Hopefully most of you are preparing to wind down for a well-earned Christmas break today - so I'll keep it brief to allow you to get on with the fun stuff!

Coming off the back of a trying season, it's possibly even more well earned than most years. So well done for getting this far and enjoy whatever it is you'll be doing over this festive period. When times are tough, these moments of kicking back and spending quality time with people who matter to you, are more important than ever.

Today's is the final Service Dealer Update of 2018. We'll be back with you on Friday January 4th - and throughout 2019. By then you should also have received the first issue of Service Dealer magazine of the year. A cracking edition, it features a full report of the recent Service Dealer Conference, all the Dealer of the Year winners, a Q&A with a leading dealer, reviews of the SALTEX & EIMA shows, a look ahead to both LAMMA and BTME, a new column from the U.S, the introduction of our new diarists, as well as all the regular features you've come to expect.

It continues to be a real pleasure to bring you all the news, developments, comment and opinion from this diverse industry - both each week in this Update and every other month in the magazine. As ever it's the people that make this industry what it is. So from myself, and all the team at Service Dealer, I would like to thank all our readers and our commercial partners for your continued support throughout this year. It is very much appreciated.

As little bit of Christmas fun, I'll leave you today with a game designed by the team here. If you make it as far as 12 points you can enter a draw to win a Wireless 1080p Video Doorbell. See, hear and talk to anyone at your door using your phone (it says here).

I'll be honest with you, it took me a while to get to 12 points. What didn't take me long though, was resorting to some quite blue language!

I suspect however, most you won't be as hopeless as me - so please enjoy.

Play the game here.

Good luck to you! And have a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Cheers!

Steve

New Holland dealer T H White, has expanded its coverage in the South West of England with a new branch in Hereford following the acquisition of part of the JG Plant Ltd business which entered administration on the 12 December 2018.

JG Plant Ltd had depots in Hereford and Bridgend.

T H White has undertaken to run the depot at The Beech Business Park, Tillington, Hereford, ensuring a smooth transition for customers. All 16 employees at JG Plant’s Hereford depot have transferred to T H White and they remain committed to providing continuity and quality of service.

New Holland’s business director for UK & Ireland Pat Smith said, "T H White is one of our longest-standing dealers and it’s great to see them growing in this way. Their long history and experience with the New Holland brand will bring new stability and confidence to the Hereford dealership.”

T H White managing director Alex Scott commented, “Adding the Hereford area to our agricultural machinery trading territory brings great opportunities. We are delighted to welcome the new staff and will be working hard to maintain and grow the relationships with farmers and businesses throughout the region.”

The JG Plant Bridgend depot has now closed and New Holland customers are advised to contact an alternative dealer for service and sales assistance. 

This year marked a special milestone for the Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd John Deere agricultural and turf equipment dealership based near Lisburn in Northern Ireland, as it celebrated 50 years in business.

In honour of the occasion the dealership team organised a two-day exhibition in November at the nearby Eikon Centre, showcasing current John Deere tractors and machinery, as well as some historic - and iconic - favourites. Over 4000 existing and potential John Deere customers came to support this popular business and view the latest equipment on offer from the manufacturer.

Randal, Donn and Neale McConnell at the Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd 50th anniversary exhibition

Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd dates back to 1968 when it was started by Donn McConnell on Waterloo Road, close to the location of the current dealership at Lisnoe Road. Donn’s son Randal McConnell is now managing director of the business, while Randal’s brother Neale runs the domestic groundscare division at another site just a few miles away.

“It was a superb event and we are very pleased with how it all went,” said Randal. “To see so many people come and support us was really encouraging and there were a few deals initiated that we will be following up!”

Company founder Donn McConnell also attended the show, along with a number of VIPs including John Deere Limited’s divisional sales manager Chris Meacock. “My father is still involved in the business and comes in every day,” Randal added. “He has taken a back seat over the last 10 years but still keeps an eye on things. He turned 80 this year, so it has been a big year for us all round.”

Tractors of all shapes and sizes were a dominant part of the John Deere display at the anniversary event, alongside self-propelled forage harvesters, combines and a special new airless radial tyre.

“We had almost the full current agricultural tractor range from John Deere on display, right up to the monster 9RX four-track machine,” said Randal. “We also launched the new 9900i self-propelled forage harvester in Northern Ireland. Among the other machines on display were combines, drills, compact tractors and the new X Tweel Turf puncture proof tyres from Michelin, as featured on John Deere’s ZTrak 900 Series commercial zero-turn rotary mower range.”

