IF EVER there was a microcosmic view of our industry, it came in the overview of his company’s First Quarter by Toro CEO Michael Hoffman yesterday.
In short, it’s weather and the economy. Grass grows, snow falls, trees blow down – all drive our business up or down. We can’t factor in the weather, we have to be reactive to events, and leave enough capacity in the industry to cope with the unexpected.
As for the economy, Hoffman and his colleagues in the manufacturing centres, worry about the ‘unexpected head-wind’ caused by a strong US dollar. And with most manufacturers ‘over there’ viewing Europe as one entity, and thus trading in the euro, there is continuing unease about the impact on pricing.
Still, one gratifying observation by Michael Hoffman was a forecast of an ‘improving golf market’. Will we see that reflected in the UK? Many are doubtful, although a depressed market over the past years will have created pent-up demand for machinery and equipment overdue for renewal. After all, the Jewel in the Crown for all golf courses is the quality of their greens and fairways. Letting standards slip is a pathway to declining membership and played rounds.
THE pre-election ‘silly-season’, got even sillier this week – and it all centred around hedges. Hedge-gate became the latest buzz-phrase.
Hedge funds first (friends of the Tories), then hedge-cutters (those who work for the Tories according to Labour), hedging his bets (Nick Clegg); hedgerows and hedgehogs (the Greens), Benson & Hedges (surely Nigel?).
Ed Balls gave a real awareness boost to the hedge management community when he said, “the right thing to do was to obtain a receipt if you have somebody cut your hedge for a tenner.”
A tenner, Ed ? Either you’ve got a small one - or you are the cause not the saviour of the “cost of living crisis”!
Cash is, and always has been, the primary currency. If you need a receipt, get a receipt. To suggest that anyone who asks for cash as a legitimate payment method should then be regarded as an business outlaw is disrespectful. Receipt mate? Oh, if you like. “Shall I make it out for clearing the moat?”
Mind you, there was the case recently of the guy who was a ‘professional beggar’ on London streets who had a card machine in case a passer-by had run out of change . . .!
FINALLY, an overdue salute to our friends at ‘Elf and Safety’. There has been an ongoing rumble at Newcastle Racecourse after the management team at the course announced they were to ban deckchairs, picnic table and rugs next year on the grounds of yes, Health & Safety.
HSE thought this was going too far, even by their standards. After a lengthy exchange of correspondence, On their official Twitter feed, the HSE said, “This is a non-runner and we fail to understand the reasons behind your actions. In our opinion this discussion has been going on furlong enough . .”
Nice one!
PS: Don't ask me about the cricket. We were lucky to come second last night against New Zealand!
