Taken on any new staff lately? Piece of cake was it?

I'm being facetious, but I think I can probably guess the answer.

Around this time last year, we canvassed our readers on how they were finding the whole recruitment process and the takeaway headline was that the overwhelming majority described the task as 'extremely difficult'. Would you say anything has changed in the past 12 months?

To gauge opinion, we are running a similar survey today which we would very much appreciate as many of our readers as possible contributing to. 

Recruitment is clearly a perennial issue in this industry and is never far away from the thoughts of both dealers and manufacturers. It's a discussion that seems to crop up whenever there is any sort of industry gathering.

I heard a dealer speaking the other day who said they were having a "terrible" time trying to acquire new staff members. "No one wants to join the industry," they said. They'd obviously had it really tough just lately as they were exceedingly pessimistic in their outlook. This particular dealer was talking about the recruitment crisis, as they saw it, "being the death of the industry in 10-15 years unless something is done."

Strong words, but you can understand their frustration.

In the past I've seen this frustration from dealers directed towards the trade associations who they see as not addressing the issue in an effective way. It was then, encouraging to hear the incoming AEA president, Adrian Winnett, general manager of Argo Tractors in the UK and Ireland, make attracting new blood into the industry a key part of his speech at their recent conference in London.

He talked about how the industry needs to continue finding ways to retain and attract young talent, not just from within but also from outside the industry.

Adrian told the delegates, "It is a terrible shame that beyond our own circle neither of the words ‘agriculture’ and ‘engineering’ resonate in terms of a career choice with the majority of young people.

“Yet we all know what challenging, fulfilling and rewarding opportunities there are in agriculture generally and in the agricultural and groundscare machinery sectors in particular.”

Adrian suggested that from the outside, agriculture is often thought of as being another world, of being insular and open only to those already in it with personal experience of farming or at least of rural life.

“We must do our bit to help change those perceptions if we are to capitalise on the wealth of talent that, at present, is attracted to other industries and commercial sectors.”

Marvellous sentiments and it was great to hear the issue being discussed in front of a room full of top-level, industry movers and shakers. One feels that if the problem is at least recognised and acknowledged, it must be the first step to finding solutions?

Last year when we asked our readers how difficult it was finding new staff, literally not one single person responded saying it was easy. I'm sure if you asked that same question in many other sectors, you'd get respondents telling you how they are overwhelmed with candidates and never struggle to fill positions. Why is this industry so very different?

I'm not saying if you've got a workshop technician role to fill that we'll ever get to stage where you will be swamped by a deluge of applicants, but surely things have to improve?

Let us know today how things are for you. Please fill us in on your current experiences of looking for new staff. Are you finding it particularly tough this year or is it just the same as it's ever been?

We’d be interested to know if you're perhaps finding success with advertising your positions in less traditional places? Also who should be taking responsibility for promoting the industry to potential candidates?

Finally as ever, there’s space for you to leave your comments on what it’s been like for your dealership attempting to find new people and to tell us what you think could be done to aid the process.

We’ll publish the results and a selection of your opinions in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine. Thank you in advance for your help.

TAKE THE SURVEY

The organisers of November's Service Dealer Conference are pleased to announce that this year's theme is one which will be of utmost relevance to independent dealers - Turning A Profit.

Returning to the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry, the date of this year's event has been confirmed as Thursday November 21st 2019.

Commenting on the theme for this year's conference, Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "Turning A Profit is at the heart of what all independent dealers must be about. Be they large or small companies, domestic, professional turfcare or agricultural specialists, maintaining profits in all areas of the dealership is essential.

"To help our delegates in this regard, we have a superb international line-up of speakers in place to offer real, practical nuggets of information which dealers can take away and put into practice in their businesses.

"Subjects such as recruitment, marketing and business structuring amongst others, will be discussed all with the underlying theme of how best practice can lead directly to profitability."

As ever the Conference will be comprised of presentations, breakout sessions, workshops and panel debates. Throughout the day dealer delegates are encouraged to participate and join in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and experiences with their fellow specialists.

Service Dealer editor, Steve Gibbs added, "The event is always an important date in the industry diary. It gives an opportunity to network, share stories, discuss business challenges and most of all share a valuable and enjoyable day with each other."

Details on speakers and ticketing will be released soon. So keep an eye on this Weekly Update, the Service Dealer website and Service Dealer magazine for updates.

Also launching soon will be details of how your dealership can enter 2019's Dealer Of The Year competition. Once again the core categories will be:

• GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
• FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
• FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR
• PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR
• ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

As well as these there will be awards presented on the night for:

• STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP
• APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
• OVERALL DEALER OF THE YEAR
• OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

As before, dealers can either enter their own business into the competition or be nominated by a supplier. Once entered, feedback will be collected from customers and judging will take place by an expert panel.

Once again, keep an eye on Service Dealer's channels for updates on when the competition opens.