The turfcare department also showed a full line of commercial, domestic, golf and turf machinery as well as large displays from the dealership’s other suppliers. In addition, the E-Zone featured demonstrations of electric powered wheel loaders from Kramer, Mean Green Mowers and Cramer hand tools.

John Deere’s oldest tractor, the 100 year old Waterloo Boy, made an appearance, lent by local man Graham Crymble. Another of the vintage and classic tractors on display was a 1951 John Deere Model B that belongs to the McConnell family and was restored around 15 years ago.

“This has been an important milestone for us as a company to reach,” said Randal. “For us to be trading successfully and indeed expanding in today’s volatile business climate is a magnificent achievement. We see this special anniversary event as a show of strength, a sign of our professionalism and the culmination of my father’s hard work and dedication to the John Deere brand over the last 50 years.

“We are very proud as a family and as a company to be one of the oldest John Deere dealers in the UK and the oldest in Ireland. This show was probably the largest single indoor dealer exhibition of its kind in the country and was an indication of our enthusiasm to grow the business even further."

It has been reported in the U.S that Textron Specialized Vehicles has ceased production of Dixie Chopper and Jacobsen zero-turn mowers and Jacobsen Truckster L/M series utility vehicles.

American trade magazine Rural Lifestyle Dealer reported on a Decemeber 5th memo to dealers from Rachel Luken Thompson, vice president of golf & turf international and outdoor power equipment for Textron Specialized Vehicles, which says, “This was a difficult decision, but market pressure and a change in the economic circumstances of the business made it necessary.”

The company says it will continue to provide sales, warranty, parts, and service support to their US dealers and end-user customers, and plan to do so well into the future. Rural Lifestyle Dealer reports the manufacturer will maintain a team of employees in Greencastle, Indiana, to provide service, support and fulfil parts and accessories orders. 

It is also said that the memo states Textron Specialized Vehicles will honour all factory warranties on new units, whether the unit is currently in a dealer’s inventory, or is purchased by a dealer from their remaining factory stock.

In addition, the company will continue to work with financing partners on dealer floorplan and retail financing programs, to help U.S dealers manage and sell existing inventory. All remaining stock of Dixie Chopper and Jacobsen units in the company’s possession will be sold.

Textron acquired Dixie Chopper in February 2014.

Twenty Pellenc dealers from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland recently visited Pellenc's state-of-the-art facilities in Pertuis, France to reward them as the best performing dealers for the range of battery-powered equipment.

20 of the best performing UK Pellenc dealers at the factory in Pertuis, France, with UK md Les Malin

The delegates began by being given a presentation of the company and told how Etesia UK, the exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, and Pellenc had come to work together ten years ago before they set off on a tour of the R&D department, which has seen 844 patents registered. Next up was a tour of the factory including production, assembly line and distribution centre.

The second day gave everyone the chance to test out the latest equipment ahead of its 2019 launch before departing for a sight-seeing tour of Marseille.

The trip was rounded off with a presentation to the best overall and best new Pellenc dealers of the year, which were won by RT Machinery (best overall Pellenc UK dealer) and Myrddin Garden Machinery (best new Pellenc UK dealer).

Scott Reynolds of RT Machinery said, "It was very interesting and surprising. I never realised just how big the Pellenc operation was. It was also fantastic to pick up the dealer of the year award, which rewards the efforts of the whole RT Machinery team."

Matthew Clark of South East Groundcare Machinery also commented, "I was amazed at the sheer scale of the operation - from the R&D department, which invests a considerable amount of profit back into the development of new products, to the assembly line. It has given me a greater insight into product development and to test the new products ahead of their launch was very interesting."

Etesia UK Managing Director Les Malin said, "To get feedback from Pellenc dealers on new products ahead of their official launch is invaluable. Our customers now acknowledge that battery products are here to stay and can see the benefits of this technology, so it’s vital that our dealers see what our future plans are. We are very proud of our relationship with Pellenc and have gained recognition with local authorities, landscapers, contractors as well as groundsmen and greenkeepers who are now looking at environmentally-friendly products as a real alternative to petrol machines."

Ambitious plans for the expansion of Argo Tractors operations in France will be underpinned by a new, modern headquarters facility south-east of Lyon.

Construction got underway when the first corner stones were laid for the new Argo France base at Vaulx-Milieu to support the distribution of Argo’s Landini and McCormick tractors in the country.

The new Argo France site will be a national training centre, with the technological resources and know-how to support dealers and their customers.

The foundation stone-laying ceremony was attended by top management of the family-owned Argo Tractors business and the local French authorities, including the local mayor, Mr Dominique Berger.

