A NATIONAL EMERGENCY? Cost of living crisis hits hard by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Is your dealership feeling a double-whammy of higher costs and lower customer spending?
First up, today is the final day that we'll be using our yellow and blue, Ukrainian flag masthead (above).
April has seen Service Dealer run our Ukrainian Initiative, where throughout the month 100% of new advertising revenue generated across all digital titles (Service Dealer, TurfPro and Garden Trader), has all been donated to the British Red Cross - who are part of the Disasters Emergency Committee - as well as to some locally-based charities who are doing amazing aid work (Project Linus UK and Trowbridge Homes For Ukraine).
I'd like to add my thanks to this too and say just how heartening it is to be part of an industry that alongside its serious business activities, displays its caring side so often and so clearly. We've heard over the past few weeks how many players in our sector have instigated their own considerable charitable efforts geared towards helping the Ukrainian people (here and here for example). It's both admirable and genuinely touching that peers and colleagues are so willing to wholeheartedly support such worthy causes.
And we have yet another example of this altruism today in our news, with Cobra's tremendous new campaign raising awareness around mental health issues as well as funds for the charity Mind. Any endeavour which promotes looking out for our family, friends and colleagues in this time of ever greater stresses and anxieties should be applauded. With world events such as the war in Ukraine and the pandemic adding to the perennial worries that life and work throw at us, thinking of how others are coping, and being aware that there are professionals to turn to if help is required, is incredibly important.
Cost of living crisis
An acute stress that many will be feeling currently, is of course the much discussed cost of living crisis. Dealers will be feeling it both in their pockets with the increases in utility bills etc and perhaps in the spending habits of their customers too. This is something we'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on today.
If you haven't got time to go through the whole thing, I did read a shrewd quote summing up the analysis from Dr Jackie Mulligan who is an expert on the government’s High Streets Task Force and founder of the local shopping platform, Shopappy. She said, "The fact that nearly a quarter of households are now struggling to pay their usual household bills, and four in ten their energy bills, is nothing short of a national emergency. Sadly, it looks like the current inflation spiral still has a long way to go yet and the fallout could be immense."
She went to say, "The current level of inflation is a double whammy for the family businesses that line the UK's high streets. They're being hit in the tills and in their own pockets at the exact same time."
'National emergency' is a strong phrase, but one that it feels difficult to argue against.
I've heard manufacturers in our sector before not exactly say that the outdoor power equipment that dealers sell is recession-proof, but that as it's less of a lifestyle or luxury purchase and more of an essential or emergency buy, demand is never too fragile. The grass always grows. Food always requires cultivating. Therefore customer activity might traditionally have been considered as less sensitive to societal influences as other retail may be.
But you tell me? Have you noticed changes in customer spending in your dealership over the past couple of months? Clearly everyone is still doing their best to cope with the stocking problems, but do you feel you're noticing any trends above and beyond that, due to customers feeling the pinch? Or is it indeed a truism that the prevailing economic situation doesn't hold too great a sway over sales in this market?
I spoke to a dealer yesterday who told me with this financial crisis, the situation with consumer demand certainly feels worse compared to other years. They said for example, they were seeing a lot more repair work being chosen by customers who would ordinarily opt to buy new. They put this down to consumer confidence having been severely shaken by world events combined with the unknown of how bad the cost of living crisis might become for their household finances.
Does this sound familiar to your dealership? It would be interesting to hear dealers' takes on the situation today. Are you noticing unusual or changed customer behaviour?
Owner of Service Dealer, Duncan Murray-Clarke, has thanked industry colleagues as the results of our Ukrainian Initiative are revealed.
Owner of Service Dealer, Duncan Murray-Clarke, has thanked industry colleagues as the results of our Ukrainian Initiative are revealed.
Running throughout the month of April, 100% of new booking revenue generated through all of Service Dealer,TurfPro and Garden Trader's digital channels, will be donated to the British Red Cross who are part of the Disasters Emergency Committee - as well as to some locally-based organisations who are providing aid (Project Linus UK and Trowbridge Homes For Ukraine).
Cobra dealers are being encouraged to help promote the campaign to boost donations to Mind.
Cobra has launched its Mow For Your Mind campaign, in support of mental health charity, Mind.
As part of this and the brand’s commitment to helping mental health causes, Cobra is donating 10% of the total sales of one of its most popular models between 4th and 15th May to mental charity, Mind. The MX3440V cordless lawnmower has been chosen as the ‘Mow For Your Mind’ mower, to help gardeners enhance mindfulness while mowing the lawn.
Managing director of Cobra, Peter Chaloner said, “One in four people will experience mental health problems, which really is quite shocking. However, it’s been proven that gardening and spending time outdoors can significantly help boost mental health and aid wellbeing.
