We have a couple of interesting product-based stories for you in today's Weekly Update.

Firstly Irelands Farm Machinery have announced that they are the new distributors for the Energreen range of mowing equipment and they are looking to set up a dealer network for the kit. Elsewhere, there's a tease from AL-KO about their forthcoming range for 2026 which they say received some "phenomenal" feedback at a pair of recent German trade shows.

As ever with machinery developments such as these - and, of course, the myriad of others from all of the industry's suppliers - it just adds to the huge choice available for independent dealers to opt to stock in their yards and showrooms. In fact, what it does bring to mind is that age-old conundrum that all dealers must face, and that's how many brands are too many for one retail space?

I was conversing with a dealer just the other day along these lines. It was robotic mowers specifically that were the focus of the discussion, but I think what they said can apply to all machinery brands. The dealer was convinced that a stripped back offering was a much more sensible route to take when selling this technology. They told me, "When I see other dealers doing 3 or 4 brands of robotics, they are never going to succeed in their sale and service - or with customer experience."

They went on to speak about what they believed makes a successful dealer, telling me, "The secret, I would say, is a clear focus on your brand and product." Implying, I think, that too many brands in a showroom can dilute this concentrated attention.

This is an interesting viewpoint and one I've certainly heard from other dealers in the past. I wonder, in fact, how many reading this today agree wholeheartedly with this standpoint? Is that how you run your business? Does fewer brands mean a better dealership to you?

Equally fascinating would be to know if many fundamentally disagree, and believe in the more the merrier when it comes to holding brands? Is increased choice your secret to success? Please let us know either way in the comments below.

There’s no denying the appeal of being a multi-brand dealership. Offering a range of machines allows you to serve different customer types and budgets, build resilience into your supply chain, and reduce reliance on any single manufacturer.  We saw that starkly illustrated during the Covid years when dealers with all their product eggs in one basket were struggling when the supply taps were turned off. 

So perhaps in recent times, a diversification and widening of brands offered has seen increased appeal for many? However, we've heard over the years at our Conference and from various industry experts that an overpopulated showroom can be a confused and confusing environment for customers. Being faced with a bank of different coloured machines, but no clear recommendation, may not be ideal.

Alongside this, could it also be argued that matters are harder for staff too? Training your sales team and technicians to become true experts in multiple marques is no small task.

I suspect what advocates for fewer brands, like the dealer I spoke to recently, would say is that the answer isn't to pull everything back to just one single manufacturer. Success can be built by offering two or three strong, complementary brands that cater to different segments. The key is to make considered, deliberate choices - with real value being offered to a customer in the simplicity presented to them.

Sometimes more isn't better. I think the dealer I spoke to was telling me there's real strength in knowing what you're good at and what works for your customers. 

But what do you think? Do you agree or do you think there's too much risk involved in relying on just two or three manufacturers?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below or if you'd prefer, drop me a line.