Coming up next week, of interest to many of our dealer readers, is the GMA's SALTEX show at the NEC.

Taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, the team from Service Dealer and TurfPro will be there. We have a stand at H011 and will be wandering the aisles each day, catching up with dealers and suppliers, on the look out for interesting information to pass on to our readers. Please say hi if you choose to make the trip to Birmingham.

It will be fascinating to see just how busy the halls are this year, following hot on the heels of what was regarded as a successful sophomore GroundsFest. Whilst at Stoneleigh, I cannot deny that I heard plenty of chat along the lines of 'how does SALTEX' follow this?'

The GMA will be keen to put on a great show, there's no doubt about that. As a trade journo, I've noticed a real increase in the volume of pre-show publicity the organisers have distributed this time around. They are clearly wanting to come out strong in the face of new competition. The unknown at this stage is just how much of an impact (if any) the young upstart turf show, has had on the old grandee.

Will the commercial end-users turn up in their droves? Will you dealers make the journey following a busy couple of months (and please tell us in the comments below what your intentions are). And crucially for the long-term, will the exhibitors feel they are still getting value for money from taking a stand? 

The answer to that last one I suppose, is very much dependent on the show continuing to attract quality punters through the doors to check out the products and services on display.

On the wider question of our trade show attendances, it is a subject that our editor of TurfPro, Laurence Gale, has strong opinions on. He argues for that for the size of the professional turfcare industry - including practitioners, related workers, students, etc - the exhibitions catering for this sector should be attracting loads more visitors than they do currently. And to be fair to Loz, he's been saying this for many years - way before GroundsFest was on the scene.

It's certainly an interesting question as to why our main shows do not boast lager visitor figures? It does appear to be quite different in the States, for example. Service Dealer's owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, has just returned from the Equip trade show in Louisville, where its OPEI organisers were telling him that they had broken records again this year. It was their biggest ever show in terms of visitors, exhibitors and square footage. Which is something it feels like they say each year. They are clearly on an upward trajectory with every edition.

OK, the U.S is a ridiculously larger market than ours, with a much greater pool of interested parties to draw upon, to both attend and exhibit. But I'm not talking about the specific numbers they are achieving, just the principal of growing, quite substantially, year on year. 

Why isn't it happening in quite the same way for our shows here? Yes, GroundsFest attracted more in their second year than their first, but if we accept Laurence's argument of the size of potential attendee numbers, there should be more shouldn't there?

I'm aware this discussion around shows is almost as old as the industry itself, but I guess it keeps cropping up because the landscape keeps changing and there is always something new to add into the mix. In the latest copy of our magazine for example - which you should have just received or are about to receive - we have a fantastic piece from industry expert, Keith Christian on this very topic. 

The question that has been asked over and over again, is do we have too many industry shows? Everyone will have their opinions, dependent on whether they are looking at the situation from the viewpoint of a visitor, exhibitor or show organiser. I suppose in the end, it's only really the market itself that can offer a definitive answer (although to be fair, it's taking its time!). 

In the meantime, as a journal for the dealer sector, we shall continue to attend as many events as we can, and comment fairly on what we find.

So all the best to the GMA for a great show next week. And if you do attend, be sure to let us know what you thought of it.

The entry process for 2024's Dealer Of The Year Awards must end by midnight tonight, Friday October 25th 2024.

Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, said, "We've had some superb entries this year, across all categories - but for anyone who still wants to be in the running, this is the final few hours in which we can accept entries. So please, do not miss out."

Below you will find all the links you'll need for dealerships to enter themselves and their staff for as many awards as they like. 

Also, dealerships and individuals can be nominated by any third party who feels they are deserving of recognition. These nominations can come from manufacturers, suppliers, customers, staff members etc.

Entries must be complete and include a 250-word supporting statement and at least one piece of supporting evidence. The awards will be judged taking into account the 12 months prior to the submission date.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We want to hear from as many of our amazing dealer readers as possible this year. We especially want to hear the human stories behind the business - not just the facts and figures."

More detail on entries can be found by clicking the relevant category links below. 

A judging panel will review all the nominations prior to the Awards Ceremony on the 28th November. All entries for the categories below will be considered by the judging panel for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year award (sponsored by Kress).

Below are the categories available for dealers to enter themselves, or be nominated by a third party.

Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Husqvarna

Have you gone above and beyond this year to satisfy your domestic customers?

ENTER GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Ibcos

Would your farming customers say you are outstanding in your field?

ENTER FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Forestry Equipment Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Societe Generale Equipment Finance

Is your dealership at the top of the tree when it comes to supplying forestry equipment?

