I can’t quite believe it has come around to that time of year again, but here we are. The nominations for our Dealer of the Year Awards 2026 are now open – and I’d really like to take this opportunity to encourage you all to make sure that your dealership is in the running for an honour this year.

It’s been quite the 12 months for our industry. As always, there have been challenges to navigate, not least from the weather. Too wet, too dry - and sometimes both within what feels like the same week! Dealers across all machinery specialisms have had to quite literally keep calm and carry on through all of it.

But we know that our talented, entrepreneurial dealer readers do more than just cope.

They find ways to thrive. They pivot. They innovate. They diversify. They find new ways of serving their customers and supporting their local communities. And, importantly, they keep those businesses moving forward when circumstances might suggest that doing anything of the sort is an impossibility.

And those are precisely the stories our judges want to hear.

Yes, we need to know about your business and what you've achieved, but we're particularly interested in the narratives and the human stories behind those achievements. We want to hear tales that ourselves and our wider community of dealer readers can relate to, learn from and be inspired by. So please do tell us what your dealership has been up to over the past 12 months and, quite simply, why you deserve to win.

We have categories covering all machinery sectors in which our valued dealer readers specialise. This year we're looking for Garden Machinery, Farm Machinery, Professional Turfcare, Forestry and, for the first time, Plant Hire & Construction Dealers of the Year. In each of these areas we want to hear why your business is the go-to, trusted partner for your local community of customers.

There are also awards recognising the people who make dealerships tick; the Leadership Award and the New Technician of the Year prize. And then there’s the Best New Initiative Award, for those businesses that have introduced something fresh to their business for the first time over the past year.

And, of course, every category winner will go into the running for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year title, once again supported by our principal sponsor, AL-KO & Weibang. A huge thank you to them, and to all our other highly valued sponsors who continue to make these popular awards and our conference possible. You can discover more about who they all are on the nominations page on our website.

So, if you’ve entered before, please do so again. If you’ve never entered, make this the year you give it a go.

And please don't think you need to be the biggest dealership, have the hugest turnover or the most branches to have a chance. We’re looking for great stories. Stories about people, businesses and ideas that have made a difference.

The judges are looking for the entries that make them sit up, take notice and think: “Wow… that one!”

So, start getting those entries prepared. Dig out any videos or photos that you think can help support your entry if you like, think about what you've achieved, talk to your team and tell us your story.

We’d genuinely love to hear from you.

Get entering!

The search is on for the dealerships, people and initiatives that will take the honours at our Dealer of the Year Awards 2026, with nominations now open.

Dealerships can enter themselves, or be nominated by customers, suppliers or other third parties.

There are nine awards up for grabs, covering the breadth of the dealer sector - from garden, farm, forestry, professional turfcare and plant hire & construction dealerships to technicians, leaders and new initiatives.

Every entry will be considered for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year award -- sponsored by AL-KO & Weibang

The categories open for nominations are:

• Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Toro
• Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Ibcos
• Forestry Equipment Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Cramer
• Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Husqvarna
• Plant Hire and Construction Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Aptean
• New Technician of the Year - sponsored by STIHL
• Best New Initiative Award - sponsored by EGO
• Leadership Award - sponsored by AriensCo

Judges will consider achievements during the 12 months prior to submission. Written answers form the basis of each entry, while supporting evidence such as photographs and short videos can help bring a dealership's story to life.

The closing date for entries is 24th October 2026.

Yanmar Holdings has become the majority partner in AriensCo as part of a new strategic partnership between the two family-owned companies.

The companies say the deal brings together Yanmar’s expertise in engines, agricultural machinery and energy systems with AriensCo’s outdoor power equipment business, which includes the Ariens, Gravely and AS-Motor brands.

Both companies say they will continue to operate under their existing brands, with their current teams, manufacturing facilities and distribution networks remaining in place. The Ariens family will retain a significant stake in the business, with the company continuing to be led from its headquarters in Brillion, Wisconsin.

