First off, a happy new year to all our readers. I do hope you managed to enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved break.

Talking to a few dealers this week, I do get the impression that much of the industry had some proper time off these past couple of weeks. If this applies to you, hopefully you're well-rested and prepared for the inevitable challenges that 2022 will have in store!

Clearly the first hurdle we'll all have to navigate is this current wave of Omicron that's sweeping the nation (and the world!). I suppose the best we can hope for is that it will prove to be a sharp peak and will decline almost as quick as it arrived.

No doubt many of you reading this today, dealer and manufacturer alike, will be suffering from staff shortages, with colleagues currently in isolation. I myself had a bout of it over Christmas, finally being allowed out of the house on Wednesday this week. Whilst inconvenient, it did of course mean I didn't miss any work. There will however, be huge swathes of the population who will be starting their 7-10 days indoors at any point over the coming weeks, placing businesses under further pressures.

In a better place?

All that being said, as an industry might we be in a better position in terms of direct effects of the pandemic than this time last year? Looking back to the first edition of this Weekly Update from 2021, we were just at the beginning of another strict lockdown, with confusion reigning for dealers once again. It was back to studying the wording on government websites to ascertain which category of retailer different types of dealer could be classed as, in order to make a judgement whether doors could remain open. It was a time of great uncertainty, with the prospect of many months of not knowing where this whole thing was heading lying in front of us. 

Whilst I may of course be wrong, it does feel like at least that threat of another lengthy lockdown is not hanging over us this January. It seems to me like we've moved beyond the time when the government might impose such strict restrictions on businesses and individuals again.

These next few months will be tough for all, but being thankful for small mercies, I'd like to hope that we are in a better place now. With everything dealers have learnt and coped with since March 2020, it will be inevitable that companies will be armed with an extra strength and resilience. Making it this far is surely evidence of that?

Once again this January we are deprived of the opportunity to meet up as an industry at a couple of major trade shows. Both LAMMA and BTME postponed their scheduled events before Christmas, which felt both unavoidable and the right thing to do. Organisers of both have each put new dates in the diary that aren't a million miles away. LAMMA is set for 4th-5th of May and BTME even sooner on 22nd-24th of March. 

I sincerely hope these dates are achievable. It would be great to think that if they are staged as planned, both will experience the same kind of buzz that was felt at SALTEX back in November. That show seemed to benefit from visitors' enthusiasm for a trade exhibition following such a long absence. People were keen to be there and get on with real business, which meant for a productive couple of days. Maybe these delays will do the same for LAMMA and BTME?

So all the best for 2022. Obviously there shall be difficulties to overcome ahead - especially around stocking and recruitment - but hopefully lessons learned over these extraordinary 24 months will count for something?

Service Dealer will be here in all its formats every step of the way, offering news, opinion and support throughout the year once again. Please remember this is your journal, so do get in touch via any channel if you have a point you'd like to express or an issue to discuss.

Feedback and input from you, our dealer readers, is the magazine's lifeblood.

The Service Dealer Weekly Update popped into your inbox every Friday as close to noon as possible throughout 2021, documenting another extraordinary year for the industry.

As has become traditional in the first edition of the new year, we take a look back at the stories that caught your eye the most during the past 12 months. Once again the stories gaining the most click-throughs are surprising, unusual and contain a smattering of controversy.

Without further ado, in ascending order, here's what you read the most in 2021:

 
10.
NEW DISTRIBUTOR ANNOUNCED FOR ECHO PRODUCTS IN UK - 3rd December 2021
FGM Claymore announced that as of 1st January 2022, they would be the new distributor of the Echo and Shindaiwa brands for the UK market.

9.
KUBOTA MAKES ANOTHER ACQUISITION - 15th October 2021

It was announced that Kverneland AS, a subsidiary of Kubota Corporation, had acquired 80% of shares in the ROC Company, an Italian manufacturer of merger implements.

8.
DEALERSHIP TO OPEN NEW KUBOTA CENTRE - 29th October 2021

Lister Wilder announced the addition of a new Kubota centre in Bibury, Gloucestershire, which would bring the teams from both its Cirencester and Southam branches together.

7.
HUSQVARNA NAME THEIR TOP DEALERS - 8th October 2021

During its 2021 virtual dealer conference, the manufacturer announced the three winners of its annual dealer awards.

