It really was encouraging to read all the positive buzz surrounding the reinvented LAMMA exhibition last week. It's great to get the industry's year well and truly off and running with such a well-received event.

In the end, the organisers, AgriBriefing, said "around 40,000" people attended the NEC across the two days. In a statement put out after the halls had closed their doors, AgriBriefing group events director Elisabeth Mork-Eidem said, "UK agriculture finally has a show to rival its European counterparts and we cannot wait to start working on next year’s show to make that even bigger and better.”

Hopefully the exhibition will indeed be able to push on from here with more and more exhibitors using the show for, as Martin Rickatson put it last week, an international launch-pad for their major new products. If the content is there, the new LAMMA has proved there is indeed the appetite for an indoors agricultural machinery show at this time of the year. A comparison with the old Smithfield show was one which kept getting favourably brought up by visitors to the NEC.

It will be very interesting to keep our ears open over the coming months, to see if those who chose to stay away this year, will reverse that decision for 2020. The absentees, both manufacturers and trade associations, will no doubt have read the reports and in most cases, actually seen with their own eyes, how the show went down. Maybe they will have had their minds changed by what they saw. Perhaps they'll maintain that coming along for the second year was always their intention from the outset. Regardless, if the show can be enrichened by more well-known brands taking stands, it will make a good show, even better.

Turning our attention from agricultural to professional turfcare machinery, BIGGA's BTME show in Harrogate now has the chance to make a real impact with their re-jig next week.

By no means as radical an overhaul as LAMMA, the BTME show is held in some serious regard by those who make the trip to North Yorkshire each January, so any tinkering with the format was bound to cause a degree of trepidation. To be fair to BIGGA all they've really done is change up the hall configuration at the Harrogate International Centre, but such is the affection the show is held in, any alteration to the format was always going to cause some pre-show grumblings.

Fuel was added to the fire of these grumblings when rumours circulated that some manufacturers weren't happy with where they were allocated stand space within the exhibition's new footprint. Apparently, it wasn’t always simply a question of picking a favoured spot off a floorplan.

A quick look on the show's website and that floorplan is now available for all to see and it does confirm that there isn't a single hall with all the big machinery players in together as has traditionally been the case. The major manufacturers are indeed spread around the various halls, one assumes with the intention of making sure visitors walk around and visit all corners of the exhibition.

Hopefully for the good of the show this will play out the way the organisers intend and to the satisfaction of both visitors and exhibitors. We were told last year by the organisers that a natural flow would be created around the International Centre, with no 'dead areas' left with lonely stand holders not seeing proper footfall. Let's hope this proves to be the case next week.

As ever, if timings and circumstances within the business work out, I'd argue that a visit to trade show such as this is always beneficial. There are plenty of machinery exhibitors promising new launches which will be of interest to specialist dealers - and the networking opportunities which Harrogate affords can't be underestimated.

So good luck to BIGGA for next week, here's to a great show - and let's hope that great buzz which came out Birmingham can find its way up to Yorkshire.

After being in the captain’s chair for thirty three years and having reached the grand age of 80, Andrew Rodwell, founder and managing director at British garden machinery manufacturer SCH (Supplies) Ltd has decided to step back from the day to day running of SCH and hand over the reins to Ian Holder & John Free, who have been with SCH for 14 years each.

The company is based in Holbrook, Suffolk, however the company’s fleet of delivery trucks span the entirety of the British mainland.

SCH began in 1986, when Andrew became frustrated at the lack of suitable lawn care attachments to fit his garden tractor. Not being one to back away from a challenge, Andrew set about designing and manufacturing the attachments he wanted and started selling them to friends who had encountered the same problem.

The very first SCH brochure was a simple, black and white four page leaflet, but from little acorns mighty oaks do grow, and the company now print in excess of 50,000 copies of their freely distributed 80 page brochure. The company now employs 25 local people, who design, manufacture and delivery an array of products from grass care systems to trailers, waterers, flail mowers and more.

All companies face challenges, and SCH is no different. SCH has survived two recessions and a devastating fire in 1995 which wiped out 95% of their stock and left the workforce struggling to cope. But Andrew has always been proud to say that no customers were let down, and normal service was resumed very quickly. Other challenges have included the influx of bulk shipments of flat packed machinery from the Far East. However, as Andrew says, SCH products will always appeal to those who want to take delivery of a British built, robust item which will last for many years, not just for a season or two.

The handful of original garden machinery dealers who were prepared to sell those new machines back in 1986 has now metamorphosed into a network of over 1,000 dealers throughout the UK.

Andrew hopes SCH’s loyal customers and dealers will show Ian and John the same support that they have showed him, and would like to thank everyone involved in the continued success of the company.

The STIHL Group has announced it is setting up an in-house production line for battery products at its headquarters in Germany.

