STARTING A NEW DEALERSHIP DURING COVID
Tim Lane describes having to implement Plan B
 
Tim Lane
After holding senior management roles in a multi-branch dealership group for 20 years, Tim Lane realised a personal ambition by starting his own turf machinery sales and service business, ATH Machinery, in the heart of Hampshire focussing on the golf course and professional users.
 
That was August 2019, and he spent the following winter equipping his workshop facilities and contacting potential customers ahead of the 2020 season.
 
Within months, he had to rip up his business plan as the pandemic hit and the Prime Minister ordered a lockdown.
 
In the latest episode of Inside Agri-Turf podcast he talks to Chris Biddle about the initial shock and impact on the fledgling business and of putting a Plan B into operation.
 
“Starting out, initially, as a one-man band is challenging enough” he says “but to have your potential market virtually disappear overnight is a whole new ‘ball-game’
.
Two years on he reflects on progress, talks about issues of finding franchises, gaining LTA accreditation through BAGMA, adding to his staff, and some initial ‘wins’ for the business alongside mistakes made. “Like everyone embarking on a new business venture, I’m enthusiastic and ambitious, but I’ve learned that everything takes longer that you originally thought”.
 
He says, for a new business, keeping overheads as low as possible is essential – and that every ambition he has for the business in the future has to be matched by the funding available
.
The podcast with Tim Lane is the first in a trilogy called Dealernomics where Chris will be discussing the economics and evolution of their businesses across the ages. First Tim Lane (established 2 years), followed by Steve Halley of Cheshire Turf Machinery (25 years) and Tom Black, md of Cyril Johnston & Co Ltd, Belfast (70 years) 
 
 
 
In this issue
EDITOR'S BLOG
DEALERS IN SEATS
NEWS
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER TO BUY EXCEL INDUSTRIES
CLUB CAR APPOINT HUNT FOREST GROUP
JOBS
STIHL
STIHL
ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS HERE
Sponsored Product Announcements
GIE+EXPO – LOUISVILLE, USA
SALTEX 2021
THE NEW TRAIL TAMER® HD - KAWASAKI MULE TYRE
Are You Listed On Garden Trader?
Events
LATEST SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
PARTNERS
AGCO
Bagma
Briggs & Stratton
Catalyst Computer Systems
EGO
Evopos
GardenCare
Garden Trader
Hayter
Henton & Chattell
Husqvarna
Ibcos
Kramp
Kress Robotik
Kubota
OREGON
SALTEX
Stiga
STIHL GB
uni-power
TurfPro
CURRENT ISSUE
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021
PRODUCED BY THE AD PLAIN