Whatever these past months have been, they certainly haven't been lacking in news for our industry.

Today we have more shuffling of the John Deere dealer pack, retirements, appointments and plans for forthcoming shows and events. 

Briggs & Stratton

You may have also already read the news regarding the developments surrounding the ongoing Briggs & Stratton saga. The small engine maker this week entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. With a so-called 'stalking-horse' bidder in place, it appears that the iconic name will continue to hold its integral place in the industry.

If matters had gone badly for the company and the brand had disappeared, the impact across the sector would have been massive. 

One presumes much reorganisation will now take place across the business. Whether there are new grand plans for the turf machinery product lines Ferris, Billy Goat, Simplicity, Snapper, and Snapper Pro, which previous to all this had been put up for sale, I guess we'll have to wait to see.

The noises coming out of the potential buyer KPS Capital Partners are, as you might expect, all very positive. They are already talking about growing the brand "..aggressively through strategic acquisitions."

For the UK dealer network, some stability and a focus on their core offerings would be appreciated I'm sure. For Briggs' customers, retailers, colleagues and employees this recent period will have been a worrying and stressful time. Reassurance that this Chapter 11 move is the right course of action for a positive and bright future, would be most welcomed.

There can be few companies in the OPE sector with such heritage as Briggs & Stratton. To see the century-old manufacturer fold would have been a real blow for the industry.

Chris Biddle in his Inside Agri-Turf podcast today is reflecting on the legacy and the history of the company, as well as its possible future.

Shows and events

Elsewhere today, you can read about the plans in place for November's Service Dealer Conference - the theme of which, Smart Working, we are pleased to announce.

I must say, I do not envy anyone whose job it is to put together conferences and events at the moment! With rules and guidelines constantly in flux, plus the threat of more spikes and waves ever present, it must be keeping organising teams awake at night!

That said, plans are well advanced for 2020's Service Dealer Conference. Owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke says today that the event will take place on November 19th ". . physically or digitally - or both!".

Organisers right now have to take this fluid approach to their plans. They need to be fully up to speed with how they could put on their event safely, complying with all health requirements - plus have the contingencies in place, should circumstances change and dictate a radical alteration is required.

Clearly we hope that organisers of all events in our sector will continue to see progress to allow them to stage their shows. The postponements we've experienced this year, from our major national exhibitions to all the county and country shows around the UK, have left a sizeable hole in the industry's calendar.

We know that grumbling about timings and locations of shows is an ever-popular pastime, but now they have been taken away, I think many are missing what we had. Their disappearance this year is both bad for business and bad for the social beasts in us all. That interaction, of getting together with friends, colleagues and peers we may only see a couple of times a year, is sorely missed.

The AEA are saying that they hope to be able to stage the first post-lockdown industry get-together soon, with Tillage Live looking like it can go ahead in September. With the large outdoors setting Tillage utilises, they believe distancing will be possible and they'll be able to run a perfectly successful event.

Let's hope it's the first of many.

The theme for this year's Service Dealer Conference, which takes place on November 19th, has been announced as 'Smart Working'.

Duncan Murray-Clarke, owner of Service Dealer, said, "This year has been like no other and we’ve all had to adapt and find new ways of working. We’ve had to be smarter with our time, juggling home life and our businesses. We’ve also had to find alternative ways for communicating with our teams and our customers to ensure business continuity. Technology has played an important part in allowing us to continue to operate and to keep in touch.

Duncan Murray-Clarke presenting at the 2019 Conference

"All of these things encapsulate the theme of the 2020 Service Dealer Conference and Awards - Smart Working. Our speaker line up focusses on how technology and communication tools can help us work more efficiently and ultimately more profitably.

"And fitting with this theme, we too are being smart and fluid with the Conference, listening and responding to the Government guidance and working in new ways to ensure we bring the event to you, whether physically or digitally - or both!"

Further details about the 2020 Service Dealer Conference & Awards will be announced over the coming weeks in the Weekly Update and in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine.

Following last month’s announcement that John Deere dealer Netherton Tractors Ltd is to establish a new agricultural and homeowner equipment outlet in the Perth and Kinross area, a further expansion of the dealership’s territory is now being planned.

As of November 1, 2020, the dealership will also operate from two new outlets in Turriff, Aberdeenshire and Nairn, Highland, replacing HRN Tractors Ltd in those areas. HRN's Balbeggie outlet was previously announced as losing out to Netherton's expansion in the Perth and Kinross area.

An aerial view of the Netherton Tractors outlet at Forfar in Angus

This will bring the total number of Netherton group branches to five, including the two established businesses at Forfar in Angus and Glenrothes in Fife.

When asked by Service Dealer if John Deere is planning on leaving their franchise with any of the remaining HRN outlets, an official spokesperson said, "John Deere is not making any further comment on this announcement at this time."

