I attended a small, industry exhibition in London this week that I have visited many times over the years. Whenever I go, I do find it interesting to compare and contrast what level of support the machinery brands that our readers stock have chosen to offer the show.

Called The Garden Press Event, the day isn't open to the trade or the public, rather it's targeted specifically at journalists who represent the horticultural press - be that physical media such as the gardening pages of national newspapers and magazines, or the thriving online community of blogging, vlogging and podcasting gardeners.

Business Design Centre, Islington

The concept of the day is that the exhibiting companies can show off their latest products and services to the media, who will then cover the developments in print and online, in places that the buying public will actually engage with. The intention is to raise the profile of companies who presumably are not exactly household names amongst the average consumer, hopefully leading to increased footfall, or website visits, to the retailers who stock them.

When I first began attending, 8 or so years ago, there were perhaps only two or three outdoor powered machinery companies who took space at the show. This increased year on year to immediately pre-pandemic when, from memory, they were in attendance in their high teens. This number had dropped slightly last year in the first show back post-Covid - and it's a tad disappointing to report that there were even fewer at the Business Design Centre this week. I'd say around the half the amount who came at its peak.

One company who chose not to exhibit this year told me their non-appearance was because they did not see the value in it. They felt machinery was overlooked in favour of flowerpots and bird-feeders by the mainstream press - which in this year of increased costs and more trade shows on the industry's calendar than ever before, is an entirely fair comment.

That said, speaking to the machinery companies who were in attendance this week, all appeared upbeat and positive regarding the opportunities The Garden Press Event presented them in regards to upping their profiles with consumers. One even remarked to me that the media visitors to the show this week seemed of a better quality overall than last year, representing as they did, high-profile journals rather than niche online outlets.

Machinery trend

And what was the machinery trend that these writers and broadcasters will have seen across the stands on Tuesday? For me, it was the arrival in a major way of boundaryless robotic mowers.

Dealers of course, will be familiar with examples of this type technology, with various companies producing their ilk for several seasons now. 2023 however, does appear to be the year where big-name manufacturers will be heavily promoting these autonomous machines that do not require a wire installed around the edge of the garden. STIGA, Kress, Husqvarna and Barrus (with the Segway brand) were all showing off their latest domestic versions.

These machines are clearly a hot topic. A couple of weeks ago a dealer we spoke to as part of our national panel, told us that they considered boundaryless robots to be the source of greatest excitement and potential growth for their dealership this season. Apparently there is plenty of pre-release buzz amongst certain customers.

I can see too, how stories about these advanced developments could well find favour amongst journos in search of an eye-catching story. Just this week for example, plenty of media outlets carried the news that experts from the UK and Japan are estimating that by 2033 robots will do 39% of domestic chores. There's clearly an appetite amongst publishers to cover this kind of area, so it would not surprise me that if any machinery articles made the consumer-facing press from the show, it'd be covering these machines.

We'll feature greater detail about some of the kit on display at the show in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine. Until then, briefly, exhibitors of interest to our dealer readers, included:

Kress who had an eye-catching display of their RTKn robotic mowers that use a global navigation satellite system to achieve what they describe as "centimetre-level accuracy". Pictured are Gary Tulley and Tony Macer.

STIGA were promoting their range of three autonomous, cable free, robot mowers, the first to use their predictive Active Guidance System technology - as well as having an example of the Gyro on their stand.

STIHL who were displaying battery powered machines on their stand, with new hedgtrimmers, blowers, chainsaws and a vacuum shredder.

Husqvarna promoted the Aspire range of entry level battery tools and the 430X Automower - alongside kit from Gardena and Flymo. Pictured are Sam Collins and Rachel Jones.

Makita were getting their message out about the breadth of their range of battery powered machinery and the quality of their own-made batteries. Pictured are Rebecca Harbone and Mark Earles.

Henton & Chattell who featured a double stand showcasing both EGO and Cobra - the latter of which highlighted their new ride-on and cylinder mowers. Pictured is Peter Chaloner.

Barrus exhibited the Segway Navimow on their stand, which now included the new AI-powered VisionFence Sensor.

Hopefully those exhibitors who did choose to attend this year will achieve their goal of column inches in the right publication or features on the right blog. Opportunities for the specialist brands that our readers stock to gain wide, mainstream media coverage are not as frequent as one would hope, especially considering just how popular a pastime gardening is amongst the British public.

If some crossover publicity is gained for these boundaryless robots for example, hopefully next year a few more machinery exhibitors will be encouraged to return to this targeted show. If the show can perform its job as intended, any opportunity to gain mass publicity for the specialist kit that the independent dealer network stocks, should be enthusiastically grasped.

