Not too much from me today (thankfully!), as I'm sure you'll all be incredibly busy getting everything in order, ready for when you can eventually lock the doors for a few days for that well-earned break.

Because of how the calendar falls this year, today's will be our final Weekly Update until Friday January 9th. I know! That sounds ages away doesn't it? However, it's only a couple weeks, during which time a lot of the industry will be effectively closed - so hopefully we won't be missing a red company buying a blue company or something huge! If we do, you can be sure that your favourite industry news briefing will catch you up on it - just as soon as we've finished off the last of the massive ham.

Before then though, to fill your Service Dealer-shaped hole, the first magazine of 2026 should have thumped onto your mat. I say thumped because we're now even bigger of course, including as we now do, the Plant Hire and Construction section in the middle of the magazine.

Editor of our new component, Dan Gilkes, has written a great article for the Jan / Feb '26 issue looking at the Electric Future that the world of plant and construction machinery is moving towards. Dan considers how as manufacturers steadily expand their electric ranges, battery-powered construction kit is edging from novelty to necessity - but convincing hire customers to make the leap remains a challenge.

Sticking to the evolving technology theme, Laurence Gale, draws on his expertise as our editor of TurfPro, as he reports from Buxtons' hosting of a robotic mowing demonstration day at a golf course for local greenkeepers. He hears from both the dealership and the end-users about how these machines are shaping the future of commercial turf care.

A subject close to the heart of dealers of all machinery specialisms, is the ever-thorny issue of warranty. In this upcoming issue, industry expert Keith Christian asks whether dealers get a fair deal with the warranty work they carry out? In a well-researched piece, Keith looks at how warranty reimbursement has become one of the industry’s most emotive issues, with many dealers feeling rising labour costs, uncompensated admin and low reimbursement rates are creating an unsustainable burden. He examines where responsibility lies, what the law actually says, and why many believe the system is overdue for reform.

We also hear from you, our valued dealer readers, on this subject, with the results of our most recent survey where we asked for your thoughts on the current situation regarding warranty.

Elsewhere my colleague Martin Rickatson, brings us extensive coverage from our recent Service Dealer Conference. Martin details how all the speakers at the event made the topic of 'resilience' central to their various presentations - and we also bring you details of all of our Dealer of the Year winners.

Martin also brings us one of our three international trade show reports that the magazine features. He travelled to Germany to visit Agritechnica, where he found the world’s biggest ag machinery show was, as ever, an antidote to industry angst. Even in farming times as tough as the current ones, Martin says the innovation on display tends to boost sector optimism.

Rounding off our worldwide coverage, I file a couple of show reports from both the far-flung Louisville, Kentucky and the fewer-far-flung, NEC, Birmingham! Both Equip and SALTEX were positive shows for the commercial turf care sectors in their own right. The huge U.S show saw technology meet tradition with both robotics and (surprisingly) petrol power to the fore - whilst Service Dealer shared dealer experiences from both sides of the Atlantic in an on-stage discussion. The GMA's show meanwhile, enjoyed focussed footfall with stand-holders reporting quality leads and good conversations with top decision makers.

We will of course, also feature our regular sections with Adam Bernstein bringing us the latest employment law news for SMEs; Sara Hey gives us an American perspective on how dealers can shift second-hand stock; and we shall be meeting for the first time our new diarist of a season - Kelly Burgess from Buxtons.

So a packed and absolutely cracking issue with which to kick off the new year! Like I say, we'll be back in your inbox on January 9th, when we will include a rundown of the 10 most read articles of 2025 from this Weekly Update. What do you think will be number one this year? 

Until then, my thanks as ever go to all the amazing team at TAP for their support and hard work all year round; to our incredible commercial partners and to you our valued and loyal dealer readers.

Have a relaxing and peaceful break when you get there.

Cheers!

Steve

EGO Power+ recently marked a major milestone, as the company celebrated the 10th anniversary of its European launch.

The brand say they have seen record growth over the decade, so to commemorate the anniversary and to thank its dedicated network of distributors, for the very first time, EGO hosted its annual distributor conference at its global headquarters in Nanjing, China.

The event welcomed the company's distributor network from across Europe to Chervon - their parent company - New Energy Industrial Park, which boasts a planned 520,000 square metres of production and testing facilities and was awarded as the national ‘Green Factory’ in 2018 for its renewable solutions, becoming the only factory in Nanjing to win this honour.

Peter Melrose, managing director of EGO Europe, said, “We are immensely proud of how far we have come over the last decade. With our continued commitment to innovating the industry through new technology and advocating for the benefits of battery-power with our Challenge 2025 initiative, we have paved the way for the industry to be accepting of new battery technologies and encouraged a cleaner and safer future for all.