Backpack batteries for professional applications will be produced at a highly automated high-tech manufacturing facility in Waiblingen-Hohenacker. 

"Entering into battery pack manufacturing is the logical continuation of the STIHL battery strategy," Dr. Bertram Kandziora, chairman of the executive board of STIHL, said. "In just 10 years, we have expanded our range of battery products from a hedge trimmer to three product lines featuring a wide selection of different tools."

The company launched its line of battery products for professional and high-end private use in 2009. In 2016, the company opened a competence centre for battery and electronics development at its headquarters in Waiblingen by expanding its development facility. Today, more than 300 employees work there.

"We have been able to fill many vacant positions in recent months, especially in the fields of batteries, electronics, connected products and IT. This is essential to further growth in this promising segment," Dr. Kandziora said. Increasingly powerful batteries have made the products popular among more than just private users. The quieter, emissions-free products offer many advantages, especially for municipal customers, say STIHL.

The battery production line was built with in-house expertise within the space of just 18 months. The first trial run at the new building in Waiblingen commenced in September 2018. The first batteries produced in-house are slated to hit the market in autumn 2019. Most batteries will be destined for European dealers.

Jensen have appointed a new for south west England.

Elmstar Machinery, based in Newton Abbot, will be responsible for sales, service, parts and hire of Jensen woodchippers throughout the entire county of Devon.

L-R: Jason Wignall, Elmstar Machinery director with Bill Johnston of Jensen

Elmstar has been trading for 10 years in 2019, celebrating its 10-year anniversary this January. With dedicated and well-stocked workshops, and coverage across all of Devon, Jensen believe Elmstar Machinery is an excellent addition to their network.

Jason Wignall, Elmstar Machinery co-owner, says he is extremely pleased with the new partnership and is excited to have the opportunity to work with the brand.

“We do sell a range of domestic and professional groundcare machinery, as well as chainsaws, but the adoption of a woodchipper brand opens up new and exciting potential for us in the arboriculture sector across Devon," said Jason.

“We are delighted to be able to add this established brand to our portfolio.”

This latest appointment follows two other new dealership appointments in the UK, with Field and Forest Machinery, Scotland and P. Tuckwells in East England both joining the Jensen dealer line up in November 2018, and another in Kent reported to be coming soon.

In only the second year of trading as part of the T H WHITE Machinery Imports division, led by business manager Bill Johnston, Jenson wood chippers are now available to buy, hire, service and obtain spare parts from 19 dealer locations across the whole of the UK.

Bill says he is excited with the continued expansion of the Jensen dealer network. “2018 was an excellent year for Jensen, with a growing network of dealers across the country, a series of successful events in the Arb Show, APF and SALTEX, and increasing awareness across the industry.

“2019 is already looking like another exciting year, with even more high calibre dealers set to join the Jensen line up, and we are delighted to welcome Elmstar Machinery into our Jensen family. We are confident they will provide exceptional customer service and support for all things Jensen for our Devon customers.”

Horsch has appointed Alastair Orr as its regional sales manager for Scotland, Ireland and Northern England.

Alastair Orr

Alastair is taking over from Jimmie Carver, who is retiring at the end of March after supporting dealers in the area for more than 15 years.

“Jimmie is very well respected, and I’ve been working with closely with him during this transition. He’s provided amazing support to dealers and customers and I look forward to carrying on his good work,” said Alastair.

Raised in a farming family, Alastair worked as sprayer and potato harvester driver at Meikleour Estate in Perthshire for five years before joining Scanstone potato systems. Based out of Forfar, Alastair was responsible for Scanstone’s sales and demonstrations across Scotland.

“Having worked for a farming estate and for a machinery manufacturer, I can fully appreciate the pressures and requirements on both customers and dealers," said Alasdair. "Horsch has an amazing range of products and I look forward to supporting their dealers and the region’s highly productive farming operations.”

A brand new partnership between Farleigh Golf Club, John Deere and dealer Farol Ltd has seen the arrival of the club’s first ever fleet of John Deere course maintenance equipment. This forms part of an ongoing investment in the club and its facilities worth £6.5 million since Farleigh was acquired by the Hayton family in 2010, to become part of The Foxhills Collection.

John Deere dealer Farol golf & turf area manager Dave Searles, Farleigh Golf Club general manager Adam Walsh and course manager Kenny MacPhail with (seated behind left to right) greens staff Ray Browne, Will Morris, Phill Copsey, Daryn Curtis and Dan Harran

“The partnership is a true representation of our commitment to improving quality and maintaining our golf offering at all times,” says Adam Walsh, who has been general manager for two years following a spell as golf sales manager.

