We feature an interesting story today from dealers Tallis Amos Group on a theme that we've touched on before in our pages and have featured at a previous edition of our Conference. Hearing about it being successfully implemented in a real-world scenario out in the network though, is particularly pleasing.

This week the dealership signed a Military Covenant at a special event held at Silverstone Circuit. What this means is that TAG have now confirmed their ongoing commitment to supporting veterans from the armed forces as they make the change in their lives from service into civilian employment.

Their md, Ben Tallis, talks of how they are "proud to support our Armed Forces and veterans." Significantly though, he explains how he knows their association with ex-military people is of actual, tangible benefit to their business. He says they " . . have consistently proven themselves to be some of our most dedicated and talented team members. Their commitment and professionalism are demonstrated time and time again."

We all know the real struggles that dealerships everywhere are facing in their efforts to find enthusiastic fresh blood to join their companies. Tapping into this particular cohort could be a great move for many dealerships.

A few years back at the Service Dealer Conference we had Jeremy Gibbs from Forces Farming, address our dealer delegates on this subject. Jeremy spoke of why military leavers have the potential to be a great fit for dealership employment, saying, "They tend to have heightened aptitude for teamwork, leadership, forward-thinking, planning and time management, transferable skills invaluable in situations from a farm to a machinery workshop.” 

Unfortunately Forces Farming itself closed down last summer, but the principal of what Jeremy told us that day remains the same. As TAG will no doubt attest, dealers recruiting from this sector will find they are gaining employees with a wealth of skills, a strong work ethic, and a practical, problem-solving mindset. 

And it won't just be military leavers either that dealers might want to think about looking towards for recruitment purposes. With the hardships that we're hearing dealers are facing when looking to bolster staff, looking beyond the areas where teammates have been traditionally sought will be imperative. 

Broadening your recruitment efforts, widening that net, appears to be necessary in today's market. Traditionally, it seems fair to say that agricultural and groundscare dealers might have relied upon people with farming or engineering backgrounds, or from fellow dealerships - but these sources alone may no longer be sufficient to meet demand. Looking beyond the usual candidate pools could hopefully be a solution to help you secure the help that you need.

One supposes different but relatively tangential sectors to ours where dealers might attempt to draw from could, for example, be areas like the automotive sector; construction; manufacturing; or logistics and transport. I know dealers will often site the wages that these other fields can offer as an unsurmountable hurdle when looking to poach this talent - but when we've had recruitment experts speak at our conferences they do say that dealers can be talking up the other, non-monetary elements to a career in our sector.

Offering training for example, can make your business more attractive to these candidates. I've heard experts say that dealers can attract staff by offering strong benefits, such as career progression opportunities, flexible working arrangements, performance-related bonuses, and employer-supported education. Also, unlike some industries that require long hours or extensive travel, dealership roles can offer greater stability and work-life balance - an appealing factor for many candidates considering a career change.

But what have you, our dealer readers, found to be effective when looking to recruit? Have you targeted, with success, workers from areas that you may not have considered in the past? 

Please share with our community your experiences in the comments below.

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he describes how he got on last weekend, in his muddiest challenge to date!

Hi everyone,
 
Well, I've just completed the BigMud Marathon and let me tell you, it lived up to its name! What a slog that was. I foolishly thought I might come in quicker than my first run, but I was quickly brought back down to earth. Including diversions for impassable terrain, this weekend's marathon eventually totaled a gruelling 27.5 miles and took me 7 hours and 4 minutes.
 
The name 'BigMud' certainly wasn’t false advertising. Every step was a battle against mud, inclines, and sheer exhaustion. I’m pretty sure it’s easier to count the parts of my body that don’t hurt right now!

 
It was telling when I spoke to seasoned marathon runners at the start and they said they were doing it "because it's one of the hardest around." The chatter at the coffee station afterwards confirmed it: "The hardest one yet!" says it all.
 
The South Downs National Park was beautiful, but those hills and muddy trails were relentless. There were moments when I questioned my sanity, but the thought of the incredible charities I'm running for kept me pushing forward.

