Firstly, let's address the big hairy elephant in the room. Yes, that's a new picture of me. And yes, I do look a bit less like Jurgen Klopp now my hair is shorter (more bald).

After the fresh new look for the Service Dealer brand this year, it was only really my mugshot which wasn't promoting the right message - so there's been an audible sigh of relief around the office now that's been addressed.

Not that changing my picture is that big a deal, but perceptions are important - especially for a small business. Everything that can be done across all customer facing platforms to present a professional, modern, friendly and helpful local business should be embraced fully.

One tried and tested method for this is to take full advantage of any public relations opportunities which present themselves. And I heard of a dealer putting themselves in their local spotlight in an incredibly positive way this week.

Firstly a bit of background. Last week non-league football club Nantwich Town FC were the victims of a break in which saw thousands of pounds of groundscare equipment stolen from their club. The club issued a statement at the time which said, "Thieves broke into the ground and took a ride-on John Deere mower and one of our Hayter mowers plus other pieces of kit. Both pieces of equipment stolen were less than two years old. The Hayter mower was bought for the club by our supporters."

This was apparently the second break in which the club had suffered in two years. Chairman Tony Davison told the club's website, “This is devastating news for the club. The equipment stolen was nearly brand new. Some of it had been donated by supporters which makes the theft even more upsetting.

“Running a club at this level is difficult enough at any time but events like this can put the whole future of the club at risk.”

Cut to this week and I hear that local STIGA dealers Total Tools, have stepped in to come to the club's rescue with the loan of a ride-on and a lawnmower. This is not only a fantastic gesture which genuinely helps out the struggling club, but the surrounding positive publicity which Total Tools should receive from this locally cannot be underestimated.

Below is the picture which has made the local press and I'm sure will be covered in most of the professional groundscare press.

L-R: Pitctured at Nantwich Town FC on Wednesday this week: Paul Jones, General Manager, Total Tools (Nantwich) Ltd; Tony Davidson, Chairman, Nantwich Town FC; Dan Mellor, Managing Director, Total Tools (Nantwich) Ltd; Dave Cooke, 1st Team Manager, Nantwich Town FC; Pete Temmen, Head Groundsman, Nantwich Town FC

Following the arrival of the equipment, Chairman Tony Davison publicly thanked the dealers for their support - which was reported in the local paper the Nantwich News.

He said, ”It has been a difficult week for the club, following the break in so I was delighted to receive the call from Dan Mellor at Total Tools with the offer of some equipment.

“Dan has worked with manufacturer STIGA to set up the loan and we are delighted that together they have come to our rescue. At Nantwich Town we greatly appreciate the support of all the local businesses we deal with and this is yet another magnificent example of the support we get across the town.

“This is a tremendous gesture to see us through in the short term and very much appreciated by the club.”

What a fantastic, positive story to come out of something so downbeat as a small club being robbed. Total Tools and STIGA really should be commended for stepping in to offer their help. And whilst of course it isn't their primary motivation, the attendant positive feelings which should be associated with the companies in the local area is invaluable.

PR activities such as this, often for not too high a cost, can provide dealers with a superb means of raising their profile amongst their communities. Well thought out messages can help create awareness with your customer base, build your brand values, and lead to gaining trust, authenticity and credibility amongst existing and potential customers.

Dealers can always be keeping an eye out for any potential PR opportunities which crop up within their business, or for events which they can get involved with locally. There will surely be many occurrences which could be of interest to local, national or specialist press. Plus with your own social media channels a constant feed of stories of what your dealership has been up to can be simple and low cost.

Duncan Martin, managing director of STIGA UK Limited, has announced that after 44 years in the industry he is taking time out in order to develop his other interests.

Duncan Martin

Georg Metz, STIGA Chairman and Group CEO, has announced that the role of managing director of STIGA in the UK will pass into the capable hands of Gary Whitney (below) whose experience within the industry and at STIGA Limited will ensure continuity and a seamless senior management transition.

Gary will be supported by the team in Plymouth as he continues to develop the STIGA business.

Duncan said, “I am pleased Georg has decided to hand the management of STIGA Limited to Gary. I have known and worked with Gary for more years than I care to remember. He has the ethos and commitment necessary to continue developing our business for the future.

"I can honestly say I’ve had fabulous time during my tenure with this company and the industry as a whole. I’ve been lucky enough to work with great colleagues and develop our business. The current team at STIGA Limited are in my opinion the best team I have had the pleasure to work with. I have also met numerous great customers many of whom have become good friends.

"As I shift my focus onto new ventures, I wish Gary, as well as the staff and customers of STIGA Limited, continued success in the future.”