They say their partnership is intended to accelerate the development of next-generation outdoor power equipment, with automation, artificial intelligence and electrification identified as key areas for future development.

For dealers, the companies say the partnership could eventually bring broader product and technology capabilities, enhanced service and diagnostic resources, and access to Yanmar’s global business network.

AriensCo chairman and CEO Dan Ariens said the partnership was the “right next step” to position the company as an R&D leader while maintaining its existing commitments to quality and longevity.

“As a family business with a history spanning more than 100 years, Yanmar shares our belief that family ownership is a competitive advantage,” said Dan. “This partnership provides continuity by keeping family ownership at the heart of AriensCo.”

He added, “It allows both companies to look beyond short-term business performance to deliver long-term value to our dealers, customers, partners and communities around the world. We are stronger together.”

Yanmar Holdings president and representative director Takehito Yamaoka said, “AriensCo has built trusted brands and strong customer and dealer relationships over generations.

“Together, we aim to create greater value for customers, dealers and the communities we serve,” he added. “This partnership will also provide a strong foundation for the long-term growth of both companies.”

STIHL GB has welcomed more than 70 dealers from across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to a dedicated launch event ahead of the formation of STIHL UK and Ireland in January 2027.

Held at Shamrock Lodge in Athlone, the event gave prospective STIHL dealers the opportunity to learn more about the company, meet key members of the team and discover the support that will be available to them from next year.

Following welcome refreshments, dealers received a full introduction to the company through a series of presentations led by STIHL GB managing director Kay Green and colleagues from across the business.

The event gave dealers an overview of the manufacturer's product portfolio and its approach to supporting its specialist dealer network, including technical services, training, Commercial Solutions and marketing support across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet the team and discuss plans for the Irish market before exploring the STIHL On Tour mobile showroom, which showcased a selection of upcoming products and innovations.

Kay Green, managing director of STIHL GB, said, “The launch event was an important opportunity for us to meet dealers from across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, introduce them to the STIHL team and share our plans for the future.

“Our specialist dealer network is critical to the STIHL business, providing customers with expert advice, exceptional service and trusted aftersales support. As we prepare for the formation of STIHL UK and Ireland in January 2027, we are committed to building strong relationships with our new dealer partners and providing them with the training, technical expertise, marketing activity and commercial support they need to succeed.

“It was fantastic to see so many dealers in Athlone and to experience such enthusiasm for STIHL and the opportunities ahead. We look forward to working closely with them as we establish and grow the STIHL dealer network across Ireland.”

The first meeting of a new industry Health & Safety Working Group has been hailed a success by hosts, The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA).

Attendees at the meeting

The initiative, borne from two of the association's dealer members, is designed to create a space where Health & Safety professionals can share experiences, discuss common issues and, most importantly, come together to find practical solutions that bring benefit to the agricultural and groundcare sectors.

 
Individuals representing brands including John Deere, Kubota, Case and more, came together at BAGMA HQ in Peterborough with one shared vision - to find ways to make the industry safer. BAGMA said, while it’s clear there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, the day demonstrated the importance of sharing experiences and the value to be gained from cross-sector discussion.

Alongside a number of the country’s leading dealerships, BAGMA say they were also pleased to welcome a number of industry experts to the event, including the DVSA’s Andrew Donald and Paul Marsh from BAGMA service provider SafetyAide. 

Attendee Jo Robinson, group health and safety manager at Farol Ltd, said of the event, “While we may represent different businesses, brands and specialisms, we all have the same objective: making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. Openly sharing experiences, challenges and ideas in this way is exactly how we continue to improve health and safety standards and drive our industry forward."

Christia Killen, health and safety manager at Lister Wilder, added, “What I found most valuable about the first meeting was realising that we’re all dealing with many of the same challenges. Sharing practical solutions and learning from each other means we can all make progress much faster than trying to solve everything independently.”

