Today's is the final Weekly Update of 2021 - and at the risk of repeating myself because I'm pretty sure I said similar at the end of 2020 - what an unbelievable year it has been!
Beginning with months of lockdown, then emerging, regaining a sense of normality (albeit with significant stocking issues) and now in the past couple of weeks developments throwing us back into turmoil and uncertainty once again - it really has been quite the ride. And this uncertainly is not showing signs of letting up anytime soon.
Certainly if you look at the immediate situation with trade shows for our sector for example, their organisers are clearly facing a period of turbulence once again. Firstly there's the announcement made by the huge European show Agritechnica, that they have decided to postpone the edition that was scheduled for the end of February. This wasn't even their normal slot. They had moved to early Sping from their regular November timing, where they will now return - but not until 2023.
Closer to home, just before we went live with this Update today, BIGGA confirmed that their BTME show has been postponed from January. Hopefully for them, the new March date will prove possible.
We also hear that a major manufacturer has withdrawn from their planned appearance at January's LAMMA at the NEC. At the moment, their organisers maintain that nothing has changed. An email received by subscribers to their mailing list on Wednesday read, "One thing we do want to make clear is that we are very much planning on LAMMA 2022 still going ahead and we can't wait to welcome you to our doors on 11th & 12th January 2022. We are confident we can deliver the event alongside the NEC, who have all the space, facilities and expertise you need to enjoy your favourite event in a safe, secure and controlled environment."
Without being overly cynical though, it's all very well "planning" to take place, but if more big names pull out, does that make the show untenable? Whilst of course, if government decides to lock us down like last January, the decision will be out of their hands anyway.
For now, I suspect all exhibitor and visitor eyes will be on official communications coming out of LAMMA hq for regular status updates.
Looking ahead
With the subsequent couple of Friday's being Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the next time we pop into your Inbox will be on Friday January 7th. Before then though, the first issue of Service Dealer magazine of 2022 should drop onto your mat - and as announced last week, it's the first issue to benefit from the exciting redesign.
The new look is fresh, modern and crisp, with all at Service Dealer Towers (remote working divisions) delighted at how its turned out. We sincerely hope you are too and we believe the first edition is a real cracker to kick off the new style. We'll be looking back at the Service Dealer Conference & Awards and talking in-depth to one of the winners about how they steered a path for their dealership through the pandemic.
We also hear from another dealer who shares with us how their company is planning the building of a new depot from scratch and what future-proofing measures they are putting in place. Elsewhere we have plenty of fascinating comments from you, our dealer readers, on just what you think about the warranty rates being paid by your suppliers.
The new issue will also welcome a new dealer diarist for the year. I'm delighted to say that Anthony Deacon of MKM Agri will be taking the reigns for 2022. Many of you will remember that MKM suffered a devastating fire in April this year, but they are now in the process of building back stronger. We thank Anthony for allowing us to join them on their journey throughout next year.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Gibson of GGM Groundscare for his fascinating, candid, and forthright Diary entries throughout 2021.
Whilst I'm at it, I want to thank the editorial team at Service Dealer of Martin, Laurence, Chris, Sara, Alan and Adam - all of whom have provided fascinating features once again this year. And huge thanks to the whole of Duncan's team at TAP (with an extra high-five to Nikki) for creative and production marvellous-ness.
All that's left for me to say is when you get there enjoy an incredibly well-earned break, have a happy Christmas, and all the best for what is bound to be a challenging, but hopefully rewarding, 2022.
