STILL THE HARDEST JOB? How are dealers finding recruitment in 2025 by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Twelve months on from when we last asked our dealer readers, has anything improved when it comes to finding - and keeping - good staff?
Yesterday morning, I caught a piece on the BBC Breakfast news about the struggles the probation service are currently facing when looking to recruit new staff.
The chap from their sector's trade association was speaking about the crisis they are dealing with, both bringing in new people and retaining the ones they currently have due to, amongst other factors, inadequate wages.
I followed this up, out of interest, by typing in the phrase 'recruitment crisis' into Google's news search and found a bunch of articles, all from this week, covering sectors as diverse as construction, the military and schools. These pieces all had similar themes, talking about a lack of money available to meet candidates' demands, long hours, sometimes working in uncomfortable conditions - and having to compete with the notion that the grass is somehow always greener elsewhere.
Speaking of this green grass, it certainly doesn't appear to be that appealing at the moment for the UK turf professional sector either. My colleague, Laurence Gale, who as well as contributing to Service Dealer's magazine, is the editor of our sister title for commercial end-users, TurfPro, has been voicing concerns about the hardships that sector is facing in recruiting for some time now.
In his most recent missive on the subject, Loz who is never afraid to ruffle a few feathers, had this to say about why he feels there are groundstaff and greenkeeper roles going unfilled. "One of our biggest problems is that school leavers are not aware of the scale and size of our industry and career opportunities available," is how he put it.
Laurence continued, "Groundskeeping is rarely presented as a viable or respected vocational path, despite opportunities for specialisation and advancement."
Does all of the above sound familiar, with direct parallels for our dealer readers? Not wishing to be presumptuous, but I would lay money on the answer to that being a resounding yes!
It's clearly a perennial issue for the dealer network and one discussed whenever members of the industry get together - as well as a subject we regularly return to across our magazine's output.
I do think it's fair to say though, that we are fortunate in this sector in that we have trade associations that recognise the situation and are trying to practically do something about it. BAGMA, the AEA and IAgrE, under their LE-TEC umbrella are pushing forward with their WeAreLandbased campaign.
Their public-facing website promotes the benefits and opportunities that the sector offers new recruits and supplies plenty of material and contact points to help not only young people make up their minds on a career, but also resources for their parents and teachers. It's an admirable endeavour and one that is hopefully gaining momentum.
However, despite these best efforts, whenever we've asked you, our dealer readers for your experiences with the recruitment process for your businesses, we receive back some fairly bleak assessments.
For example last year, when we ran our survey on the subject (which were are again today), some typical comments we heard from dealers who responded, included:
"We have been looking for a parts advisor for 6 months now."
"It’s extremely hard to get people to work weekends."
"There is still a lack of people knowing about our industry."
So today we'd be interested to hear has anything changed in these past 12 months? Has your business noticed any impact from industry schemes? Or have you perhaps found success with your own social media marketing of your dealership? We'd love to hear about your experiences, whatever they may be.
If you were able to take a couple of moments today to answer our brief survey, it would be greatly appreciated to give us a sense of how our dealer readers are coping with staffing requirements this year.
In our WEB ONLY story, dealer integrated into Russells agricultural business, with many staff also joining, ensuring continuity for existing customers.
Husqvarna have increased their support of the Service Dealer Conference & Awards this year.
Service Dealer's Conference & Awards will take place once again at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-Upon-Avon, on Thursday December 4th 2025.
We are pleased to announce today that increasing their sponsorship support this year for our event dedicated to the dealer network is Husqvarna, who will now be joining us a Platinum Sponsor.
Stewart Carter, managing director, Husqvarna UK, said, "Husqvarna is proud to return as a key sponsor of the Service Dealer Conference and Awards. As a company with innovation and performance at its core, we recognise that the machinery dealer network is the backbone of our sales, service operations, and the overall customer experience. Our dealers are not just partners - they are trusted advisors to our customers and vital to delivering the quality and reliability Husqvarna stands for.
"As a long-standing sponsor, our continued support of this event reflects our commitment to the dealer network and its long-term success. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of this exceptional community."
Duncan Murray-Clarke, Service Dealer's owner added, "I want to say a big thank you to Husqvarna for this additional support. I am delighted they have chosen to be a Platinum sponsor as Husqvarna have been present at the Conference & Awards for many years and have very much been part of the event’s progression."
Keep an eye on this Weekly Update and our social channels for updates on this year's theme, guest speakers and workshops.
Dealer describes the move as a fantastic opportunity to build on the momentum they have created across their existing areas.
Crawfords Group has announced a significant expansion of its AGCO sales and aftersales territory, now extending across North Hampshire, and Berkshire - including the M4 and A34 corridor.
In addition to this, Crawfords have also been awarded the Massey Ferguson franchise for sales and aftersales across West Sussex and South Hampshire.
Operating from its established depots in Ropley and Billingshurst, Crawfords say they will now offer full-line support across all AGCO brands, including Fendt, Valtra, and Massey Ferguson, throughout the expanded region. This includes sales, parts supply, and aftersales service for all machines.
“The boundary alignment of all AGCO brands across Crawfords territory will streamline operations and enable our customers to experience Crawfords’ renowned levels of service, irrespective of their AGCO brand choice” Robert Richardson, dealer distribution manager UK & Ireland, said.