Opened in 1997 near Croydon, Farleigh is a fast-draining downland-style course which boasts 27 Championship-standard holes redesigned by Ryder Cup legend John Jacobs, with greens built to USGA specifications. Three separate nine-hole loops can be played in any combination as three different 18-hole layouts or even all 27, each layout providing an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities.

The course hosted the 2018 PGA Assistants’ Championship as well as its southern section final qualifier, and is the only national PGA venue in the area. The club has also recently signed up for the next two years to host the national PGA Fourball Championship.

Adam Walsh explains the reasoning behind the club’s decision to partner with John Deere and Farol for the first time: “Our previous fleet was coming up to eight years old, so we decided to go through a formal tender process to upgrade and replace the machinery as necessary. At the same time, we were looking to establish a new partnership approach with a supplier as an exclusive agreement, rather than simply replace the odd machine here and there over time.

“The local dealer Farol started demonstrations with us in 2017, arranged by golf & turf area manager Dave Searles, and we soon found that there was a real willingness to create a proper partnership with the club and meet our long-term business needs. One of the main influencing factors in the choice of John Deere was the effort that was put into delivering the full package we were looking for, compared to the other companies we dealt with.”

Course manager Kenny MacPhail, who has been at the club for approaching five years, had used some John Deere equipment before but as he says: “What’s good for one course may not be so suitable for another, so I wanted the greenkeeping team to experience the John Deere kit as widely as possible before we made the final decision.

“Generally we’ve been impressed with the range, especially the easy height of cut adjustment on the rotary 8800A TerrainCut rough mower and 7400A trim & surrounds mower, which both feature the programmable TechControl display. We have a lot of drainage ditches, and the 7400A’s shiftable deck system saves a lot of manpower, as it can mow down into them more easily.

“The overall operator experience is good too - everything is laid out simply and is very user-friendly. It’s obvious a lot of engineering thought has gone into the manufacturing process, particularly to make servicing and maintenance very straightforward.”

Other machines in the 14-strong fleet include both 2500B hydraulic and 2500E hybrid electric greens mowers, 8900A wide area fairway mowers, a 1600T wide area rotary mower, Pro Gators with top dresser and sprayer attachments, TH 6x4 Gator utility vehicles and a 5075E 75hp utility tractor.

“We have just had a record financial year and the club is definitely going in the right direction,” says Adam Walsh. “The course continues to improve, and stylistically it’s different to the majority of courses in the area - it’s very open and exposed and sets different challenges, more like an inland links.

“We aim to provide a relaxed atmosphere, while underpinning every step we take with the emphasis on quality and attention to detail in order to give our members and visitors the best possible value. We’re very enthusiastic about the future at Farleigh, and this new partnership with John Deere and Farol is a definite step forward in helping us to achieve our goals.”

New Holland received the prestigious Good Design® Award for the methane powered Concept Tractor from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

The Good Design® international jury panel of design professionals, industry specialists, design journalists and critics awarded the Methane Powered Concept Tractor, which "re-imagines tractor design, reveals a connected future and pioneering alternative fuel technology in agriculture".

The Methane Powered Concept Tractor was one of the product designs selected by the jury from a record number of submissions from the world’s leading manufacturers and industrial and graphic design firms from over 47 countries. The organisers of the awards say they recognise the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product, and graphic designs produced around the world, and their selection is based on the criteria of quality design of the highest form, function, and aesthetics. As a winner of the award, the Methane Powered Concept Tractor will feature in the Good Design Yearbook for 2018-2019.

Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, commented, “This prestigious award recognises New Holland’s innovative and pioneering approach to futuristic design: the use of technologically advanced materials to enhance the operating environment, the ultimate visibility of the fully glazed cab, the ergonomic, intuitive and connected operation provide a glimpse into New Holland’s vision for the future of tractor design. The Methane Powered Concept Tractor pushes the boundaries of alternative fuel and agriculture technologies to deliver a cutting-edge solution for sustainable and efficient farming.”

Woods Equipment have confirmed their custom built spares and assembly plant in Charlerois, Belgium, is now offering the company’s full product range, with most products available either ex stock or within three weeks.

Simon Richard, the UK Agent for the Woods rotary cutter range, says, “Huge progress has been made since assembly began in January 2018 and this announcement confirms the Woods commitment to offering optimum service to UK and European agriculture and groundcare markets.

"Since taking on the Woods range in early 2017 we have been amazed by the number of extremely old but still fully functioning machines we have become aware of. Machines like Batwings at 18 years old and single Rotor machines at 20 years. We have even come across a triple Finishing Mower at 30 years of age. We are now asking owners to send us a picture of their machine at work, the serial number and their name and address. The owner of the oldest working machine will win a Woods 20 ton log splitter."

Email simon@simon-richard.co.uk for an application form which should be returned no later than the end of February 2019.