“It was important to us that we celebrated this achievement with the people who helped make it possible. Bringing our distributors together in Nanjing for the first time allowed us to express our gratitude but also share a clear vision of the innovation that will drive the next decade. It was a fantastic event and went well beyond any typical conference!”

Held over four days, delegates were treated to an extensive programme that offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at EGO’s operations. Factory tours highlighted the brand’s stringent quality-control procedures, including a look at its dedicated precision measurement room designed to ensure consistently high standards across every product. Attendees were also given exclusive access to Chervon’s advanced production facilities in alignment with Industry 4.0, including the development of the power tool industry’s first fully automated high-bay warehouse.
 
The conference also saw the global launch of the AURA-R2 Robotic Mower range, EGO’s first boundary-wire-free autonomous mowing solution. Held at the new state-of-the-art and purpose-built AURA-R2 outdoor testing facility, guests were given an exclusive first look at the range ahead of its public unveiling in Europe during 2026.

Attendees also enjoyed a gala dinner, guided city tours, and regionally specific workshops. Each guest was also presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition of their partnership and contribution to EGO’s successes over the past decade.

LGMG Machinery UK Ltd have announced that they will make their debut at the Executive Hire Show 2026 (11–12 February, Coventry Building Society Arena), marking another milestone in the company’s growing presence in the UK and Ireland.

LGMG launched its UK subsidiary in 2024, establishing a 30,000-square-foot base in Speke, Liverpool. The site is home to stock, spare parts, training facilities, and customer support, forming the backbone of the company’s operations as it develops direct relationships with hire companies and contractors across the region.
 
The company delivers a full line of powered access equipment designed for construction sites. The range spans electric, hybrid, and diesel scissor lifts, booms, and telehandlers - and new for the Executive Hire Show, the launch of its low-level access range.
 
On stand H13, LGMG will showcase a cross-section of its most popular models, including the A09JE-2 electric articulated boom lift, S0607E electric scissor lift, and H625E electric telehandler. Each machine reflects LGMG’s focus on safety, efficiency, and ease of operation.
 
Chris Moore, publishing and events director for the Executive Hire Show, said of LGMG, "The brand has earned a reputation for quality and dependability, and its continued investment in the UK reflects real confidence in the hire market."

Bavenhill Mechanics Co Ltd has recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking 75 years in business serving the agricultural and rural community.

Founded in 1950 by two local farmers in Bromesberrow, near Ledbury, the company was originally established as a machinery repair business for local agriculture. With Trevor Bethell appointed as manager, Bavenhill quickly built a reputation for keeping farmers working, particularly during the pressure of harvest time when queues of machinery often lined up outside the workshop.

The business continued steadily for many years before entering a new phase of growth in 1978, when Robert Chapman joined the company after training in the industry. Freshly married to Gini, both remain current shareholders and directors today. Under their stewardship, Bavenhill adopted a more commercial approach, expanding into tractor and machinery retailing and taking on franchises including Fendt and Renault for a number of years.

Expansion continued with the addition of the Preston Cross site near Ledbury in 1984, with the business consolidating there by 1990. Around this time, the fruit sector became a core focus, with narrow tractors, fruit sprayers and harvesting machinery forming the backbone of the operation. In 1989, the company also began manufacturing fruit harvesting machines under the Pattenden Machinery name to meet a growing industry need.

In more recent years, demand from poultry producers has enabled Bavenhill to broaden its offering further, supplying trailed spraying equipment to commercial chicken farmers.

Clive Chapman

The arrival of the next generation has added further momentum. Clive Chapman has focused on the machinery side of the business, developing new fruit and apple harvesters while maintaining, refurbishing and supporting older machines for fruit growers across the UK and Europe. Christopher Chapman has driven growth in renewable energy, which has become the company’s leading sector, encompassing air source and ground source heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage.

Community commitment has also remained central. Over the past 18 months, Bavenhill has installed a public-access defibrillator outside its Preston Cross site in memory of Reg Watkins, a valued customer and long-standing family friend.

The company’s industry contribution has been further underlined through Bob Chapman’s long-standing involvement with BAGMA, where he served as President and sat on the Council representing independent dealers, as well as his term as President of BIRA.

Reflecting on the anniversary, the Chapman family thanked customers and suppliers for their continued support, crediting the success of the business to strong relationships built over seven and a half decades.

Today, Bavenhill Mechanics stands as a diverse, independent family business, with specialist facilities at Preston Cross supporting multiple sectors, all built on the foundations laid 75 years ago.

