A QUIET REVOLUTION Dealers can be ahead of the curve by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Noise pollution from garden machinery use is in the news, and with ever-tightening legislation, it's an area that specialist dealers can get in front of.
There is an interesting story today in our news, regarding the impact that garden machinery use has in the arena of noise pollution.
It's reported that a study has found that noise pollution generated by petrol-powered outdoor equipment, "heavily exceeds the daily exposure limit of 87dB(A) set by the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive." Which is a concerning, and indeed problematic, statistic.
Before progressing though, I think it's always import to take into account when dealing with stories like this, that rely on findings from a new survey, to consider who commissioned the research and what their agenda would be in doing so?
In this case, the news has come from a campaign group called Challenge25, who are a body set up in 2020 by EGO. That's battery powered outdoor powered machinery manufacturer, EGO.
EGO are up front about their group's aims though, saying their desire is to "educate and empower domestic and professional outdoor power equipment users, urging them to switch from petrol-powered tools."
It's fair to say then, that the commissioners of the report most definitely have a dog in this race. It hasn't come from a neutral standpoint, rather one looking to back up their already well-established and clearly defined agenda.
So whilst I do think that it's important to bare this mind when considering their findings, it does appear that the point they are making is a legitimate one. Noise pollution is a real health concern on multiple fronts and, importantly for dealers, one that it appears will be become increasingly legislated upon. Just look at the banning of 'gas powered' garden tools in California, with further U.S states now following their lead.
Emma Gayler, ambassador for Challenge 2025, says in the news story today, “Far more awareness needs to be made across the industry to help protect gardening professionals from the dangers of being exposed to high levels of noise pollution."
It is certainly an issue that one feels dealers will need to stay on top of, as regulations inevitably tighten. Perhaps it could even be an area that dealers could look to get ahead of the curve regarding, in order to find favour with both their professional and domestic customers.
There are already stringent noise regulations in the UK, non-compliance with which can result in legal consequences for both businesses and individuals. By a dealership offering quieter machinery options, they will not only meet regulatory standards now and in the future, but would also be contributing to the overall reduction of noise pollution in the local community. This proactive approach could build trust with customers and establish the dealership as one that values not just sales, but the overall impact that its products have on the community.
Clearly the machinery options that dealerships sell are constantly innovating and evolving. That's very much a consequence of manufacturers responding to both customer demand and to legislation. One feels that as we move forward, noise reduction will be one of the areas at the forefront of that machinery evolution.
For dealers to be seen to embrace and promote quieter technologies, not only are they addressing current concerns but they could also be argued to be future-proofing the business against ever-changing environmental regulations and customer preferences. It seems sensible not just from a 'doing-the-right-thing' perspective, but from a profit-making one in the future too.
Dealers have an opportunity to champion change by prioritising quieter options, educating customers, and contributing to a healthier, more pleasant community and environment.
In our WEB ONLY story, Group says gardening professionals could be putting themselves and their customers at risk due to excessive noise pollution created by their equipment.
Service Dealer spoke to the national sales manager of Kress, who updated us on the company's sustainability policies, how they help employees with a work/life balance and the close relationship with their dealer network.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, spoke to Tony Macer, national sales manager of Kress, who updated us on the company's sustainability policies, how they help employees with a work/life balance and the close relationship with their dealer network.
Tony says, "Sustainability is everything we do, every day."
Service Dealer caught up with the MD of Kubota UK at SALTEX to talk sustainability, employee welfare and the importance of the dealer network in the customer's journey.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke caught up with David Hart, MD of Kubota UK, at SALTEX last week to talk sustainability, employee welfare and the importance of the dealer network in the customer's journey.
David told Duncan, "The important thing for our industry is to have a dealer network that engages with our customers."
A fundraising page established to offer some financial support for Martin Coates' partner and two young boys following his fatal accident, has leapt past its initial target.
A fundraising page established to offer some financial support for service technician Martin Coates' partner and two young boys following his fatal accident, has leapt past its initial target.
The Just Giving page set up Brian Robinson Machinery Ltd's operations and marketing manager, Hannah Robinson, had as its aim to raise £1000 in Martin's memory.
At the time of writing, on the morning of Friday 10th November 2023, the total stood at more than £7,900.
Anyone who wishes can still donate to the Just Giving page by clicking this link or by scanning the QR code below.
Announcement and presentation of awards was made at the recent Claas Dealer Council meeting.
It was a clean sweep for two family owned Claas UK dealers in the north of England and Scotland in the manufacturer's recent Dealer Awards, with Gordons being awarded the overall ‘Dealer of the Year’ award for 2023, while the ‘Dealer Excellence Award - Gold’ for 2023 was awarded to Rickerby.
Ken Conley of Rickerby (left) and Neil Montgomery of Gordons (right) were presented with their Dealer Awards by Trevor Tyrrell, senior vice-president (Western Europe & Oceania) and Claas UK CEO
The company's ‘Dealer of the Year’ award recognises the high overall level of performance by a Claas dealer in the UK and Ireland in three key areas: finance, dealer performance and customer feedback.
The award was described as a major achievement for Gordons, who were established in 1865 and are based at Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, with five branches covering the South West of Scotland. The award assesses not only the dealership’s overall performance, but the performance of each of its individual branches. The award also reflects the results of the annual Customer Feedback Survey, with the manufacturing saying Gordons scored very well in this category, underlining their commitment to their customer base and the first class customer care service they provide.
