IN WITH THE NEW A significant moment by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
Along with the whole country this morning, the dealer network has also been absorbing change.
I think what perhaps truly cut through in this election campaign was one word.
Last time around, it was arguably three words - Get Brexit Done. That snappy phrase resonated with voters. It was memorable and it promised something direct that could be instantly understood by everyone.
This time the winning party condensed their memorable, understandable slogan to merely a single word. Change.
It really wouldn't surprise me if it was this concept of 'turning the page', that we heard throughout this past six weeks, that struck floating voters as being of the highest importance to them - certainly following fourteen years of the same party in power.
So now, as we begin the term of a new government, I'm sure all will be looking to see how this change will manifest. And for us specifically, as a trade journal dedicated to the dealer network, how that change may affect our readers.
Firstly, sincere thanks to you, our many dealer readers, who took the time to share your views on the subject with us - both via comments posted on the Weekly Update and from the private emails you sent.
Also we must thank STIHL for speaking with us last week and also again on Thursday this week. We appreciate the time taken to keep us, and as a consequence our dealer readers, informed.
Firstly, I am happy to clarify a line from my blog last week. I wrote "And not only sell, Screwfix will apparently also have their own service facility for customers to use also." The word apparently is superfluous and potentially misleading here. Screwfix definitely have their own service facility.
They would also like me to point out that at the time of the Contra House opening, no agreement had been signed with Screwfix.
Within the comments we received from dealer readers, several questions were raised. We put these to STIHL who have kindly answered those today, here.
The manufacturer has also responded to some dealer comments that we put to them anonymously - which you will be able to read in our delayed next issue of the magazine.
Significant moment
Taking an overview of all the comments we received, what stuck with me is that STIHL as a brand is one that clearly means an awful lot to an awful lot of dealers.
I would like to pull some quotes from a couple of thoughtful, lengthy emails that two dealers took the time to send me and who wished to not have their names shared in public - which we respect and honour.
One said, "Did I see this coming? No, not from STIHL. I had expected this from some other brands who seem to have little loyalty to their dealers when it comes to routes to market but for STIHL, who spent a long time fighting against their products being available online in favour of supply by the dealer network, I’d have expected better. I can see other manufacturers following suit fairly quickly."
Another explained, "As a long standing STIHL dealer it saddens us to see the way the company has been taken down this path. . . People in dealerships have years of knowledge and experience both in selling and maintaining the range of STIHL products. Skills that we now fear will be sadly lost in this throwaway society. Definitely not valued."
They concluded by saying, "What we do, we like to think we do well. We’ve been doing it for a very long time, so we must be doing something right. However we will have to seriously think about how we take the next step."
Maybe I'm reading too much into these messages, but they do feel to me to be genuine and from the heart - and perhaps tinged with a hint of sadness.
As ever, Service Dealer's role now is to monitor the reactions of the industry to this, and indeed to all forthcoming change.
We shall continue to offer a platform for manufacturers and suppliers to spread their news to the dealer network and, crucially, to be a space where the dealer network can digest and comment on industry developments.
In our WEB ONLY story, Service Dealer received several questions from our dealer readers regarding the manufacturer's newly announced partnership with Screwfix - which we put to management this week.
William Harland-Knight from Russells won 1st Place
LE-TEC say the annual competition, now in its 5th year, is designed to find and celebrate the UK’s best technicians and ambassadors for careers in the land-based engineering sector. This year, two routes of entry were available - the traditional video entry method, or a new format where employers or lecturers could nominate outstanding students or employees within their network.
Zac Wallis from Oliver Landpower Ltd won 2nd Place
The LE-TEC Ltd judging panel consisted of representatives from IAgrE, BAGMA and the AEA, alongside industry independents.
Charlie Nicklin CEO of IAgrE, said, "The calibre of entrants this year has been incredible. The number of talented technicians coming through the dealers is such a rewarding thing to see. This year, we have also awarded several Certificates of Recognition to those with exceptional talent."
Mark Donaldson from Gammies Ground Care won 3rd Place
Nick Darking, BAGMA general manager added, “Unearthing the often unsung but incredibly talented individuals in our industry is what this competition does best. This year the standard of entry has been outstanding.”