6.
HUSQVARNA FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST BRIGGS & STRATTON - 24th September 2021

Husqvarna Group in the U.S instigated legal action against Briggs & Stratton after the engine maker announced that they would only deliver a very small portion of the engines for ride-on mowers that Husqvarna Group had ordered in advance of the 2022 season.

5.
KEN BREWSTER LEAVES HUSQVARNA - 5th February 2021

Husqvarna announced that their UK sales & marketing director, Ken Brewster, who had been in the role for six years, had left the company "to pursue other career opportunities."

4.
BAGMA ADVISE GARDEN MACHINERY SHOWROOMS TO CLOSE - 15th January 2021

The Association had studied the guidelines at the time for retailers and was advising that any shop or showroom for dealers of garden products was likely to be considered ‘non-essential’ retail and was therefore required to close.

3.
BIGWOOD AGRI CLOSES ITS DOORS - 25th June 2021

Following 39 years of trading at Walford Cross Garage in Taunton, Somerset, dealers Bigwoods Agri Ltd closed their doors for the final time.

2.
HONDA REMAIN SILENT - 15th January 2021

Service Dealer editor Steve Gibbs wrote a blog addressing the decision by Honda not to respond to dealer concerns regarding the manner in which their termination and subsequent messaging to customers had been handled.

1.
ANGER AT HONDA'S TERMINATION LETTER; PART TWO - 8th January 2021

Service Dealer founder Chris Biddle penned an editorial regarding dealers who had been terminated by Honda who had been sent a threatening termination letter and had been forced to deny suggestions of closure.

Taking place throughout January, #Run1000 is back for a second year, with teams representing the home nations (plus New Zealand!), all doing their bit to raise funds for various charities.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke has his running shoes on (and littler collecting bag in hand!) and is running for the England team. You can pledge to support him here.

Duncan said, "Throught the month of January I'll be taking part in the #Run1000 challenge aiming to walk and/or run as many miles as possible to raise awareness of mental wellbeing in rural areas. It's a great cause that will be close to the hearts of all our readers."

Organisers of the mental health fundraiser, say they are looking to set a new record this month. Launched in 2021 by founder Sheena Horner, who started running again in lockdown for the first time in 20 years, the campaign was joined by over 1,200 participants last year who walked or ran during the month of January.

Each step counted towards their country’s collective miles, ultimately raising £51,545 for charity. 

With teams this year from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and New Zealand, the teams are not only competing to be crowned winners but also raise more money for their chosen charities - RSABI, DPJ Foundation, Embrace Farm, YANA, Farmstrong New Zealand, Farming Community Network, The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust and Vetlife. 

If you want to get involved yourself, it's not too late to sign up. Go here, choose the team you'd like to represent and get running!

The AEA says the number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK in December was back above its level a year before, having dipped below 2020's figure in November.

Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the Association, said, "At 883 machines, the monthly total was 14% higher than in the final month of 2020 and 16% above the 2015-19 average. Indeed, it was the highest figure for the time of year since 2017, when registrations were inflated by pre-registrations ahead of the application of new regulations.

The December figure brings the total number of machines registered during the year to 12,017.

"That is 16% higher than in 2020 but very close to the size of the market in each of the three years before that," said Stephen. "It is likely that registrations would have been higher still were it not for disruptions to global supply chains, which led to an increase in delivery lead times for a wide range of manufactured products, including tractors.

"That will have meant that some machines which would ordinarily have been delivered (and registered) in 2021 will have been delayed into 2022."

Glen Instone has been appointed President of the Husqvarna Division within Husqvarna Group. He will continue to serve as the Group CFO until his successor is appointed.

Glen Instone

"I am very pleased to see Glen become the President of the Husqvarna Division, a role he has been successfully leading since July, combined with his CFO role. His broad experience and knowledge about our company combined with his leadership skills will be of great value to further strengthen and grow the Husqvarna Division” says Henric Andersson, President & CEO Husqvarna Group.

Since joining Husqvarna in 2002, Glen has held various positions including Vice President Global Sales & Services, Husqvarna Division 2016–2018, VP & CFO Husqvarna Division 2014–2017 and VP & CFO EMEA, 2013– 2014. Glen Instone has served as Group CFO since 2018, and as Acting President of the Husqvarna Division since July 1st 2021.

“I look forward to continue to lead the great team within the Husqvarna Division in a truly exciting time in our history. We have re-invented ourselves for more than 330 years and continue to lead the transformation of our industry through electrification, automation, digitalisation and sustainability. With our customers at the center of what we do, we are driving sustainable growth within both the residential and professional business areas,” said Glen.

