In a year of difficult trading conditions, we know that many of our valued dealer readers will be looking at their businesses and considering where they can expand, adapt and diversify.

A prime example of that entrepreneurial acumen can be seen in our lead news story today regarding our friends at Strathbogie Scotland who are branching out with a new venture into a specialist machinery hire service for golf courses and professional sports turf facilities across the north and northeast of Scotland.

As someone who's always keen to progress the dealership, Pete McArthur says of the move, "This is about developing our business for the 21st century." He goes on to explain that the business's investment in the specialist turf machinery complements their growing expertise in robotic mowing technology. Rather than replacing greenkeepers, Pete believes automation and specialist machinery allows these highly skilled practitioners to focus on the work that really matters.

"We're trying to change the way people think," Pete explains. "Just because something has always been done one way doesn't mean it's the best way. Technology is moving quickly and the turf industry has a fantastic opportunity to embrace it."

Pete's philosophy is one of running with new ideas where they work for and with their business. He makes a point of stressing how they are not losing sight of their traditional customer base, as they naturally blend with their growing professional turf clientele. 

I would imagine that the gist of what Pete is saying today, rings true for many of our dealer readers. Perhaps the specifics might not be an exact fit for your dealership, but that idea of looking for change or diversification, where it makes sense, will be something that's happening across the network. It's an area that will be discussed at our Conference this December with the announcement last week that a session will be run by leadership and business change specialist Zoë Thompson. Zoë will explore the notion of how dealer businesses can develop a culture capable of dealing with change, with the aim of giving delegates practical ideas they can take away and put into action immediately.

This idea of branching out what the dealership offers was likely brought into sharper focus this summer with the drought conditions experienced up and down the country, impacting both sales and workshop activity. At GroundsFest last week I spoke to dealers and manufacturers alike who had some pretty stark words to describe just how difficult trading had been recently. It's one of the reasons why we're running a short survey today to gain your feedback on how you've found the season.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom. Robotics has been frequently cited as a bright spot for specialist dealers this year. And with the technology being incorporated into machinery that caters for all sectors that our dealer readers serve, we'd be fascinated to hear if this is something you'd agree with.

Anecdotally we are being told that domestic customers are viewing robotic mowers much more like a pleasurable, consumer electronics purchase, seemingly unaffected by the weather conditions. Whilst in the professional turfcare sector, listening to the manufacturers that are developing these bigger and bigger autonomous machines, sales are apparently going like gangbusters for golf and the like.

So has this new and developing technology been a saving grace this year for your dealership? When we ran a similar survey this time in 2025, several of you told us that with the move from wired to GPS controlled robotics you were beginning to see sales finally take off. With that technology now the norm, has 2026 been the year when robotics went mainstream for your customers?

Conversely, have the weather conditions and other factors such as Internet competition or new routes to market for certain equipment been just too much for your business? Is it impossible to describe this season as anything other than poor?

We'd love to hear from as many of our dealer readers today as possible. The results of this survey will be featured in our November / December cover-dated issue, which is the edition that'll be on the tables when we get to our Conference. It's always helpful at that end-of-term event to see how the network has viewed the preceding season - so do please take a couple of moments to let us know your thoughts. There a few questions and, as ever, space for you to leave your comments. We will endeavour to use as many of your opinions as possible in the magazine.

Thanks in advance for your contributions.

TAKE THE SURVEY

With nominations now in full swing, Service Dealer is looking for our inaugural Plant Hire and Construction Dealer of the Year Award winner.

Our judges want to hear your story if you are setting the standard in the plant hire and construction sector. 

What is your unique selling point? What makes your dealership the first choice for contractors, plant hire companies, construction businesses and local operators.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "Whether it's exceptional customer service, rapid response support, innovative business practices, investment in technology, sustainability initiatives or your role within the wider community and industry, we want to hear from our plant hire and construction machinery dealer readers.

"Looking to crown our first ever winner in this category is an exciting development for our awards, so we want to hear from as many dealers in the sector as possible."

Please visit our Awards Nominations section of our website - where you can find the entry forms to all our other awards too - to enter.

The organisers of the GroundsFest exhibition that took place last week at the Stoneleigh show ground have now released the attendance figures for 2026.

In an official statement they say, "A total of 10,664 unique visitors attended the fourth edition of GroundsFest, marking another significant milestone in the event's remarkable growth. What began in 2023 across approximately 8,500 square metres has expanded to cover more than 42,000 square metres – a reflection of increasing demand from both exhibitors and visitors alike."

Christopher Bassett, event director, said, "When we launched GroundsFest in 2023, we wanted to create an event that truly reflected what the industry was looking for. Four years on, it's incredibly rewarding to hear so many people say that GroundsFest feels different - it's welcoming, it's relaxed, it's enjoyable and, above all, it brings the whole industry together.