ENTER FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR

Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Toro UK

Is your team firing on all cylinders when it comes to your commercial turfcare customers?

ENTER PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR

ATV/Quad Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Yamaha

Are you the dealership customers turn to for tackling all terrain in the outdoor sector?

ENTER ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

New Technician of the Year - sponsored by Kubota

Technicians are the staff who keep the wheels turning - this is your chance to highlight someone in their first four years of the role.

ENTER NEW TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Star of the Dealership - sponsored by EGO

Do you have a staff member who’s made an exceptional contribution to the business?

ENTER STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP

Best New Initiative - sponsored by STIHL

Have you implemented something new - be it a fresh idea, some renovation, diversification, or branching out with new tech, let us know!

ENTER BEST NEW INITIATIVE

Leadership Award - Sponsored by AGCO

Does your dealership benefit from a great team leader who leads from the front and acts as a great example to all?

ENTER LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner following the Service Dealer Conference that takes place on Thursday 28th November 2024 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford upon Avon. The theme for this year's event is Driving Success.

Briggs & Stratton have announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement with Daye North America for the Snapper brand.

Daye, which manufactures several lines of outdoor power equipment brands and were in Service Dealer's news pages recently for the purchase of AL-KO, will bring Snapper to mass retail, e-commerce, and dealer direct in the U.S as early as spring 2025.

Service Dealer reached out to the UK and Ireland distributor of Snapper, FGM Claymore to see if this news would have any impact on our dealer readers, and their md Paul Butterly told us, "Wth regards to Europe, Snapper is distributed through a network of independent distributors and I don’t see any change in that going forward. Earlier this year we celebrated our 50th anniversary of distributing Snapper in Ireland."

Snapper was founded in 1951 and acquired by Briggs & Stratton in 2004 ad is know for the introduction of the industry’s first rotary blade mower.

Christin Wam, senior director of marketing at Briggs & Stratton said, “It was important to us to find a license partner focused on taking Snapper into the future and introducing it to a new generation of homeowners. We feel that DAYE is the right partner to do just that. We were impressed by their plans to support the brand with national programs across several major retailers and to provide new life to the Snapper brand within the dealer channel.”

Matt Ragland, CEO of Daye North America added, “Briggs & Stratton is a valued partner for Daye and has played a major role in our global growth. We are honoured to continue our partnership by bringing an exciting line of products to market under the iconic Snapper brand.”

Daye say the range of existing outdoor power equipment brands manufactured by themselves gives the company economies of scale that will allow them to manufacture and market a robust line of Snapper products. Initial plans call for riding lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, walk mowers, and battery products including a 60V line-up with a brushless blower, string trimmer, and 22-inch self-propelled mower.

Briggs & Stratton and Daye have a history of partnership including existing license agreements in place for the Murray brand.

John Adamson, who many readers will know from his years at the helm of dealership F.G Adamson & Son, has died.

John passed away at the age of 74 on the 27th September 2024. His son, John Adamson Jr said, "As one of the former owners of F.G Adamson & Son, he dedicated his life to building a business that not only thrived but also brought together a remarkable community of employees and customers."

F G Adamson & Son, which served customers across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, was established by John's father Fred Adamson, who started his business in 1945. John joined the business in 1984 and succeeding the running of it, with his brother Mike, when Fred passed away in 2007. In recent years John stepped back from the day to day running of the dealership - which was sold to Ripon Farm Machinery in March of 2023.

John was the dearly loved husband of Janet and a loving dad of Nicola, Laura, John, in-laws Alistair, Aidy and Stef, treasured grandad, loving dog dad of Elsa. His funeral took place on Wednesday this week (October 23rd 2024) at All Saint's Church, North Ferriby.

Reesink Turfcare, UK distributor of Toro fine turf machinery, has issued a statement saying the "vast majority, 95 percent" of its popular Toro models are now in stock and available for immediate delivery - with them saying that figure is set to reach 100 percent very soon.

Jon Cole, divisional business manager, Reesink Turfcare, stated, “We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding through this post-pandemic period of lingering supply issues and the extended lead times the industry has endured. We appreciate and very much share the frustration this may have caused and value their loyalty to the brand which saw them prepared to wait."

He continued, “The good news is the wait is over and lead times on machines are tumbling. While extended lead times remain on a very small number of products, through careful planning we are in a position where we can mitigate the effect of these lead times on our customers. We have been working tirelessly through our extensive back orders and are now in a position where we have very nearly caught up. This has left us in the fortunate position of having 95 percent of our most popular machines back in stock and ready for dispatch.” 

