It has been two years, but today we're finally able to say, it's the Service Dealer Conference & Awards next week!

To say that it feels like a long time in the offing is an understatement - but when we finally get there on Thursday it will certainly have been worth the wait. The agenda that the organising team have in place is genuinely first class.

The conference theme this year is Smart Working, which couldn't be more timely. By keeping in close contact with our dealer readers throughout this whole extraordinary time, we are well aware of just how smart, adaptive and resilient everyone has had to be with the running of their businesses. Next week will offer an opportunity for our dealer delegates to come together in a safe and secure environment, to share with each other their experiences and knowledge gained over these past 24 months - as well as hear from the lineup of expert speakers, their takes on the subject.

The speakers

And what a lineup is scheduled for the Oxford Belfry next week! Without a doubt there will be plenty for the attendees to takeaway and put into practical application back at their dealerships.

Joining the conference for the first time since his popular appearance in 2018, is futurist Ed Gillespie. Currently Ed says his focus is using his twenty-five years of experience to help organisations understand the new Covid-19 world. From ‘unlearning’ the mistakes of the past, to asking the right (often awkward!) questions, Ed says his intention is to help dealers move beyond the discomfort of today into being the better, more resilient, responsible and sustainable businesses of tomorrow. 

Also presenting will be social media and marketing specialist, Teresa Heath-Wareing. Teresa was part of the development team for the Service Dealer Toolkit and thus she is well aware of the issues dealers are currently facing. She says she will provide the latest knowledge, proven strategies and practical tips to ensure dealers will leave with fresh ideas to support their businesses in the online world.

Completing the lineup of guest speakers is Sam Watson-Jones. Fourth generation arable farmer, plus co-founder & president of the Small Robot Company, Sam will be sharing his knowledge of the land-based sector and his awareness of the challenges involved in growing a new tech business. He says he intends to share his beliefs regarding how new technology will empower us.

As well as their main presentations to the conference, Teresa and Sam will also be running a smaller breakout session each. These are always lively forums for interactive debate and discussion between delegates. Teresa will be running one entitled 'Social Media Masterclass', whilst Sam will take the helm of one called 'New Technology Will Empower You, Not Replace You."

Ed meanwhile will complete the day hosting a round-table discussion tackling the concept of 'Riding the ‘hybrid’ work-horse - wrangling with the pros and cons of new ways of working.' This session will no doubt provide some fresh ideas for delegates to consider, as well allowing ideas learnt during the day to be drawn together and summarised. These sessions also facilitate any burning questions that have cropped up during the course of the conference to be addressed.

Awards ceremony

Following the day's work at the conference, there is the small matter of the 2021 Service Dealer Awards to contend with in the evening. As previously discussed, these are taking a slightly different format this time around to reflect the unique circumstances of the past two years.

What is no different though, is the standard of entries received. The judges were blown away by the quality of nominations, making their job of singling out winners, harder than ever. We've always known that the network is full of superstars, but working our way through the contenders in each category was a humbling experience. In the end, tough decisions had to be made, with all set to be revealed on the 25th.

The whole Service Dealer team is looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Oxford Belfry. There's no question that face-to-face interaction within the industry has been sorely missed. Next week it will be wonderful to safely get back to some normality.

As ever the event would not be possible without the wonderful support from our sponsors. This year we extend our thanks to :

Principle Sponsor

Kramp

Platinum Sponsor

Ibcos & Catalyst

Gold Sponsors

Kubota

Husqvarna

Toro UK

AGCO

Networking Sponsors

BAGMA

PSD Groundscare

The latest group of talented young service technicians and parts personnel have successfully graduated from John Deere’s Ag Tech, Turf Tech and Parts Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes.

38 successfully graduated from John Deere’s apprenticeship programmes, although not all could attend the event 

The 38-strong cohort passed the national scheme - provided by ProVQ - and their achievements have been recognised at a special event held for them at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham. 

James Skipper from Ben Burgess in Beeston won the Ag/Turf Apprentice of the Year, presented by John Deere Training Centre Manager Allan Cochran

John Deere dealer Ben Burgess saw success for two of its staff with James Skipper from Beeston in Norfolk winning the Ag/Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year for 2021 while Madeleine Green from the company’s Oakham site in Rutland won the Parts Tech award. 