Bobcat Company has announced they have partnered with Agtonomy, to collaborate in the areas of electrification, autonomous operation and digital technology.  

Through this partnership Bobcat say that they and Agtonomy, a Silicon Valley agtech software company, will collaborate to create new ways of enhancing Bobcat equipment for increased productivity and performance.

   
Together, the companies say they will focus on addressing pressing issues in agriculture by developing electric-powered and autonomously operated solutions.  

“The agriculture industry offers many opportunities for innovation advancements, and we are focusing on developing solutions for real-world application,” said Joel Honeyman, Bobcat Company vice president of global innovation. “Through this partnership with Agtonomy, we are identifying ways to make our customers more productive and efficient in their ag operations.”  

Agtonomy say their focus is on developing solutions for farmers that allow them to remotely complete day-to-day tasks, more efficiently and with more precision.   

“We are ecstatic to be joining forces with Bobcat in utilising technology to make farming operations more productive, profitable, and sustainable” said Tim Bucher, CEO and co-founder of Agtonomy “With our shared commitment to innovation, we are confident that we can develop solutions to overcome some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today.”   

Ten years ago this spring a new brand entered the garden machinery market, launched by Nottingham-based, Henton & Chattell.

Cobra md Peter Chaloner with one of the new ride-ons at this week's Garden Press Event in Islington

One of the largest distributors of garden machinery in the UK with more than 1,500 dealerships across the country, Henton & Chattell say they used their market insight garnered from more than 80 years of being in the industry to launch its own brand: Cobra.

To celebrate the brand’s 10th birthday, the brand is launching what they describe as perhaps their biggest innovation yet, with the introduction of its new of eight ride-on lawn mowers this spring. The range features eight models, which the company says are aimed at helping those with larger lawns to mow with ease, at an affordable price.

Discussing the brand’s growth and success, managing director of Cobra, Peter Chaloner said, “We are so thrilled with the success of Cobra over the past 10 years, the response and demand from customers has been incredible. We’re really excited about the next chapter with the new ride-on tractors and have lots more product development in the pipeline for the future too.

“We’ve seen across our nationwide dealer network of Cobra stockists that the demand is very positive and we’re committed to bringing even more products to our dealers. We are 100% focused on supporting our dealers.”

Layham based Marst Agri has been appointed Corvus Off-Road main dealer for Suffolk.

L-R: Marst Agri business partners Mark Butcher, Stewart Butcher and Boss ORV MD Phil Everett.

Boss ORV, the sole UK distributor of the utility vehicles, made the announcement at the end of January and within the first week the dealer says they had already performed many demos at their farm location. 

“We offer a big welcome to Marst Agri on joining the BOSS/Corvus network in East Anglia,” said Phil Everett, Boss ORV MD. “We are delighted to have Mark Butcher, Stewart and Heidi join us on the Corvus adventure.” 

Formed in 2017 by agricultural engineers Mark and Stewart, Marst Agri is a Merlo telehandler main dealer and they offer a combined experience of over forty years in the field. As such they are awarded accreditation for the conduct of Thorough Examinations, the lift truck, fore-end loader, telescopic handler and attachment equivalent of the car MOT.

“We’re proud to become a Corvus main dealer,” added Mark.

New Holland Agriculture and local Essex dealership Ernest Doe have teamed up to loan the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team a T6.160 tractor.

The tractor has been wrapped in Essex Police livery and will attend various agricultural shows and events around the region until the end of July. The Rural Engagement Team work tirelessly at these events to raise public awareness to help drive the reduction of crime in rural communities.

The tractor made its debut at the 63rd annual Ernest Doe Show held at Ulting, Essex, on 7th - 9th  February. The Rural Engagement team spent time talking with show goers about how they target their resources and operational activity to best effect. They also raised awareness of specific crime prevention tactics that farming and rural communities can take to keep their property, equipment and personal belongings safe. 

Chief Inspector Terry Balding, of the Rural Engagement Team, said, “We are very grateful to New Holland Agriculture and Ernest Doe for the use of the T6 tractor, which has drawn a large number of visitors in the events that it has already been on display. We are building up a diary of events for our ‘Marked Police tractor’ throughout the Spring and Summer in Essex and the tractor is becoming a popular attraction alongside our Rural Police. Our officers will make the most of that interest by opening up conversations with them about crime prevention and criminal activity, which we know is under-reported by people in our rural communities. All this helps us to continue building the links with farmers, landowners and rural communities."