"As one of the biggest names in garden machinery in the UK, we feel it is our duty to help and to support Mind with the amazing work that it does. As well as the financial support we’re pledging from the sales of our Mow For Your Mind mower throughout Mental Health Awareness Week in May, we’re also actively encouraging gardeners to take time to enjoy the wider benefits of gardening and mowing the lawn, such as how it gives you chance to take time out from the busyness of modern life, reduces stress levels, improves mood and even gives a better night’s sleep!”
Cobra dealers are encouraged to help promote the campaign to boost donations to the charity, and are being supported by Cobra with showroom POS, swing tickets and totem poles being provided to aid promotion to customers.
The LAMMA exhibition returns to Birmingham next week, with organisers promising new machinery launches and features.
The LAMMA exhibition returns to Birmingham's NEC next week following a two year enforced hiatus, taking place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th May.
Organisers say numerous new products will be on show, many being seen in the UK for the first time. Several manufacturers have revealed new and upgraded models that will take centre stage on their stands. You can take a look at what you can expect to find on LAMMA's website here.
As well as the new Dealer Zone in association with BAGMA, the show is also promising a variety of features around the halls, including amongst others:
A sneak peek at what’s coming next in agri-tech. The Farming 4.0 Trail showcases the latest in data, robotics, autonomous machines and devices.
Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of rural crime. NFU Mutual and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) have come together as part of the new Fendt & Valtra Speaker Zone to address rural crimes and bring expert advice.
Machines of days gone by. Some classics will be on show, including a Marshall 804 from Classic Tractors Magazine that appeared at LAMMA 1983.
International markets. Advisors from the Department of International Trade’s Agri-Tech team will host the International Export Advice Centre, offering a series of presentations about a range of topics including trade support, global market trends and indicators, and the role of Agri-EPI Centres in R&D
Manufacturer and supplier will allow visitors to see products in action and put them to the test.
Handy is returning to Glee (28th-30th June 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham) this year with its largest ever stand to showcase Webb, Greenworks, Q Garden and The Handy brands.
The company say their stand - Hall 8-20 Stand 20G30-H31 – will also be home to several live product demonstrations, enabling customers to both see products in action and put them to the test.
The Greenworks brand will feature prominently, with 24v, 40v, 48v (2 x 24v) and 60v lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers and chainsaws on display. The lawnmowers will also feature in the new on-stand demonstration area, where the Greenworks robotic lawnmowers will be in action. Also featured in the display area will be a Greenworks 24v submersible water pump and a testing section for Greenworks power tools. Visitors can handle the power tools and also try out select models in a safe environment, with Handy staff available to assist and answer any questions.
Also on display will be Handy’s premium Webb brand, featuring lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, chainsaws and tillers; The Handy brand will include trolleys, shredders, spreaders, blowers, log splitters and tillers; whilst the Q Garden brand will display lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and line trimmers.
Mark Moseley, Handy’s sales & marketing director says, “At Glee this year we have invested in a considerably larger stand than we have ever had before as we want to show retailers first-hand the breadth of our product ranges and, just as importantly, their quality.
"We are also keen to demonstrate how we can support retailers and make their customers’ experience easy and enjoyable, be that through the supply of thoughtfully designed, highly visible point of sale material, through to excellent stock availability, including spare parts.”
Find out what STIHL's record breaking revenue was last year and what areas they found particular success in,
The STIHL Group have announced that they achieved record-breaking revenue of 5.06 billion euros in fiscal year 2021, equating to a year-on-year increase of 10.4 percent (excluding currency effects, revenue would have increased by 12.3 percent).
STIHL CEO Michael Traub
The manufacturer says they set new records across four areas of revenue, sales, production, and headcount.
The Group, whose headquarters are located in Waiblingen, Germany, generated 90 percent of its sales revenue abroad.
“We exceeded our own expectations in 2021,” said Michael Traub, the chairman of the executive board of STIHL, at the press conference presenting the company’s annual results on Wednesday this week (April 26 2022).
“Not only did we achieve new records in terms of sales and production, we also exceeded the 5-billion-euro mark in revenue for the first time in our 96-year history, despite enormously challenging circumstances.”
The company said even though global disruption to supply chains and severe short-ages in materials, capacity, and personnel significantly impacted the market supply situation, hey were still able to keep its production running at full speed due to what they described as "proactive planning", allowing it to continue providing its customers withproducts in "the best possible way."
Michael Traub added, “The new records we achieved in revenue, sales, and production in 2021 are a testament to the outstanding performance by the entire STIHL team and the huge amount of dedication and flexibility shown by our workforce. They have made the impossible possible.”