Winner William Harland-Knight, was nominated by his lecturer at East Durham College, Mike Herrington, who said, “Will's contribution to training and development is outstanding, and he is a credit to himself and Russell's."
Group aftersales manager at Russells, John Jackson, added, "We are thrilled that Will has been named Technician of the Year. His dedication to the Land-Based Engineering industry is truly inspiring and he's a vital part of the Russell's team. We couldn't be prouder of his accomplishments."
Lisa Carty, service manager at Oliver Landpower Ltd said of Zac Wallis' second place win, “Everyone at Oliver Landpower is so pleased with Zac’s award. Zac’s attitude to all aspects of his work is second to none, whether that is the admin side or his engineering side. It really helps keep our service department moving. He has the can-do attitude and will always go above and beyond to ensure his work is carried out to a high standard. Zac is an absolute credit to Oliver Landpower and the agricultural industry.”
Third place winner, Mark Donaldson, said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the judges for recognising my passion for this work and I hope to use this award to encourage our apprentices and future young engineers and show them just how much there is to achieve within this industry.”
Les Gammie, Mark's branch manager, added “We are extremely proud of Mark for achieving this award from such a prestigious judging panel within the industry. It’s great to see young engineers, as the future of our industry, being recognised for their hard work and dedication.”
Company says that adopting a less product-specific brand name reflects the broad range of machinery they supply.
Southwest-based machinery dealer Vincent Tractors & Plant had announced a new chapter in their company's history, rebranding to Vincents, which they unveiled at the recent Royal Cornwall Show.
The dealership says this rebranding to marks a significant milestone. Adopting a less product-specific brand name reflects the broad range of machinery they supply, including brands such as Kubota, Kverneland, Ktwo, Trimax, Baroness, Grillo and Nugent Trailers.
In a statement the company said, "Our offerings encompass agricultural, construction, and groundcare machinery and equipment, perfectly aligning with how most of our customers and suppliers already refer to us. This change goes beyond a new name and logo; it’s about better representing our diverse customer base, particularly in the groundcare and specialist turf sectors."
Vincents say the rebranding journey has taken over 18 months and involved a complete redesign of their logo. They believe the new design honours their history since 1966 while looking forward to an exciting future, appealing to a wider audience.
Nick Vincent, Director of Vincents said, "We were excited to share our new brand with everyone at The Royal Cornwall Show. Visitors to our stand appreciated the fresh look and feel of Vincent and agreed that it truly represents who we are and what we stand for."
Manufacturer becomes the official groundskeeping partner of the Premier League club in the first partnership of its kind for both parties.
Husqvarna this week announced a new partnership with Liverpool Football Club.
Yvette Henshall-Bell, Husqvarna's president Europe, Forest & Garden Division
As part of the multi-year global agreement, the manufacture will become the official groundskeeping partner of the Premier League giants, the first partnership of its kind for both parties.
Since 2021, LFC has been using Husqvarna robotic mowers to maintain the green spaces at AXA Training Centre, and AXA Melwood Training Centre, supporting the grounds management team to ensure that LFC’s playing surfaces continue to be of the highest standard for players. Through this new partnership, Husqvarna say their equipment and solutions will be more deeply integrated into LFC’s groundskeeping teams’ daily routines and pitch upkeep, making it a key part of creating and maintaining optimal pitch conditions for elite level playing and training.
Ben Latty, chief commercial officer at LFC said, “We are thrilled to announce this partnership between Liverpool FC and Husqvarna, two premium market leaders united by their shared values and innovative approach. We have developed ambitious commercial targets to attract the best brands that fit with Liverpool Football Club, and that can also help drive further success on the pitch. Husqvarna’s reputation for quality and innovation in grounds maintenance is unmatched, and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure our facilities continue to be maintained to the highest possible standards.”
LFC will help raise Husqvarna’s global profile through what the manufacturer describes as "bespoke content and activations using its award-winning social platforms" - which enjoy a combined global following of 186 million. Additionally, Husqvarna branding will also be featured on the digital LED boards during matches, reaching over 400 million TV viewers per season around the world.
