There’s no time like harvest for agricultural equipment dealer staff to wish for a simpler life. Looking enviously across at counterparts in the car or truck trade, many must wonder whether things wouldn’t be more straightforward if just one supplier provided all of the dealership’s key machines, backed by a consistent set of systems, procedures and standards of support, whether that’s tech/service back-up, parts supply or even the loaning of demo machines. Of course, agricultural equipment dealerships provide a much wider and more diverse range of products than, say, a line of vans through rigid body trucks to articulated tractor units that a lorry dealership might supply, but the point stands.

With many of the tractor makers who dominate the way most dealers do things broadening their ranges through takeovers and alliances, moving into new product areas and offering a fuller line of equipment, it would appear that, in future, more dealerships will be supplying more products from their main franchise.

Manufacturers have been here before, during the period from the post-war decades right through to the 1980s. Back then, much of this was about supplying almost every tool a farmer needed in order to keep them loyal to both brand and dealership, but many manufacturers gradually withdrew from specialist product lines, whether they were involved in manufacturing them or simply marketing them under their own name and livery, as specialist makers and their specialist knowledge trumped the marketing and financial might of multinationals attempting to become ‘jacks of all trades’.

Now, many are returning to supplying a fuller line, driven not just by that desire to make them and their dealers a one-stop shop for a farm business’s key machinery, but also by the additional factor of compatibility of operating, control and communication systems. ISOBUS may have negated some of this, but there remains a strong selling point in similarity of controls to aid operator and owner familiarity.

But is it necessarily a good thing for dealers? And how much pressure are they coming under to push the new additions to the main franchise’s product line over the machinery from a ‘short line’ supplier with whom they may have a sound relationship and strong customer backing? As farming operations become larger and buyers fewer, the move is an understandable one, but it does carry a risk of alienating dealers and customers who are seeking choice and other benefits of a competitive market.

It would be interesting to hear - anonymously, understandably - dealers’ views on whether they feel they are coming under pressure from their main franchise to reduce the number of lines they sell, and what the good and bad points are to this. And both short- and long-line manufacturers are welcome to pass on their thoughts about how their decisions to branch out or stay tractor-only are helping both them and their businesses.

Could we see dealers diverging into main brand tractor and full-line businesses and, on the other hand, specialist implement suppliers? Is the latter a viable business model? Do dealerships need to sell tractors to survive and/or prosper?

Email Service Dealer editor Steve Gibbs or share your thoughts in the comments section below. In a future issue of the magazine, it’s something we’ll take a closer look at.

Editor Steve Gibbs is away this week

John Deere has announced the acquisition of OnLink, a golf course performance optimisation software platform based in the US.

As a result, John Deere will acquire the OnLink platform and service agreements with all existing OnLink customers.

OnLink is a cloud-based golf course management platform that enables golf courses to collect data and manage equipment, labour, water, chemicals, nutrients and playing conditions.

“We know that data-driven decision making is key to improving agronomic outcomes and financial returns for our golf customers,” says Manny Gan, John Deere’s director of global golf sales and marketing. “This acquisition allows us to continue developing the OnLink platform with the data knowledge we’ve already built, to deliver insightful information to our customers.”

John Deere first began its relationship with OnLink in 2017 when it announced a collaboration with the company. With this acquisition, OnLink will become integrated into John Deere’s suite of technology solutions.

“We are proud and honoured to have an industry leader acquire our software platform,” says Walt Norley, OnLink founder and CEO. “Current and future OnLink users will have the benefit of John Deere, and its strong dealer network, to scale up the platform for further value and efficiency.”

Following on from Toro’s 100 years in business in 2014, the company is now celebrating its centennial milestone serving the golf industry.

The Toro Company made its entry into the golf sector by developing the industry’s first motorised fairway mower for the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

The Toro Standard Golf Machine, Minikahda endorsement brochure cover

By mounting five lawn mowers on the front of a farm tractor, the company say they created the motorised golf course equipment industry and in doing so started a century of listening closely to its customers, developing products based on feedback and available technology, long-standing customer relationships, and establishing a distribution network to deliver local service and support.

Reesink Turfcare, or Lely Turfcare as it was, has been part of that journey as the sole Toro distributor in the UK for golf and sports fields equipment and irrigation products for almost half that time.

