On Tuesday this week I paid my first visit to the FutureScape exhibition – which was also the first edition of the show to be held at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, having moved from London's ExCel.

It was also the first time several machinery manufacturers familiar to our valued dealer readers had dipped their toes into exhibiting. So I went along to find out why they were there – and whether they felt it was worthwhile.

My first impression of the event which mostly took place in a long, hangar-like indoor space (part of Farnborough’s aviation heritage) was that it felt a little like Glee, albeit with a more professional landscaping bent. Decking, paving, outdoor furniture, barbecues and outdoor spa baths dominated much of the floor, so there wasn’t an enormous amount directly relevant to machinery dealers, unless of course they are looking to diversify. It also appeared to me as if the visitor demographic included a noticeable percentage of attendees in business suits rather than workwear, perhaps implying that the show attracted more people in a buying position? Dealers, however, didn't seem to be in attendance.

The machinery exhibitors were mostly tucked away in a small outdoor area, accessed through a door at the far end of the hall. Having to walk the length of the exhibition to reach what was effectively a tarmac car park felt a little less than ideal, particularly coming off the back of GroundsFest and APF, where machinery is displayed in its more natural environment.

I spoke to STIHL who told me the company’s stand had a professional arboriculture and groundscare focus. Once again, the company was promoting its new ALLPRO system of batteries and their range of charging solutions, as it had at GroundsFest. Having enjoyed what I was told was an absolutely excellent APF recently, I wondered whether FutureScape might feel a little like the after-the-Lord-Mayor’s-show for the team, because when I there on the first morning, it felt pretty sparsely attended outside.

A relatively new machine on display was the HSA 90, a professional-grade topiary hedge cutter that takes two AS batteries. It felt light even with the batteries fitted and has been undergoing trials with professional users. STIHL also had an indoor presence, with a second stand showing off its cut-off machinery for hard landscaping applications.

Dealer Tudor Environmental was sharing the outdoor stand with STIHL, hoping to sell products directly to the professional landscapers attending. I was told that lead generation was the important part for the company’s commercial solution teams, who could then follow up with demonstrations.

EGO was also testing the waters, looking to meet a slightly different professional landscaper audience than might attend GroundsFest or SALTEX. The company hoped to reach users perhaps less familiar with its machinery.

The focus of their stand was the Pro X range with its new commercial zero-turn mower, the ZTX4800E, once again the star of the show. The lap-bar-steered mower is powered by up to four 40Ah batteries from the company’s 56V platform. This was displayed alongside professional handheld products and charging solutions.

The team felt that the visitor profile was indeed different to many of the other events they attend, which led to some interesting conversations and some promising opportunities. 

Formerly known as Cramer, Greenworks Commercial also felt FutureScape offered access to a different audience. The team said the transition to their new name had been welcomed, particularly by dealers recognising the opportunity to access a wider product range.

A highlight on their stand this week was a pre-production version of the Optimus electric UTV, due in 2027. Four models are apparently planned eventually, with the machine offering a 70-mile range on a full charge, a two-tonne front winch, an adjustable flatbed and a cab equipped with air conditioning. Pre-orders are being taken ahead of deliveries expected towards the end of the first quarter or into the second quarter next year.

TH White Machinery Imports were also at Farnborough this week, showing the Ohashi machines, a Japanese-made range of tracked chippers designed to fit through a doorway or garden gate. I was told the machines produce a fine, consistent mulch, and the company say they looking for additional dealers to join their network in certain parts of the country. Having shown the range at a couple of recent exhibitions, the feedback had apparently been encouraging.

Finally on the machinery front, Groundscare Products were inside displaying of Turf Teq landscape maintenance machines that they import alongside the GroundsCare RotoCleanse walk-behind pressure washer. 

What does the future (scape) hold?

The show this week certainly seemed popular with its target audience. The inside show floor contained at least four separate lecture theatres that whenever I passed were consistently well attended, suggesting the professional landscaping content was on-point for those who had made the trip.

I will say that the weather didn’t help the outdoor exhibitors when I was there on Tuesday. Heavy rain and strong winds arrived at around 10.30am on the first morning, when visitor numbers already seemed modest, leaving the outside area pretty much deserted for a while. It brought back memories of the first GroundsFest, seeing exhibitors reassembling stands that had been blown about and soaked.

I think there also might be a question of whether Farnborough is a little too far south for an exhibition hoping to attract a truly national audience?

However, if exhibiting to this slightly different professional audience generates enough worthwhile leads that eventually find their way to local dealerships, it has to be a good thing. Whether that is the case and indeed proves to be enough of a return on investment for the manufacturers I spoke, to remains to be seen.

I suppose at the moment, the jury might well be out as to whether these guys return next year or if any further machinery manufacturers opt to join them? FutureScape seems to be doing its job for professional landscapers. Whether those visitors are interested in viewing machinery options too, is less clear.

Service Dealer are pleased to announce that the popular Star Of The Dealership category has now been added to the list of Awards dealers can nominate their staff for in this year Service Dealer Awards.

The award recognises individuals who make a significant contribution to their dealership, whether through areas such as improving business operations, providing outstanding customer service, supporting colleagues or demonstrating exceptional commitment to the team.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke, said, "The Star Of The Dealership award has always proven to be popular amongst dealers wanting to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work achieved by their team mates. So we are delighted to be able to offer the category open for entries once again."

Nominations can be made by employers, managers, senior or fellow team members, suppliers or customers, giving dealerships the opportunity to recognise the people who help make their business successful.

Visit our Awards nomination page to enter for this award and all our other categories. Entries close on 24th October.