In an official statement, John Deere Limited division sales manager Chris Meacock, said, "Since Netherton Tractors joined the John Deere agricultural dealer network in 1987, it has grown the business to become one of our best performing dealerships.

“It is well known and appreciated for delivering a very high standard of customer service and support. We are therefore delighted that this latest expansion into the north of Scotland will enhance the customer experience of our advanced technology product range.”

Netherton’s general manager Garry Smith added, “This latest expansion into the north of the country represents another considerable investment in our business, and we very much look forward to establishing a positive presence in the region as soon as possible.

“We are proud of our reputation for delivering top quality after-sales and service support to our customers, across the full range of John Deere agricultural and homeowner equipment as well as our other key franchises. We are actively seeking suitable premises in the Turriff and Nairn areas and will be looking to recruit new and experienced staff to meet the same high standards.”

John Deere say further details of the new Netherton Tractors outlets will be provided in due course.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Agri-Turf podcast, AEA CEO Ruth Bailey, says she believes Tillage Live, which is scheduled to take place at The Old Airfield, Down Ampney, Gloucestershire on September 23rd, could be the industry's first post-lockdown event to take place.

Talking to host Chris Biddle, Ruth says, "We’ve got Tillage Live on 23rd September taking place on 30 hectares with 1500 people.

"We believe we can socially distance and of course we’ll watch the government guidelines. So, at the moment we’re saying ‘yes, it’s going ahead'."

Ruth acknowledged that of course the AEA have got a duty of care to their visitors, but "..because we’re outdoors we might be able to gather."

The talk of Tillage Live comes at the 32.00 mark, as part of a wider discussion between Ruth, Chris and Keith Christian, director of BAGMA. As well as shows and exhibitions the wide-ranging conversation covers the role of trade associations, membership benefits, the current 'mood music' in the industry and future supplies of machines and parts.

Listen to Inside Agri-Turf here.

It has been announced that after 41 years of working with Deloitte, British Airways, Volvo and over 26 years in Honda Motor Europe in a variety of senior commercial, financial and governance roles, that Martin Sanders will retire on 30 September 2020.

Martin worked directly within the Power Products and ATV business for 14 years with Honda and developed their range of Power Products including the IZY range and introduced Honda Miimo.

Over the 7 years of his AEA involvement, Martin worked on numerous projects and initiatives and was instrumental in the development of the AEA ATV safely campaign and setting up the training scheme. During his time with the EGMA he worked on numerous projects especially on the regulations regarding robotic mowers.

Martin is currently chief audit executive for the European Region of Honda Motor Europe Ltd.

Martin told Service Dealer this week, “I spent 14 years working directly in the power products industry with Honda in the UK and Europe, which I have to say were some of the best times in my 41 year career.”

Martin joined Honda (UK) in 1994 and held senior positions of Head of Sales & Marketing for Honda (UK) Cars, General Manger Honda (UK) and Europe Power Products, CFO for Honda Motor Europe and finally Chief Audit Executive.

Outside the office, Martin is a Trustee and Chairman of Governance of Wooden Spoon, which is the national rugby charity for children who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially. Martin will continue his involvement with the Charity after retirement.

F. R. Sharrock Limited, have signed a partnership agreement with Spearhead Machinery which will see the dealer take responsibility for the distribution of the manufacturer’s Amenity range of products in the North and Midlands of the UK with immediate effect.

L-R: Simon Gurney, area sales manager, Spearhead Machinery with Steve Hanlon, sales director Sharrocks

Commenting on the partnership, James Sharrock, managing director of F. R. Sharrock said, “We have been considering options for our amenity flail and rotary mowers for the last couple of seasons as requirements from the market have changed. We wanted a manufacturer who was capable and prepared to work with us on development. Spearhead have long been known for over-engineered, high-quality products and with their recent commitment to this sector we are confident that they will exceed our customers’ expectations in our new wide area flail and rotary mowers”.

Sales director of F. R. Sharrock, Steven Hanlon, added, “Our hire team operate the largest fleet of trailed WAM’s in the UK, with units from most manufacturers so we are familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each brand. This knowledge has been shared with Spearhead’s engineering team over the last nine months and incorporated into designs which have undergone rigorous testing with results that are nothing short of spectacular. In the meantime, our sales teams have been working hard with the current Roliflail, Trident and Twiga flails with impressive results, especially when you consider the COVID lockdown.”

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Antony Prince, Spearhead’s director of sales & marketing said, “We are committed to becoming the first choice for the end-user in the amenity sector and the appointment of Sharrocks is a logical step in achieving this.”

Claydon Drills has further expanded its UK distribution network by appointing a dealer in Hampshire to handle the full range of thier Opti-Till products across central Southern England.

