As we're on the cusp of September, it feels like the year is really moving on apace and we're entering that next phase of the industry's annual calendar.

This time of year is the period when traditionally manufacturer-organised dealer events kick into gear - plus we also enter into a cycle of some major, national trade shows.

Today for example, we hear from AriensCo about their plans for their dealer roadshow during September. Like other major manufacturers in 2021, they say due to Covid-19 restrictions and best practice they have decided to change their meeting format from a single conference for all dealers, to a number of smaller meetings located across the country.

We also have some news regarding plans for a couple of trade association-run events this autumn. We hear from the EIMA show in Bologna who are focusing on skills training for the sector and from IAgrE who will be considering future fuels. Interestingly though, IAgrE have chosen for their conference to remain virtual this year. They appear to be in the minority of event organisers in this regard during the second half of 2021 though, as most other gatherings vying for your attention, do appear to be returning to face-to-face environments.

Our own Service Dealer Conference for instance, is in advanced stages of planning for a real-life get-together come November. We hope to be near to full capacity but the event with 'Smart Working' as its theme, will take place within regulations and of course, we will do what is right and appropriate at the time. Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "I want to stress we have been very careful with all our decisions and we will stage a safe and welcoming event."

Speaking of which, there will be further exciting news regarding some of what will be happening at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry on Thursday November 25th 2021, in this Update next Friday. So watch out for that!

Is the usual debate different this year?

In seasons gone by, it has been around now that a perennial debate has raised its head regarding events. Not so much their value in general - that can be discussed until the cows and the tractors come home! No, rather considering whether the inevitable disruption caused by being away from your workplace for a couple of days is outweighed by the benefits afforded by attending? 

Always a difficult one to give an answer to, and one which frankly only an individual can make a call on - and even then the conclusion will vary depending on circumstances at any given time.

But is this debate weighted slightly differently in 2021? With the 18 months that the industry has spent apart, will the upcoming slate of dealer days and shows be approached with a greater relish than in a 'normal' year perhaps?

Here at Service Dealer we heard from a dealer recently who seemed incredibly keen to get back out to mix once again with their suppliers and fellow specialists. They told us, "Demo days are absolutely vital in obtaining the key information required on new or updated machinery being introduced - especially those that meet the specific requirements of customers. Many times in the past customers have come into the showroom asking for tools or machines that have a specific power source, dimension, weight, function or feature that doesn't exist. Having taken their contact details and attended a dealer day, there have been new models launched that tick many of their criteria boxes - ultimately resulting in sales been made. I have even taken photos and filmed new models at dealer days to show customers before the brand catalogues."

This dealer also told us how they feel events such as this are essential in sharing tips and ideas with fellow dealers. They felt topics such as showroom layouts, parts-counter footfall, marketing, advertising and merchandising are all usually up for debate with peers.

They concluded, "Driving home after a dealer day I have always been in a positive mood and have felt good, gaining useful knowledge and a beneficial day." They told us they believed that this year in particular, following all the lockdowns and enforced separations, the opportunity to reconnect could be a real boost to morale.

An upbeat view there, but is it one that you concur with? Also, is the argument that there's too many events competing for dealers' valuable time, of less significance this year, considering that there has been nothing to attend for so long?

I personally believe shows and demo days are on balance, A Good Thing. The positive benefits which attending can afford in terms of expanding knowledge, networking, gaining expertise, sourcing new lines for the business is hard to deny. But of course I haven't got a workshop full of machines, impatient customers and a shortage of parts and wholegoods to contend with!

So what do you think? Will you be attending all the events you will inevitably be invited to this autumn? Let us know in the comments below

AriensCo has announced its 2021 dealer event, entitled ‘Focused on Growth’.

The manufacturer says the events will provide Ariens, Countax, Westwood and ECHO dealers the chance to learn more about upcoming products as well as see first-hand their zero-turn mowers and garden tractors.

AriensCo hold an annual dealer meeting, however in a statement the company said that Covid-19 restrictions and best practice have led them to change their meeting format for 2021. Rather than one conference for all dealers, the company have moved to a number of smaller meetings located across the country. 

A spokesperson for the company said, "Over the past 18 months, AriensCo has experienced record growth but has continued to significantly invest into new product development, its manufacturing facility and dealer training - all this at a time when other companies are scaling back. The company will present how these changes will benefit its dealers."