Ian Talboys has joined Handy Distribution replacing Brian Pattle as southern area sales manager.

Ian Talboys

Handy say after 16 years of dedicated service and significant contribution Brian Pattle has left the company to pursue a new career opportunity at Stiga.

Ian has been working at Briggs & Stratton for the last 11 years and has accumulated a wealth of experience during his time spent there. His former roles have included area sales management with Claymore and Central Spares.

Mark Moseley, sales director at Handy Distribution said, "We are absolutely delighted to have Ian on board. His enthusiasm, flair and experience will help develop our dealers' businesses.”

Ian Talboys can be contacted on 07860 773970 or ian.talboys@handydistribution.co.uk

The Ad Plain (TAP), who publish Service Dealer, has become part of a community buy-back of a rural pub which was earmarked for demolition by a property developer.

TAP and Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke explained, "Two years ago this business/site was bought by a property developer who was hell bent on leveling the pub and building four houses, permanently destroying the only meeting place left for this small rural community.

"Such a loss for the community but such profit potential for the developer. Suffice it to say that this scenario pulled the community together triggering a legal battle, extensive fund raising and the end result was the local community buying back the pub, restoring it and just the other week re-opening the The Crown in South Moreton, Oxfordshire.

"This small community was quite brilliant and I am proud to say that TAP, who publish Service Dealer, is one of the investors. Although we are a global agency, the strength of rural communities is at the very heart of what we do.

Duncan Murray-Clarke in the newly re-opened Crown in South Moreton

"Technology and the way in which we interact is changing frighteningly quickly. However human contact and feedback is still important - which is not such a problem in a busy town or city but for a rural community, meeting places are essential. We know that in business, meeting someone as opposed to email or phone can tell us so much more about that individual or a situation.

"We strongly belive that community is everything. Whether it is your dealership's community, home or wider business contacts. Protect it and don’t let anyone ruin it for profit."

Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland has recently celebrated the 100th birthday of its iconic King’s and Queen’s Courses, with a little help from local John Deere dealer Sandy Armit of Double A.

Designed by James Braid and created using nothing more than manual labour and horse and cart, both courses were officially opened on 1 May 1919 and have an illustrious history.

The King’s Course hosted a famous match between the ‘Big Three’ of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player in 1966, as well as the popular Bell’s Scottish Open on the European Tour from 1987 to 1994, the largest spectator event after The Open at the time. The Queen’s Course has also hosted great names from entertainment and sport, including Sean Connery and Alan Shepard, the only man to hit a golf shot on the moon!

In more recent times, and under Gleneagles’ new ownership by Ennismore, both courses have benefited from extensive renovation projects. These have seen them realigned to Braid’s original design vision with wider fairways, bringing strategically placed bunkers back in play, and the reintroduction of Scottish heather in key areas.

As part of the special centenary celebrations, Gleneagles staff recreated several historic archive photographs from the 1920s, including an image of a tractor pulling a set of gang mowers on a fairway. This was replicated with a 1941 John Deere Model B tractor, equipped with a set of trailed cylinder gang mowers. The tractor is owned by Sandy Armit and is usually on display at the dealership’s headquarters in Cupar, Fife.

Gleneagles signed an exclusive contract with John Deere in 2017 for the supply of golf course maintenance equipment and related technology to the three championship golf courses at the award winning hotel and golf resort.

John Deere also celebrated its own centenary last year, as March 14, 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the day Deere & Company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company of Waterloo in Iowa and officially entered the tractor business for which it would become famous worldwide; tractors are still made at Waterloo to this day. The Model B tractor that was loaned to Gleneagles is still John Deere’s all-time bestselling model, with 300,000 sold from 1935 to 1953.

Claydon Drills has appointed a new territory manager to cover the West of England and Scotland.

Charlie Eaton will be known to many Claydon customers, having been the company’s UK sales manager for four years before returning to the West Country in October 2015.

During that period the business transitioned from direct sales to operating through a network of dealers. Charlie helped many farmers to benefit from the Claydon System, established the company’s presence in Ireland and helped to develop the product range to suit the needs of customers in all areas of the UK.

Now that Charlie has returned he says he is looking forward to renewing his acquaintance with existing customers, as well as converting new farmers. Based in Bristol, Charlie will be responsible for a territory which encompasses all areas west of the M1 motorway and the whole of Scotland.

Commercial director of Claydon Drills, Spencer Claydon, said, “We are delighted to welcome Charlie back as his experience of Claydon products and farmers’ requirements will be a great asset in further developing our presence in the west of England and Scotland at an important time for the farming industry.”

Charlie Eaton can be contacted on 07747 231289 or charlie.eaton@claydondrill.com

Groundswell, the agricultural show focused on no-till techniques, soil regeneration and the value of livestock in arable and mixed farming situations returns on 26-27th June at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire.

The organisers say the event presents practical ideas on how to farm in the new environmental and political climate while regenerating a farm's core asset - the soil.