Glen took up the permanent position within the Husqvarna Division on January 1, 2022. He will continue to serve as the Group CFO until his successor is appointed. The Group CFO recruitment process has been initiated.

As from February 2022, in an industry first, Claas UK will be taking their apprentice training ‘in-house’ in a new dedicated Apprenticeship Academy directly adjacent to the Claas Academy, on the site of the company's UK headquarters at Saxham.

Claas say the development of the new purpose built Apprentice Academy will make them the only UK agricultural machinery manufacturer to offer and deliver an in-house apprenticeship programme that is all under one roof.  It’s also a worldwide first for the Claas Group and with a significant investment of 3 million Euros, the programme will provide a blueprint for the development of similar schemes within the company’s global operation.

To date Claas has seen over 200 apprentices graduate and grow within their dealer network. This has been as a direct result of the commitment and support of their dealer network and the existing training providers. 

However, the company says they recognise that in order to stay ahead they have to keep on running. The original apprenticeship program was created 20 years ago and as their product portfolio and technology has changed, so the training schemes also need to keep apace of these new developments. 

Hence their decision to focus on the importance of 'growing their own' to ensure that their dealership staff of the future have the technical skills and product knowledge required by the customers and their dealer network to provide a first class service.

Andrew Dunne, academy manager said “Our new generation of apprentices will receive specific product training throughout their apprenticeship programme and will be fully integrated and accustomed to Claas, leading to further qualification and progression within the dealerships once qualified.”

The company says they will continue its close working relationships with the current partner colleges to ensure all their existing apprentices complete their programmes successfully and continue their careers at Claas. 

The Academy's inaugural intake of apprentices from dealerships will commence in February 2022, with a further cohort joining the scheme in autumn 2022. Initially Claas UK will be delivering the Land-Based Service Engineer Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard, but as the Academy develops it is planned to expand apprentice numbers and courses available.

The apprenticeship programs will be delivered by Claas dedicated trainers alongside specialist product trainers from the Academy. In preparation for the new programme, not only has an Apprenticeship Academy been established on site, the Claas Academt itself has been extended and remodelled to provide additional bespoke facilities for the apprentices, namely specialist fabrication, engine, hydraulic and electronic workshops, classrooms and break-out areas. This expansion sees the Academy grow by a further five workshops and six classrooms, together with dedicated digital studios.

Claas UK has received full Government approval to join the apprentice training register. In the future the manufacturer will also be collaborating with the Scottish Rural College (SRUC) to deliver apprenticeships for Scottish candidates from the new Apprentice Academy at Saxham.

“This is a significant strategic step for the development and sustainability of our business,” explains Brian Wain, chief operating officer for Claas UK. “In an industry which combines advanced technology with practical applications, we have to invest in the people who will be our future engineers, for our dealer partners, and our final customer, if we are all to succeed in the field.”

SALTEX have announced the results of their post-show survey of exhibitors.

According to organisers the GMA, 93% of exhibitors said the show generated new sales leads, while 96% believed SALTEX was perfect for promoting and maintaining their company profile.

In addition, 81% of exhibitors said that exhibiting was important to their overall business strategy and 82% believed it was a perfect opportunity to meet existing customers.

When asked to rate their primary target audiences, the below sectors received the highest number of responses. 

• Professional sports - 48%
• Local authorities, councils, parish, town planning - 48%
• Contractors – land construction, grounds - 41%
• School, colleges, universities - 40%
• Dealers, distributors, retailers - 40%
• Landscapers - 33%

Furthermore, 71% of exhibitors stated that they will be returning to exhibit at SALTEX 2022.

This year's edition of the show will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.

Based in Adare, County Limerick, SAMCO is best known for manufacturing mulch film and associated application machinery for the arable and horticulture sectors, alongside selling a range of other agricultural machinery.

Sam Shine (2nd from right) with members of the SAMCO team

From 1st January 2022, the business will also sell the full range of Case IH tractors, harvesting equipment and telehandlers as well as supplying parts and providing a comprehensive after-sales service. The business also plans to open a second depot in Tralee, County Kerry in early 2022.
 
The family business was started in 1997 and is now run by father and sons, Sam, Robert and Matthew Shine, employing over 50 staff and exporting to 25 countries.

“We’re very excited to be adding the Case IH brand to our business,” says Sam Shine. “Our family has used Case IH machinery for many years and it’s a well-respected brand in this area that will complement our existing product range.

