The season was dominated by the sad news of the sudden death of Bryan Peachey, General Manager of Briggs & Stratton UK at the age of 62. Bryan collapsed and died in the B&S offices in Romford on 7 June 2006. The news sent shock-waves around the industry for its suddenness and for cutting short the life of one of the most respected and highly-regarded members of our industry. The packed parish church at Saffron Walden was filled with folk from across the industry, players and officials of his beloved Saffron Walden Rugby Club and fellow drinkers from his local, the Bell Inn. Kim Macfie paid a heartfelt tribute "First, Bryan was a friend rather than a business colleague" and Fred Stratton who attended from the US said “I’m not here today because Bryan headed our UK operation for many years, I’m here because of Bryan himself, one of the nicest, most genuine people you could ever hope to meet”.
One of the oldest and best known names in the garden machinery industry, Allen Power Equipment, appointed administrators to wind up the company in October 2006, after failing to find a buyer for the business. The company could trace its roots back to 1868 when the Oxford Steam Plough Company became John Allen and Sons. It’s hallmark product was the Allen Scythe, first built in 1935 and in continuous production until 1973. At the time of its collapse, Allen made own-brand hover mowers, aerator and aerators (formerly Bob Andrews and Walkover), and also distributed IBEA Mowers. It’s long-held franchise for National Mowers had moved to IPU, with the maker being acquired by Ariens later in 2006.
Another high-profile casualty was the Scottish-based SGM Group who called in administrators in November 2006. Founded in 1991 as Scottish Grass Machinery from a buy-out of the grass machinery division of Frews of Perth, the company flourished as Ransomes distributor for Scotland, but suffered a major set-back when Ransomes Jacobsen removed the franchise in August 2004 and handed to the Fairways Group. SGM then embarked on a major expansion into the hire market, operating from branches across the UK. In 2005, it had won a £10 million contract from Enterprise plc to supply and support groundscare equipment in sites across the UK including the MOD and the Royal Parks. At its height SGM, had an annual turnover of £21 million, but debts of over £15 million. The difficulties in serving the whole of the vast area of Scotland was cited as contributing factor as were the challenges being faced by hire companies includes the likes of Swan Hire who had recently been bought out.
The 2006 season was impacted by the imposition of a number of hosepipe bans. After a very dry winter, and despite heavy rainfall in May, water supply problems mounted across southern England. Eight water companies imposed hosepipe bans affecting 13 million households. Despite objections from the Turf Growers Association to allow watering of new laid turf, and from the Outdoor Power Equipment Council (OPEC), an inspector appointed by DEFRA accepted that water was likely to be required to establish new turf and that livelihoods may be affected, but concluded “I consider these less important than the supply of water to meet the basic needs of the community”
Tecumseh closed its engine manufacturing plant in Turin in January 2006, just four weeks after inviting all its key customers and the press to the ice hockey tournament of the 2006 Winter Olympics its home town of Turin where it would launch a brand new range of engines. Tecumseh Europe went into liquidation with the loss of 375 jobs, with subsidiary Staines-based Tecumseh UK coming under the control of the administrator. Almost three years later, in December 2008, Tecumseh closed its small engine manufacturing facility in the United States.
In October 2006, Service Dealer Editor, Chris Biddle, addressed the Annual Meeting of the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF) in Munich. His paper focussed on a new era and new opportunities, the new era being the growing influence of internet trading. His main message was:
“The trick is to harness the powerful benefits of the internet – whilst not losing the very benefits that the specialist dealers provide”
2006 IN BRIEF:
In February, it was announced that the 2006 Royal Smithfield Show was to be cancelled after major manufacturers pulled out. The final show had been in December 2004.
Dublin-based Farm and Garden Machinery acquired Claymore Grass Machinery from the Reekie Group
AGCO announced that it was linking up with mower maker MTD to build a complete range of grass machinery to be marketed under the Massey-Ferguson label.
Briggs and Stratton take over the UK distribution of Snapper Products from Saxon Industries
Stihl UK announce that they are to take a tough line on internet trading, with MD Martyn Thomas saying “It is not appropriate for the distribution of Stihl or Viking products”
Ian Jones resigns as Director General of BAGMA
Hampshire dealer, Carter of Swanwick announced the return to the UK for the Shanks brand name for a ride-on made in Italy by Gianni Ferrari
PLM Power Products had moved its operation from Staffordshire to Tiverton in Devon, only for new owner Roger Purssglove to announcer a further relocation to Exeter.
After its spin-off from the Electrolux Group, Husqvarna took almost UK 200 dealers to the Costa del Sol for a three-day jamboree which included demos, blow football with leaf blowers, and bucking broncos
An industry golf day held at the Windmill Village Hotel and Golf Course, Coventry raised over £4000 for gardening charity Thrive.
HEADLINE OF THE YEAR (AS SPOTTED BY Jim Green)
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