Laying the cornerstone of the new Argo France development (from left) local mayor Dominique Berger and Simeone Morra, corporate business director, Argo Tractors; Jean Luc Fernandez, general manager, Argo France; Franco Artoni, strategic projects global coordinator and Antonio Salvaterra, marketing director, Argo Tractors

Jean Luc Fernandez, general manager of Argo France, said: “The Argo Tractors group has invested a great deal to establish this branch, which will play an important role in French agri-business, with the goal for the next five years of enlarging the dealer network by 20% to achieve 70% representation across the country. We aim to achieve a market share of 5%, establish a presence in the orchard and vineyard tractors segment, increase sales of medium and high power tractors, and reach a turnover of more than 70 million euros.”

An enlarged dedicated sales team will work to establish new dealer partnerships, while customer satisfaction, the importance of the company and dealer image, and the group’s 'Company 4.0' digital transformation are well established elements of the branch’s approach.

“The digital and marketing challenges are the focus of the Argo France strategy, which also strives to ensure maximum support for the Landini and McCormick dealerships,” said Jean Luc Fernandez.

The new site will feature offices, showrooms, training centre and tractor test fields.

An enhanced presence on the market with the opening of new branches and new commercial agreements with strategic partners are part of the development plans of Argo Tractors, which has been increasing its key numbers in recent times.

The Italian group is also focused on markets in which the Landini, McCormick, and Valpadana brands have potential for growth, such as Russia, India, China, and Africa, using the group’s South Africa branch in Johannesburg as a jumping off point to markets where new investments and increased sales resources can be focused.

Walker Mowers UK have confirmed with the organisers of SALTEX 2019 their booking of the same stand space for next year's industry exhibition.

Following what they describe as a successful time at the 2018 exhibition, the company acted immediately to confirm the same location and size of stand for next year.

Area sales manager, Steve Egerton who acted as stand manager, said, "Our enquiries from both professional end users and trade customers were up just over 10% from the previous year and the quality of enquiry appears to be very good". The UK sales force have been actively contacting all enquiries and have booked demonstrations where required with a diverse range of professional operators."

Senior managers from the Walker factory, based in Fort Collins, Colorado attended the exhibition and have agreed to revisit many of the trade customers in February 2019.

The UK sales company was officially launched just over 12 months ago and have seen an increase in annual sales, firm appointments of trade customers and a dedicated sales force to offer a high quality of sales and marketing support. Earlier this year Walker Manufacturing recorded the production of their 150,000th out front rotary mower and celebrated a Family Reunion at their Fort Collins manufacturing facility.

SALTEX 2019, will be held on October 30/31, 2019 at the NEC Birmingham.

After successfully dealing with last winter’s heavy snow across the Tayside area of Scotland, Tayside Contracts has added seven new John Deere 2026R compact tractors to its existing fleet, supplied by local dealer Double A based at Cupar in Fife.

One of Tayside Contracts’ new John Deere 2026R compact tractors in its corporate livery of yellow and blue

The ‘footpath gritter’ tractors, as they are known, are chiefly used for winter maintenance of public footpaths. For this task they are equipped with industrial tyres, a 54in front blade and Kuhn 360-litre rear-mounted spreaders. These feature one of three hopper types suitable for spreading salt or brine or spraying fine salt, to combat frost and ice. They are also specified with fully heated John Deere cabs, which incorporate a demister – vital for efficient and weatherproof operation on cold winter mornings.

Tayside Contracts is a commercially based local authority contracting organisation providing catering, cleaning, roads and winter maintenance plus vehicle maintenance to the councils of Angus, Dundee City and Perth & Kinross. It reports to a joint committee representing the three councils and has an annual turnover of around £70m.

Tayside Contracts Construction Division, within which the transport unit sits, is the largest civil engineering construction organisation in this area of Scotland, employing over 400 people and with a turnover of almost £40m.

Purchasing decisions are based on an established tender process using the Scotland Excel collaborative procurement framework, which is designed specifically for the local government sector. This service is funded by Scotland’s 32 local authorities and is designed to ensure the sustainable delivery of the services that the community needs, while also helping councils meet the twin challenges of reducing budgets at a time of growing demand.

Transport services manager Bob Ritchie is responsible for overseeing the purchase and operation of the compact tractor fleet. This currently numbers 65 in total, including 40 John Deere models that also include the 2026R’s predecessors, the 2025R and 2320. Unusually for John Deere machines, they sport Tayside Contracts’ corporate colours of golden yellow and aircraft blue, and the latest models have been supplied with a three-year warranty.