Yvette Henshall-Bell, president Europe, Forest & Garden Division at Husqvarna, added, “We are incredibly excited about the partnership with Liverpool Football Club, a globally recognised and prestigious institution that also shares our values, innovative approach and commitment to sustainability, it is truly a perfect match! Together, we bring unparalleled experiences to fans and customers worldwide and we look forward achieving great things on and off the field.”
The specialist organisation who spoke at the Service Dealer Conference in 2022, announced this week that they are ceasing operations.
Forces Farming, the specialist organisation that helped ex-service personnel find employment in the agricultural and horticultural industries, announced this week that they are to cease operations.
Jeremy Gibbs speaking at the 2022 Service Dealer Conference
The organisation, whose founder Jeremy Gibbs addressed dealer delegates at the 2022 Service Dealer Conference, confirmed the news via LinkedIN on Tuesday this week (July 2nd 2024).
In a statement the organisation said, "It’s with a heavy heart that after 5 years the time has come to close things down for the foreseeable future of Forces Farming and Forces into Agriculture CIC.
"There have been many service leavers, veterans and their families who have moved into the rural sector through the work and support we provided. The most rewarding part of this journey is knowing that lives have been changed for the better and we have given people ability to do something meaningful and call it work."
The statement continued, "Looking back at the past 5 years, the agricultural industry has a much bigger focus on Armed Forces Engagement. Many organisations now have dedicated programmes for those who have served and are looking to enter the industry. We like to think we had a hand in this shift of focus.
"Donations into Forces into Agriculture CIC have supported wounded, injured and sick personnel into new careers and new lives. This was one of the ultimate goals from the start; deliver support into meaningful jobs and careers while providing a purpose."
Forces Farming confirmed that anyone currently being supported will be contacted and transferred to other contacts and organisations.
The bespoke event for service leavers involved dealers from across the UK.
John Deere say they have seen an influx of applications to its Military Hiring Programme after hosting a bespoke event for service leavers involving dealers from across the UK.
Held at the company’s UK headquarters in Langar, Nottinghamshire, the event gave armed forces personnel the chance to have detailed discussions about what the next stage of their career could look like working with one the world’s biggest machinery manufacturers.
The resettlement programme for military service personnel offers new career opportunities working on agricultural and professional groundscare products.
Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships as many have already worked with systems and products similar to those used by John Deere.
Those who enrol onto the programme are put into contact with an individual from the John Deere network who have resettled themselves, who will guide them through the next steps which includes free training courses before finding employment with a John Deere dealer.
“What was really successful about the day was the amount of conversation between military personnel and dealers,” said Allan Cochran, branch training manager for John Deere.
“Everybody wanted to talk, everybody wanted to engage with the event, and I think everyone that was there, both military and dealers, got something out of it.”
The event drew a positive number of applications to the Military Hiring Programme, with 23 ex-servicemen now waiting for the next step to start their new career.
The company say their programme has drawn interest from across the country, with attendees travelling from not just the surrounding Midlands, but also from as far as Cornwall and Scotland.
“To have people coming from all the country is really great to see,” says Allan. “We have dealers in all corners of the nation, and with the largest proportion of people wanting to resettle wherever they are based now, we can make that happen.”
As well as dealers and staff, attendees also had the opportunity to listen to those who had been through the Military Hiring Programme themselves and were now a part of the dealership network. Ex-servicemen Martin Frodsham, Will Foster and Mike Rogers spoke about their journey and what their career has been like since leaving the armed forces and becoming technicians.
Attendees also heard from John Deere instructors who showed them the machines that they would be working on should they apply to join John Deere, with a focus on precision agriculture and what the future looks like for agricultural technology.
A 50-strong lineup of classic and vintage tractors at a recent auction, generated some impressive prices for some 80s and 90s models.
Machinery auctioneers Cheffins, say a 50-strong lineup of classic and vintage tractors, along with a rare collection of historical vehicles, has generated huge interest and some strong bidding leading to impressive hammer prices at a sale they recently hosted.
1988 Ford 7610
The Manor Park Farm Collection, which was owned by Peter and David Ingall and has been acquired over the past 40 years, was offered to the market on Saturday 29 June in Lincolnshire. Top price on the day of £60,000 was paid for a rare 1918 Latil lorry. This was originally used by the French military and was one of the first vehicles to be fitted with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer. The winning bidder plans to ship it over the channel to a new home in France.