On the event, BAGMA general manager Nick Darking said, “We are well aware that people’s eyes tend to glaze over when you mention Health & Safety, but the startling statistics around injuries and deaths in the outdoor power sector prove that it’s a topic that needs to be tackled head on. This inaugural meeting was incredibly well received by all that attended and it signals an important step towards working collaboratively to improve the safety of those working across the industry.” 

BAGMA say the next meeting of the group will take place virtually on Tuesday 15th December 2026.

Next week two major industry events take place, both of which will be of interest to Service Dealer readers of various machinery specialisms.

First up on Wednesday and Thursday, 16th and 17th September 2026, of interest to our grounds care machinery dealer readers, GroundsFest takes place again at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Organisers describe the show as suitable for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, designers & architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors.

They say the event combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstrations - and then once the show ends on day one there is the opportunity to stay on and enjoy the live music festival they lay on.

The team from Service Dealer and TurfPro will be at the show both days, with a base that can be found indoors at Stand 42. So do stop by and say hi.

Also taking place next week, of interest for our agricultural machinery dealer readers, is TillageLive. Organised by the AEA, it is taking place at Chrishall Grange near Duxford, Cambridgeshire on Thursday 17th September (and not on the 18th as incorrectly stated in our most recent magazine - apologies!).

Organisers say the event brings together machinery manufacturers, regional dealers, and technical specialists to showcase crop establishment and cultivation technology.

Live field demonstrations remain at the heart of the event, giving visitors the chance to look at how different cultivation systems perform on the day through side-by-side comparison of machinery working in real field conditions.

Leading garden machinery distributor Henton & Chattell returns to GroundsFest 2026 in a landmark year for the business as it celebrates 95 years since it was founded.

The company will unveil one of the biggest collections of new Cobra machinery in the brand's history, with major launches spanning professional sports turf, robotic lawncare and domestic lawnmowers.

Taking centre stage will be the new Cobra Fortis Rotary 34, developed to complement the already successful Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower range. The new rotary model further strengthens Cobra’s growing presence within professional sports turf, offering grounds teams an additional high-performance mowing solution for stadiums, cricket clubs and other premium turf environments. 

Featuring Cobra’s X-FLOW system, the Rotary 34 incorporates an expertly engineered deck and airflow design to aid grass collection and help deliver a clean, consistent finish across demanding turf conditions.

GroundsFest visitors will also get a first look at a new Cobra out-front mower, the latest generation of Cobra Mowbot robotic lawnmowers, and a number of other new additions to the Cobra range.

The new Mowbot range will include the Mowbot 800x RTK and Mowbot 1500x RTK, both featuring RTK satellite positioning, VSLAM visual navigation and intelligent obstacle detection to deliver accurate, wire-free mowing without the need for a traditional boundary cable. Multi-zone management and app-based control also allow users to easily manage different areas of the lawn.

Visitors will also be given an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Cobra Mowbot Edge, ahead of its planned launch in 2027. Designed to deliver a cleaner finish right up to the lawn edge, the Mowbot Edge features Precision Offset Drive technology, with a motorised lateral cutting adjustment system that moves the cutting disc beyond the wheel line.

By allowing the mower to cut to within just 1cm of the lawn edge, the system is designed to deliver an exceptionally clean finish around borders and boundaries, significantly reducing – and in many cases eliminating – the need for follow-up trimming with a grass trimmer.

The Mowbot Edge will also introduce 180° Ultra-Vision Avoidance: Dual-Camera System. Featuring a new Side Camera alongside advanced AI vision, the system enables the mower to identify more than 300 different obstacles and expand its field of vision beyond the direction of travel. This allows it to effectively “see” around corners and respond in real time to pets, children, garden furniture, ornaments and other objects as it moves around the lawn.
Combined, the Mowbot 800RTK X, Mowbot 1500RTK X and preview of the 2027 Mowbot Edge demonstrate Cobra's continued investment in next-generation robotic lawncare and make the 2026 showcase one of the most significant product showcases ever staged by the brand.