STIGA has showcased its latest professional and autonomous mowing equipment at Allianz Stadium, London, as part of its new role as Official Groundskeeping Partner of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The stadium's Daniel Hill and Ian Ayling with STIGA's Sam Fletcher

The demonstration gave the stadium’s grounds team the opportunity to trial a range of their machinery, including autonomous robotic mowers, the APX PRO system, battery-powered professional equipment and new electric tractors. The visit followed an England v Argentina international fixture, providing a live working environment for the evaluation of the equipment.

STIGA was recently appointed to a multi-year partnership with the RFU, covering both elite and grassroots rugby. The agreement is intended to support pitch maintenance across the RFU network, from Allianz Stadium and England Rugby training facilities through to community clubs supported by the Pitch Advisory Service.

The RFU’s grounds teams include full-time professionals at major venues, regional pitch advisors and a large number of volunteers working at club level. STIGA says its autonomous and battery-powered solutions are designed to help reduce workload while maintaining consistently high playing standards.

As part of the partnership, the manufacturer will provide access to its wireless robotic mowing technology and professional battery tools to support turf maintenance across the game.

James Gordon, managing director of STIGA UK, said the stadium visit was an important opportunity for the grounds team to assess the equipment first-hand. Jim Buttar, head of grounds and technical operations at the RFU, said the trials would help identify machinery suitable for both elite venues and grassroots clubs.

Independent garden machinery distributor and manufacturer Handy has unveiled two new websites aimed at improving support for retail partners and showcasing its growing brand portfolio.

HandyTrade.co.uk is designed exclusively for retailers and dealers, offering live stock updates, trade pricing, streamlined online ordering, and access to technical specifications, product videos, marketing materials, and account management tools. The company says the site aims to make doing business with them faster and more efficient.

Handys.co.uk meanwhile, provides a broader view of the company, its history, and its brands, including Webb Garden Power and The Handy. The company says this site highlights their manufacturing and distribution capabilities, sustainability initiatives, and company news, presenting a window into the business for customers, suppliers, and potential employees.

Marketing manager, Anthony Wadley, described the launch as “a true team effort” and a platform to showcase the company's success, such as being a GIMA Awards finalist. Development is planned for 2026 to further enhance the company’s brand websites.

Built for Stadiums and Elite Pitches

Cobra has announced the upcoming launch of the Fortis Stadium 34, the largest and most advanced cylinder lawnmower in the Fortis range. Launching in Spring 2026, it has been engineered for stadiums, training grounds and elite sports pitches, where precision and reliability are essential for world-class playing surfaces.

First previewed at GroundsFest 2025 and to be showcased again at Saltex 2025 (Stand B110), the Stadium 34 impressed turf professionals with its 34-inch cutting cylinder, robust build and ergonomic design, delivering the perfectly even, tournament-ready finish that professional sport demands.

Power and Versatility

The Stadium 34 will be available in two versions: a Honda-powered petrol model for proven performance, and an EGO battery-powered model offering the same 34” cut with reduced noise, zero emissions at the point of use and lower running costs – ideal for stadiums where sustainability and noise control are priorities.

It also works with the full range of Fortis lawncare cartridges, so groundskeepers can carry out jobs such as aeration, scarification, verticutting and brushing with a single machine – keeping pitches in peak condition all year round.

Comfort and Innovation

For extended mowing sessions, the optional Trailed Premium Seat allows operators to cover large pitches with reduced fatigue while maintaining complete control.

“We’re incredibly proud to reveal the Fortis Stadium 34,” said Peter Chaloner, Managing Director at Cobra Garden. “This cylinder lawnmower has been developed in close collaboration with professional grounds teams and is designed to raise the standard of turf care for stadiums and sports pitches. With a choice of Honda petrol or EGO battery power, cartridge versatility and the Trailed Premium Seat, it gives stadium groundskeepers everything they need to achieve world-class playing surfaces.”

Launching in Spring 2026, the Cobra Fortis Stadium 34 sets a new benchmark in professional turf care, joined by the new Cobra ZT Series to further expand Cobra’s product portfolio.

The New Cobra ZT Series - Stand-On and Zero-Turn Ride-Ons

Alongside the Fortis Stadium 34, Cobra will also be previewing the new Cobra ZT Series, which includes stand-on and zero-turn ride-on mowers.

Designed for large estates and commercial properties, the ZT Series combines precision control, power and productivity, offering mowing solutions for demanding conditions.

The ZT Series also features a high-quality engineered 3-in-1 combi-deck that gives operators the freedom to adapt to every mowing condition. Each model can be configured by the dealer for rear discharge, side discharge, or mulching (with the included mulch blades fitted). Whether fast, efficient clearance or a finely mulched finish is required, the ZT Series’ precision-engineered cutting decks delivers outstanding performance and a premium results every time.

For more information on Cobra, visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk

To become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on 07771 581 296 or call our sales team.

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