The roadshow will kick-off in Oxfordshire on 8th September, the home of AriensCo's UK factory and then travel to five additional locations up and down the country:

• Bristol, 14th September
• Thetford, 16th September
• Chester, 21st September
• Harrogate, 23rd September
• Glasgow, 29th September

Brad Stiles, sales and marketing director EMEAA said, "It’s been a turbulent 18 months but through all of this uncertainty our dealers have continued to grow their business with us. AriensCo has many plans for 2022 and I for one, am excited to share these with our dealer network.”

Merlo UK has extended its network of agricultural dealers in the East of England by appointing Collings Brothers of Abbotsely Ltd.

L-R: Jason Weston, Collings Brothers managing director; Vincent Lynch, Collings Brothers financial director; Ben Wood, Collings Brothers sales director;Charlie Lane, MUK network development manager; Jim Chapman, MUK Regional sales manager N&E

Collings Brothers will be representing the full Merlo agricultural range across the counties of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire.

“Founded in 1930 Collings Brothers have established over many decades an envious reputation for customer service,” said Owen Buttle, national sales manager at Merlo UK.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome them to the nationwide network of Merlo agricultural dealers”.

Operating from two locations at Abbotsley in Cambridgeshire and Brigstock in Northamptonshire, the manufacturer says comprehensive technical, parts and product training is already underway for the team at Collings Brothers. A comprehensive stock of genuine Merlo spare parts has also been established across both depots. 

Collings Brothers managing director, Jason Weston, added, “Collings Brothers have a long standing relationship with Merlo and look forward to supporting existing and new customers. Collings Brothers pride ourselves on the back up we provide from our Abbotsley and Brigstock depots. Our priority to ensure we give customers an excellent service in aftersales and sales. 

"Our sales team look forward to offering this extensive range of handlers and are looking forward to getting out into the field demonstrating.”

After a one-year hiatus the STIHL Timbersports British Championship is set to return.

The event will be live streamed from the Telford International Centre on Sunday 5th September, allowing fans the opportunity to see the action up close and at no cost. This year’s event will see the competitors battle against each other in six disciplines; Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Standing Block Chop, Springboard and Hot Saw.

In celebration of the event returning, STIHL has launched a limited-edition Timbersports chainsaw bar, available on the MS 201 T, as well as separately. The Timbersports design has been added to the Rollomatic E 35cm 3/8p 1.3mm bar.

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

The 2021 Rookie Championship will also take place on the same day and will be available on the live stream. The top nine rookies from around the country will compete against each other across four of the six 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 2021 British Rookie Champion.

Simon Hewitt, head of marketing at STIHL GB, said, “After a tough 18 months due to the pandemic, we are really excited to have the British Championship back and to give the fans access to the exciting live Timbersports action they have been missing. The live stream event will allow extreme sports fans to get as close to the action as possible and all the athletes are determined to put on a great show!

“The athletes have had extra time to prepare due to the postponement of last year’s event, so we’re expecting them to be more fiercely competitive than ever and push themselves to new limits. It should make for a great spectacle and I wish them all the best of luck!”

Register for the live stream event here.

The owner of Scag Power Equipment, Metalcraft of Mayville Inc, has announced the purchase of Robbins Manufacturing, Inc, based in Fall River, Wisconsin, effective August 23, 2021.

In an official statement Metalcraft said they will retain all of the more than 200 existing employees at the Fall River location. The company also has plans to double the headcount there over time. Additionally, they said, this acquisition does not impact the employment status for anyone in Metalcraft’s other facilities. The company say they will continue its hiring and growth strategies at all facilities.

According to company management, this new location offers Metalcraft a strong, complementary workforce in a plant that is very similar and in close proximity to the company’s existing operations. They say the former Robbins facility provides additional needed capacity to support their continued growth.

In addition, the manufacturer says the capabilities and processes gained through this acquisition will allow for further expansion of their product offerings under its Scag Power Equipment and Versatran truck brands.

Metalcraft plans to immediately move some of its existing work into the Fall River plant, as well as invest in upgrading the facility. 

“We are pleased that we can put our family business of over 30 years in the hands of such a great company as Metalcraft,” said Robbins owner, Greg Robbins. “We are positive this will provide a strong future for the operation and its employees”

The Institution of Agricultural Engineers have announced that their annual conference will take place online on Wednesday 3 November 2021 from 10 am to 2.30pm and is entitled Future Fuels in Agriculture.