 
A massive thank you again to Toro UK for their sponsorship of this event. Their support was a huge motivator, and I'm so grateful for their contribution.
 
Despite the pain and exhaustion, I'm proud to have completed another marathon. This challenge is proving to be tougher than I ever imagined, but I'm determined to see it through.

 
A Quick Health Check-in:

Speaking of tough challenges, it's a good reminder to look after ourselves. Ideally, we'd all have a quick, annual medical MOT to give us the all-clear. I recently had my cholesterol checked and while I was there, I also got a PSA blood test for prostate cancer done. This highlighted the importance of taking personal responsibility for our health. While we may not always be offered these tests, the option of self-checks, like the FIT test for around £20, is readily available. It’s a small investment for significant peace of mind.
 
Remember, I'm raising funds for Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice, and St. Michael's Hospice. Every donation makes a difference.
 
So, how can you help?

• Sponsor me: Every penny counts. You can donate directly to my fundraising page.
• Cheer me on: Whether it's at the side of a course or from the comfort of your armchair, your support will be invaluable.
• Get inspired: Use my challenge as a motivator to get more active yourself. Maybe start with a brisk walk around the block, ditch the lift and take the stairs or join me!

I'll be taking some well-deserved rest before I start preparing for the next marathon. Stay tuned for more updates!

On Monday this week (24th February 2025), Tallis Amos Group (TAG) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting veterans through their transition into civilian employment with the signing of the Military Covenant by Richard Allard, group service manager of TAG, at the Mission Motorsport event at Silverstone Circuit.

Richard Allard, group service manager, signing the Military Covenant

By signing the Military Covenant Tallis Amos Group joins a network of UK business actively championing veterans, offering a commitment of fair opportunity to service leavers and recognising the wealth and talent they bring to the workforce. This partnership builds on the work done to support service leavers by fellow signatory John Deere Ltd through their Military Hire Program (MHP). 

First set up in 2023, the Military Hire Program provides a structured pathway before, during and after resettlement for service leavers to join the John Deere UK & Ireland dealer network. John Deere Ltd and Tallis Amos Group say they have been instrumental in providing skills-based training to a large number of veterans in addition to providing a UK support network and offering employment opportunities within the UK&I dealer network. 

Managing director Ben Tallis said, “Tallis Amos Group are proud to support our Armed Forces and veterans. As a business we are delighted to help service leavers as they transition from the armed forces to civilian life. They arrive with us having received system specific training in our machinery and have consistently proven themselves to be some of our most dedicated and talented team members. Their commitment and professionalism are demonstrated time and time again.”

Richard Allard with Guy Bunting, TAG talent acquisition

Martin Frodsham a Military Hire Program graduate and Tallis Amos employee shared his perspective on the program, saying, “Being one of the first to graduate from the JDMHP in the UK and employment with TAG, I thank TAG for being the first to enterprise veterans into agricultural engineering. John Deere has given us the tools and opportunity self-motivated veterans needed to make a mark on this industry, thank you for all your support.”

Fife Tractors, based in eastern Scotland, has made a significant sale of eight McCormick tractors to one of the region’s most productive farmers.  

The dealership, which completed the deal on Wednesday, February 12th in the presence of Mirco Candiani, Product Manager of Argo Tractors, is delighted to have secured such a significant level of business. 

“Selling such a number of tractors in an individual transaction is rare - it really was quite the achievement,” said Graeme Steedman, sales & service with Fife Tractors. 

“We’ve spent the past few weeks ensuring that each model was in pristine condition prior to the official handover. The client, who was a pleasure to deal with since first contacting us to discuss the deal, wanted to overhaul his entire tractor range and decided to switch to McCormick. It’s provided us with a tremendous start to 2025 and we look forward to dealing with the client when it comes to future parts and services requirements. And we were very pleased to be joined by Mr Mirco Candiani of Argo Tractors at the handover, who provided us with great customer installation support throughout the sale process.”  

Welcoming the fleet sale, Richard Haines, commercial director of Argo Tractors GB said, “We are thrilled to be able to support Fife Tractors in securing this deal with such a prestigious Scottish farming business."

