RAISE A GLASS! To another tough, yet successful, 12 months by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
As we wind down for a well-earned Christmas break, it's been another year with its challenges, but the dealer network's resourcefulness has shone through once again.
Just a brief Update from us today as hopefully all our readers will be gearing up for a well-earned Christmas break.
It's been another challenging year for the dealer network with well-documented issues including supply, costs and recruitment ongoing. However, we know that despite all this, through hard work, determination and entrepreneurship many can chalk up another successful year for the dealership.
No doubt these obstacles, along with some fresh ones, will continue into 2023, with dealer resourcefulness tested once again. But for the time being, let's pause, raise a glass, take stock and look forward to working to resolve any problems faced as an industry together.
Service Dealer will be with you throughout the upcoming 12 months once again, documenting all the twists and turns. We'll be here each Friday with the Weekly Update, every other month with the magazine and all year round across our social media channels.
Speaking of the magazine, the latest edition should be with you during the first working week of the new year. An absolutely cracking issue, we have a full report from our recent Conference, including all the Dealer of the Year winners.
Elsewhere we hear from a dealership who are embarking on an ag-venture into a new market sector and we report from trade shows around the world - with correspondents at events in the UK, Europe and the U.S.
The issue also welcomes a new diarist of the season, with Jason Nettle of Winchester Garden Machinery taking over from Anthony Deacon from MKM.
And we also say a fond farewell to our great friend Chris Biddle, who is stepping down from his popular In My View column. Chris's wise words can still be heard on his regular podcasts and we're sure we'll hear from him in our pages from time to time.
Stepping into Chris's big shoes is a new mystery columnist! All will be revealed in due course, but for now we'll look forward to hearing the opinions of . . .The Sprocket!
All that's left for this year, is for me to thank all our readers for their loyalty and support once again. Also massive personal thanks to our wonderful editorial team of Martin, Laurence, Alan, Adam, Sara and Chris - and to the amazing production team at TAP (with a special fistbump to Nikki) for all their incredible work on Service Dealer, in all its forms, throughout 2022.
Have a great break when you get there - and we'll see you back here on Friday January 6th for our annual countdown of all the most read stories from this Weekly Briefing during these past, eventful, 12 months.
Have a brilliant Christmas and a marvellous New Year!
In our WEB ONLY story a new report is available for free that provides up-to-date information and analysis of the UK Groundcare Professional market, including usage of tools, interest in battery-powered, automation and attitudes towards the environment.
Unable to attend the recent Service Dealer Awards ceremony, Gammies have this week been united with their honour.
Unable to attend the recent Service Dealer Awards ceremony, Gammies have this week been united with their honour.
Craig Hoare, sales and marketing manager of Toro UK who sponsored the Professional Groundcare Machinery Dealer of the Year category - and who collected the prize on Gammies behalf on the night - traveled to Forfar on Monday.
There he presented Les Gammie with the framed certificate as seen pictured below.
L-R: Craig Hoare and Les Gammie
Upon winning, the judges said of the dealership, "Gammies demonstrated a strong relationship with their customer base. Their sales team and workshop professionals pride themselves in going above and beyond for their customers, acting as a reliable and trustworthy source of advice and support. While operating under the restrictions in the peak of the pandemic, they continued to maintain contact over the phone with their customers and have since prioritised face-to-face visits.
“Gammies have a strong presence both on and offline, and regularly use social media in their work. With standout staff and customer relations, their heart is in supporting their local community.”
New recruit has been operating in this role for another major OPE distributor and is described as a perfect fit.
Boss ORV, the UK distributor of Corvus Off-Road Vehicles has announced that Matt Richardson has joined as their new after sales manager.
Matt Richardson and Phil Everett
Boss managing director, Phil Everett said, "Matt will join us officially on January 1st 2023 and will lead the restructure of this department to support our aggressive growth plans during the coming year.
"Matt has been operating in this role (and much, much more) for a major OPE distributor and is therefore an absolutely perfect fit for us.
"Matt will be on our Stand (stand number 6.838 hall 6) at the LAMMA exhibition in January so please pop in to say hello."
Manufacturer has improved its parts support by employing two new parts sales specialists.