Georg Metz said, “I would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that Duncan has made to our UK business, guiding the company over many years of continuous growth. He has an enviable reputation and success record which is something we know he is justifiably extremely proud of.”

Gary Whitney will take up his new position on 1 September 2018.

Ariens Company has announced several organisational changes to the international business, which they say are are aimed at "putting more focus on the specific needs of the international market in the long-term."

In a statement issued from their Brillion, Wisconsin HQ, Larry Weyers, President, Ariens Power Equipment said, “As we approach a new fiscal year, we have an opportunity to assess our business structure and make adjustments as part of our continuous improvement process.

"Ultimately we want to give the team control to develop the right products, for the right market, at the right time.”

In the United Kingdom, Darren Spencer has been promoted to Vice President - EMEA and Asia. Darren will have oversight and responsibility for all operations and business within Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia as well as developing business within Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Darren has been with Ariens Company (through the Countax acquisition) since 1990 and has held various positions within the company. He started as a Sales Assistant, and his career path has included roles as Operations Director, Director of Aftermarket and Distribution, General Manager for Australia and most recently as European Managing Director.

The company has also said it is reorganising its international business to have "solid line reporting relationships directly to the businesses which they support". Accordingly, this will see the leaders in areas such as the supply chain, HR, operations, sales and marketing report directly to Darren Spencer.

Additionally, John Horn has decided to announce his retirement at the end of the calendar year. During this transition, John will still partner with the Ariens UK and Ariens Scandinavia team and lead sales efforts. “We congratulate John on his upcoming retirement,” says Larry Weyers, “and thank him for his dedication and years of service with Ariens Company.”

In the Americas, Ron Marcellus has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales - Americas. In this expanded role, Ron will assume responsibility for growing and managing sales for North America, Central America, and South America.

“I am confident that these organisational changes and promotions will continue to position us for global success for the next fiscal year and beyond,” said Larry Weyers.

A Cornish family-run machinery dealership is continuing to support the next generation of land-based engineers with the launch of the third year of its successful scholarship.

Vincent Tractors and Plant, based in Fraddon, has 52 years’ experience in the agricultural engineering industry and is keen to share this knowledge by partnering Duchy College Rosewarne.

Brian Kessell (Land-based engineering tutor, Duchy College), Danny Sellors (Land-based engineering program manager), Aidan Kent (scholarship 2016), Morgan Gratrix (scholarship 2017), Nick Vincent (Vincent Tractors & Plant construction sales and logistics) Ken Vincent, (founder) and Paul Vincent (Vincent Tractors & Plant md).

The successful applicant of the scholarship gets a work placement at Vincent Tractors & Plant as well as £1500 worth of sponsorship in the form of tools, laptop, a telehandler licence and travel to their training on Duchy College’s Level 2 land-based engineering certificate.

According to Paul Vincent, Vincent Tractors and Plant md, this unique opportunity in Cornwall offers an entry route into a sector that has great career opportunities due to the unique skills required.

“We are providing the scholarship as we want to encourage youngsters into the industry as it is vitally important that the next generation of engineers is trained to a high standard,” he explained.

Last year’s successful applicant, Morgan Gratrix, will soon finish his year with Vincent Tractors and Plant and will take advantage of one of the scholarship perks, to have an interview for an apprenticeship within the team. Morgan, 17 from Camborne, explained what benefits the scholarship has provided him.

“I spend two days a week at the depot on work placement and three days a week in college. At Vincent’s I learn from a variety of team members about a wide range of machinery. I have received a tool voucher to help me towards equipment, I have completed my telehandler test and they help me with my transport to college.

“The scholarship has broadened my horizons, I have learnt about not only ground care, but tractors, agricultural machinery and plant as well.”

The scholarship ran for the first time in 2016 and since has seen the student, Aidan Kent, 18 from Nanpean, progressing on to study an apprenticeship within the company.

The course at Duchy College provides students with all the skills and experience they need to forge a successful career in land-based service engineering or to branch out into other fields such as becoming a construction plant engineer or off shore engineer.

Danny Sellors, Program Manager for land-based engineering at the College, said he was “thrilled” that Vincent Tractors and Plant has continued to offer the scholarship.

“It shows the close ties that the course has with industry,” he continued.

“Land-based engineering is extremely diverse, it covers agriculture, forestry, construction plant equipment, horticulture and professional ground care. It is a rapidly evolving industry that is seeing technological advancements at an outstanding pace. Duchy College is a perfect setting to study for a career in this valuable and rewarding industry.”

To apply for the scholarship visit here or call 0330 123 2523. 

Woburn Abbey is the location for the 2018 Parks & Gardens Live event organised by Horticulture Week, being held on Wednesday 27th June.

Walker Mowers UK will be attending demonstrating their zero turn machines.