The Group’s headcount is also at a record level. As of December 31, 2021, the STIHL Group had 20,094 employees worldwide, which equates to growth of 10.4 percent compared to the prior year.
Gardening products in particularly high demand
STIHL say the gardening and DIY trend continued in 2021 - as well as online sales seeing significant growth.
Demand for consumer and professional products increased across all regions. They say the trend toward battery-operated tools continued overall in the past year, particularly in the consumer goods segment in western industrialised countries. However, demand among professional users for high-performance battery-operated tools also increased.
Demand for their petrol-powered products remained brisk as well, with sales also increasing year on year in this segment.
“These figures clearly show that our customers continue to regard both segments as relevant and important,” Michael Traub said. “That’s why we will continue to invest a great deal in the forward-looking battery-operated segment without compromising on our gasoline-powered tool business.”
In many markets, STIHL believe they would have been able to sell more tools under better global supply chain conditions. Production at all locations around the world was at full pace they say, to match strong global demand.
Michael said, “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that our customers continue to be supplied with our products. However, it is simply not possible to reliably predict product availability in light of current events. Problems caused by existing supply chain tension will only be exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.”
Organised by the AEA on behalf of industry exhibitors, the show presents an opportunity to see the latest machinery in action.
Dumfries, Scotland is the location for the return of the triennial one-day grassland event, ScotGrass, at SRUC's Crichton Royal Farm on Wednesday 18th May 2022.
Organised by the AEA on behalf of industry exhibitors, the event is being sponsored by Volac and EcoSyl as Event Forage Partners with opening hours from 9:00 to 16:00.
Held on a working dairy unit, the AEA say ScotGrass presents an opportunity to see the latest machinery in action on field scale plots and a live working clamp zone with commentated demonstrations. They say the working event is a popular showcase for major equipment manufacturers with all working demonstration plots sold out.
Throughout the day visitors will also have access to Industry experts in the static exhibitor village, who will be on hand to answer questions on technical subjects affecting the livestock industry, together with numerous product and service suppliers.
Additionally, located around the site attendees will be able to complete a ‘Knowledge Trail’.
Are you a qualified mechanical engineer with a passion for agricultural machinery?
Are you a qualified mechanical engineer with a passion for agricultural machinery? Do you seek to broaden your skills and experience across a wide range of premium machinery brands, all while embracing the classic 'Aussie' lifestyle? If so, we're keen to hear from you.
Our client, a reputable, family-run agricultural machinery dealership with three branches in Western Australia, is seeking service technicians from abroad to join their business. Offering opportunities for both graduate and more experienced individuals genuinely committed to trying something new overseas (either permanent or temporary), our client is fully prepared to support with relocation costs and visa applications where necessary.
You will service a range of premium brand machinery (including AGCO products among others) from tractors to sprayers, combines to drills and everything in between. The role would suit someone seeking variety in their work (approximately 70% of your time would be spent on the road, roughly 30% workshop based). You will possess strong, interpersonal skills and enjoy delivering excellent customer service.
What your day-to-day would look like:
Mechanical servicing (technical and diagnostics) both in workshop and on site
Covering a territory typically within 3 hours drive of your base depot
Building relationships within team and with customer base
Meet and exceed customer expectations
Working under time pressure (e.g. especially during seasonal peaks such as seeding/harvest)
What you will possess:
Mechanical Engineering degree (or equivalent from a related field)
Practical knowledge and experience of modern, market-leading agricultural machinery (including diagnostics)
A genuine commitment to living/working in Australia (either short/mid-term or permanently)
Flexibility to work with seasonal variations
What you can expect:
Highly competitive salary package (unrivalled in the UK for similar roles)
Relocation/migration support (both financial and advisory)
Company vehicle (fully equipped 4x4)
Plenty of opportunities for professional development
Broad overtime opportunities
4 weeks of annual leave + 10 days of public holidays
Aspirational lifestyle
Lower cost of living (compared with the UK)
Working for a well-established, family-run business
To apply:
For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call Jon Handley on: Office 01885 485522 or e-mail your CV and covering letter to jon.handley@delacyexecutive.co.uk
De Lacy Executive will upload your CV to our database and retain some data about you in order to process your application. More information about our processing activities can be found at www.delacyexecutive.co.uk/privacypolicy. Please be assured that all contact is treated in complete confidence and your details will not be passed to a third party without your prior permission.
Do you have a passion for market-leading agricultural machinery along with the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity?
Do you have a passion for market-leading agricultural machinery along with the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity? Are you seeking to move away from the workshop or from extensive travel but also remain within the ag machinery sector? If so, this role could be of interest.