Kuhn has improved its parts support by employing two new parts sales specialists. James Fox will cover the north, whilst Sarah Govier will manage the south.
Sarah Govier
James is new to Kuhn whilst Sarah has been with the Group for over twenty years, spending some of her career helping customers worldwide.
James Fox
Sarah said, “I have worked for Kuhn in France, Australia, and the UK, which has given me the opportunity to understand the product range in a variety of farming systems. Parts are an important service sector for KUHN, especially with the introduction and success of the MyKUHN platform that enables customers to price and order parts online."
Siân Pritchard, managing director of Kuhn UK, said, “Having readily available, genuine parts that customers can rely on is crucial to Kuhn’s support offering and having the right staff to manage and coordinate this is essential to both the business and our customers."
The German Design Award is awarded by the German Design Council, Germany's design and brand authority based in Frankfurt am Main. The jury members form a unique network of experts in innovations and design.
Revealed at SITEVI (salon international des équipements et savoir-faire pour les productions vignevin, olive et fruits-légumes) 2021, the Straddle Tractor Concept is a co-production of New Holland Agriculture and Pininfarina, the design house.
The concept has been developed in a video, that has been watched thousand of times on New Holland Agriculture channels from users all over the world: the idea was specifically designed to meet the requirements of the narrow vineyards.
These operations produce high-quality, high-value wines from grapes grown in rows less than one and a half meter wide, often on steep slopes and on small vineyards. In these conditions, grapes are picked by hand and most of the vine maintenance work is done by means of a tractor travelling overhead the rows.
The futuristic design developed by Pininfarina combines safety, comfort, and technology: it is inspired by the shape of a glass of Champagne - tall, wide at the top and tapering down at the bottom - as a homage to premium wine growers of regions such as Champagne, Médoc and Burgundy.
The cab is completely made by glass, providing the operator with visibility on the vines and all around and it is angled in the direction of travel, adding dynamism to the design. The interior features a large single door and rotating seat, with use of wood contributing to the cab’s plush, luxurious feel, again reminding of wine barrels.
In keeping with New Holland Agriculture's commitment to all aspects of sustainable agriculture and the brand Clean Energy Leader strategy, the concept has been created as ready for the electric traction, for a future of alternative energies fuelled machines.
The company recorded an increase in sales of 2.7% to a new high of €4.9 billion for the 2022 financial year, despite the difficult trading conditions.
The Claas Group recorded an increase in sales of 2.7% to a new high of €4.9 billion for the 2022 financial year, despite the difficult trading conditions.
The manufacturer said their EBITDA margin remained high at 8.8% but profits before taxes fell to €166.3 million mainly as a result of impairments in Eastern Europe. They also said the company continues to see strong demand for its products, especially in North America but sales in Europe, although down slightly, were still strong.
CEO Thomas Böck said, "The year 2022 has challenged us in every respect. In this difficult mix, we have shown how resilient our business model is. We delivered and proved with a lot of personal commitment that we can measure up to our vision of making customers the best in their field. We have delivered 100% on our harvest promise to our customers. For this, all employees and distribution partners deserve my thanks."
The 2022 financial year saw the company continue with its investment programme, with €130 million being invested in its global sales and production network, while R&D spend was increased by 6.4% to €279 million.
Manufacturer has donated tools to the volunteer gardening team at St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
EP Barrus has donated a selection of Wilkinson Sword and WOLF-Garten tools to the volunteer gardening team at St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
St Michael’s Hospice provides care and support to patients and families as they adjust to life with terminal illnesses. The garden offers a peaceful spot for patients, relatives, and staff to sit and reflect while taking in the stunning scenery.
This is all made possible by the dedicated volunteer gardeners who work throughout the year, ensuring the grounds stay beautiful and tranquil. The donated selection of spades, forks, and loppers will help the volunteers keep the grounds in top condition for everyone to enjoy.
Sharon Marks, facilities coordinator at St Michael’s Hospice, thanked EP Barrus, saying, “These tools will assist the Volunteer Gardening Team in their latest project of renewing the flowerbeds adjacent to the patient’s rooms and also around our pond area.
“By making this donation, you have shown great support towards the work we do.”
Phil Noble, divisional sales manager at EP Barrus said, “We are so glad to have this opportunity to give something back to the community.”
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