Service Dealer can confirm STIGA as the latest Gold Sponsor of 2026's Conference & Awards.

The prestigious event will take place on Thursday 3rd December at the Stratford-Upon-Avon Crowne Plaza - with this year's theme announced as Culture - Nature and nurture in business.

James Gordon, managing director, said, "‘STIGA are proud to be sponsoring the Service Dealer Conference and Awards for the first time. We are delighted to be involved as we firmly align ourselves with this year’s theme of Nature and Nurture in Business and developing a culture people can thrive in.

"The conference and awards are a chance to celebrate those who deserve it most and we look forward to meeting everyone at the event."

Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, added, "We are delighted that STIGA have chosen to join us for the first time this year for what is shaping up to be a truly memorable event."

Keep an eye on this Weekly Update, the magazine and our social channels for further updates regarding the Service Dealer Conference & Awards.

The Executive Hire Show returns to the CBS Arena, Coventry, on 10 and 11 February 2027, with organisers promising more than 30 companies exhibiting for the first time and a series of new additions planned for the show’s 20th anniversary.

 
One such introduction is a professional services exhibitor category, widening the show beyond machinery and equipment to include companies supporting the commercial side of hire businesses.
 
There is also a stronger drive promised to bring direct purchasers from major construction companies, housebuilders, facilities management businesses and Tier 1 contractors into the show.
 
Visitors will be able to pre-book meetings ahead of the event, via the website, making it easier to plan who they want to see and get more from their time at the CBS Arena.
 
Chris Moore, publishing & event director for the Executive Hire Show, said, “Twenty years is a real milestone for the Executive Hire Show and we have a lot planned for 2027.
  
“The aim is to bring even more buyers into the halls, give visitors more to see and make it easier for people to have the conversations that matter.”
 
The event will also feature a new two-day conference programme, free for visitors to attend.
 
Speakers from across hire and construction will tackle subjects including the state of the market, machinery theft and fraud, AI, equipment utilisation, fuel and energy, safety and compliance, whole-life cost and the skills gap.
 
Full details of the conference programme will be announced separately.
 
Networking will also have a different feel in 2027, with a new-look party and awards format focused on creating a more relaxed setting for exhibitors and visitors to meet.
 
The first day will close with a drinks reception and special 20th anniversary celebration, including a guest speaker and a toast to the hire industry.
 
A brand-new Executive Hire Show website will also launch ahead of the event, together with new sponsorship opportunities for companies wanting a bigger presence around the show.
 
Chris added, “The hire market is changing and so are the people making buying decisions.
 
“We want EHS to remain useful, relevant and focused on business. That means getting the right exhibitors, the right visitors and the right conversations into the same place.”
  

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd has announced a significant development in its Norfolk agricultural business, with its Fakenham, North Walsham and Wymondham  branches now representing both Case IH and New Holland with immediate effect. 

Fakenham adds New Holland alongside its established Case IH business, while North Walsham and Wymondham introduce Case IH to complement their existing New Holland operations. All three branches offer sales, parts and service support for both brands. 

The development forms part of CNH’s wider strategy to consolidate its UK dealer network, supporting long-term sustainability and effective local coverage. As part of these changes, Ernest Doe will become the sole authorised Case IH dealer for Norfolk. Combined with its existing sole representation of New Holland, this will establish the business as the sole authorised dealer for both CNH agricultural brands across the county.

The move builds on Ernest Doe’s experience of offering both brands at several branches and extends that choice across its Norfolk network. 

All three locations will support both new machinery enquiries and existing Case IH and New Holland owners, wherever their equipment was purchased. 

Angus Doe, managing director of Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, said, “Bringing both brands together at all three locations gives customers greater choice, backed by the knowledge and experience of our teams and the strength of our aftersales support. It also strengthens our agricultural business across Norfolk, giving us greater opportunities to support both existing and new customers. 

“We look forward to building on our established customer relationships and welcoming farmers who may not previously have dealt with us. Our priority is to give every customer access to the machinery they need, backed by reliable local support from their preferred branch and team.”

Last week, we reported how data from the AEA showed how UK tractor registrations continued to run ahead of last year's level in the third quarter of 2026 but the rate of increase slowed, compared with those seen earlier in the year. 

Now, the Association has released information looking at how trends varied across the power range and between different parts of the country.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, said, "Most power bands recorded some year-on-year growth across the year to date, with the exception of the smallest (51-100hp) and largest (over 320hp) machines. The latter might partly reflect some buyers trading down to slightly lower-powered machines, as the 241-320hp range saw some of the best growth.

"The picture was slightly different in the third quarter, although the top and bottom of the power range still saw year-on-year declines. However, the growth in the 241-320hp range had largely ended, with the annual rise in registrations mainly occurring in the 120-200hp range. This means that, having been higher than last year during the first half of 2026, the average power of machines registered in the third quarter was slightly lower than during July to September 2025."

 
The AEA analysis also confirmed how across the year to date, the number of tractors registered was higher in almost every part of the UK.

Stephen explained the data, saying, "The only exception was the South East of England, although growth was limited in the East Midlands and East of England. Further north and west there were solid rises, with the best growth rates in England recorded in the West Midlands and Yorkshire. Scotland and Wales recorded year-on-year increases of 17% and 22%, respectively, but the best performing part of the UK was Northern Ireland. Here, registrations were up by more than half, compared with January to September 2025. The pattern remained similar in the third quarter, although East Anglia and the North West of England joined the South East in registering fewer tractors this year than last."

The latest independent research showed that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year.  This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.  

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Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.

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