“We have been buying compact tractors from Sandy Armit at Double A since 2012,” says Bob Ritchie. “The evaluation process is based on a 70/30 cost/quality equation, which means the lowest cost equipment doesn’t necessarily make the best choice - our experience of John Deere machines and the Double A dealer service that supports them has proved over time that we get tractors that do the job they are required to do reliably and efficiently, and work well in the conditions that they are faced with each winter.”

Tayside Contracts carries out all its own maintenance in three workshops based in each council area’s larger towns, so around 20 or so tractors are normally kept at these ready to go out over the winter when required. The councils dictate when this should be, usually based on when gritters are being used on the roads and the weather forecast is for ice to form on pavements.

“Typically we run the tractors up to around 200 hours a year depending on the winter conditions, but we’ve known years when this figure can be as low as 50 hours per machine in a mild winter,” says Bob Ritchie. “This can also depend on the routes the tractors take and the windows available for the work to be done. As with the road gritter crews, we try to focus on schools, main routes and public areas where you can have the biggest impact.

“GPS is used on every tractor to give us essential information, basically where they’ve been, what they’ve done and what speeds they’ve been working at. Being able to react quickly to public concerns is also very important – we’re now developing a live website that will show exactly where the tractors have been working, which will hopefully help to address these issues.”

To help get into the jolly Christmas spirit we present for your enjoyment, comedian Charlie Baker's full set from this year's Service Dealer Awards evening.

As a special treat, listen out for a little cameo from James Hayes from Hayes Garden Machinery around the 3.50 mark!

John Deere are a global leader in the Turf Machinery business, with our broad range of Golf, Commercial Mowing, Compact Tractors, Utility Vehicles and Homeowner products.

Due to an internal promotion, we are seeking a Territory Manager to join our team.

We are looking for someone who can develop and deliver profitable and sustainable Market Share Growth in a defined geographic area by deploying sales processes, supporting dealers and customer relationships, dealer development activities, local marketing actions and managing dealer order and stock management.

A basic knowledge of John Deere products would be advantageous and knowledge of competitive products is also desirable. Applicants must have 1 - 3 years’ experience working in groundscare / turf machinery business or a related industry and 1 - 3 years’ dealer channel experience and direct customer contact. They should be educated to HND level in a related subject.

The essential skill set includes a good command of written and spoken English in both formal and informal settings, as well as competence with the elements of the Microsoft Office Suite and good presentation skills. Candidates must possess a good work ethic and be able to manage time and resources to deliver business goals. There must be a flexible approach to irregular hours of work and a willingness to travel within the UK/Ireland and abroad. A clean driving licence is desirable. The successful candidate will be required to reside on territory.

John Deere is an equal opportunities employer. For further details and to apply visit www.deere.co.uk Careers page, Job-Opportunities-UK. Closing date: 1 January 2019.

A flurry of announcements regarding further launches of machinery and equipment at the upcoming LAMMA show have been released in recent days, adding to the already impressive list of kit making its debut at the event.

Find out more here.

With the UK forecasts predicting us to have our first wintry bout of the year in the very near future, bringing us to a halt when we see the first snow fall of the season, do not fear, Grizzly have the answer to your wintry prayers. Over 5 inches of snow and freezing temperatures, it’s snow problem with Grizzly Tools!

Arm yourself with our Grizzly ESF2046L Electric Snowblower and being snowed-in will be a thing of the past. With a powerful 2000-Watt induction motor with overload protection and 46cm snow shovel, it’s purpose-built to clear pathways, driveways and small to medium yard areas, safely and quickly.

The high-quality steel snowblower turbine clears snow through the ejector chute and the direction of this can be adjusted through 190 degrees allowing for you to choose the direction of snow projection. The powerful LED light provides better visibility in low light situations and the snow chute is adjustable.

Featuring an ergonomic handle with metal shift bar and safety switch, folding handle bar for space-saving storage and integrated carrying handle, this product is robust, reliable and ready to go on the coldest of days. Perfect for clearing your driveway or areas on-site when the snow’s fallen and before the freeze sets in; safely limit the risk of falling over and quickly aide the traction ability for motorised vehicles to prevent accidents at home and the workplace.

Sample Grizzly’s Electric Snowblower and other winter garden products from our brilliant range for yourself, enjoy the exceptional quality and effective marketing by becoming a Grizzly dealer today: get Grizzly and see the difference!

To see the full range of Grizzly garden tools or for more information visit www.grizzlytools.co.uk

Grizzly Tools manufacture quality power tools for every gardener; sold across Europe for 20 years, the brand is well established and trusted by tradesmen and home gardeners alike. If you’d like to speak to Grizzly Tools about their range of products, please give us a call on 0845 683 2670 or email sales@grizzlytools.co.uk.

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.

Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our 195+ subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership”.

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