"The opening of an additional depot in County Kerry will enable us to service an even greater area of customers and we look are very much looking forward to taking delivery of our first Case IH machines in the New Year.”
 
Commenting on the development, Jon May, Case IH Dealer relationship manager for the UK and Ireland said, “SAMCO is very well-known in the Irish agricultural industry and is an excellent addition to the Case IH dealer network, covering an area that was previously open for the brand. They are a strong business that I am confident will deliver a professional service to existing and new customers in the area."

The Official CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration) Scheme has reached a major milestone in its rollout across the construction plant and agricultural machinery industry.

In November this year, the 500,000th machine fitted with the security marking system rolled off the production line.

L-R: Pete King, Sharmans Of Stamford; Stephen Howarth, AEA; Kevin Howells, Datatag; and Dave Luscombe, CEA celebrate the half-million mark for CESAR
 
The CESAR scheme, powered by Datatag and owned by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) and the AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association), was launched in 2007 to combat machinery theft across the industry.
 
Today over 85% of new construction and agricultural machinery in the UK is now fitted with the system as standard. The scheme has gone from strength to strength thanks to the introduction of the new Emissions Compliance Verification (ECV) product. The scheme can now be used for security and emissions identification and also asset management. It’s this evolution of the original scheme that has enabled CESAR to reach this half-million milestone.
 
Team members from the CEA, AEA, and Datatag met at one of the Midlands CESAR dealers, Sharmans Of Stamford, to celebrate the achievement. Stephen Howarth, AEA's agricultural economist, attended the event and commented, “It’s great to reach such a great milestone for the scheme and to celebrate it with a successful agricultural dealer.”
 
The official CESAR scheme's success in deterring theft comes from the multi-layered technologies supplied by security specialists Datatag. These include the now-iconic and uniquely numbered tamper-evident triangular ID plates, hidden RFID transponders, microscopic Datadots, and a unique forensic DNA solution. Once fitted these technologies are almost impossible to remove successfully and when recorded on Datatag's secure database, are accessible to the police 24/7enabling them to identify any machine at the roadside night or day.
 
A further benefit to customers of brands fitting CESAR to their machines is that many leading insurers provide insurance premium discounts of up to 20% off for all protected and registered equipment.

Claydon Yield-o-Meter Limited has appointed Turney Group to sell and support their full range in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and South Northamptonshire.

Daniel Coates, group operations manager, Turney Agriculture

Turney operates three depots which are located at Middleton Stoney and Weston-on-the-Green in Oxfordshire, together with Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. 

Daniel Coates, group operations manager for Turney Agriculture, said, “Adding Claydon to our portfolio is a positive development because we are now able to offer our customers a tine-type drill from a very well-respected British manufacturer. 

“In addition to selling the full range of new Claydon machinery we also provide service and spare parts support to existing Claydon customers in our trading area who purchased new or pre-owned equipment direct from the company before it established a dealer network.”

Rob Dunk, Claydon’s sales manager - UK and ROI, added, “Claydon are delighted to welcome Turney Group to our rapidly growing dealer network, which is at the heart of our strategy to make Claydon Opti-Till products available to customers and ensure that they are fully supported by enthusiastic, professional dealers. This is a positive development for existing and potential Claydon owners."

Job title: Sales Area Manager

Reports to: UK General Manager - Hierarchical 

Job purpose

Emak Group is one of the leading players at the world level, offering innovative solutions for gardening, agriculture, forestry, and industry.

Within the organization of Emak UK Ltd. based in Birmingham, part of Emak Group, We are looking to recruit a Sales Area Manager that will have the direct responsibility for the results on a specific sector.

Main Duties and responsibilities

• Within the assigned area, which may vary during the time due to business needs, the Area Manager will ensure the achievement of business objectives (i.e turnover, margin, # of machines sold) by implementing and promoting commercial activities for the sale of company products.
• Develops and implements operational activities to achieve the commercial targets by visiting mexisting clients and expanding the assigned market granting a constant presence on the field.
• Builds and promotes strong, long-lasting commercial relationships with clients, dealers retail of the target area.
• Coordinates all on-field activities with the company’s management and ensures a high level of service support for any possible claim
• Supports the management in formulating strategies deriving from direct experience with clients.

Requirements

Excellent communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work well in a team-based environment.
Proactive approach, verbal and written communication skills.
Availability to move within UK territory for business trips.
Must be self-motivated and able to work autonomously.

Interested candidates please forward CV and cover letter to recruiting@emak.co.uk

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