A spokesman for Walker Mowers UK said, "We look forward to demonstrating the many unique features of the Walker Mower at the Parks & Garden Live event. In addition to demonstrating on the day we will be offering a free demonstration on visitors own parks and gardens to show how using the Walker Mower can save time and money."

John Deere has signed an agreement to cooperate with Pessl Instruments GmbH, a supplier of agricultural weather stations, telemetry and other equipment for precision farming.

Pessl Instruments

Under this partnership John Deere’s agricultural dealers will have access to the complete Pessl product range and be supported by the Pessl sales and service team. The agreement will also enable dealers to integrate Pessl components into John Deere’s online Operations Centre and strengthen their market position in precision farming.

Pessl Instruments is based in Weiz, Austria and will continue to offer its equipment under the Pessl trademark. All John Deere dealers in the EU28+ countries will be able to benefit from this new partnership.

New digital technology initiatives and a detailed review of the 2018 product range were highlights of the dealer meeting held by Landini and McCormick distributor AgriArgo UK and Ireland.

It was the first time that dealers in the two separate networks attended the same event.

Dealers gathered at the AgriArgo meeting

“It was just a matter of convenience," says Ray Spinks, AgriArgo managing director. “We had a lot of information to get through that wasn’t brand specific, so it made sense to bring everyone together.

“Our general policy of individual dealer networks for the two brands still holds good to exploit differences in brand character, perception and customer base.”

While acknowledging a disappointing headline market share figure in 2016, Ray Spinks emphasised the positive market share trends and strong shares of up to 13% achieved by the combined Argo Tractors brands in several power categories.

“It shows we have products farmers like - we just have to be more effective at telling them about the merits of the range as a whole,” he says.

Poor dealer coverage in some areas is another factor having a major impact on sales figures.

“We have significant areas - in Britain particularly - with no representation or service support for either of our brands, and others where dealers are not very active on sales,” Mr Spinks explains.

“We intend making greater efforts to establish better coverage, beginning by offering opportunities to existing dealers wanting to expand their territories and then by seeking out new dealers for our network.”

Janet Schooling of Newman Enterprises, Royal Wootton Bassett

One of the key members of the family that owns the tractor-making group had an up-beat message on the potential for independent dealers handling Landini or McCormick.

“We want to be your tractor specialist; building tractors for use on farms around the world is what we do best,” said Simeone Morra, corporate business director for Argo distribution branches and affiliates.

“Unlike other manufacturers who tie you down to their full product lines - so dealers become increasingly dependent on their major supplier - we champion the independent dealer, free to make their own decisions on what else to sell to complement the Landini or McCormick products.”

Mr Morra reported that group turnover in 2017 increased by 15% to around €500 million as the group benefited from significant market share gains in all major geographical markets except North America. Sales world-wide increased 16.7% compared with 3.6% for the industry as a whole.

Argo’s international market involvement expanded with a new manufacturing and assembly partnership for 50-110hp tractors in Turkey.

Anthony Wilkes of P&D Engeering, Bredon, Glos gets the low-down on the McCormick X7 Series tractor from AgriArgo UK & Ireland service technician Chris Hall

Closer to home, dealers also heard details of new projects covering digital sales and marketing resources, which were revealed by Franco Artoni, director of business development, and a new global agreement with Topcon Agriculture.

In Britain, the agreement gives AgriArgo dealers access to LH Agro sales, installation and after-sales support for the supply of Topcon guidance products and GPS correction signal packages for the higher horsepower tractors now coming from the factory fully GPS-ready. A similar arrangement is being sought in Ireland.

ISEKI UK has announced that it has signed a one-year deal to sponsor local professional golfer Sam Forgan.

Sam, who is based at the well-respected Stowmarket Golf Club in Suffolk, is currently competing on the Euro-Pro tour having narrowly missed out on getting his card for the Challenge Tour last year.

David Withers, MD ISEKI UK & Ireland pictured with Sam Forgan (right) at ISEKI UK & Ireland, Ipswich

“Hopefully this sponsorship will give me more opportunities and a better chance of getting on the Challenge Tour this coming year,” said Sam, commenting on the recent announcement. “Working with ISEKI will also be a great learning experience for me and will give me an understanding of the supply side of the golf industry. I am really looking forward to the experience.”

David Withers, Managing Director of ISEKI UK, pictured above with Sam was equally excited about the new relationship. “I had the pleasure of meeting Sam and hearing more about his ambitions for the future and we are delighted to be able to help in this way,” he said. “Whilst this is good for Sam it is also good for us, Sam travels all-round the country playing golf and will be promoting our wonderful products everywhere he goes - also I hope he might give me a few pointers to improve my swing!”