Our client provides specialist training to businesses across the agricultural machinery sector and is seeking a Technical Trainer for a premium machinery brand. You will lead the course delivering and managing all components along with having responsibility for marking, conducting exams and skills tests, and ensuring training courses reflect the evolving needs of the brand, a global market leader.
If you have a Level 3 qualification in a relevant sector (engineering through to construction plant and all in between), we'd like to hear from you.
What your day-to-day will look like:
Development, delivery and management of training course
Marking and feeding back to learners on how to improve
Liaise with line management on learner progress
Identify learner's needs for further support and implement support measures
Maintain learner records and optimise consistency
Attend staff meetings and forums
Participate in all quality assurance initiatives
What you will possess:
Appropriate occupational qualification and level of occupational competence are essential
Full, clean, UK driving licence
Teaching qualification desirable
Relevant Health & Safety, First Aid at Work qualification also desirable
What you can expect:
Competitive salary to match your skills and experience (comparable to service technician salaries etc)
For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call:
Jon Handley on (DDI) 01885 485522
De Lacy Executive will upload your CV to our database and retain some data about you in order to process your application. More information about our processing activities can be found at www.delacyexecutive.co.uk/privacypolicy. Please be assured that all contact is treated in complete confidence and your details will not be passed to a third party without your prior permission.
Please note that this advertisement is not a job description and you should satisfy yourself about the full details at interview.
De Lacy Executive is an Approved member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which promotes high standards in recruitment practice, and is registered with the Information Commissioners Office. De Lacy Executive complies with all relevant data protection legislation.
Looking for a change? Somewhere more relaxed, in a peaceful country where people look out for each other? New Zealand could be just the place you’re looking for.
Looking for a change? Somewhere more relaxed, in a peaceful country where people look out for each other?
New Zealand could be just the place you’re looking for.
About the Company
Masport is an iconic down under brand that is a highly respected manufacturer and distributor of outdoor garden and lifestyle products, universally recognized and trusted throughout Australia and New Zealand and they have an opportunity for a Research & Development Engineer to work with their NZ Engineering team.
About the Role
You will be tasked with improving our current product designs as well as undertaking research and development on potential new product offerings. You will also be the point of call for any engineering related issues raised by our customer services team and lead the investigation into the root cause.
What you'll need to bring:
Proven R&D experience in outdoor garden products or tools, lifestyle products, and/or similar industries
Experience of prototyping using workshop machinery and tools
Ability to make prototypes and generate CAD to support design drawings for our suppliers
Track record of running successful R&D projects and delivering on targets
Strong relationship-building skills
Experienced in coaching and mentoring staff and not afraid to get your hands dirty, muck in with a can-do approach and attitude
Love of BBQs and culinary creations, power garden equipment, sweet-looking lawns, and gardens… this is a bonus!
What's in it for you:
Work for an amazing company that looks after its people, the staff tenure rate at Masport is extremely impressive
The opportunity to relocate to New Zealand and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and a temperate climate, where you are never too far from a beach, bike trail, or national park.
The opportunity to develop the next big thing in garden products and shape the future of Masport products.
The role is responsible for managing the Technical Workshop to deliver Technical Service and support for the STIHL Dealer network.
STIHL GB – Camberley, Surrey
£ competitive + excellent benefits
ABOUT STIHL
STIHL is a global leader in outdoor power tools serving the forestry, construction, agricultural and gardening markets via a network of national dealers. The GB sales and marketing subsidiary, based in Camberley, Surrey, is a significant operation within the worldwide family of highly successful STIHL companies.
About our opportunity
The role is responsible for managing the Technical Workshop to deliver Technical Service and support for the STIHL Dealer network.
The role involves managing a small team, including resource planning, managing the Technical Departments B2B and SAP business operating systems, and investigating technical issues to provide technical information to customers.
The Technical Workshop Team Leader will maintain product and technical knowledge to ensure a high level of competence and work closely with the Technical Helpline, as well as other STIHL departments including Customer Services, Learning and Development and Marketing.
The Technical Workshop Team leader role is based at Stihl House, Camberley.
Requirements for this role
Essential:
Educated to degree level or equivalent in engineering (mechanical or electronics)
Understanding of basic engineering specifications
Experience of leading a team
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to build strong relationships with various stakeholders
Technical aptitude and mechanical knowledge
Proficient IT skills including MS Office and PowerPoint
Desirable:
Practical machine maintenance knowledge
Sound understanding of workshop facility management
Experience of working with machinery (2 and 4 stroke engines)
Knowledge of outdoor power products
Electronics
Mechatronics
Garden machinery industry experience
STIHL product and technical knowledge
Package
Full-time, permanent position
Competitive salary offered
STIHL benefits package
Core working hours 8.30-5.00pm (1 hour lunch break)
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