Examples of some of the most popular machines now available include but are not limited to the Toro Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 hybrid and all-electric eTriflex 3370 greensmowers, the Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mower and the  Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder. There are also entire ranges of equipment now in stock including all pedestrian greensmowers, all Groundsmaster models - from the 3500 all the way up to the Groundsmaster 4700, and the full Toro Workman range.

Jon concluded, “We are just waiting on a few remaining lines to have a complete line up meaning the wait is well and truly over. With the extended lead times there has been a huge amount of business booked for 2025, which again we are extremely thankful for. With this in mind and to continue with the good news, we are able to offer a range of finance options to suit the customers budget and buying cycle, giving customers the tools to either bring their deliveries forward or take advantage of the available stock to get the machines and fleet deals they want quickly.”

The company also said that more machines mean that demo fleets across the country are expanding and there is now a wide range of machines available for customers to access and test onsite prior to purchase. Customers are encouraged by the company to contact their local dealer or Reesink representative to find out more.

Kubota (UK) have announced two strategic appointments - that they say bolsters knowledge and strength both internally and across their dealer network.

John Davis has taken up the position of agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for the south and south west of England, while Matt Wilson joins the marketing team as groundcare product and key account manager for the UK and Ireland. 

John Davis

Passionate about farming and machinery, John has worked in the industry since leaving school, where he enrolled in an apprenticeship scheme with former dealer Tincknells, some 30 years ago. He joins Kubota following eight years with a specialist manufacturer and brings with him considerable experience gained during his most recent role working with self-propelled crop spraying equipment.

“I’m looking forward to being challenged with continual dealer development and brand-building, to introduce Kubota to a much wider audience in the agricultural and groundcare sectors,” said John.

Matt Wilson

Meanwhile, Matt Wilson joins the business's marketing team with more than 20 years of industry knowledge having gained dealership, distribution and manufacturing experience with a variety of businesses involved in the amenity, golf and turf sectors. Matt’s desire for market and product information will be instrumental in his role to further develop the groundcare portfolio, together with working alongside Kubota’s European groundcare product management team.

Matt explains, “I have always wanted to work for a top-tier manufacturer, and joining Kubota is certainly a highlight of my career to-date. Ethically, Kubota’s core disciplines, family values and its honourable nature are values that are close to my heart.” 

Commenting on the recent appointments, Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare sales manager Tim Yates said: “John’s knowledge provides us with a great opportunity to continue supporting dealers and build on the growth already achieved in the agricultural and groundcare markets. It’s great to have both him and Matt on the team; whose in-depth industry knowledge gives us a strong foundation on which to continue supporting the groundcare sector with market-leading products.”

STIGA have announced that they have donated a number of products to Shepperton Village Conservation Group (SVCG) through their We Care That You Care campaign.

SVCG was founded in 2011 and, since then, has steered the regeneration of their High Street, with invaluable support from many other community groups, the business community and the borough and county councils.

Jane Boyle of SVCG stated, "Our aim is to enhance Shepperton High Street by planting and caring for large raised beds, a number of planters, a pocket park, a community garden (allotment) and a dew pond. All the work is undertaken by volunteers. We raise funds for our planting and conservation work through occasional council grants, selling plants at our local village fair and donations from local people. The gift of the tools from STIGA is a huge bonus to us and we are absolutely delighted to receive them."

Paul from Easicut Mowers in Shepperton, who are local STIGA dealers, kindly delivered the products to the SVCG team. The products donated were a MM2605 5-in1 multi-tool; a SC 100e pruner; and a MAB 20Li blower.

We are pleased to announce our Briggs & Stratton – Trade & OEM Pre-Season offer 2024-25.

Ordering Period: 14th October 2024 to 31st January 2025 (multiple orders are allowed).

Delivery: as soon as the majority of items are available from stock.

Extended Credit Terms: 3 x equal payments - 31st Mar-25 / 30th Apr-25 / 30th May-25.

Minimum Order Value: £500net (not including Engines, or *Product Parts).

*Product Parts: see separate section at the bottom of the order form.

Carriage: FOC to standard locations (remote/offshore locations-standard terms apply).

Please only use the downloadable form to place your orders and then email the completed form to: info@uni-power.co.uk (Webcart or other formats are not accepted).

Click HERE to also download the Briggs & Stratton Pre-Season Brochure.

Alternatively, you can request a copy of the offer by email: info@uni-power.co.uk

The offer can also be viewed on our website blog page: https://www.uni-power.co.uk/blog/

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