Let’s cast our minds back over recent industry history and consider what have been the major technological developments that have generated the most buzz in our sector.

A short while ago it was the emergence of battery power that we seemed to spend plenty of our column inches speculating on, considering its level of potential impact. Then it was robotics, initially of the wired variety, that we debated regarding the crossover potential they held for mainstream customers.

Today, arguably, there is an emerging technology that has eclipsed both of those. Dominating our discourse perhaps more than any other before, it's one that could prove to have further reaching influence than anything since the internet.

For many people, I suspect AI still conjures up images of robots taking over jobs or computers making decisions that are better left to humans. Yet in reality, most of us are already using AI every day, often without even realising it.

Take one of today's news stories. STIGA's Vista autonomous mower has recently received recognition in the Ideal Homes awards, with one of its standout features being an AI-powered camera system that helps the machine navigate and operate safely. It is another example of how the technology being sold through dealerships is becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Of course, AI isn't just appearing in the products dealers sell. It's also finding its way into the day-to-day running of the dealerships themselves.

Over the past year, our conversations with dealers have revealed a growing curiosity about what AI can actually do for their businesses. Some are experimenting with AI tools to draft marketing emails, write social media posts, summarise lengthy documents or generate first drafts of customer communications. Others are using it to help organise information, create training materials or simply save time on administrative tasks that would otherwise eat into the working day.

The appeal is obvious. Most dealerships are operating in a business environment where finding additional hours in the day is hard. Anything that can help reduce workload and improve efficiency naturally attracts attention.

The forthcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine contains an excellent article from Keith Christian examining AI from the perspective of a self-confessed layman. Without giving too much away, Keith explores both the opportunities and the limitations of this rapidly developing technology in a way that I am sure our valued dealer readers will be able to relate to.

No spoilers, but Keith’s central point is that AI can undoubtedly be a useful assistant. It can help with routine tasks, provide ideas and improve productivity. But it should remain exactly that - an assistant.

As we all know, the strength of independent dealerships has never simply been the products on display in the showroom. It is the expertise behind those machines, the trusted advice offered to customers, the long-standing relationships built over years and the specialist knowledge that cannot be replicated by a computer program.

Customers don't just buy equipment from dealers. They buy confidence, reassurance and experience. Those qualities remain firmly human.

Perhaps that is where the industry currently finds itself? AI is no longer something that belongs in the future. It is already embedded in many of the products dealers sell and is increasingly available as a practical business tool. The challenge is not whether to engage with it, but how to use it sensibly while preserving the personal service that defines the best dealerships.

I think that as we stand today, AI experts would agree that to gain the most benefit out of what’s on offer, it is the sophistication of the human hand guiding the bot that makes all the difference to the results achieved. That's what will give your dealership a competitive advantage.

So don’t forget that if you are exploring what your business can gain from it, Service Dealer's free AI Toolkit for dealers remains available on our website, offering practical guidance on how the technology can be used in a dealership environment.

Because while AI may be changing the way we work, the importance of real human people remains exactly the same.

Mean Green Mowers in the States has been acquired from Generac Power Systems, Inc. by a group of investors, employees, and industry veterans, effective June 1st 2026.

In the UK the machines are distributed by Overton (UK) Ltd. director of which, Guy Overton told Service Dealer, "We are happy with the new ownership."

In a statement. Matt Conrad, president of Mean Green Mowers, said, "This transition marks an exciting return to our roots as a focused, specialised design and manufacturing company. As part of this change, all core operations including engineering, product design, manufacturing, service support, parts, and sales will be centralised at our facility in Ross, Ohio, where Mean Green was originally founded. Bringing our team back together under one roof will allow us to operate more efficiently and respond more quickly to your needs.

"We are grateful for the guidance and support provided by Generac during our time together and value the experience we gained as part of their organisation."

Matt contined, "As we complete the transition and restart manufacturing, we are committed to elevating both customer support and product quality to the next level. With our teams fully integrated in one location, we will be able to shorten response times, improve parts availability, enhance communication, and ensure tighter quality control throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our goal is simple: deliver a better overall experience from product performance to service support than ever before.

"Looking ahead, we are excited to accelerate the development of new and innovative products. Our focus remains on delivering quiet, eco-friendly solutions that compete directly with gas-powered equipment while providing meaningful performance and cost advantages to our customers."

This week’s Cereals, the annual arable agriculture event and summer showcase for those involved in cropping equipment, saw strong visitor numbers cope with some rather challenging terrain underfoot on host Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswold brash, as the heavy recent rains that had made set-up difficult continued through the show itself - although the first day, as forecast, saw only a couple of further downpours, compared with the second and final day’s persistent rain. With intermittent bright spells, though - on day one at least - the weather provided an accurate reflection of the mood among visitors and exhibitors.

Issues with traffic, set-up procedures and power were among the grumbles from the latter, but on the flipside many were pleased with visitor numbers and the levels of genuine enquiries to fill follow-up notebooks for the coming days back in the office. And while there are continued concerns regarding the effects of global happenings and domestic policy on farmers’ enthusiasm to invest, the recent rise in tractor registrations - typically matched by further expenditure in other equipment areas - was welcomed with enthusiasm along the exhibitor aisles.