The ‘Dealer Excellence Award - Gold’ meanwhile, recognises the high level of service and support that Rickerby offer their customers, and is another great achievement for the manufacturer's largest UK dealer. With nine branches, Rickerby serve an area from Lancashire and Northumberland up to the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
The announcement and presentation of the awards to Neil Montgomery of Gordons and Ken Conley of Rickerby were made at the manufacturer's Dealer Council meeting, held recently at their UK headquarters at Saxham, Suffolk.
According to figures released by the AEA it was the highest number of tractor registrations recorded in October since 2016.
According to figures released by the AEA, registrations of agricultural tractors in October were once again above both last year's level and the recent average for the time of year.
At 1,007 machines, the monthly total was 9% higher than in the same month last year.
Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth, said of the results, "It was the highest number recorded in October since 2016 and was as much as 30% above the five-year average for the time of year."
These figures brought the total for the year to date to 10,709, 5% more than in the opening ten months of last year.
Stephen added, "That is already higher than the annual total in three of the last eight years, most recently 2020."
In a first for the manufacturer's scheme, this year's new apprentices have been welcomed not only from England, Wales and Ireland as previously, but also Scotland.
This autumn saw a new milestone reached in the development of the in-house Claas Apprenticeship Scheme when for the first time new apprentices not only from England, Wales and Ireland as previously, but also Scotland, came together and were welcomed to the Claas Academy at Saxham for their Apprentice Induction and the start of their first 3-week training block.
Claas say they are the only UK machinery manufacturer to deliver a specific in-house apprenticeship under one roof. This year’s cohort is made up of 22 students from 10 Claas dealerships who over the next four years will study for a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Land-Based Service Engineering Technician. Their training will be delivered by dedicated trainers, alongside specialist product trainers from the main Academy.
During that time, they will study in the Academy at Saxham, with its purpose built facilities that include specialist fabrication, engine workshops and classrooms.
The high level of training provided by the manufacturer at the Academy was recently recognised by Ofsted, who in their first routine inspection praised both the facility, which they described as being 'outstanding', but also the trainers who were praised for the technical skills and their ability to impart their knowledge to the students.
The 22 students come from 10 dealerships: Claas Western (Frome, Dorchester & Evesham), Claas Eastern (Sleaford & Brigg), Claas Manns (Saxham, Norfolk & Market Harborough), Olivers (Luton & Petworth), Rickerby (Hexham, Alnwick & Burscough), Gordons (Castle Douglas, Berryhill & Strathaven), Sellars (Perth, Stirling, & Forres/Invergordon), Morris Corfield (Broseley), Sharnford Tractors and Erwin.
Company say local schemes in the South West are especially close to their hearts.
STIGA say their team love to offer all the help they can to good causes all over the UK, but local schemes in the South West are especially close to their hearts.
So when 'The Marldon Community Composting Group' in Devon mentioned that they needed something to help with their cutting and chopping, the company say they jumped at the chance to offer one of their CS 750 chainsaws for this worthwhile scheme.
The 'Marldon Community Composting' scheme is intent on promoting home composting and offers a place where locals can take their bulky garden waste for it to be composted into usable garden soil conditioner.
Since its launch in 2021, the group has been growing steadily and now has eight members, one of whom is very knowledgeable on environmental issues as he previously worked for Teignbridge Council as an environment and recycling officer.
After obtaining permission from a local farmer to use land for the scheme, the team are busy constructing the pens on the site and are hoping to be fully functional in March 2024.
Visitors to this year’s SALTEX were among the first to see the new and exciting range expansion from leading garden machinery brand, Cobra.
Visitors to this year’s SALTEX were among the first to see the new and exciting range expansion from leading garden machinery brand, Cobra.
At the show, Cobra unveiled its collaboration with EGO Power+ with the launch of its new ‘Fortis powered by EGO’ products.
Earlier this year, the brand successfully launched its Fortis range of petrol-powered cylinder lawnmowers with six interchangeable cartridges, creating the ultimate lawncare system. Now, as part of the next phase of the Fortis range and continuous product development by the brand, it has partnered with battery-powered specialist in the garden machinery sector, EGO Power+.
The 4 new Fortis lawnmowers powered by EGO will offer the same extensive specifications and technology as the petrol models, combining the cutting expertise of Cobra with the revolutionary power and eco-credentials of EGO’s 56volt Arc Lithium battery technology.
Fortis mowers all feature a six-blade precision ground cutting cylinder to give the finest, most precise cut possible. The height of cut can easily be adjusted too, with variants as low as 6mm (3mm with the 10 bladed cylinder fitted) and ranging up to 30mm. The finishing touch to the perfect cut comes from the steel front roller giving an enhanced definition to the iconic lawn stripes.
What makes the Fortis machines the ultimate in lawncare, however, is their ability to transform into six other machines to ensure that lawns are immaculate and healthy. The Fortis six-bladed cassette can simply be removed and replaced with another accessory cassette in the range to switch its use. Other cartridges include a verticutter, scarifier, dethatcher, aerator, lawn brush and ten-bladed cassette.
The ‘Fortis powered by EGO’ mowers will be available from spring 2024.
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