Madeleine Green from Ben Burgess's Oakham site in Rutland won the Parts Tech award

Both were presented with new Apple iPads as their prize by John Deere apprentice centre manager James Haslam. 

Farol saw its Ag/Turf Tech apprentices Ciahran Quick from the company’s Shefford Woodlands dealership in Berkshire, and Henry Atkins from Midhurst in West Sussex, pick up the runner up prizes of a certificate and high street vouchers worth £250. 

John Deere branch training manager Allan Cochran said, “Our apprenticeship programme has been running for nearly three decades and was created because we saw the trend of fewer people coming into the industry. We needed to take steps to ensure that there was new talent to fill our business and dealer network. 

“That work is as relevant today as it was then. To see these fantastic individuals graduating from their courses and taking the next big step in their careers is incredibly rewarding. 

“Helping to give these young people their first step on the career ladder builds a strong foundation for their future success, and John Deere places great importance on supporting them to reach their full potential.

“We aim to nurture and mould these enthusiastic apprentices who have the skills and desire to work in our business and across the industry.” 

The next intake is already being enrolled with 61 Ag Tech and Turf Tech technicians so far signed up for their three-year course, in addition to six Parts Tech apprentices who study for two years.  

The full list of graduates and employers is below:

Ag/Turf Tech

• Sam Freemantle, TAG (Bibury)
• Harry Bowers, TAG (Evesham)
• Ryan Viney, C Smart (Dorchester)
• Harry Cross, C Smart (Bridgewater)
• James Skipper, Ben Burgess (Beeston)
• Jamie Mallett, P Tuckwell (Worlingworth)
• Owen Rutherford, Thomas Sherriff
• Jared Schreuder, Thomas Sherriff (Jedburgh)
• Andrew Jarvie, Thomas Sherriff (Lietholm)
• Edward Aldworth, Masons Kings (Exebridge)
• Samuel Bullen, Doubleday (Spalding
• Robert  Jacques, Farol Ltd (Hinkley)
• Jordan Cameron, Netherton Tractors Ltd - Glen Rothes
• Aaron Crebbin, Ben Burgess (Beeston)
• William Thomas, P Tuckwell (Cromer)
• Alec Murdoch, J S Montgomery (Bieth)
• Brandon Mallaburn, Thomas Sherriff (Alnwick)
• Andrew Bouch, Thomas Sherriff (Hexham)
• Sam Baxter, Ripon Farm Services (Louth)
• David Cox, Burden Brothers (Stockbury)
• Toby Saxby, Burden Bros (Stockbury)
• Harry Crane, Ben Burgess (Norwich)
• Harry Fairhead, Ben Burgess (Norwich)
• Toby Stannard, Ben Burgess (Norwich)
• George Stanger, Ripon Farm Services (Hull)
• Joe Robertson, Netherton Turriff
• David Wooliscroft, Farol Ltd (Hinkley)
• Ciahran Quick, Farol Ltd (Shefford)
• Henry Atkins, Farol Ltd (Midhurst)
• Richard Dart, Masons Kings (Exebridge)
• Campbell Morrison, Netherton Nairn

Parts 

• Luke Chidley, Rea Valley Tractors
• Peter Melton, Ben Burgess (Beeston)
• Gaby Seaton, J S Montgomery (Beith)
• Lewis Blair, Thomas Sherriff (Haddington)
• Madeleine Green, Ben Burgess (Oakham)
• Karl Watson, Ripon Farm Services (Market Weighton)
• Aleisha Ireland, Farol Ltd (Thame)

Organisers of the Sports and Ground Expo have announced they have partnered with environmental surface technology specialists, Bio-Circle, and will run a Sustainable Solutions for Ground Care summit at next year’s SAGE 2022 event.

SAGE 2022 will take place at Three Counties Showground in Malvern on July 6-7, 2022 after making its debut this year.

For the first time, it will host a ‘Sustainable Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit’ which will hold a live panel event with experts across the industry with organisers saying more information will be released soon.

SAGE 2022 event manager Vicky Panniers said, “The deadline for becoming sustainable in the world of sports is now looming and our industry must now start to think of the steps they need to take to become carbon neutral and comply to the new legislation. 

