TURBULENT TIMES What lies ahead? by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
It's a well-earned Christmas break this year, considering the extraordinary 12 months just passed and the uncertain period to come.
Today's is the final Weekly Update of 2021 - and at the risk of repeating myself because I'm pretty sure I said similar at the end of 2020 - what an unbelievable year it has been!
Beginning with months of lockdown, then emerging, regaining a sense of normality (albeit with significant stocking issues) and now in the past couple of weeks developments throwing us back into turmoil and uncertainty once again - it really has been quite the ride. And this uncertainly is not showing signs of letting up anytime soon.
Certainly if you look at the immediate situation with trade shows for our sector for example, their organisers are clearly facing a period of turbulence once again. Firstly there's the announcement made by the huge European show Agritechnica, that they have decided to postpone the edition that was scheduled for the end of February. This wasn't even their normal slot. They had moved to early Sping from their regular November timing, where they will now return - but not until 2023.
Closer to home, just before we went live with this Update today, BIGGA confirmed that their BTME show has been postponed from January. Hopefully for them, the new March date will prove possible.
We also hear that a major manufacturer has withdrawn from their planned appearance at January's LAMMA at the NEC. At the moment, their organisers maintain that nothing has changed. An email received by subscribers to their mailing list on Wednesday read, "One thing we do want to make clear is that we are very much planning on LAMMA 2022 still going ahead and we can't wait to welcome you to our doors on 11th & 12th January 2022. We are confident we can deliver the event alongside the NEC, who have all the space, facilities and expertise you need to enjoy your favourite event in a safe, secure and controlled environment."
Without being overly cynical though, it's all very well "planning" to take place, but if more big names pull out, does that make the show untenable? Whilst of course, if government decides to lock us down like last January, the decision will be out of their hands anyway.
For now, I suspect all exhibitor and visitor eyes will be on official communications coming out of LAMMA hq for regular status updates.
Looking ahead
With the subsequent couple of Friday's being Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the next time we pop into your Inbox will be on Friday January 7th. Before then though, the first issue of Service Dealer magazine of 2022 should drop onto your mat - and as announced last week, it's the first issue to benefit from the exciting redesign.
The new look is fresh, modern and crisp, with all at Service DealerTowers (remote working divisions) delighted at how its turned out. We sincerely hope you are too and we believe the first edition is a real cracker to kick off the new style. We'll be looking back at the Service Dealer Conference & Awards and talking in-depth to one of the winners about how they steered a path for their dealership through the pandemic.
We also hear from another dealer who shares with us how their company is planning the building of a new depot from scratch and what future-proofing measures they are putting in place. Elsewhere we have plenty of fascinating comments from you, our dealer readers, on just what you think about the warranty rates being paid by your suppliers.
The new issue will also welcome a new dealer diarist for the year. I'm delighted to say that Anthony Deacon of MKM Agri will be taking the reigns for 2022. Many of you will remember that MKM suffered a devastating fire in April this year, but they are now in the process of building back stronger. We thank Anthony for allowing us to join them on their journey throughout next year.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Gibson of GGM Groundscare for his fascinating, candid, and forthright Diary entries throughout 2021.
Whilst I'm at it, I want to thank the editorial team at Service Dealer of Martin, Laurence, Chris, Sara, Alan and Adam - all of whom have provided fascinating features once again this year. And huge thanks to the whole of Duncan's team at TAP (with an extra high-five to Nikki) for creative and production marvellous-ness.
All that's left for me to say is when you get there enjoy an incredibly well-earned break, have a happy Christmas, and all the best for what is bound to be a challenging, but hopefully rewarding, 2022.
Owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, says the support that Service Dealer has shown the industry throughout the pandemic and lockdown will continue to expand next year.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, has said the support that the journal has shown the industry throughout the pandemic and each lockdown will continue to expand next year.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke at the recent Service Dealer Conference & Awards
Duncan said, "As the independent voice of the industry, we will not be throttling back in 2022. We intend to continue increasing our support for the industry in whichever way we can.
"We are immensely proud of how the industry has come together and helped us message and produce supportive content and tools for the dealer network during these challenging past two years."
Dealer & manufacturer 'think tank' calls
Looking back on how Service Dealer ratcheted up support for the industry throughout covid, Duncan said, "When the pandemic struck, my intake of breath moment was followed by the realisation that as an independent publisher we had a responsibility. To help bring the industry community together and to share knowledge and best practice to help us all navigate the mountain of problems.