The collection also featured a lineup of vintage and modern classic tractors. A strong trade for these well-maintained examples saw bidding reach £50,000 for an excellent two-wheel drive 1995 Massey Ferguson 390T, with just 2,692 hours. A similarly aged and low-hour 1996 Massey Ferguson 372, fitted with a Trima loader, topped out at £34,000.
1995 MF 390T
The auctioneers say classic Fords continue to be popular on the collecting circuit, with a four-wheel drive 1988 Ford 7610 making £31,000 and a 1990 Ford 5610, with just 1,603 hours, selling for £27,000. Elsewhere in the tractor lineup was a rare commemorative edition two-wheel drive Case 1594, in excellent condition with all the decals still visible, it made an impressive £15,500. A strong selection of Fordsons were offered at the sale, with the pick of them an unusual Fordson E27N DG4 half-track, which made £10,000.
Bill King, chairman at Cheffins, said the sale was a great example of how modern classics continue to be in high demand. “The strong trade for classic tractors appears unabated with collectors prepared to pay premium prices for good low-hour examples in original condition. The selection on offer at Manor Park Farm highlights that superbly presented examples of popular models continue to do very well at auction.”
Bill concluded, “The quantity and quality of second-hand machinery coming to market continues to be strong and the auction calendar is filling up for the rest of the year with on site, vintage and genuine farm dispersals. Vendors are seeking to maximise returns, while interest in well-maintained modern, classic and vintage machinery remains at an all-time high.”
Adam Woolcott answers frequently asked questions about the Handy LIVE Dealer Garden Machinery event happening on Thursday 5th, September 2024.
Adam Woolcott answers frequently asked questions about the Handy LIVE Dealer Garden Machinery event happening on Thursday 5th, September 2024.
We caught up with Adam Woolcott, our gardening expert, to get his insights on the most frequently asked questions about the Handy LIVE event!
Why should Dealers/Retailers attend this event?
If you're dealer, retailer, or buyer in the garden machinery or DIY sector, you won’t want to miss this incredible event. Handy will showcase its top brands, offering you a sneak peek at 2025 pricing, demos and exclusive deals available only at Handy LIVE.
I'll be there, providing live product demonstrations and sharing why understanding your customers is key. I will offer insights into different consumer personas, helping you cater to everyone's unique needs.
Handy’s brands - Webb, The Handy, Greenworks and AVA - will be on display and available for dealers to get hands-on with. This will include cordless, petrol, electric and hand-powered lawnmowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, pole saws, chainsaws, blowers & vacuums, tillers, trolleys, spreaders, log splitters, pressure washers and more.
What is the date of Handy LIVE?
Handy LIVE 2024 will be held at the prestigious Moulton Grange Country Estate in Northamptonshire on Thursday 5th September, at 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.
What is the address of Handy LIVE?
Handy LIVE 2024 Moulton Grange, Grange Lane Pitsford NN6 9AW
Is there parking at Handy LIVE?
Yes, ample parking will be available at Moulton Grange. Look for signage directing you to the designated parking areas, and Handy staff will be available to help you.
Will refreshments be provided?
Yes, we’ve got you covered with breakfast and lunch! Plus, drinks will be available throughout the day!
Since 1938 Handy has grown to become one of the UK’s largest independent garden machinery wholesale distributors and manufacturers, supplying specialist dealers, large national retailers, garden centres and mail order companies, from its purpose-built 70,000ft Swindon site which is home to more than 45 full-time staff.
Handy has developed some of the UK’s leading machinery brands including Webb, The Handy and Q Garden. These distinct brands are a testament to the company’s creative and manufacturing prowess.
As the UK-appointed distributor for the Greenworks brand cordless equipment, Handy is at the forefront of leading battery technology offering a full complement of cordless equipment.
To this day, Handy remains a family-owned British business. Its experience, expert knowledge and dedicated customer service – which includes carrying over 10,000 spare part lines - have enabled it to build a team driven by high performance and family values.
Segway Navimow are now looking for new dealers across the UK to represent the brand.
Segway Navimow are now looking for new dealers across the UK to represent the brand.
