As you may have already read, there are a number of corporate activity stories in today's news, with various manufacturers striking deals and making moves planning for the future.

The STIHL and Briggs & Stratton partnership in the States is an interesting one. Their team-up means that STIHL in America will now be able to offer a zero-turn mower as part of their lineup for the first time. However, STIHL GB does tell us that there are no plans to see these products in the UK.

Traditionally zero-turns have indeed been classified as more of U.S-centric tool. However, we have seen evidence of other manufacturers in recent times pushing the technology over here, presumably believing there is potential for worldwide growth in this burgeoning commercial sector. The question arises then, if certain brands begin to see significant success outside of the U.S, will others want to enter the market?

There are also stories today of companies expanding their manufacturing facilities (Claas and TYM) and of corporate acquisitions facilitating increased product offerings (New Holland).

If we're popping our glass-half-full hats on then, these developments could be taken as fairly positive indicators that these huge corporations are forecasting demand for their machinery will at least maintain its current high levels - with clear ambitions to increase customer activity and their profits even further. 

Whether the thought of this can put a spring in our dealer readers' steps today though, I'm not so sure?

Thinking about potentially bumper times to come is hard when each morning there's problems to solve. It is completely understandable how it's difficult to devote time to taking a step back and looking at the business, to plan ahead, when there's fires to fight and hurdles to overcome every single day.

From conversations we're having at the moment it appears that many are too preoccupied with the here and now to think too far forward. With the stocking crisis, the cost of living crisis, the recruitment crisis . . . well, it's all a bit crisis-y isn't it?!

Staffing

It's this latter crisis we're interested to hear about from our dealer readers today please. We'd appreciate your input on our survey asking how you are finding recruitment into the dealership currently.

We ran a questionnaire looking at the subject this time last year, when we were told that whilst for many there was a genuine desire to increase the workforce, it was a frustrating experience. Also what seemed clear was this was a perennial issue for the industry, not something that had been influenced in the short-term by the pandemic.

Asking for your feedback on this today, ties in with our 2022 Service Dealer Conference theme that was launched last week. Whilst not solely concentrating on recruitment, the Conference's Sustaining Dealerships topic will most certainly focus keenly on the area. So hearing what as many of our readers as possible are going through is invaluable. It will be of great help to shape the event's content and indeed give our expert speakers a steer as to what concerns the network is feeling most acutely. 

So please do find a moment to fill in our brief survey today. There's a few quick questions and space for you to leave your thoughts and accounts of your recent experiences when attempting to employ.

Responses as ever are anonymous, with the results and a selection of comments to be published in the upcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine.

Thanks again for your help. The magazine benefits greatly from as many contributions from our fantastic readers as possible.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Following the RHS banning artificial grass from this week’s Chelsea Flower Show, lawnmower manufacturer Cobra offered their backing to the Society.

“Here at Cobra, we’re thrilled to see the RHS standing against artificial grass,” said Peter Chaloner, managing director.

“We, of course, celebrate lawns and all the benefits that they bring. A freshly cut lawn can’t be beaten. It is the centrepiece of a garden and is aesthetically pleasing but the benefits go far beyond that; lawns can boost drainage and help prevent flooding, they can boost biodiversity, absorb carbon dioxide and encourage nature and wildlife to gardens. Not to mention the mental health benefits that the feel and smell of freshly cut grass brings! Lawns, and green spaces, have been proven to reduce stress and improve mood, with the smell of freshly cut grass releasing endorphins.”

Peter continued, “It's such a shame to see lawns being dug up and replaced by plastic alternatives. In a time when we’re all trying to reduce plastic usage, it makes no sense for gardens which are meant to enhance the planet, to be filled with unnecessary and unsightly plastic. Artificial grass is expensive, and not as maintenance-free as people first think as they can get damaged and will ultimately need replacing. Artificial grass creates a barrier to the soil, removing habits for burrowing insects and worms, starving them of food sources and creating a wholly inhabitable space.”

Peter concluded, “We support the RHS’s stance and hope to see an ongoing celebration of lawns for many years to come.”

It is with great sadness that Campey Turf Care Systems have announced the passing of Tony Cundall at the age of 75.

Tony was the first Campey product specialist to cover Manchester, Wirral, Cheshire and Staffordshire, an area where the company says he quickly became both respected and well-liked by his customers and colleagues.

Not only did he provide excellent sales and service say Campeys, he was renowned for his willingness to go the extra mile and a very professional approach to his work. His popularity extended beyond his sales role and he became known throughout the industry as a true gentleman on every level.

Before retiring in 2011, Tony gave up working in the field and was general manager in house.

“Our thoughts are with Tony’s wife Dinah and Tony’s family at this sad time," said Richard Campey. "He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and worked with him.”

CNH Industrial has announced it has acquired Specialty Enterprises LLC (Specialty), North America’s largest manufacturer of aluminum spray booms for agricultural applications.

The company says this acquisition will provide New Holland customers with access to a product offering that includes longer booms.

Specialty has been a supplier to New Holland for over a decade.
 
CNH Industrial said in a statement that the direct ownership of spray boom production is their latest step in a strategic roadmap for its sprayer product platform. The transaction includes the retention of key strategic personnel to ensure continuity.
 
Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, said, “Our customers already know the outstanding performance of these spray booms. These solutions will be implemented across the New Holland brand product portfolio delivering more efficiency and productivity.”
 
Founded in 1987, Specialty is based in Wautoma, Wisconsin, USA where it operates a manufacturing facility.

A dramatic change of careers paid off for SRUC student Ben Matthews, after his tutors unanimously named him the winner of this year’s HNC Golf Course Management Student of the Year Award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A. 

Award winner Ben Matthews (seated) receives his certificate and £300 voucher prize from Sandy Armit, managing director of Fife-based John Deere dealer Double A 

Born in London, but raised in Canada from the age of three, Ben moved to Scotland in 2014. He worked in health and social care in both Canada and Scotland for 20 years in total before realising it was time for a change. 

“Since moving back to Scotland I had been helping children in crisis situations as an advocate, ensuring they had a voice,” Ben says. “It was amazing work and I loved it, but I started to burn out - I couldn’t switch off from worrying about the children I was working with.”

Initially Ben studied for a master’s degree in Sustainable Resource Management at the University of Edinburgh.

“If I could, I decided I wanted to turn the degree into a job where I could work outdoors while protecting the environment,” he explains.

It was a chance sighting while passing the SRUC campus one day that led to him pursuing a career in golf course management.

“I’ve always been a fan of golf and although I’ve never been any good, I do enjoy playing it,” he says.

“I was driving past the SRUC Elmwood campus one day and they had a big banner outside which read ‘have you thought about a career in greenkeeping?’.  

“I ended up calling them and going to see Paul Miller, the course programme leader, and everything he told me about it ticked all the boxes.”

Ben has since secured a position as a seasonal greenkeeper for the St Andrews Links Trust.

“I only live 25 minutes away so it seemed silly not to try for a position at the home of golf,” he says.

“I’m lucky enough to be working on the old course, where golf has been played for 600 years, so every day is like Christmas Day for me at the moment!”

Ben is enjoying focusing on the practical side of greenkeeping and looks forward to building up his experience and skills. 

“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the greenkeeping community - everyone is so supportive and welcoming,” he says. “It’s the type of industry where if you’re having a problem, you can call someone at another golf course and they will lend you equipment or recommend a product. It’s such a tightly knit and positive community. I’m so happy to be in it.”

Due to the increased demand for its range of Green Harvest products and to allow for future growth, Claas has announced it is to invest 40 million Euro in its Bad Saulgau, Germany production plant.

Home to the Green Harvest product range, it is where everything from mowers through to the chopping system and crop flow for Jaguar forage harvesters is manufactured.

To accommodate current and future demand, the plant infrastructure is being considerably expanded and upgraded the company says, along with production logistics, assembly optimisation and the energy infrastructure.

Claas say they have seen particularly high demand for the new Orbis maize header, in particular the 900 model, necessitating the need for increased production space to meet this demand.

As a result of this and in view of the global decline in demand for forage wagons, the decision has been made to cease production of the Cargos loader wagon as from the end of the 2022 season.

It has been announced that tractor maker TYM Group's North American subsidiaries, TYM-USA and Branson, plan to expand their North American market share through large-scale investment into production facilities in the United States.

On May 20th, the South Korean based TYM revealed its plans to invest more than 20 million dollars into manufacturing facilities in Georgia, USA by joining forces with its two North American subsidiaries.

The investment plan announced included the construction of a 142,500 square feet factory equipped with the latest cutting-edge manufacturing technology on TYM's 900,000 square feet factory grounds in Rome, Georgia. The expansion of the current parts centre and the establishment of the TYM Technology Institute (TTI) for service education were also included in the investment plan.

TYM announced that it has completed negotiations with the Georgia state government and that it will begin the factory design work in May, with the goal of completion in June 2023. "We expect to create more than 150 jobs within the state of Georgia through this investment," a TYM representative said.

TYM, which currently has production facilities in four states in the USA, plans to increase its annual tractor production in North America from 30,000 to 50,000 units through this newest investment plan. 

TYM Group is currently among the top five tractor manufacturers in North America, with total manufacturing market share of more than 10% in the North American tractor market under 100HP. 

The company say it is their ambitious plan to take the leap into becoming a top three brand in the North American market by launching the new TYM North America and expanding its production facility through this investment to support its growth in the market.

The highly anticipated, perimeter wire free, Ambrogio Twenty ZR’s have been arriving in the UK over the last month and making their way to Ambrogio dealers across the country. 

This brand new model was first showcased in the UK at SALTEX. It utilises a series of radar sensors to see the lawn ahead and to navigate around the garden, detecting a variety of lawn edges along the way.  

With initial batches having landed in showrooms, the reaction to the new model from dealers and customers alike is living up to the hype with rave reviews all round.

Capable of maintaining lawns up to 1000m2 and with the same high build quality the rest of the Ambrogio range is known for, the Twenty ZR is already becoming a firm favorite. The flexibility to use it as a ‘Drop & Go’ mower or have it installed to automatically dock, recharge and work on a schedule, opens it up to customers who previously may not have considered a robot mower for a variety of reasons. 

Many dealers are finding the ZR a great gateway product for customers considering a robot for the first time. 

For more information about the Ambrogio Twenty ZR or any other models in the Ambrogio range contact Magic Distribution:

sales@magicdistribution.co.uk    

01522 283 020

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