Bobcat announced a major achievement for the end of 2018 for the company’s E10 one tonne mini-excavator with the 10,000th unit rolling off the production line in the same year that it celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

The launch of the E10 in April 2008 was a landmark moment in Bobcat’s history and in the development of the company’s compact excavator range. The E10, along with the E08, were the first excavator models designed and built from start to finish in Europe. The goal was to replace and exceed previous models by meeting the expectations of customers in Europe and beyond. Bobcat say 10,000 plus sales and the reputation the E10 has earned over the last 10 years confirm that this objective has been more than achieved.

The E10 is now called the E10z to reflect that it is a zero tail swing mini-excavator with a maximum digging depth of 1.82 m and a machine weight of 1066 kg. 

The main feature which differentiates the E10z from other machines on the market say the company, is the patented side adjustable consoles which accommodate hydraulic pilot pressure controlled joysticks. This design is unique in its class, allowing the operator to enjoy the comfort and feel of much larger machines, whilst being able to adjust the width of the consoles for easy passage through narrow openings.

According to Bertus Boer, general director of Inter-Techno, the Dutch reseller for Bobcat and one of the most active sellers of the E10z in Europe, the market share for Bobcat compact excavators in the Netherlands is steadily growing.

“The E10z mini-excavator in particular is selling really well,” he says. “This year we have already shipped well over 70 units. We find that the E10z is especially popular in gardening and landscaping. For many years, the standard equipment of a gardener was a lawnmower. But because it is becoming more and more difficult to find personnel, companies are able to do a large part of the manual work quickly and efficiently, thanks to a mini-excavator like the E10z and its wide range of attachments. The E10z is operated with a servo joystick. This is really very comfortable, so employees can work with the machine eight hours a day without any problems.”

This April all companies that are VAT registered must submit their VAT returns electronically using HMRC complaint software.

Evopos UK say they are working closely with HMRC to make sure that their dealer management software is 'Making Tax Digital' compliant.

In a statement the company have said their development team are on target to meet the MTD requirements.

Evopos has been providing dealers with dealer management software successfully for over 30 years, focusing on the agricultural, horticultural and automotive markets.

Managing director Denis Bullen, explained that making Evopos MTD compliant is an important step forward for both themselves and dealers.

"This great new feature will enable dealers who are using the Evopos accounting package to seamlessly upload their VAT returns directly to HMRC," he said.

"Because of the importance of this, our team have decided that there will be no additional charge for this feature and it will be included in an Evopos upgrade free of charge, within the accounting package."

Following the acquisition of Rochford Garden Machinery by AL-KO Gardentech we are pleased to announce an opportunity for a new Area Sales Manager to join the team.

Covering the South East / East Anglia territory the job holder will visit our dealers to advise and promote our family of brands: AL-KO®, WEIBANG®, MITOX® and DR®.

Working from home, you will use your territory management skills to plan regular and effective customer meetings. Your role is to deliver ambitious sales targets that drive the growth of the business - achieved by supporting your dealers, providing product training, resolving issues, building decision making and advising on best-selling ranges.

You will be supported by an experienced and committed head office team and fantastic IT that provides all of the data you will need via an iPad.

We are looking for an experienced sales professional with outstanding communication skills and the appetite to succeed as an Area Sales Manager. Located near to the M25, you will be highly organised and fantastic at building relationships with customers. IT literate and numerate you will be confident with sales analysis, forecasting and how to prioritise in order to achieve objectives.

We offer full training within a 4 week induction and a reward package that includes a company car, 25 days holiday plus 8 statutory holidays, company credit card, life assurance, contributory pension plan, product discounts and you will be provided with an iPhone, iPad and laptop.

For more information and to apply please contact Nick Hester at Cavendish Maine:

Contact:
Name: Nick Hester
Telephone: 01275 813030
Email: nick@cavendishmaine.com

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a sales representative to join the FGM Claymore team.

Working with a well-established network of specialist dealers, representing market leading products. To present, promote and sell products to existing and prospective customers and be eager to establish, develop and maintain positive business and customer relationships.

The successful applicant should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, and will have a proven track record in the Outdoor Power Equipment Industry.

An attractive remuneration and benefits package will be commensurate with the position and experience of the successful candidate.

Please write in confidence with CV to:

Paul Butterly FGM Claymore Waterloo Ind. Estate Waterloo Road Bidford on Avon Warks B50 4JH

Tel: 01789 490177

email info@fgmclaymore.co.uk

uni-power have released details of their annual special offer with Extra Discount, Extended Payment and Free Carriage.

For details of the Pre-Season offer click here

For the Briggs & Stratton Excel order form click here

For the Fuel Fit offer click here

For the Briggs & Stratton brochure click here

The full offer can also be downloaded via www.uni-power.co.uk (Account login details required), or requested via info@uni-power.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.

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