Billingbear Park, located alongside the M4 at Wokingham in Berkshire, is the latest golf club to purchase a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor complete with a rotary Contour mowing deck.

Supplied and delivered by local dealer, GA Groundcare Ltd, the new combination will be used for multiple tasks across the family-owned 9-hole complex.

Head Greenkeeper Tom Evans mowing the lakeside banks

Although a relatively new dealer, GA Groundcare, through owner Ashley Stevens and sales manager Alun Wright, have a long association with the Blaineys and Billingbear Park. Over the past 20 years they have provided a range of equipment for the business when they both worked for their previous employer in the area.

Martin Blainey and his family have owned the club since moving from Hertfordshire to the Billingbear in 1996 and it is one of the oldest 9-hole courses in Berkshire, dating back to Victorian times. It was ploughed for the planting of cereals during WW1 and WW2, before being reinstated as a golf course to a design by Dr Martin Hawtree in 1989. Martin and Jacquie Blainey are now semi-retired and their son Greg and daughter Laura are now responsible for day-to-day operations.

Commenting on the Club’s latest purchase Martin Blainey said, “I’m good friends with Chris Brook, the respected courses manager at The Club Company, who has just purchased a couple of Ventracs for his operation. He has been very impressed with the versatility of the machines and recommended it to me.

“We initially purchased it with the Contour deck, which we are using on the semi-rough and surrounds, but have every intention of adding further attachments over time. The safety it offers around the banks of the lakes and the stability when we’re mowing the banking that separates us from M4 motorway, is superb. Our next purchase will probably be the Trencher, which will help us when we come to upgrade our irrigation system or run power cables to other areas on site."

The Hands Free Hectare (HFH) project, run by Harper Adams University and Precision Decisions, has won the Future Food Award at the BBC’s Food and Farming Awards ceremony which was held in Bristol last week.

Last year the world-first project drilled, tended and harvested a crop of spring barley without operators on the machines or agronomists in the field. This year the team are growing a hectare of winter wheat, thanks to AHDB funding.

Martin Abell, Clive Blacker, Adreen Hart-Rule, Jonathan Gill and Kit Franklin with the BBC Food and Farming Future Food Award

The project was demonstrated for the first time away from the university campus earlier that day at Cereals 2018, near Cambridge. The combine’s first demo, held in the morning, didn’t fully go to plan but the team worked hard to ensure it would be ready for the afternoon slot; which proved to be a success and received a fantastic reaction from the audience.

Project Lead and Harper Adams Agricultural Engineering Lecturer Kit Franklin said, “It was a race to get from Cambridge to Bristol in time for the awards ceremony.

“We left Cereals on a high after our combine performed so well, but then the nerves started to kick-in while we were waiting for the winner of our category to be announced.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have won this award, especially with Alex James, who was helping to present the awards, commenting on how cool the project is.

“Who would have thought mine and Jonathan Gill’s idea, written originally on a post-it note, would get this far.”

Director of Precision Decisions, Clive Blacker said: “It’s fantastic that the project has earned this level of recognition. In the past year it has gained global publicity and the team have spoken at a number of conferences around the world, but for it to now be an award-winning project puts the cherry on the cake.

“It’s a true testament to the team’s work that has gone into this world-first project."

Jonathan Gill, Mechatronics Researcher, added, “Our original aim was to spark the conversation that there is no technological barrier to automated field agriculture and also highlight how smaller, lighter machines can help combat soil compaction issues and improve plant health. I think we’ve definitely achieved that.”

Newly appointed BLEC dealer, Acorn Tractors from Derbyshire, recently joined forces with staff from Charterhouse Turf Machinery (CTM) for an in-depth training session on the BLEC range of specialist landscaping and turfcare equipment.

Acorn Tractors and CTM staff at the BLEC training session

BLEC was purchased by Redexim almost two years ago and is now a division within CTM. In that time the range of specialised landscaping and turfcare equipment has been streamlined and re-engineered by the Redexim team to feature a wealth of features.

The day was the brainchild of division manager Curtis Allen to allow the combined staff to trial and test the range in the field to better assist and advise current and future customers. The day featured a broad spectrum of BLEC machinery including the Cultipack Seeder, the BLECavator 145 compact stoneburier, Power Box Rake and Laser Grader 1500TPP.

The Charterhouse team gained valuable time and field experience with machines for a variety of applications under the guidance of Acorn Tractors staff who have been involved with BLEC products for many years.

Of the event Curtis Allen said, “This was a great opportunity for the whole Charterhouse team to gain a thorough understanding of the products and this market sector. It was a day that all involved found very helpful and we’d like to pass our thanks onto Acorn Tractors owner Julian Simpson and his team for not only hosting, but also supporting the day.”

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