It is an independent event featuring speakers, workshops and seminars; exhibitions from a wide range of innovative farming companies and field scale direct drill demonstrations.

Direct drill demonstrations will take place on both days,  with 12 machinery manufacturers illustrating seeding directly into standing cover crop with minimal soil disturbance.

Alongside the 12 drill manufacturers there are 90 exhibiting organisations representing their services and products aimed towards farmers with an interest in regenerative agriculture.

The show also features a range of respected voices in regenerative agriculture, including: Allan Savory (Zim), Founder of The Savory Institute and world leader in Holistic Management; Charles Massy (Aus). Leader of Australia’s regenerative agriculture movement; Joel Williams, an independent soil advocate who unravels the links between healthy soils and plant health; Jay Fuhrer, (USA) a Soil Health Specialist employed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bismarck, North Dakota; Frédéric Thomas, (France), a leading proponent of Conservation Agriculture in France and around the world; Isabella Tree, Author of “Wilding” and responsible for the 3,500acre rewilding project at Knepp Estate in West Sussex.

Discussion Panels & Workshops include, The AHDB Soil Pit, the Affinity Water Catchment Hub, Agricology Discussion Tent, and new for 2019 – the ‘Food for Thought’ stream with panels on “How to beat the supermarket” and “Food and Health – Growing Connections”.

Paul Cherry, Host Farmer said, “The Government’s stated ambition for the future of food, farming and the environment is that public money will be spent on public goods that enhance natural capital. The new Environmental Land Management System will bring in a new era for farming. For any farmer looking to adapt to this scenario whilst maintaining viability as a food producer, Groundswell is the place to be.

“Groundswell is a unique agricultural show in the fact that you can spend a day learning the principles of Conservation Agriculture, whilst also engaging with the organisations who can help make it a reality. Groundswell offers a welcoming environment for two days of information exchange with some of the world's most experienced "soil caretakers" - the farmers, scientists and the organisations who all have a role in shaping the future of UK farming.”

Oldham Council were one of the first local authorities to purchase Mean Green Mowers to work in their cemeteries and have now purchased additional units.

The council say the SK-48 stand-on mowers were initially purchased for their health benefits to the operators by reducing the hand arm vibrations and fumes and for the wider benefits to the environment of low noise and zero emissions.

A further consideration they say were the low running costs - during the course of a 12-month period the only cost to the council was electricity to charge the mowers, there were no replacement parts needed.

As a result, Oldham Council say they had no hesitation in purchasing another two identical mowers from groundscare dealers Stuart Taylor International to increase their battery powered fleet, to ensure that the people of Oldham can visit their cemeteries in peace.

Pellenc UK has launched a brand new dedicated interactive website which showcases its range of battery powered equipment.

The company says the new look website will be the online reference point for all things Pellenc.

The range of products from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters and mowers are available to view in the product section, providing a detailed view of each product.

Users of the site can find news, price lists, developments and events from Pellenc, as well as being able to find their nearest dealer.

Customers can also access brochures, product tips, spare parts information and how-to videos.

To view the site visit www.pellencuk.com

Pellenc products are exclusively distributed in the UK by Etesia UK

It has been reported that a Florida man is facing losing his home after racking up fines of almost $30,000 for letting his grass grow too long.

Jim Ficken has been fined $500 a day in code violations, for nearly 60 days, by the city of Dunedin, for tall grass when his lawn grew taller than 10-inches last summer. The city is now foreclosing on his home.

Jim Fricken has had his case taken up by the Institute For Justice

In a complicated story, the Daily Mail reports that problems first began in the spring of 2015, when Ficken's mother fell ill.

He began making regular trips to South Carolina to help take care of her and was cited by the city for letting his grass grow too long.

Ficken then enlisted the help of another man, to keep the lawn maintained during his trips away.

His mother, died in the summer of 2016. Two years later, in May 2018, Ficken had to fly back to South Carolina to put her estate up for sale. While Ficken was away the man who was helping cut his lawn, also died unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, his yard had been inspected by a Dunedin code enforcement official. Because Ficken was considered a 'repeat offender' due to his warning in 2015, the city began charging him $500 in fines every day without notifying him.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the city of Dunedin is now pursuing Fricken for a fine total of $29,833.50 on his home, which has a market value of $125,541.

Fricken has subsequently reached out for help to the non-profit law firm, Institute for Justice, who have agreed to take his case pro bono. The firm, who have won other cases based upon the Eighth Amendment decree that states and local governments cannot levy excessive fines, believe Fricken's home should not be in jeopardy over what they say is a trivial code violation.

The Tampa Bay Times quotes lead attorney Ari Bargil saying, “Nobody should lose their house for having tall grass."

Garden Trader is a product and dealer search website/directory only for specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK. It has been designed to support and promote our dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.

It costs just £96 + VAT per year to be listed and all revenues in 2019 will be reinvested into promoting the site online.

Garden Trader

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