"So just a week into lockdown we ran our first group call with the manufacturers and associations to share experiences and thoughts. The following week we did the same for dealers. Despite there being no script for a pandemic or past experiences to draw on, these calls went pretty well.
"Findings were then of course shared with the whole industry through the Weekly Update in the UK and Ireland and Turf Pro."
These calls and the reporting on them have continued throughout the past two years and will continue to be feature as move through next year.
Digital Toolkits
Duncan is also proud of the Dealer Digital Toolkits that Service Dealer produced to offer free, unbiased support to our dealer readers.
He said, "During 2021, we were also able to launch two digital toolkits, free to servicing dealers, to help them with the change needed in digital communications and diversification.
"This was possible because we were supported by a 'supergroup' of dealers to input into what is really important and relevant."
Looking ahead, there are exciting plans for further modules.
Magazine, Weekly Update and Conference & Awards
Throughout the past two years, Service Dealer's publishing schedule has continued uninterrupted. The magazine provided in-depth features and interviews every other month, whilst the Weekly Update hit inboxes every Friday at noon (or as close as possible!).
Duncan explained, "As a media group, we are always looking to be representative of our audience split and work hard to be inclusive geographically and across both the groundcare and agriculture sectors.
"Manufacturers and logistics providers are also an important part of the industry equation. We have continued to cover all of these editorially in print and online."
Also following the unavoidable postponement in 2020, this November saw the successful return of the Service Dealer Conference & Awards. Duncan said, "It was wonderful to once again host an event that is of genuine benefit to the dealer network. Our conference content this year offered plenty for attendees to get their teeth into on the subject of Smart Working.
"The Awards meanwhile celebrated outstanding dealerships and individuals from across the network, all of whom displayed incredible fortitude, resilience and kindness. The Awards highlighted how our dealer readers were there for their customers when they needed them most."
New for 2022
Looking ahead into 2022, Duncan promises that Service Dealer will not let up in its ongoing support for the network.
"I'm delighted to announce," he said, "that the third module of our free Dealer Digital Toolkit, will be released very soon. This time we shall be looking at building the dealership of the future.
"On top of this as announced last week, we shall be giving ourselves a makeover. The first issue of the magazine for 2022, hitting desks in January, will enjoy a fresh new redesign. We intend to keep our offering to the industry relevant, on-point and proudly independent."
Duncan concluded by saying, "I'd like to wish all our readers and industry partners a very happy Christmas and all the best for a successful new year."
BIGGA have announced this morning that the edition of BTME scheduled for January 2022 has been forced to move to later in the year.
BIGGA has announced their decision this morning (Friday 17th December) to postpone its major exhibition and trade show, the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), which was due to take place in January 2022.
In an official statement BIGGA said taking into consideration the uncertainty regarding the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the National Board of Management of the association convened on the evening of Thursday 16 December and made the unanimous decision to delay the exhibition and associated education programme, Continue to Learn, which are held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.
The new dates for BTME 2022 will be Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 March 2022, with Continue to Learn taking place from Sunday 20 to Wednesday 23 March 2022.
BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton will take to Facebook Live at 2pm this afternoon (Friday 17 December) to provide further clarification regarding the decision and to answer any questions relating to the postponement. Head to the BIGGA Facebook page, to get involved.
Jim said, “The uncertainty regarding the Omicron wave of coronavirus has led us to engage in consultation with key stakeholders and consider contingency courses of action for our flagship event, BTME. We know all sides of the industry are keen for the show to take place and after due consideration of all options the BIGGA National Board of Management, working closely with BIGGA’s team of staff, has taken the decision to postpone BTME until March 2022.
“It is heartening to see the success of the booster vaccination programme, but we are committed to running a safe show for all attendees and with all the information available to us, we do not believe this would be possible in January 2022.
“This decision has not been taken lightly and has involved an incredible amount of logistical organisation to make a postponement possible. I am grateful to all of the key stakeholders that make BTME possible for their rapid responses to our decision, which has enabled us to confirm the postponement as early as today.
“Our thanks go to those who have supported BIGGA in this decision and we are excited to be hosting the full BTME and Continue to Learn experience in March 2022.”
Attendees who have signed up for the show will automatically be registered for the new dates. Continue to Learn bookings will also be carried over and BIGGA will be in contact with everyone who has booked a place on the education programme in the coming days to discuss arrangements further.
BIGGA acknowledges that this postponement will present challenges to many exhibitors and visitors to BTME and say the team is committed to assisting all those who need support to transfer their commitments.
