ENCOURAGING SIGNS? Is your workshop off to a flying start? by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Positive stories are beginning to surface across the network, but is your workshop also making a decent start to 2026?
Firstly today, can I draw your attention to an absolutely superb highlights video that we've published of December's Conference & Awards.
Put together by TAP's video expert (and co-star of the latest magazine's cover) David Comiskey, the short film brings it all flooding back just what a fantastic day and evening it was at the Crown Plaza in Stratford-Upon-Avon. So please do give yourselves a couple of moments today to relive a true celebration of the network.
With all that positivity from the end of last year fresh in the mind, it's interesting for us to hear from you today, our valued dealer readers, regarding how the early days of 2026 are playing out.
One encouraging sign that caught my eye this week was a LinkedIn post from a new ATV service and repair business, that read . .
Checking out their website MCL, who are located in Evershot, have formed to fill the hole left by MKM closing last year, serving Bedford and the surrounding areas. Richard who posted this to LinkedIn used to work there, as did several other mechanics who have joined the newly opened company. According to a blog on their site they have recently ". . .opened their workshops to service and repair ATVs, UTVs, and commercial groundcare machinery, as well as trailers. Additionally, they are in discussions to become main dealers for some well-known brands."
What a fantastic, positive story for a cold, wet January! To begin any new enterprise is a leap of faith. So to hear that one has got off to such a flying start is genuinely heartening. We at Service Dealer wish the endeavour all the best and hope that the busyness currently being experienced continues to develop.
It also makes me curious to find out if this level of business is common across the network right now? Hence today we're running our annual Winter Servicing survey.
This time last year, many dealers were reporting solid winter workloads. Workshops were busy, servicing demand was there, and diaries were filling up nicely. At the same time, though, there was still a lot of nervousness bubbling under the surface - particularly around recruitment, staff retention, and whether businesses had the capacity to cope with the work coming in. We also heard some comments regarding the slow supply of parts from certain quarters.
So I wonder whether much is different twelve months on? As ever with our surveys that we run, our intention is to build a realistic snapshot of the network - in this case, of what winter servicing actually looks like right now. Are workshops busier than last year? Less so? Are staffing concerns easing, or still front and centre? And crucially, is winter servicing delivering the returns it needs to?
With all our surveys, we encourage you to leave your thoughts as well as answering some brief questions. Some interesting comments we received from readers last year included:
"We're in the fortunate position of having more work than we can cope with. That in itself brings with it problems of how to manage customer expectations."
"Still having to wait weeks for some parts, meaning machines taking up space for longer than would be ideal."
"Very busy, with increasing margins as labour can be increased due to lack of servicing dealers in the country and an abundance of work."
Do these statements still resonate this January? Or has the conversation moved on?
As ever we shall publish the results and as many of your opinions are we are able in the next issue of the magazine. The survey is short, anonymous, and designed specifically for dealers.
Service Dealer has put together a cracking highlights package from December's Conference & Awards available to watch now.
Service Dealer has put together a cracking highlights package from December's Conference & Awards.
The Conference explored as its theme in 2025 what Resilience looks like across the dealer network - from mental health and AI to customer relationships and future opportunities.
Organisers of the upcoming Executive Hire Show say demand for hired equipment has increased in several parts of the market.
Organisers of the upcoming Executive Hire Show say their 19th edition is sold out, with 148 exhibitors and 25 newcomers. The event will take place on 11 & 12 February 2026 at the CBS Arena, Coventry.
In a statement organisers said, "While construction activity has continued to vary by sector and region through 2025, demand for hired equipment has increased in several parts of the market, particularly where infrastructure, energy and major earthmoving programmes are underway. In response, hire is increasingly being used as a strategic tool, helping contractors manage uncertainty, control capital exposure and remain flexible as programmes shift."
Against that backdrop, they say the show's Innovation Trail has taken on added significance. It brings together products that respond directly to the realities hire businesses and their customers are facing - from lower-emission working and safer sites, to cleaner processes and more efficient use of power, water and time. Positioned front and centre on the show floor, the Trail gives visitors the chance to get hands-on with new kit, supported by live demonstrations designed specifically for plant and tool hire.
The Innovation Trail was a key feature of the 2025 Executive Hire Show, highlighting practical developments in eco-friendly technologies and new product design across the plant, tool and equipment hire sectors. In 2026, it builds on that success, reflecting a market that is moving quickly from intent to action.
This year’s line-up includes electric and low-emission equipment, smarter site systems and cleaner working solutions.
Products on the Innovation Trail -
Avant Power - OptiTemp Cube 50 portable energy storage system
Altrad Belle -BMD 300E+ battery-powered mini dumper
Demon Pressure Washers - Tornado Maxi Bowser E electric pressure washer
The AEA has released data on UK tractor market shares by manufacturer and brand.
The AEA has released data on UK tractor market shares by manufacturer and brand.
Market shares for tractors registered in 2024 can be found in the table below, with figures for the previous year provided for comparison.
In terms of positions on the chart, CNH (with New Holland and CASE IH) has replaced John Deere at the top, compared to 2023 figures. The only other movement is SDF and JCB swapping places.
Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "These figures cover all power bands, including machines under 50hp. Competition law restrictions mean that AEA is not able to publish market share figures for tractors until 12 months have elapsed."
Manufacturer says golf is the perfect stage to demonstrate the performance of its robotic lawnmowers.
Husqvarna has signed a multi-year agreement to become the new title partner of the British Masters golf tournament.
The 2026 Husqvarna British Masters will be staged at The Belfry on the iconic Brabazon Course in England. In addition, the manufacturer will also be the official robotic mowing partner of the DP World Tour.
Yvette Henshall-Bell, President Europe BU Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division, Husqvarna Group, said, "Golf is the perfect stage to demonstrate the performance of Husqvarna’s robotic lawnmowers, already delivering world-class results at over 1,700 courses worldwide. This partnership marks a shared commitment to reinvent golf course maintenance for a new era."
Six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, himself a Husqvarna Brand Ambassador, will return as host of the Husqvarna British Masters in 2026. He said, “As a former Champion, I take great pride in hosting this iconic tournament and it’s about to enter an exciting new era with this new partnership. I love Husqvarna’s products, and they will be out in full force at The Belfry next August to make sure the Brabazon Course is in perfect condition."
Husqvarna will serve as an official marketing partner of the 2026 DP World Tour, following a successful 2025 collaboration. In 2026, Husqvarna becomes Official Tournament Partner for the British Masters and Amgen Irish Open, and Corporate Partner for the BMW International Open, KLM Open, and FedEx Open de France. With this elevated status, the company will showcase its products across DP World Tour channels throughout the season, and partner with greenkeepers and course managers to deliver consistent quality on the tournament courses.
Recently, at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, 15 Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers maintained all 18 fairways during the tournament, marking the first time robotic mowers have maintained fairways live on the world golf stage.
New dealer says partnership allows them to offer customers reliable machinery backed by strong parts and service support.
New Holland has announced the appointment of Hall Agri Ltd as its newest dealer, for the Welshpool area.
The manufacturer says this strategic move strengthens their presence in Mid Wales, ensuring local farmers have access to a comprehensive product portfolio, genuine parts and aftersales support.
In a statement New Holland said, “This appointment reflects a long-term commitment to investing in strong, locally focused dealer partners who understand the demands of modern agriculture. The team at Hall Agri Ltd brings extensive industry knowledge and a customer-first approach, aligning closely with the brand’s core values.”
Martyn Hall, managing director of Hall Agri Ltd explained, “New Holland is a globally respected brand, and this partnership allows us to offer our customers in Mid Wales and the Welsh borders innovative and reliable machinery, backed by strong parts and service support”.
David Rapkins, CNH business director UK and ROI added, “Martyn has brought together a highly capable team with a strong reputation for customer service. Their appointment enhances our dealer network in Wales and ensures customers in the Welshpool area receive the high standards of support that they expect from New Holland.”
New role taken up following the retirement after 17 years of previous ASM at the end of December.
Effective as of January 1st 2026, Mike Stacey has taken on the role of the area sales manager for South West UK for Lemken, making him the central point of contact for their agricultural machinery dealers.
Mike has been a valued member of the team since 2011, serving as area support manager for South West UK. The manufacturer says his deep knowledge of their products, strong relationships with customers, and commitment to excellence make him ideally suited for this new position.
The 50 year old agricultural engineering expert comes from a farming background. After finishing his agricultural college training he worked for a large contracting company prior to joining Lemken.
Richard Relph, who has held this position for the past 17 years retired at the end of December. Lemken say he played a key role in supporting their dealer network, building strong relationships, and driving growth across the region.
The new robotic mower now available from Danarm Machinery Ltd. Using advanced LDI navigation, STORM delivers precise, reliable mowing without boundary wires or RTK setup. Dealers can now offer customers a smarter, simpler next-generation solution.
STORM: The New LDI-Powered Robotic Mower Now Available from Danarm
Danarm Machinery Ltd is pleased to introduce STORM, the latest autonomous robotic mower from Danish manufacturer AM-ROBOTS, now available for the UK market. STORM features the company’s next-generation LDI (3D Laser Mapping, Direct AI processor, and Imaging) Navigation System, enabling full-area mapping and guidance without boundary wire, RTK antennas, or external reference beacons. This gives dealers a genuinely cable-free installation with rapid setup times.
The mower continuously builds and updates a 3D model of the working area, allowing accurate route planning, obstacle avoidance, and stable performance even in gardens with tree cover, buildings, or weak GNSS conditions. STORM supports multi-zone management, variable mowing strategies, and automatic return-to-base functionality.
Additional dealer-focused advantages include a rugged chassis, IP-rated components, user-replaceable wear parts, remote diagnostics, and OTA firmware updates via the companion app. This combination positions STORM as a technologically advanced but practical solution for both residential and light-commercial use. STORM presents an excellent opportunity to expand your robotic mower range with a differentiated, premium solution.
We would be happy to arrange demonstrations, supply pricing, or discuss dealer partnership options.
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The latest independent research showed that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year. This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.
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