Following on from our hugely successful premium H Series launch in 2023 and the introduction of our highly-competitively priced i Series, starting at £949 retail, Segway Navimow are now looking for new dealers across the UK to represent the brand.
Our distribution in the UK through Barrus and their Area Sales Manager team means we are here to support you in building sales of one of the best wireless robot ranges in the UK. Dealers will be supported by a full range of point of sale, brochures and a stand, if required. Technical support is also available from the team at Barrus.
The aim of Segway Navimow is to provide a user-friendly experience for customers, starting with a clear and easy set-up process. Everything can be set-up virtually via the Navimow app, with customers able to mark virtual boundaries and identify off-limit areas in just a few taps, getting them up and running within minutes; there is no boundary wire to be installed; making life easier for you as a dealer.
Segway Navimow also provides hassle-free and intelligent mowing through a uniquely developed positioning system with vision enhancement, an AI-powered assistant mapping function and smart features such as scheduled mowing. A diverse range of lawn layouts can be handled.
George Ren, CEO of Segway Navimow BU, commented: “With the Navimow i Series we wanted to create a robotic mower that caters to everyone, from customers that have zero experience with robotic or even traditional mowers, to green-fingered gardening experts. We believe that our latest offering delivers mass useability, with a host of smart features delivering an easy-to-use product experience and a competitive price point that makes the i Series more accessible than almost every other robotic mower on the market.
“The i Series perfectly complements the H Series models that launched in 2021, allowing us to service all segments of the market with precise wire-free cutting. Since its launch in Europe, the H Series has proven immensely popular, recording cumulative sales of over 40,000 and making Navimow one of the industry’s most sought-after names. We’re optimistic that the i Series will propel our growth in the gardening space, establishing Navimow as a true innovator in the sector.”
Phil Noble, Divisional Sales Manager of E.P Barrus commented: “We believe that having quality products from a well-recognised brand combined with market leading prices will mean that many first-time gardeners can enjoy the freedom of owning a robotic mower. This can only be a good thing for dealerships and the market in general.”
T H WHITE Machinery Imports has been exclusively appointed as the sole importer and distributor for Ohashi products in the UK.
Founded in Japan in 1988, Ohashi is a renowned manufacturer of compact chippers. T H WHITE Machinery Imports has been exclusively appointed as the sole importer and distributor for Ohashi products in the UK. With significant sales success in France, Germany and Italy over the past four years, these compact chippers, featuring timber capacity ranging from 3 inches to 6 inches have now entered the UK market.
Leading the Lineup: Ohashi ES151GH
The Ohashi ES151GH stands out as the only compact tracked 6-inch woodchipper on the market. It is the most powerful compact chipper in its class, capable of chipping wood up to 15cm in diameter. Despite its compact design, with a width of just 730mm, the ES151GH offers high manoeuvrability, ensuring access to various job sites without the need for extensive labour in handling green clippings or timber.
Key Features of Ohashi Chippers:
Range of Models: Available from 3” (75mm) to 6” (150mm) capacity, Ohashi chippers are compact, transportable, and low maintenance.
Durability and Innovation: Known for their robust design and innovative features, Ohashi chippers deliver high productivity and safety.
Lightweight Design: The largest 6” Ohashi chipper weighs only 490kg, with the smallest 3” Ohashi chipper weighing only 200kg.
Efficiency: Produce uniformly sized and higher quality woodchips when compared to larger 35hp woodchippers, reducing the need for chip disposal by customers who often use them as ground cover to suppress weed growth.
Operational Flexibility: Ability to bring the chipper to the wood, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing labour costs.
Become an Ohashi Dealer: Expand Your Product Line and Boost Your Profits
T H WHITE Machinery Imports is delighted to be offering dealers an exciting opportunity to expand their product offerings and increase sales throughout the year.
By adding Ohashi woodchippers to their portfolios, dealers position themselves to meet the rising demand for high-quality chipper sales or hire revenue. Moreover, T H WHITE provides comprehensive support, ensuring seamless integration of Ohashi products into their current offerings and equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to maximise sales.
If you are interested in considering this opportunity, please get in touch with T H WHITE today.
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.
FGM Claymore is recruiting a Spare Parts Coordinator to take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our busy spare parts facility – located at our warehouse in Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.
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