The BIGGA National Board of Management is the elected body of BIGGA members from across the country whose voluntary role is to provide strategic direction and ratify key decisions on behalf of the association. They are supported by a network of volunteers at all levels of BIGGA and the core BIGGA staff team.
Anyone who requires further information or assistance as to the postponement of BTME is encouraged to contact BIGGA.
In our WEB ONLY story, John Deere say they will acquire majority ownership in producer of electric battery modules, packs and a charging infrastructure platform.
Organisers have announced when the Hannover ag machinery show will now take place, following the cancellation of February 2022's edition this week.
The organisers of the Agritechnica ag machinery exhibition that was due to take place in Hannover, Germany at the end of February 2022, confirmed this week that the show will not go ahead as planned.
In an official statement the organisers said, "Over the past two years and with a great deal of energy and optimism, we have been preparing for the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery in order for us all to put on a very special Agritechnica 2022.
"Unfortunately, due to the deteriorating pandemic situation in recent weeks and the resulting current official regulations, a situation has arisen which makes the trouble-free execution of Agritechnica no longer possible. Together with the VDMA Agricultural Machinery Association and the trade fair’s exhibitor advisory board, we have therefore come to the decision that Agirtechnica 2022 cannot take place in Hanover under these conditions. The health and safety of visitors, exhibitors, partners, members and staff have the highest priority in this situation.
"We are very saddened to have to inform you of this cancellation."
Organisers have confirmed that the next edition of Agritechnica will now take place from 12 to 18 November 2023 in its regular cycle.
In a statement the manufacturer said the decision to pull out of January's LAMMA show was driven by desire to protect show visitors, staff and the wider public.
The management of New Holland Agriculture’s UK and Republic of Ireland business has announced they have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2022 LAMMA show, due to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, on January 11-12.
“This has not been an easy step to take, but the safety both of show visitors and of our staff has to be foremost in our minds,” says Pat Smith, business director for New Holland UK and ROI.
“LAMMA is an excellent event, and its organisers have done a very good job in difficult circumstances to plan a show for 2022. Given the way things continue to rapidly evolve, though, we owe it to our employees, those planning to attend the show, and others involved in the event, to make this decision now. We are very grateful to the organisers and our suppliers for their efforts, and we look forward to returning to LAMMA in the future.
“For now, we hope that the situation calms during 2022 and we can meet customers and suppliers at our proposed schedule of spring and summer events and shows."
Merlo recently welcomed their UK dealers to their first in-person conference since the beginning of the pandemic.
Merlo recently welcomed their UK dealers to their first in-person conference since the beginning of the pandemic.
During the event held in Stratford upon Avon, the company recognised some of their key dealer partners in an awards ceremony presented by guest speaker, Olympic Silver Medallist Roger Black MBE.
C.T. Haytonwon Merlo UK’s Service Dealer of the Year 2021.
L-R: Merlo UK’s Stuart Henry, C.T. Hayton’s John Hayton, Roger Black MBE
The dealership's John Hayton said their excellence is in no small part, due to diligent serviceman Richard Birkbeck, who he dedicated the award to for his years of “hard work and dedication”.
Stuart Henry, area manager sales at Merlo UK said of C.T. Hayton, “They have gone over and above our expectations to really look after the Merlo product.”
L-R: Merlo UK’s Robin Cooch, South West Handling’s Tom Banbury, Roger Black MBE
The manufacturer said South West Handling's engagement and communication with the Parts team has been exemplary, and has facilitated their continued usage of Merlo UK’s newest tools from their launch.
C.J. Coxwon Merlo UK’s Agriculture Sales Dealer of the Year 2021.
L-R: Merlo UK’s Owen Buttle, C.J. Cox’s Mark Rowe & Neil Warr, Roger Black MBE
C.J. Cox are a new dealer to the Merlo UK family. Joining in January 2021, the manufacturer said they joined at what would have been a difficult time for any company, but exceeded expectations and fully involved themselves with the brand.
Palliserswon Merlo UK’s Overall Dealer of the Year 2021.
L-R: Merlo UK’s Shaun Groom, Pallisers’ Phil Portman & Jamie Blandford, Roger Black MBE
The manufacturer said Pallisers demonstrated a commitment to the brand through their representation and sales across the range of products. They have provided a key role in the marketing of their own brand, and Merlo’s and have excelled in customer support and service.
Latest investment continues the manufacturer's policy of building alliances with new AgTech companies.