Conference speakers. Top row from left, Caroline Drummond, Nick Royal, Jarno Ratia. Underneath Alistair Walshaw, Jon Swain and Andy Newbold

Questions addressed on the day will include what will a fossil fuel free farm look like in 2030, how will methane tractors support the road to a carbon neutral farming cycle, what are the benefits and pitfalls of future fuels and what are the challenges of achieving Net Zero by 2040?   

IAgrE say the presentations will interest people working within agriculture and its associated industries, equipment and component manufacturers, dealers and service outlets, education, research and agri-tech organisations, and will give a taste of the technologies being explored and whether adoption is imminent or several years away.  
 
Opening presenter Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF will discuss why now is the time to accelerate the role of renewable energy on the farm, building on the past, maximising the opportunities of the present and embracing the innovations and technologies of the future. 
 
Alastair Walshaw’s current role at CNH Industrial is ‘Open Innovation’. He will give an insight into the New Holland T6 Methane powered tractor and explain how it supports the road to a carbon neutral farming cycle. 
 
From Ricardo UK Ltd, the global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy that specialises in the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors, Nick Royal will talk about harvesting agricultural waste resources, refining and liquefying biomethane fuel from biogas mixes at small scale and supporting grid infrastructure with renewable energy backup. 
 
Jarno Ratia of AGCO Power will cover the potential future energy sources for agricultural machines and his talk will look at emissions legislation now and in the future plus the benefits and pitfalls of future fuels. 
 
Jon Swain of NFU Energy will explore the challenges of achieving Net Zero by 2040. 
 
The conference will wind up with a Q&A speaker panel discussion hosted by Andy Newbold of Farm Smart. 
 
The cost to non-members of the Institution is £30. Click here for details.

Organisers of EIMA, the Bologna-based, international agricultural machinery exhibition that takes place from 19 to 23 October, say that the topic of education and training for technicians in the sector will be a primary focus this year.

FederUnacoma, the Italian manufacturers' association and organiser of the show, says that the ability to manage new technologies is of utmost importance and emphasises this is why the 2021 edition will include specific initiatives to focus on the professional skills required today in the agricultural machinery sector.

Under the title of EIMA Campus - the area of the exhibition organised in collaboration with the Italian Agricultural Engineering Association (AIIA), with the participation of 10 universities - the show has developed a schedule of lectures and seminars on emerging themes, such as eco-sustainable cultivation techniques and advanced digital applications for controlling cultivation operations and managing the growing mass of technical, economic and environmental data provided by survey systems and electronic networks. 

EIMA say they intend for the educational line-up to help address the issue that the know-how currently found on farms is not keeping pace with the technological solutions produced by industry - which are marching at an impressive pace and are already affecting the field of robotics and artificial intelligence. 

A Kent farmer and contractor has named his new Fendt Rogator 665 sprayer ‘Tokyo’ to commemorate a Gold Medal win by his daughter at this year’s Olympics. 

L-R: Carl Goff, RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd Fendt brand specialist; Kate French, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Gold Medal winner; Fred French, farmer and contractor 

The self-propelled sprayer was supplied by main dealer RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd, and is the fourth Rogator to be operated by farmers and contractors M & M F French, based at Meopham, near Gravesend. 

The new sprayer arrived on Friday 6th August, and its delivery coincided with Fred’s daughter, Kate French winning the Gold Medal in the Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions we couldn’t be in Japan to support Kate, so we watched at home,” he explained. “The sprayer arrived within an hour of Kate’s win. It’s the most important machine on our farm and a significant investment, so it seemed appropriate to name it ‘Tokyo’, after the Olympics host city on such a momentous day.”

Gold medalist Kate said, “I was very lucky. Growing up on the farm meant I spent a lot of time outside. We had horses, and I was always horse riding and running around the fields. I live in Bath now with my husband Leo as the training base is there, but love coming back to the farm.”

Kate French with the newly named sprayer

Asked about having the sprayer named to commemorate her win, Kate said that she was pleased when her dad told her his idea. “It’s typical of him to do something like that - I like the name plate, he will have to keep that sprayer now. I enjoy riding the horses and running when I am back on the farm, but in future I will want to drive the Rogator too!” 

Carl Goff, Fendt brand specialist from Crawfords Ashford depot said that he was excited to be asked to add the name plate and Olympic rings.

He said, “We get on very well with Fred and he is a good customer, so we were delighted when he asked us to help him celebrate Kate’s Gold Medal win in this way.”

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