Seale Agri Limited, which operates from Manor Farm, Chilcomb near Winchester, will sell, service and support Claydon products in an area bordered by the Isle of Wight in the south and M4 motorway in the north, and from Worthing in the east to Bournemouth in the west.

To underline its commitment to the Claydon brand, Seale Agri has added a 4.8m Hybrid T trailed drill, 6m TerraStar light rotary cultivator and 7.5m Straw Harrow to its demonstration fleet.

Seale Agri’s owner John Seale, said, “During my career I have seen and tried all types of drills and crop establishment systems. The Opti-Till System is as good as it gets and now is the right time to become involved with Claydon.”

Rob Dunk, sales manager for Claydon in the UK and ROI, added “We are delighted to be working with Seale Agri, a highly-professional, family-owned business which, like Claydon, has a long history in the agricultural machinery and farming sectors. Their appointment is an extension of our strategy to offer the Claydon Opti-Till range through a network of professional dealers."

Claydon have recently appointed a number of new dealers to expand their UK network, including Rickerby Limited in the North East/North West of England and Southern Scotland, Sharmans Agricultural Limited in The Midlands, and Collings Brothers who cover Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.

Toro and its UK distributor Reesink Turfcare have announced two new finance schemes which they describe as "industry-firsts" specifically designed to support customers in 2020-2021 and beyond.

The two companies have combined to offer a ‘buy now pay later’ at zero percent interest finance option and also a lease hire option, both of which include lengthy payment holidays.

Alastair Rowell, national accounts manager - grounds for Reesink Turfcare, says, “These two finance deals react to the current times. Together with Toro, we wanted to show support to our customers. We understand that cashflow is, and perhaps will be for some time, uncertain, yet machines are still needed now to maintain courses to the best possible standards. Now, more than ever, the focus has to be on retaining and increasing memberships.”

These two options both offer a six-month payment holiday, one requiring a single payment and the other offering reduced payments to reflect residual values.

The ‘buy now pay later’ option is a familiar product but is described by the companies as an "embellished deal in response to the COVID-19 landscape".

Customers can order any time between July and December 2020 with the deal at zero percent interest, with a single payment required 7 May 2021.

The second option is a lease hire option with a six month pause period followed by either 60 monthly payments or five annual payments, according to each individual customer’s cashflow requirements.

Alastair says, “This option provides longer term financing in conjunction with very competitive finance terms. There is a six-month payment ‘holiday’ and the residual value of the machines are maintained at a strong level to the original cost. It provides a big benefit at the beginning of the term and leverages strong residual values to keep payments down.

“What’s new is that these two plans provide clubs with options to suit their likely financial position from the middle part of 2021”, Alastair explains. “The point we kept coming back to when thinking about how best we could support our customers during this time was how uncertain it all is.

“Offering these two repayment plans will enable clubs to then focus on maintaining their courses so they look beautiful and play great, and to keep existing members happy while attracting new ones”.

In addition to these two plans, there are many other repayment options that clubs can consider, including three, four or five year monthly or annual options.

Both deals are available on all Toro fine turf and grounds machinery, and also includes TYM tractors when bought as part of a Toro fleet deal. Finance is subject to credit acceptance.

Black Cat Plant Hire based in South Yorkshire say they saw rental business increase during the lockdown.

As such the company has expanded their fleet with the purchase of new Bobcat E10z and E27z zero tail swing (ZTS) mini-excavators from AMS Bobcat, the local authorised Bobcat dealer.

Jack Lycett of Black Cat Plant Hire with one of the new Bobcat E10z mini-excavators

Jack Lycett, company owner, said, “I started the rental business for the self-drive market, as a complement to our paving business, J L Paving and Driveways, which we’ve been running very successfully for over 35 years. But the rental side really began to take off as we went into lockdown in February-March of this year, to meet demand from people looking to do work on their own properties in the extra time they have during the lockdown.”

In addition to the increased domestic market triggered by the lockdown, Black Cat Plant Hire serves local contractors and other businesses in Barnsley, Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area as well as Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Jack says all of the Bobcat machines in his company‘s fleet are suitable for a variety of applications including landscaping, construction, demolition, refurbishment, trenching and drainage work.

Jack continued, "We are still a small concern in rental terms, but with 8-9 machines going out every day, the new Bobcat machines have helped us to meet the increased demand we have seen during the lockdown.”

Suzuki has launched a new promotion which they say is intended to support their dealer network.

Under the new ‘Trade Up’ promotion customers will receive a discount of 10% off the net value of a new KingQuad 500X when trading in any midrange quad of any brand with an engine capacity between 325cc to 425cc.

National sales manager for Suzuki’s ATV Division, Harvey Day, said, "We hope that this promotion will support our dealer network in targeting a wider audience and help them secure even more long-term customer relationships moving forward.”

More details of the Trade Up campaign can be found here.

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