The Kubota Corporation has announced their latest investment is in Bloomfield Robotics Inc, a US startup company that uses image analysis technology and AI to assess plant growth and detect pests on grape, blueberry and other tree crops.
Bloomfield Robotics Inc
Bloomfield Robotics uses speclilised proprietary cameras to capture images of tree crops and AI to process the data before proposing optimal farming methods.
The Bloomfield cameras can be mounted on any vehicle used on farm to collect image data such as the colour, maturity, size of fruits and leaves. AI processes, analyses and assesses such image data to recommend anti-pest measures and the optimal time to harvest crops.
Bloomfiels says short-term performance assessment from the data collection enables growers to take timely actions based on pest detection and yield estimation at an early stage, helping to improve yields and reduce costs.
Kubota says this latest investment continues their programe of building alliances with AgTech startups and other companies for the purpose of delivering solutions to enhance the efficiency and productivity of tree crop farming.
It was made possible through collaboration with the THRIVE Accelerator Program, a startup accelerator program operated the US venture capital company SVG Ventures.
With the takeover now completed the business now becomes one of the largest New Holland dealers in the country.
New Holland has confimred that Haynes Agricultural Ltd have now completed their acquisition of neighbouring New Holland dealership, Oakes Bros Ltd.
The Wrotham, Uckfield depot
Haynes will now operate six New Holland Agriculture depots covering parts of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey making them also now one of the largest New Holland dealers in the country.
The former Oakes Bros depots have been retained, in Micheldever. Hants. In Horsham, West Sussex and in East Ilsley, Berkshire. All of the staff in those depots have transferred to Haynes.
Adrian Woods, Haynes agricultural operations director, said on completion of the acquisition, “We are we delighted to have been able to expand our agricultural operations across the south of England. We look forward to working with all of our new staff and customers in our new territory and wish them a warm welcome to Haynes as we develop our business in the area together with New Holland.”
Pat Smith, New Holland business director for UK commented, “We are delighted that these two companies with long trading history have come together giving them the critical mass to invest and grow the business fit for the future ”
After 47 years in the groundcare industry Tony Scambler has taken the decision at 75 to start to take things a little easier.
After 47 years in the groundcare industry Tony Scambler of dealership Scamblers has taken the decision at 75 to start to take things a little easier.
Tony Scambler
His sons Ed and Dan have announced that they want to follow avenues outside of the groundcare industry, so Tony has taken the sad decision to close their doors on the 21st of December.
Tony Scambler started as a sales representative for Choppens Groundcare, a well-known name around Cambridge, and then later set up a garden machinery division for George Webb. He moved on to set up his own company in 1974.
Tony says he would like to take the opportunity to thank his suppliers and loyal customers for all the support and laughs over the past 47 years - and wish them all the best for the future!
STIHL GB has unveiled plans to build a new 11,500m2 purpose-designed headquarters and state-of-the-art warehouse facility.
STIHL GB has unveiled plans to build a new 11,500m2 purpose-designed headquarters and state-of-the-art warehouse facility near to its current premises in Camberley, Surrey.
CGI of the new building
Due for completion in December 2022, the site will be home to nearly 100 employees and the company says it will boast dedicated dealer training facilities, an on-site restaurant, flexible collaborative workspaces and a technical workshop.
The new 9,000m2 warehouse space will utilise what the company describe as state-of-the-art picking and storage systems. All logistics will now be consolidated onto one site, which the company says will mean a speedier and more efficient delivery service to the 700 strong STIHL dealer network.
Kay Green, managing director of STIHL GB, commented, “STIHL has enjoyed a sustained period of growth in recent years, and as a consequence we have outgrown our existing warehouse and office facilities. Our new purpose-built headquarters represents a significant capital investment and is a commitment to the future for our dealers and end user customers. We’re looking forward to seeing work get underway on the construction of our new premises early in the New Year”.
The new HQ, which secured planning permission last year, boasts environmental credentials including BREEAM Certification, the sustainability assessment method for building projects.
It is proposed that two-thirds of the total roof area (1600m2) will be covered with photovoltaic solar panels to provide power to the new facility. In addition, there will be provision for 26 EV charging points in anticipation of the continued move towards the use of electric vehicles.
The new headquarters will also be connected to Blackwater railway station by a dedicated cycle path and will feature landscaped gardens with native shrubs and trees and a wildflower meadow which forms part of an integrated flood risk mitigation zone on the former Thames Water Utilities site.
The company say they aim to relocate to the new facility from its current premises in Stanhope Road in January 2023.
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.
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.
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