Grant Young, general manager of Toro’s Commercial Business, said of the occasion, "Without a doubt, we owe much of our success to the Toro employees who have helped shape the golf industry with countless innovations. But we wouldn’t be here today without the Toro customers across the globe who put their faith and trust in our products every day. As we celebrate a century in the golf industry, we simply want to say thank you to our customers and channel partners for continuing to put your trust in Toro people and products.”

David Cole, managing director of Reesink Turfcare, said, “The first Toro product to hit UK shores was the Toro Greensmaster 3 at the beginning of the 1970s. That ride-on product was born from Toro’s established golf focus and projected the brand into the UK as a producer of high quality, innovative golf equipment in the UK.

“Since then a reputation has been built that centres on reliability, durability and support and a mutual trust has developed between our customers, us as distributor and Toro which can be truly viewed as a partnership.

"We’re extremely proud to have represented Toro and its product values for so many years and we also thank our UK golf customers for their long-standing loyalty, confidence and trust.”

The best lumberjack athletes in the country will take part in the STIHL Timbersports British Championship tomorrow (Saturday August 3rd) as they smash through six logs in a matter of seconds using a combination of axes, saws and sheer strength.

Four-time British champion, Elgan Pugh

Returning to BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace which opened yesterday (Thursday 1st August) for the fourth consecutive year, the STIHL Timbersports British Championship will see top logger sports athletes battle against each other in six challenging disciplines; Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Standing Block Chop, Springboard and Hot Saw.

To take home the title of the best Timbersports athlete in the UK, competitors are awarded maximum points for the fastest time and must display power, precision and endurance in all six disciplines. Competitors will include four-time British champion Elgan Pugh, who is aiming to win his fifth consecutive British Championship.

Visitors to the STIHL stand are invited to watch the action unfold, and then try out Timbersports for themselves with the brand-new Virtual Reality Experience, which gives people the chance to virtually test their skills on the Stock Saw discipline. A competition will be running throughout the event and the person with the fastest time will take home their very own STIHL cordless chainsaw and Personal Protective Equipment, worth over £550 RRP in total.

Spike Milton, STIHL Timbersports Global Sports Director and former British Champion, said, “The British TIMBERSPORTS® Championship is one of the most exciting live sports you can watch this summer. All of the athletes will be fiercely competitive, so it’s sure to be edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish, with the competitors pushed to their limits during each challenging discipline. They have been training all year for this and I wish them all the best of luck - may the best man win!”

The 2019 Rookie Championship will also take place at BBC Countryfile Live this Sunday, 4th August, which is for athletes who are under 25. The top eight rookies from around the country will compete against each other across four of the six Timbersports disciplines, accumulating points in each round based on their placing in each discipline. The athlete with the most points at the end of the fourth round will be crowned the 2019 STIHL Timbersports British Rookie Champion.

Don't forget, dealers can now nominate their own businesses to be in with a chance of winning a Dealer Of The Year award via the Service Dealer website.

As well as this, a dealership can also be nominated by customers, suppliers and manufacturers.

Winner of the Forestry Equipment Dealer Of The Year 2018, Rob Gusthart of Gustharts, with Robin Lennie of sponsor STIHL, plus Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke (l) and comedian Charlie Baker (r)

Since nominations opened entries have been taken from dealers large and small, specialising in all machinery types, located across the country.

However, there's still plenty of time for your business to be in the running for national recognition.

Many factors are taken into account when judging the categories, but the most important is customer feedback - which will once again be acquired online, between now and October. The judging panel will meet later that month to assess entries.

As last year, the core dealer categories for the 2019 competition are:

• GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
• PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR
• FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
• FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR
• ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

There are also two other award categories:

• Star of The Dealership
• Apprentice of The Year

With these categories we want you to tell us who really goes that extra mile to help make your business a success. This is a great opportunity to nominate an employee who exceeds expectations within your business.

Visit www.servicedealer.co.uk/nominate-2019 to enter.

The Glee exhibition which takes place at NEC Birmingham September 10-12, will feature a campaign that seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all.

Called 'Power of One' it is a new initiative that is being adopted by Glee to highlight the impact we each have on the environment. The initiative supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

At Glee, exhibitors and visitors will be encouraged to make a pledge, committing to making one small conscious change to reduce their impact upon the environment and the world in which we live. Pledges could include anything from promising to recycle more, choosing bio-degradable alternatives, or refraining from using single use plastics. Glee believe that together these singular commitments add up to a much bigger and stronger impact; one that can help lead a positive change.

