SOARING SERVICE Is your workshop flat out? by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
We've heard from some readers whose workshops are experiencing an exceedingly busy start to the year - but are there any issues preventing you from reaching your maximum potential?
We feature some interesting news, both about and for dealers, in today's Weekly Update.
Firstly, there's the news that Rea Valley Tractors have completed the acquisition of neighbouring New Holland dealership, Teme Valley Tractors. These sorts of stories are of course becoming increasingly common as larger dealership groups become ever more prevalent. As ever, it will be interesting to watch what ever the knock-on effects may be locally.
Also today in news that will interest many, Kress tell us about their new battery recycling scheme for their dealers.
Elsewhere, expanding their offerings to customers at the start of 2024 with the taking on of new brands, are both GGM and Rod Gaskin. It's always fascinating to report on these kinds of developments at dealerships because it must be an exciting time for any business, being at the start of the journey of developing new partnerships and tapping into fresh customer bases. We wish them, and indeed all our readers diversifying their line-up this year, all the best in their new endeavours.
Also, it's always pleasing to read about manufacturers acknowledging and rewarding the exemplary work that is carried out by their network - which is what we hear that Avant has done recently at a special ceremony that also marked their own significant anniversary. Well done to all the winners.
Finally, we include a story that I know will pique the interest of those dealer readers who constantly have an eye out for whatever new technological innovations are coming down the line, potentially to be of interest to their stores and customers. In this regard, at the PGA Show that took place in Florida last week, Yamaha gave a world debut to a concept golf car, powered by hydrogen.
We're aware that many of our readers, be they dealer or manufacturer, are paying keen attention to developments surrounding this power source as they are unconvinced that the current favoured 'alternative' fuel - batteries - are a forever solution. From conversations we've had, it certainly seems that amongst some there is a scepticism at the longevity of batteries as a green means of power. We know many do not think it's the eco-saviour of the future. I'm sure Yamaha's move, and others being made by companies across the agricultural and commercial machinery sectors, will continue to be monitored with close fascination.
So as we move into the second month of 2024, there are perhaps signs of activity in the industry that hopefully pertain to a positive year ahead? This was certainly a message I felt was conveyed at BTME last week.
Winter servicing
Related to this, another message I've heard conveyed from various dealers is just how exceedingly busy the start to the year has been - specifically in their workshops. And this is something we'd like to hear from our dealer readers today about, through a short winter servicing survey that we're running.
We've asked for your feedback on this subject at this time of the year for the past few seasons, so it'll be great to find out how this winter is comparing. Last year we heard that some dealerships felt they were being held back from reaching their maximum potential due to the difficulties in finding technician staff and because there were still lengthy delays on obtaining certain parts. Are these still areas you are struggling with? Or have matters improved?
Another factor that can impact workshop efficiency, we are often told, is customers not collecting completed machines. This of course places huge demands on space and capacity within the dealership. Is this something your business can relate to? Do your customers treat your dealership like a boarding house for their mowers?! Let us know today.
It will be great to hear from as many dealer readers as possible to build a picture of how the network is faring in their service departments currently. We have a few brief questions and space for you to leave your comments.
As ever we'll publish the findings and a selection of your thoughts in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine.
Watch Service Dealer speak to Tony Macer and Jim Kirkwood of Kress UK, who tell us about their new end-of-life battery recycling scheme for their dealers.
Service Dealer spoke to Tony Macer, national sales manager, and Jim Kirkwood, director of product management at Kress UK at BTME '24, who told us about their new end-of-life battery recycling scheme for their dealers.
They also offered some insight on where the brand will be heading throughout 2024.
Newly established relationship marks dealership's first part of their move into the arb space.
The GGM Group have announced that they are entering the arb sector after securing a partnership with FSI, Europe’s largest manufacturer of stump cutters - making the first part of their move into the arb space.
L-R: Kim Schmitt, FSI sales director and Phil Edmondson, GGM product manager
GGM are now the FSI stump cutter dealer for the north west and north Wales and say they are looking to further pursue opportunities within the arb sector over the coming months, as they look to become, as they put it, “the tree surgeon’s dealer of choice in the north.”
This move follows last year’s announcement that Phil Edmondson had joined to head the expansion of the company’s Kubota portfolio into higher horsepower M-series tractors and RO loaders, alongside its groundscare business.
Phil’s role will now be expanded, driving both the ag and arb offering of the business forward through the new GGM Ag and Arb department. Phil has been in the arb industry for 30 years and has worked with FSI products for the past 11 years so when the dealership opportunity arose he saw this as exploiting his substantial experience.
Phil said, “Following my recent move to the GGM Group Ltd to head up their agricultural tractor sales, I have been contacted by several arb machinery manufacturers with a view to the GGM Group becoming a dealer for their product ranges.
“Having reviewed these offers internally and met with some suppliers we have decided to add arb related machinery products to our existing range and to offer these through the GGM Ag and Arb department.”
Phil continued, “Both our Colne and Haydock workshops have highly skilled in-house and mobile service technicians with vast experience in all kinds of grounds maintenance and agricultural machinery who, along with our dedicated well stocked and knowledgeable parts team, offers customers the high level of aftersales service you expect.”
Manufacturer recently recognised and honoured the achievements of its dedicated dealers.
Avant Tecno recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK with an event held at Carrow Road Stadium in Norwich, Norfolk.
Avant’s award winning dealers
The occasion also served as an opportunity to recognise and honour the achievements of its dedicated dealers through the Avant Dealer Awards. The company says the awards served as a fitting occasion to express gratitude to their network of dealers who have played a pivotal role in the brand's growth and success.
One standout winner of the evening was Ferrybridge Ltd., recognised as the Avant Dealer of the Year. The manufacturer said with nearly two decades of expertise in the plant and machinery industry, Ferrybridge has recently emerged as an authorised dealer for all Avant compact loader products in Ireland.
