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SERVICE DEALER BUSINESS QUARTERLY Published April, June, September and December 2013
Campey staff recovered a blown-away mini-marquee – as did Haymarket’s Horticulture Week and What Kit, one of the show’s media partners.
“Despite the poor turnout we support the concept of these regional shows,” says Campey sales director Simon Gumbrill, whose seminar outlined the benefits of end-of-season pitch renovation using the Koro Field Top Maker. “Today shows the importance of local distributors supporting the event with global brands of equipment.” Campey products on show included Dakota spreaders and Raycam equipment, plus several versions of the Koro by Imants and the Imants Shockwave
Ernest Doe, whose depot is nearby, brought a fleet of machinery including brands such as Ransomes Jacobsen, Iseki, Hyundai, Kawasaki, New Holland, Weidenmann and Yamaha.
JSM showed products including Echo, Hayter, Toro and TYM.
King Feeders Ltd showed a range of Eco Green shredders and composters.
BAGMA director Keith Christian, whose organisation (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) is a show supporter, said: “It was a disappointing turnout for those who decided to exhibit. We have to hope for better visitor numbers at the next four – and promotion and marketing needs to be stepped up.”
STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) advisor Stella Rixon gave a talk on measuring sports turf performance and fine-tuning maintenance procedures to deliver surfaces that save money.
Iain Courage, Fleet Line Markers European sales manager (who also gave a talk on saving money with line-making techniques) said that although the turnout was poor they had met some useful contacts on their demonstration plot. “The promotion and marketing of the event needs work and the profile needs raising, but we are happy to support these regional demonstration days.”
Visitor Ali Polawski, head groundsman of nearby Roedean College, who attended with three of her staff, said: “The idea of a local demonstration day is commendable – but it would have been good to see more exhibitors.”
Andy Mackay, head groundsman of Sussex County Cricket Club, attended with some of his groundstaff. “It is worth looking at something like this if it is on our doorstep – and we did meet with some of our regular machinery suppliers.”
Visitor Harry Jurgens of AFT Trenchers said: “The concept of a regional demonstration day is good but the name of the show and poor marketing and PR means that not enough people knew it was happening.”
He said the groundcare sector of the industry was looking healthier at present, considering the terrible weather of last year. They had seen a 40 per cent increase in business in the UK compared to this time last year. “This is largely down to heavy rainfall showing drainage problems,” said Harry.
Guest speakers at Ardingly included Piers Corbyn, the owner of Weather Action, who predicted bleak winters ahead and indifferent summers with higher rainfall. He said we were in a “cycle” of unsettled seasons.
MAPLive director Clare Johnson said: “We had to contend with stormy weather, high winds and rain the night before – but despite that I think we have had some good quality visitors who were genuine decision makers in the groundcare industry.
“We are looking at changing the emphasis of our advertising to show that it is all about groundcare, pitch maintenance and machinery demonstrations. We have good support for the Haydock show.”
The other MAPLive events are: Haydock (North West) June 5, Sedgefield Racecourse (North East) June 19, Scotland (Stirling) July 3 and Chepstow Racecourse(South Wales) July 17.