Arable farmers themselves remain cautious, and the number of farm machinery auctions of late as some contract out their operations, or even sell land and farms, reflects the industry’s uncertainty, while also putting pressure on dealers seeking to make new and used equipment sales. But the often talked-about ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ remains in sight - predicting when it will be reached remains the hard part.

There will be a full report on the show in an upcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine.

McHale Komatsu will officially announce its appointment as an approved supplier for Xwatch Safety Solutions at Hillhead 2026, taking place from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June at Hillhead Quarry, Derbyshire.

Visitors will be able to see the partnership in action on the company's stand, Y3, where a PC130-11 fitted with an Xwatch XW5 system will be displayed as a demonstration machine.

Based in Redditch, Worcestershire, McHale Komatsu is the sole distributor for Komatsu Construction and Utility equipment and Metso crushers in the UK and Ireland.

The company says the announcement represents an important step for both businesses and gives Komatsu customers a clear route to specify Xwatch safety technology through McHale Komatsu’s UK and Ireland dealer network.

The Xwatch XW5 system is described by the company as being designed for machines working in demanding site environments, offering height and slew control alongside rated capacity indication. It gives operators a system to manage machine movement around people, structures, overhead services, and other site risks.

By displaying a Komatsu machine fitted with XW5 at Hillhead, McHale Komatsu will give contractors, operators and hire businesses the chance to see how the system works in a real machine application.
 
Jake Walley, territory development & machine control specialist for Northern England at McHale Komatsu, said, “Becoming an approved supplier for Xwatch Safety Solutions is a strong move for McHale Komatsu and for our customers. Safety technology is becoming an increasingly important part of machine specification, particularly for contractors and hire businesses working on busy, restricted sites.

“Having a Komatsu machine fitted with the Xwatch XW5 system on display at Hillhead gives us the chance to show customers exactly how the technology works and how it can be integrated into the machine from the outset. It is a practical system, it is operator-friendly, and it gives customers another option when they are looking at machine safety and site compliance.”

According to data released by the AEA the number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK during May was again higher than during the same month last year.

The association says the total of 859 machines was 7% more than in May 2025 but did drop below the mean for the time of year, after two above average months. That brought the total for the year to date to 4,956 tractors registered, up by nearly a quarter, compared with the opening five months of last year and just 4% below the five-year average.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "If that rate of growth is sustained for the rest of the year, the market could bounce back to over 10,000 units this year, after dropping to a post-war low of 8,791 in 2025. However, the rise in costs and uncertainty faced by farmers since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz may weigh on tractor registrations later in the year. Therefore, it's not yet certain whether that benchmark will be hit."

Iseki UK and Ireland have announced two new management appointments, via their LinkedIn channel.

Matt Barr and Andrew MacKenzie

Firstly the company has confirmed the promotion of Andrew MacKenzie to the position of sales & marketing Manager, effective immediately.

Andrew will now take responsibility for the company’s marketing activities, including social media, print advertising, and wider brand promotion, while continuing to support and manage their dealer network across Scotland, Iceland, and Northern England.

Meanwhile the company has also welcomed Matt Barr to their team as our new regional sales manager for the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Based in Northern Ireland, Matt brings a wealth of industry experience, having started his career in golf course maintenance before moving into sales with an Iseki and Raymo dealer, and most recently working with a Toro turf equipment dealer.

With a strong background in groundscare machinery, technical support and sales, the company says Matt will be working closely with their dealer network and customers across the region, helping to drive growth and provide even greater support on the ground.

STIGA say they are celebrating following being Highly Commended for their new Vista robot mower range in the Ideal Home Awards Garden Winners 2026.

The brand new robot mower STIGA.GO App has already won numerous awards, including the Red Dot Design Award 2025 and iF Design Award 2026. Whilst the new robot range with Vista Technology also won the iF Design Award 2026 in the categories Product Design and Garden.

Claire Beard, marketing manager at the manufacturer, said, "We are over the moon to have received Highly Commended from the Ideal Home Awards. Our designers have really shown their amazing skill with the ergonomic design of the new STIGA Vista robots, which makes the STIGA Vista technology, an AI-driven camera allow the robots to 'see' and comprehend the garden. The new Antenna-Free feature eliminates any physical installation and makes the user experience even simpler, more immediate and accessible to everyone."

Boss Off-Road Vehicles has announced the appointment of T H White Agriculture as a dealer for Aodes off-road ATVs and utility vehicles.

The TH White team. L-R: Matt Hooper, Alex Ross, Adrian Pipe, Adrian Lovegrove and Graham Probert

The vehicles will be initially sold and supported by T H White’s Knighton branch on the England / Wales border. There are plans to expand to other branches.

Alex Ross, area sales manager, said, “The appointment as Aodes dealer is a first for T H White and Knighton. We have not sold ATVs and UTVs before, and we’re really looking forward to this exciting development for the business. Aodes is the ideal product for the area and a perfect offering for our agricultural and groundscare customers.”

Boss ORV national sales manager, Neil Everett added, “We’re very excited T H White has joined us on the Aodes journey and we look forward to working together in selling and supporting the vehicles. They offer customers in Knighton’s area a high-quality and competitive alternative to other established brands. The team of Aodes dealers is going from strength to strength.”

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