“SAGE is, therefore, delighted to be partnering with Bio Cycle who have been using a combination of technology, chemistry, biology and service to optimise their customer cleaning processes for the past 30 years."

The show says they will deliver live workshops to aid anyone who is looking at how they can become more sustainable for the future.

As an addition to its current range of over 25 franchises, the Ben Burgess group has been appointed as Reform Metrac dealers for the east of England.

Chris Pateman, commercial manager for the groundcare sector said, "We had identified a gap in the market in our region and the high quality and performance capability of the Reform range made it the ideal choice for our business.

"We already have orders in place for two Metrac H75 and two Metrac H60 models and look forward to introducing these machines to customers from April 2022 at our branches."

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Reform Werke specialist tractor range added, “We are delighted to be working with the Ben Burgess group."

The Etesia ET Lander utility vehicle has won the SALTEX 2021 Innovation award within the vehicle category, while also finishing second within the environmentally friendly category.

The show organisers say the Innovation awards were introduced to reward companies launching innovative and technologically advanced equipment within the grounds management sector. Since its launch in 2018, the awards have grown year on year, with 2021 now boasting several different categories for exhibitors to enter.

A panel of expert judges chose the Etesia ET Lander as the standout product within the vehicle category, which also made its first UK appearance at the NEC, Birmingham recently.

Built for use on road and off road in both the town and countryside, the manufacturer says ET Lander is 100% electric. It is built on a robust chassis and has options including a three-way tipper bed with dual control from the fully-fitted two-seater cab or by remote control when outside the vehicle.

With a length of 3.72 meters, the ET Lander features power steering and is fitted with lead acid batteries (72V 220 Ah – producing 15.8Kw).

The manufacturer says the vehicle can transport loads of up to 940kgs and can also tow up to 750kgs.

John Deere has approved Continental TractorMaster and VF TractorMaster tyres for its 6M and 6R tractors.

The OEM approval means all 90 to 300 horsepower John Deere tractors can be specified with Continental tyres from November 1st, 2021.

The range includes tyre widths up to 800mm, rim diameters up to 46 inches and tyre diameters up to 2.05m. Continental has supplied John Deere with its Tractor70 and Tractor85 tyres since 2019. However, this is the first-time customers can specify all John Deere 6M and 6R series models with Continental TractorMaster tyres, approved ex works.

The tyres are manufactured at a purpose-built agricultural tyre production facility in Lousado, Portugal. 

Continental agricultural tyre specialist, Richard Hutchins said, "With the TractorMaster, John Deere is expanding its tyre portfolio with a test winner which stands for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in agriculture. We are delighted that John Deere is expanding its Continental tyre range because it highlights our growth ambitions for the agricultural sector."

New Holland Agriculture have been the Silver Partner of the Nitto ATP Finals, the worldwide event that concludes the men's tennis season, which draws to a close this weekend (21st Novemeber) at the Pala Alpitour in Turin. 

The CNH Industrial agricultural brand’s logo has featured on the side-lines, in all the initiatives and on all the materials related to the event and has had its own stand in the Commercial Village, in Piazza San Carlo in central Turin. 

Played since 1970, the Nitto ATP Finals took on their current name in 2017 and bring together the eight best singles players in the world and the eight best doubles pairings - those with the highest ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rankings, will compete for the highly coveted final title of the season. 

The tournament is played in a round-robin format, where each participant plays three matches to determine their standings, then continues to the knockout stage with semi-finals and the final.

The Nitto ATP Finals is currently being broadcast in over 180 countries with an estimated audience of 95 million viewers; they are due to remain in Turin until 2025.

“We made the decision to take to the field alongside the best tennis players in the world”, stated Mattia Manicardi, New Holland Ag. global head of brand marketing & communication, “not only because we share these great athletes’ values of excellence, professionalism, competitiveness and loyalty, but also because we can see in their extraordinary technique the same characteristics that have made our agricultural machinery such a success worldwide: power, precision, agility and ability to deal with any situation and achieve success.

"As a global brand with deep-rooted Italian origins and its headquarters in Turin, at New Holland we’re proud to be a partner of such a major event for the city and for the whole nation."

Our 2020 Summer research shows that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 114 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year.  This works out at 83p for each new customer. A subscription rate designed to be all inclusive delivering unrivalled online results.  

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