"The growth has been phenomenal, but what makes us incredibly proud is the atmosphere. Everywhere you looked people were talking, learning, doing business and enjoying themselves. That's exactly what GroundsFest is all about.

"The whole GroundsFest team would like to thank every exhibitor, visitor and partner for helping make this year's event such a success. We'll continue to listen, continue to invest and continue to evolve, ensuring GroundsFest remains an event the entire industry can be proud of."

GroundsFest will return to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 15 and 16 September 2027.

Toro UK have announced the appointment of Rob Read as their new territory manager for the South West of England and Wales.  

Rob Read and Craig Hoare

The company say Rob brings a wealth of industry experience, having started his career in the ground care industry at Devon Garden Machinery, where he experienced directly the needs of a professional dealership, in various roles, starting in the workshop and progressing into sales.  

Rob has firsthand experience of Toro Equipment, having sold and demonstrated the full range of products in his role at DGM. Covering all aspects of sales, from domestic showroom customers, to golf courses, caravan sites as well as many other professional users. 

With a strong background in grounds care machinery, technical support and sales, Toro says Rob will be working closely with their dealer network and customers across his territory, helping to drive growth and provide even greater support on the ground. 

"I am really pleased to have Rob join the team. We had several highly qualified applicants for the role, so it was a very competitive field. But its Rob’s drive and enthusiasm, combined with his commercial experience which clinched it.” said Craig Hoare, sales & marketing manager, Toro U.K. Limited. “I look forward to Rob utilising his sales and demo experience, to support our network of dealers.”  

Rob started with Toro UK on 1st September and will be responsible for both the Hayter and Toro brands across the South West of England and Wales, covering both the residential and landscape contractor portfolios.  

Rob added, “I look forward to meeting with some old and some new faces across the territory, where I feel I can add real value to the Toro UK dealers.” 

This appointment follows from Jack Roberts joining to cover the North of England and Scotland.

As part of these personnel changes, Toro UK have also announced that Matt Coleman has joined Toro's EMEA equipment business sales team as area sales manager, grounds and landscape contractor equipment, reporting to Teo Denchev. 

In his new role, Matt will work closely with the company's distributors and internal teams to advance their strategy for professional grounds care and landscape contractor equipment across EMEA  which includes the UK market.

It is with immense sadness that Campey Turf Care has announced the passing of their company secretary and accounts manager, Neil Armstrong, at the age of just 43.

Neil passed away on Saturday 29 August following an incredibly short illness, having been diagnosed with brain cancer only days earlier.

His sudden illness and passing have come as an enormous shock to everyone at Campey Turf Care. In a statement they said their thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Neil’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

Neil was part of Campey Turf Care for 16 years and, in that time, became an integral and much-valued member of the company. As company secretary and accounts manager, he played a vital role in the day-to-day running of the business, with Campeys relying enormously on his knowledge, experience and support.

In a statement the company said, "But after 16 years together, Neil was far more to us than his job title. He was a colleague, a friend and a cherished part of the Campey family.

"His contribution to the company was considerable, and his familiar presence will be greatly missed, not only by everyone at Campey Turf Care, but also by the many customers, suppliers and friends across the industry who came to know him."

Richard Campey, Chairman of Campey Turf Care, added, “Neil’s passing has come as a tremendous shock to us all. At only 43, and after such a sudden illness, it is incredibly difficult to comprehend.

“After 16 years with Campey Turf Care, Neil was so much more than a colleague. He was someone we trusted and relied upon enormously, but, more importantly, he was our friend and a very important part of the Campey family.

“He shared so much of the company’s journey with us, and his absence will leave a huge gap. He will be very sadly missed by everyone here and by the many people who had the pleasure of knowing him.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with Neil’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.

"Neil gave Campey Turf Care 16 years of dedication and friendship. To lose him at just 43 is devastating, and we will remember him with enormous affection and gratitude.

"He will be deeply missed and never forgotten."

Barrus have announced that Callum Mills and Heath Cock have joined their parts team.

Callum Mills

In a statement the company said of the two new appointees, "They join us with extensive industry experience and bring a strong understanding of our business, products and supplier network, alongside valuable technical knowledge and customer support expertise gained through a variety of customer-facing roles."

Heath Cock

Callum will be the contact for outdoor parts, whilst Heath will be the contact for industrial parts.

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.  

This site was purpose-built just for skilled servicing ground care dealers by the team that bring you Service Dealer Magazine. It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year for a full listing.

Since the site launched over 7 years ago, it has raised the profile of listed dealers to well over half a million potential customers and as the site is designed to promote the UK dealer network, all revenues have continued to be reinvested into promoting the site online and so supporting the dealer network.

Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.

Map of dealerships registered with Garden Trader

FIND OUT MORE