E and the C4, both weighing up 70kg making them perfect for home usage and storage. The C7 is the most popular model and, with a 6.5hp petrol engine, is ideal for those with larger gardens. For landscapers the C13, with a 13hp engine, easy engagement system and efficient self-feeding action, makes light work of large jobs.
For large-scale, commercial applications there is the C21 and the C27. Both are extremely robust and have heavy-duty cutting disks that meet the rigorous requirements of heavy branches and bushy foliage. The C27 has a 360-degree turntable that allows feeding from any direction.
Ordering Period from 12th October 2021 to 31st January 2022.
Special pre-season pricing offers great savings over standard terms.
Delivery options of 2021 or 2022 are available (multiple orders are allowed).
Payment by 29th April 2022, if 2022 delivery date selected.
Carriage free to standard locations (remote / offshore locations-standard carriage terms apply).
Please use the downloadable form only to place your orders via info@uni-power.co.uk (Webcart or other formats are not accepted).
Login to our website & visit the Briggs & Stratton Pre-Season Offer webpage, where you can download the order form and brochure (Including T&C's); or request via info@uni-power.co.uk
In Garden Trader user research conducted over the Spring/Summer (February to July) of 2020, 79% of the 67,000 users found the site helpful or extremely helpful. But even more encouraging was that 77.4% of site users were likely or extremely likely to visit the dealership they were looking at on Garden Trader. This is the best proof yet that people want to buy from people and this highly targeted website is delivering quality leads to subscribed dealers for just 26p per day.
Our Summer research shows that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year. This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.
This site was purpose-built just for skilled servicing ground care dealers by the team that bring you Service Dealer Magazine. It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year for a full listing. As this dealer site is designed to promote the UK dealer network, all revenues in 2021 will be reinvested into promoting the site online.
Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.