David Rapkins, New Holland Business director UK & ROI added, “We know how crime and anti-social behaviour impacts rural life, particularly our farming communities, so it is vitally important that, as an agricultural machinery manufacturer, we support the local constabulary in their efforts to raise awareness of crime prevention tactics and to encourage people to report crime and anti-social behaviour to them.”

The tractor and the team will be attending a number of events this year including:

• 10 March: Essex Rural Crime Strategy 2023-26 launch, Layer Marney Tower
• 30 April-1 May: All About Dogs, Hylands Park, Chelmsford
• 21 May: Essex Young Farmers Show, Boyton Hall, Roxwell
• 7 June: Essex Police Rural Crime Forum, New Holland Agriculture, Basildon
• 8th July: Tendering Show, Bromley Road, Manningtree

JCB is set to showcase what it describes as its "super-efficient hydrogen combustion technology" on the international stage for the first time ever with a debut in North America.

Lord Bamford beside the JCB hydrogen engine

The wraps will come off their brand new hydrogen combustion engine - the company’s zero-carbon emissions solution for agricultural and construction equipment - at the Conexpo 2023 show in Las Vegas as part of the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE).

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford is leading the project to develop JCB’s hydrogen technology. He said, “The JCB engineering team has made enormous strides in a short space of time to develop a hydrogen internal combustion engine and it already powers a JCB prototype backhoe loader and a Loadall telescopic hander. As the first construction equipment company to develop a fully working combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, I’m delighted we are now able to present this technology on the international stage.”

JCB say their commitment to reducing emissions goes back almost 25 years and boast their latest diesel engines have delivered a 97% reduction in NOx emissions since 1999 and a 98% reduction in particulates. Today they say their diesel-powered machines also emit 50% less CO2 compared with those manufactured in 2010.

The company's clean diesel engine technology will also be showcased on the stand in Las Vegas.

Husqvarna has announced they are launching a complete product range that supports the Power for All battery system.

The manufacturer's Aspire range includes a robotic mower, walk behind mower, grass trimmer, pruner, hedge trimmer and blower.

The Power for All Alliance is described as one of the world's largest cross-brand battery alliances and was co-founded by Husqvarna Group, through its Gardena brand, and Bosch in 2020. The Husqvarna brand joined the Power for All Alliance in 2022, meaning consumers can use the same 18V battery for multiple devices in and around their home and garden, regardless of manufacturer. 

Pavel Hajman, acting CEO of Husqvarna Group said, “Electrification is changing society and is essential in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Husqvarna Group is on an electrification journey with great ambitions to enable garden owners to shift from fossil fuel to battery-powered products. Successful collaborations and powerful batteries really make a difference in this progress."

The Husqvarna Group has said that shifting from petrol to battery-powered products is one of their strategic priorities. They say their ambition is to have 67% of the company's motorised products run on electricity by 2026.

STIHL has added a collection of powerful cordless hedge trimmers to its popular AP and AK System battery ranges. The new additions offer landscaping professionals and domestic gardeners improved performance and better comfort than ever before. 

HSA 100

Part of the professional AP System, the new HSA 100 replaces the HSA 66 and HSA 86 models and features a number of performance improvements. Landscapers working on tall hedges with thick branches will reap the benefits of the 60cm double-sided and double-edged blades with large 34mm tooth spacing. With a new durable gearbox and anti-vibration system, the HSA 100 is ideal for demanding tasks over long periods of use. In line with other professional STIHL hedge trimmers, the HSA 100 also boasts a rotating handle that locks into three positions across 1800 for improved comfort and versatility.

HSA 60

STIHL is also launching two new models in the AK System, the HSA 50 and HSA 60. The HSA 60 is the new most powerful hedge trimmer in the AK system, suitable for use on demanding jobs in large gardens. The HSA 60 boasts features previously only found on professional offerings, including a 1800 rotating handle and an anti-vibration system. 

HSA 100

Both the HSA 60 and HSA 100, designed for denser hedges, feature an innovative anti-blocking system to remedy any blade jamming that could occur. This system reverses the motor’s rotational direction, unblocking the blades and ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency. 

HSA 50

The HSA 50 replaces the HSA 56. Compared to its predecessor, the new tool’s cutting blade is 5cm longer at 50cm and its balance and ergonomics are largely improved. The HSA 50 is suited for use on medium-sized garden hedges and thinner green shoots. 

All three new models offer low noise and low vibration, in addition to an improved front handle with the trigger on the inside of the loop handle for enhanced comfort and reduced strain. 

For more information on STIHL’s new cordless hedge trimmers, visit www.stihl.co.uk

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