A major focus of the stand will also be the continued evolution of the Cobra Fortis range, including the Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower. Developed specifically for the sports turf market, the professional cylinder mower has been engineered to deliver the precision, consistency and finish demanded by stadiums, golf courses, cricket clubs and bowling greens.

Together, the Fortis Stadium 34 cylinder mower and new Fortis Rotary 34 underline Cobra's growing commitment to the professional sports turf sector, combining robust engineering and exceptional cutting performance with the backing of Henton & Chattell's established dealer support network.
The brand will also showcase its zero-turn and stand-on mowers. The new range includes the ZTR42L and ZTR50L zero-turn mowers alongside the ZTS32L and ZTS36L stand-on models.

Designed for large estates, local authorities and landscapers maintaining larger areas, the machines feature heavy-duty cutting decks, premium engines and enhanced manoeuvrability to maximise productivity across demanding sites.

Henton & Chattell will also be showcasing a selection of models from the Billy Goat range. Built for demanding commercial applications, the range includes powerful leaf and litter vacuums, debris loaders, blowers, aerators, overseeders, scarifiers and turf renovation equipment.

Designed to help contractors, grounds teams and landscaping professionals work more efficiently, Billy Goat machinery combines high performance, durability and user-friendly operation.

GroundsFest comes during a particularly significant year for Henton & Chattell, as the family business celebrates its 95th anniversary. Over nearly a century, the company has built a long-standing reputation for supplying quality garden machinery and supporting dealers across the UK, with Cobra becoming one of the country's fastest-growing garden machinery brands.

Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Henton & Chattell, said:

"GroundsFest has become one of the standout events in the industry, bringing together dealers, contractors and grounds professionals from across the UK, so we're delighted to be returning during such a significant year for our business.

"While celebrating our 95th anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect on our heritage, it's equally important to look ahead. Cobra has evolved dramatically in recent years and we're continuing to invest heavily in new product development across domestic and professional markets.

"This year's GroundsFest showcase reflects that ambition. From professional sports turf machinery and the latest robotic lawncare technology to new ride-on and lawnmower launches, we're looking forward to showing visitors just how far the Cobra range has developed and where we're taking the brand next."

Representatives from the Henton & Chattell team will be available throughout GroundsFest to discuss the latest product launches, demonstrate the new machinery and talk to dealers, contractors and end users about the continued expansion of the Cobra range.

For more information on Cobra visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

GroundsFest 2026 is set to bring the biggest collection of brands ever seen at a UK trade event for the groundscare and landscaping industry, with more than 500 brands confirmed to appear across the two-day event.

Taking place on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, GroundsFest offers visitors the chance to discover the latest machinery, equipment, products and services from leading names across the industry, all in one place and across more than 40,000sqm of exhibition space.

But GroundsFest is about more than simply looking at products. Visitors can get hands-on with the latest machinery through the extensive outdoor demonstration areas, giving them the opportunity to see equipment working in real conditions and, in many cases, try it for themselves.

Inside the halls, hundreds of exhibitors will be showcasing everything from turf and landscaping products to machinery, tools, technology, irrigation, seed, arboriculture and business services. With more than 500 brands represented, there will be plenty to discover whether you are looking for the latest innovations, comparing products or simply keeping up to date with what is new across the industry.

The event also features a packed programme of free education and CPD opportunities, with expert-led sessions covering some of the key issues currently facing the industry. Visitors can also experience Machinery Nation LIVE, the Landscape Zone supported by BALI and a range of other attractions.

And when the working day is done, GroundsFest has a festival atmosphere to enjoy, with live music on the Wednesday evening.

Best of all, GroundsFest is completely free to attend, with free parking included.

With more brands, more machinery and more opportunities to discover what is next for the industry, GroundsFest 2026 is an event not to be missed.

Register for your free ticket now at www.groundsfest.com

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