The organisers say that for visitors to show their support they can visit the Power of One wall to make their pledge. All visitors need to do is snap a shot of themselves in front of the wall, share it on social media, along with their pledge. As a little way of saying thank you, ‘pledgers’ will receive a free reusable water bottle, supplied by Glee exhibitor and Power of One partner, Summit International.

Organisers say they interested parties can choose to join the conversation on social media by following #PowerOfOne, #Glee19 and #GleeBirmingham.

One small change that Glee say they will be undertaking to reduce its impact upon the planet will be removing plastic cups from all its water coolers located throughout the show. Visitors are therefore encouraged to come armed with their own reusable water bottles to ensure they stay hydrated whilst helping Glee’s pledge to become a reality.

Talking about the Power of One movement, Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein said, “The Power of One is something we are so pleased to support at Glee. By making small changes, we have the ability together, to make a big difference, and ensure the longevity of the world around us.

"We hope that Glee’s visitors and exhibitors will show their support by joining us at the Power of One wall to make their pledge, and by joining in the conversation on social media. This is certainly one community we are sure they will all want to be part of!”

This year’s IAgrE Conference focusses on 'Big Data' - how can farmers, agribusinesses and researchers gain real value from the enormous quantities of data gathered from recent technological developments?

This Institute says this Conference will explore how 'Big Data' is being used to improve agricultural practices, how farmers and technologists should work together to extract the value of the data and identify future development opportunities.

It takes place at the East of England Events Centre in Peterborough on Wednesday 30 October 2019.

Speakers include Benjamin Turner, COO at Agrimetrics, Oliver Wood, Precision Technology Manager at Omnia Precision Agriculture and Dr Joachim Stiegemann, Product Manager at CLAAS.

The afternoon will be spent looking at Lessons from the Land, parallel workshops covering Emerging Research & Policy Themes and On Farm Developments. The full programme is here.

Grastec ehf has been appointed as the new Campey Turf Care Systems distributor for Iceland.

The Icelandic company has strong relationships throughout the country and will be offering the full range of Campey products, including Imants, Vredo, Air2G2, Dakota and the Campey own brand lines.

Sport plays a significant part in Icelandic culture, and despite the obvious cold weather, as of 2018, the country had 148 outdoor natural grass football pitches and 184 outdoor artificial pitches of varying sizes. There are also more than 60 golf courses on the island with a short season from May to September, but due to 24-hour daylight, some courses are open for midnight golf, placing higher demands on the turf.

Campey product specialist, Richard Heywood, has represented the company in Iceland and has seen the demands placed on the country’s turf professionals and is looking forward to working with Grastec ehf managing director, Brynjar Sæmundsson, to offer maintenance solutions.

He said, “It is with great pleasure that we announce Grastec as our new distributor for Iceland. We are looking forward to developing a very strong and lasting relationship with Brynjar at Grastec with his unique and strong customer relationships built up over the years within the highly dynamic and robust Icelandic market.

“We know that both companies have a similar outlook within the professional turf care market, and we see this as a very positive direction for all parties. This is the start of a very exciting new working combination, and we look forward to meeting customers both old and new over the next few years in Iceland, helping them find maintenance solutions for their turf.”

Doosan Bobcat has announced the appointment of new regional presidents and a different global organisation and leadership structure

Gustavo Otero has been named president for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA).

Gustavo Otero

Gustavo joined Doosan Bobcat in 2012 and most recently served as EMEA region vice president of Compact and Telehandlers. Prior to this, he was vice president of Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment EMEA and served as general manager at Geith and has an extensive 20-year background in the global construction equipment and automotive industries.

Gustavo Otero commented, “I look forward to working with our global function teams, leaders and dealer network to further position us for long term growth and bring enhanced collaboration and innovations."

Other senior changes announced by the company are:

• Mike Ballweber has been appointed president, Doosan Bobcat North America. Ballweber previously served as senior vice president, Commercial Business, Doosan Bobcat North America.
• Alvaro Pacini has been named senior vice president, Global Procurement, Doosan Bobcat. Pacini previously served as EMEA region president
• Troy Kraft has been appointed senior vice president, Global Engineering, Doosan Bobcat.
• Youngmin Kwon has been named senior vice president, Global Strategy & Operational Excellence/Total Quality Management.