In addition, Crawfords will continue to represent and support a wide range of complementary agricultural brands across the new territory including franchises such as Manitou, Komatsu, Amazone, Opico and He-Va.
Wes Crawford, managing director of Crawfords Group, added, "This expansion is a fantastic opportunity to build on the momentum we’ve created across our existing areas. We’re excited to introduce the Crawfords brand to even more customers - delivering premium brands, trusted service, and expert advice that our current customers know and value."
Dealership says their new partnership ensures that their clients have access to state-of-the-art equipment.
Winchester-based Wildwood Machinery have expanded their product portfolio with a deal to sell Echo Robotics solutions across southern England.
L-R: Wildwood's James Bastian and Echo Robotic’s Sam Daybell
Wildwood managing director James Bastian, said, “Robotics and autonomous machinery are very much the buzzwords right now in the groundcare industry. Our partnership with Echo, and previously announced partnerships with the likes of Raymo and Rovimo, ensure that our clients have access to state-of-the-art equipment, and the opportunity to increase efficiency, sustainability and consistency.”
Sam Daybell of Echo Robotics said of Wildwood, “What makes them a standout partner is how closely they mirror our vision at Echo Robotics - ensuring that our technology is introduced to the marketplace in the right way. Their consultative approach, technical understanding, and customer-first mindset help ensure the technology is not only embraced but also reaches its full potential. Ultimately, this delivers the best possible experience for the end user.”
Sam concluded, “Echo Robotics’ growing network of UK partners, including trusted providers such as Wildwood Machinery, ensures that this technology is delivered and supported the right way - empowering clients to fully embrace automation and unlock the full potential of their outdoor spaces.”
Supplier announces new dealer development and key account managers.
Reesink Turfcare has announced the appointment of new dealer development and key account managers, which they say will strengthen ts support to dealer partners and improve key customer relationships across the UK.
L-R: Robert Hogarth, Jon Cole and Darren Anderson
Robert Hogarth steps into the role for the North - covering territory from Cheshire and Lincolnshire up to Northumberland, across into Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man - and replacing Mike Turnbull, who now leads the Reesink Scotland branch. Robert's background spans greenkeeping and course management through to sales leadership for turfcare companies such as Hydroturf International and Fairways GM
Darren Anderson will take responsibility for the South of England, Wales, the Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey. Darren brings 33 years experience in the golf sector gained through course and club management roles at Abergele Golf Club, Bromborough Golf Club and The North Wales Golf Club. Darren joins Reesink as a double national award winning course/club manager, also gaining Master Greenkeeper status in 2007.
Jon Cole, divisional business manager for Reesink Turfcare, said, “Our dealer partners are essential to Reesink, and we want them to feel integral to our shared success and to know how much we value their contribution. The added support from these new roles will help us achieve this and further demonstrate our commitment to helping our dealers grow their businesses.”
By dividing Mike Turnbull’s former role into North and South, Reesink say they aim not only to reinforce the company’s dealer-focused strategy but also to offer an additional layer of support and attention to customers within dealer territories.
With the country now split into two regions, Robert and Darren will each be responsible for managing the dealer network within their designated areas and unlocking new local opportunities.
Robert can be contacted at 07780392199 and Darren at 07780392180.
On his retirement David tells Service Dealer there is no other industry that could have offered a more challenging and rewarding role.
Well-known independent industry consultant David Kirshner is retiring.
David told Service Dealer, "After 59 years of land-based engineering from apprenticeship to dealership director, technical director and aftersales manager for UK, German and French tractor importers and 20 years as an independent consultant to the industry, I am retiring to enjoy life in our new home in Norfolk."
David continued, "Looking back there is no other industry that could have offered me a more challenging and rewarding role or the opportunity to become part of such a uniquely special community. I am honoured and extremely proud that the industry has afforded me the privilege of involvement in leaving a lasting legacy in the form of our present apprenticeship standards to build the foundations of the future technicians.
David concluded, "The industry sector faces challenging times but I know that AEA, BAGMA and IAgrE in the shape of LE-TEC, together with manufacturers, their networks and publications such as Service Dealer, will continue to support and promote what is a truly amazing industry. I will miss you all."
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That’s the philosophy of Garden Trader and we have maintained our affordable annual subscription at £96 for the whole year. This equates to 26p per day and an average of just 83p for every potential customer the site delivers to dealers. Garden Trader has 160 skilled dealers subscribed up and down the UK and they are all benefiting from the 1m+ dealer search impressions the site generates each year. People want to buy from people and this highly targeted website is delivering quality leads to subscribed dealers for just 26p per day.
Our 2020 Summer research showed 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.
This site was purpose-built just for skilled servicing ground care dealers by the team that bring you Service Dealer Magazine. It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year for a full listing. As this dealer site is designed to promote the UK dealer network, all revenues in 2022 will continue to be reinvested into promoting the site online and so supporting the dealer network.
Join the country’s only independent specialist website, created by the team that bring you Service Dealer. Join our subscribed Garden Trader dealers now by clicking on “Register Dealership” and let's fight back against the zero value retailers.