Andrew Shore from Ferrybridge expressed delight at winning the award. He said, “The beauty of the Avant brand is that it has given us a doorway into a lot of industries. You name the industry, and we have probably sold an Avant machine into it. Becoming an Avant dealer was a good opportunity for us to get another world-renowned strong brand.
"Winning the award was an extremely pleasant surprise - we have only been selling the machines for just over a year now. We've put a lot of work into it to really try and push the products, and it has been going really well. It is great to be recognised.”
Vehicle was equipped with two high-pressure hydrogen tanks (25L each) positioned under the driver's seat and on the back of the rear seat.
Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., Branch UK has announced that the Yamaha Golf Car Company (YGC) has developed a hydrogen-powered engine golf car concept model, the Drive H2.
The concept model, described by the manufacturer as a world first, was exhibited at the PGA Show in Florida last week.
The concept model is based on Yamaha’s Drive2 Concierge 4 four-seater golf car, which is sold predominantly in the United States, but also around the world. It is equipped with two high-pressure hydrogen tanks (25L each) positioned under the driver's seat and on the back of the rear seat.
Hydrogen engines are internal combustion engines that can make use of existing technologies and at the same time do not emit CO2 during the combustion process. For this reason, Yamaha say they are also conducting research and development of this technology as it has the potential to achieve both the continued use of internal combustion engines and decarbonisation.
The Drive H2 joins other Yamaha concept models evolving with hydrogen technology, including generators, ROVs and motorcycles and marine outboard engines.
Commenting on the new concept model Matt Taylerson, Divisional Manager, Marketing, said, “Back in February 2022, Yamaha Motor president, Yoshihiro Hidaka, announced that we are working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We have ‘Motor’ in our company name and have a strong passion for, and level of commitment to, the internal combustion engine. This is the manifestation of Yamaha’s commitment to continue to develop clean internal combustion engines utilising our existing engine technology and it also dovetails with our commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability.”
The AEA has released data that reveals how trends in agricultural tractor registrations varied between power bands and UK regions during 2023.
The AEA has released data that looks at how trends varied between power bands and UK regions during 2023.
In terms of power, the Association says growth was mainly seen in the top half of the power range, with 15% more machines over 160hp and 13% fewer between 101 and 160hp. Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "There was also some growth for machines between 51 and 100hp, although some of that might have been for non-farm uses and the number of machines in that range is relatively small these days. Registrations in the final three months of last year were down 7%, compared with the same period of 2022, with any growth limited to the very top (over 280hp) and bottom (51-70hp) of the power range."
Stephen continued, "With growth mainly at the top of the power range, it is little surprise that the average power of agricultural tractors registered during 2023 increased. It reached 173.9hp, over 5hp higher than in 2022 and beating the previous record set in 2020. That means the average power has pretty much returned to the historic trend, after dipping below it over the previous couple of years, partly due to supply chain disruptions."
As a result, the total power of agricultural tractors registered during 2023 topped 2 million hp for the first time since 2012, when nearly 20% more machines were being sold.
At regional level, there was growth in most parts of the UK but significantly fewer machines were registered in Northern Ireland and the North East of England than in 2022. There were also marginally fewer recorded in East Anglia, South Wales and the North West. The fastest growth was in the English Midlands and the South West.
Dealership says new partnership means they can broaden their offerings to customers.
Yamaha has partnered with Hampshire-based dealer Rod Gaskin Ltd with the introduction of its ATV and Side-by-Side business to the dealership’s portfolio.
This latest dealer expansion allows Rod Gaskin to supply and support customers in Hampshire and West Sussex.
Tom Gaskin, director at the dealership said, "We're thrilled to welcome Yamaha onboard. This partnership broadens our offerings, enabling us to deliver premium ATVs directly to our agricultural and ground care customers alongside the consumer market.”
Yamaha area sales manager, Carl Stuart added, “With a strong focus on providing quality products and great customer service, the business aligns closely with the values we hold at Yamaha Motor UK. We are looking forward to the future with the team at Rod Gaskin Ltd and providing them with the support they need to progress the Yamaha ATV business in Hampshire and West Sussex.”
Yamaha ATVs will be distributed from the dealership’s Alton depot which comprises two full-time salespeople in addition to Rod and Tom Gaskin.
“We are ready and raring to go with bikes already in our yard available for demonstrations and to purchase,” confirmed Tom. “We have parts and service teams ready to support both existing and new customers. We look forward to this exciting new partnership.”
Manufacturer invests in Canadian start-up who aims to eliminate waste from the process of collecting and storing crops.
CNH, through their investment arm CNH Ventures, has announced they are supporting the scientific development of the first viable compostable net wrap for bales in agriculture.
The manufacturer says their investment in the Canadian start-up Nature’s Net Wrap aims to accelerate their mission to eliminate waste from the process of collecting and storing crops.
In a statement CNH said, "Shifting to compostable net wraps has the potential to significantly benefit farmers. It will reduce landfill use, haulage and disposal costs, eliminate soil contamination, improve animal safety, and reduce the risk of water contamination, resulting in a reduction of approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste per year.
"High growth in this market is propelled by the general demand for chemical- and plastic-free solutions."
Currently bales are held together with twine, wire, netting, or plastic wrap - all of which eventually end up in landfills or incinerators. Farmers are limited in the reuse or recycling of plastic wraps or nets, negatively impacting their environmental footprint.
This proposed solution uses biopolymer material made from renewable resources. It holds up structurally and can either naturally break down in the earth’s soil or be composted. CNH continued, "Our investment is supporting the testing and validation of the solution. One of the industry-leading balers from our New Holland Agriculture brand is producing all the bales in this testing phase."
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