Zetor Tractors plan to release a 2020 calendar - however unlike in the past, the photographs will focus on everyday tractor use, combining the daily routine of the machines in artistic settings. And for the first time this year, tractor fans and users will be involved in the preparation of the calendar.

For the 2020 release, the company say they are planning several changes. The first is showing the use of their tractors in ordinary activities and in normal environments.

The second new feature is asking for input from fans and customers, who will contribute some of the photos for the calendar. The cover page will be composed of photos sent in by users themselves.

Jakub Hurta, marketing manager of Zetor Tractors said, "Traditionally, customers have been accustomed to two types of calendars: product calendars and limited edition calendars. Although they have been very successful, we have decided on a change this year.

"The 2020 calendar will primarily be dedicated to our customers and fans, who we will ask to join the project. We hope that they will be happy to see their favourite tractors in a variety of situations and, at the same time, we are looking forward to the interesting stories that will come with the photos."

To participate in the project, photos can be submitted via a web form before 11.8.2019. Selected photos will be used on the cover page of the calendar. Zetor will then offer one of the participants the opportunity to have photographs taken for the calendar.

“The photos sent in should show Zetor tractors in any of the situations our customers use them in,” said Jakub Hurta.

Genfitt Mayo Ltd is a leading Irish wholesaler in the agricultural parts and accessories sector. We serve the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and UK markets and employ 50 people including a team of 11 field sales people.

We are now expanding our UK business and currently have a vacancy for a field salesperson.

This position involves selling a wide range of products, from agricultural machinery spare parts to farmyard products and general farm hardware. Our customers include Agricultural Merchants, Agricultural Engineers and Farm Machinery Dealers.

The successful candidates will be from an agricultural background and ideally have a strong knowledge of agricultural machinery and spare parts. To be considered you must hold a full clean drivers licence.

The Company offers a generous remuneration package including Company Car.

Please reply enclosing C.V. to: careers@genfitt.ie

We are recruiting for an experienced garden machinery Area Sales Manager to work within our Lawn & Garden Division, representing our premium brands Cub Cadet and Lawnflite, amongst others.  You will have exceptional industry knowledge and technical ability with proven in-field experience.  You will be self-motivated, customer orientated with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

This role covers the territory of Essex, Kent, East & West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.  For ease of travel the ideal candidate will be situated centrally.

A full UK driving licence is essential.

To apply please send your full CV to recruitment@barrus.co.uk or click for more information

The new battery powered pole saw is ideal for domestic users looking for a convenient and foldable product with great cutting capacity. The new Husqvarna 115iPT4 is designed for hard to reach branches with a reach of up to four metres.

115iPT4 pole saw has a reliable brushless motor delivering a chain speed of 10m/s and can be powered by a range of Li-ion batteries, making it a neighbourhood-friendly tool for quiet communities. With no direct emissions, users won’t be exposed to harmful exhaust fumes, giving a pleasant environment to work in.

Designed and built with the user in mind, Husqvarna 115iPT4 pole saw can be extended to a reach of 4 metres due to a fold out telescopic shaft. This lets the user extend or shorten the pole saw to their needs and individual preferences. The saw head’s slim angled design increases visibility and thanks to the lightweight design of the product it is easy and ergonomic to operate and manoeuvre when cutting branches. For easier storage and transport, the new Husqvarna pole saw can be split in half.

“The 115iPT4 is a great addition to our expanding range of battery products for domestic users, this is a product that we’ve had many requests for since we launched our battery series. We worked closely with gardeners to ensure we included all the best features to make pruning an easy and enjoyable task.” Jonathan Snowball – UK Handheld Product Manager Husqvarna.

Specifications:

• 10m/s chain speed
• Split shaft – transport mode
• Tool-less chain tensioner
• 275cm length
• Up to 4 metres reach

115iPT4 967 86 80-01 (machine unit only)
£190.00 Including VAT

115iPT4 KIT 967 86 80-02 (Including BLi10 Battery & QC80 Charger)
£285.00 Including VAT

Garden Trader is a product and dealer search website/directory only for specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK. It has been designed to support and promote our dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.

It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year to be listed and all revenues in 2019 will be reinvested into promoting the site online.

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