Established in 1971 as an agricultural engineering, service and supply business, Fife Tractors operates mainly in Fife and Kinross in Eastern Scotland. Holder of several franchises including McCormick, Fife Tractors also sells telehandlers and a range of second-hand equipment, including combine harvesters.

Hayter has been awarded the Royal Warrant by appointment to His Majesty the King, as manufactures of horticultural machinery.

The manufacturer says this honour, held until 2030, reaffirms their unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, from their historic petrol mowers to their battery-powered Harrier range.

Craig Hoare, Hayter's sales & marketing manager, said, “We feel honoured to be given this Royal Warrant on behalf of His Majesty the King. As a British business that has manufactured products from the same factory site in Spellbrook since 1946, our dedication to British engineered products, consumers and professionals has never wavered. We will continue to innovate within the grounds care industry, pushing standards well into the future.”

Hayter’s association with royal recognition dates back to 1960, when the company was first awarded the Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, they have continuously maintained this honour.

Now, in 2025, Hayter proudly holds the Royal Warrant under His Majesty King Charles III, marking a new chapter in this long-standing tradition. This distinction reaffirms Hayter’s unwavering commitment to excellence and ensures the company’s place in the Royal Household until 2030. 

All in all, this means Hayter will have held the warrant concurrently for 70 years.

Craig concluded, “We’ve not once stopped pushing our mowers to new heights, iterating on loved designs to meet the growing needs of landscaping and gardening professionals across the country. There is no greater honour than supplying the finest mowers to the Royal Estate, and we cannot wait for His Majesty’s gardeners to experience the fantastic improvements we have made.”

On Monday this week (February 24th 2025) His Majesty The King was given a glimpse into the future of JCB hydrogen power as he toured  the company’s World Headquarters as part of its 80th birthday celebrations.

His Majesty The King with Lord Bamford

As the manufacturer prepares to mark the historic milestone, they are developing an internal combustion engine which is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel of the future.

His Majesty was given an insight into the company's hydrogen technology by chairman Anthony Bamford during a tour of the company’s Innovation Centre at Rocester, where he was shown one of the first JCB diggers to be powered by hydrogen - and how the machine can be refuelled simply and efficiently in a matter of minutes.
 
The visit also helped to mark another milestone for JCB - the production of the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger.

Lord Bamford said, “It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”

On a tour of the production line, His Majesty met apprentices Matthew Walker-Stack, 19, of Rugeley, Freddie McCool, 19, of Lichfield, and Eleanor Pitt, of Derby, who is only the second ever female welding apprentice to join the company.

The King spoke to Richard Williams, of Stramshall, near Uttoxeter, general manager of the Backhoe Loader Business Unit, who has worked at JCB for 38 years. Also introduced to The King were Richard’s wife Sarah, who has worked for JCB for almost 35 years and his son Josh, a paint plant operative and his daughter Kaitlan, who works in production support.

The visit concluded in the main reception of JCB’s World HQ where The King was shown the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger which recently rolled off the company’s Rocester production line.

John Deere has announced what it calls “significant steps to support customers’ ability to maintain and repair their machines across the agricultural and construction industries”.

The digital solutions will be rolled out in the US in the second half of this year, and it says European farmers are to also benefit from the new functionalities. The firm says the enhancements will provide ‘even more support to customers and independent repair workshops, including enabling to re-program John Deere manufactured electronic controllers’.
 
Deere says it should be noted that the legal framework conditions for the US and EU market differ in some cases. In Europe, the RMI (Repair and Maintenance Information) regulations apply. In the EU 27 different EU regulations are legally framing the right to repair for the agricultural equipment industry. These regulations list all data to be shared with independent operators or workshops. Data are available for many model years, on the John Deere Repair and Maintenance Information website. These include, among others the John Deere Bookstore; University; Service Gard; Partscatalog; and ReadyTo.
 
The new functions primarily expand the repair options in the US. However, functionalities have also been added to European RMI. One new feature is the integration into the John Deere Operations Center. This means farmers can use the Operations Center not only to manage field and machine data, but also for maintenance and machine information. 

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