Hopefully you've heard by now that the deadline for entering 2023's Dealer Of The Year competition has been extended.

You now have until Monday October 30th by midnight to nominate your dealership or a valued member of your team - or indeed be nominated by a third party, such as a supplying manufacturer or a satisfied customer.

There were several reasons why the organising team felt the need to shift the closing date by a couple of weeks, not least how busy a period it has been for dealers this past month or so. And not just busy in terms of workload in the showroom and, in particular, the workshop. No, there have been extra demands on dealer readers lately, with plenty of dealer days and industry events drawing attention.

We understand it takes a bit of time to properly decide which category you want to apply for - and indeed what exactly it is you want to the judges to take into consideration. 

So hopefully with this prolonged period, everyone who wishes to nominate, will have sufficient time to gather their thoughts as well as that all-important supporting evidence - because having as many of our incredible readers in the mix as possible, is very much the team's desire.

And talking of award nominations, you may have already read today that Service Dealer ourselves, have been shortlisted for a prestigeous publishing honour! We are one of only four titles to be in the running for Business Publication Of The Year at the PPA's Independent Publishers Awards.

We are over-the-moon with this achievement as there are some truly high-profile titles in the mix for other prizes at the ceremony - including well-known mags such as National Geographic, Top Gear and Time Out amongst many others. In our category we're up against publications for the nursing, fire safety and private equity industries. We will now have our fingers crossed up to the unveiling of the winners on November 24th.

Road shows

One of the events, amongst the many that have been on offer just lately, that I suspect plenty of our dealer readers will have attended, is the STIHL roadshow that has visited venues up and down the country. I myself, got invited, to one of the final editions that took place this week at Sparsholt College in Winchester.

I emphasise the word invited here, because due a signaling failure on the trains, I never made it! So apologies to STIHL for that. Also apologies to anyone who was on the train that I was sat on before we were all unceremoniously dumped off and the journey cancelled, who may have overheard some blue language.

It's particularly annoying that I had to abandon my travel, as I felt that it was quite an interesting format that these events were taking (which the company called Fully Charged). Dealers local to the area were welcome to come along, but they were also encouraged to invite some of their important commercial customers to learn about the manufacturer's professional cordless products.

The events saw a series of presentations by members of STIHL's team, who explained how the company is developing a full range of commercial-level, battery powered tools for use in demanding settings. Attendees were also afforded the opportunity to try out the equipment for themselves.

It strikes me as a sensible combination, to have both the manufacturer's staff on hand to explain and promote the new machinery to some key end-users - but then to crucially, have local dealer representatives there at every venue, who these professionals will ultimately be buying from. This sort of relationship building can never be underestimated.

After the ten events wound up this week, the company said they had seen a record number of local authorities and major landscaping contractors attend across the venues. Simon Hewitt, head of marketing told me, “We’re thrilled by the overwhelming response we’ve had to this year’s STIHL Fully Charged Roadshow. The record attendance from local authorities and large landscaping contractors is testament to the advancement of battery technology and the genuine alternative option it now presents to professional users."

At least my colleague, Laurence Gale, editor of our sister title for commercial end-users TurfPro, managed to get along to one of the days. He attended at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. He said at that one, as well as local dealers, he met some National Trust gardeners and some local maintenance contractors who they had invited along.

Laurence described the event as "most informative." It would have been great to have discovered that for myself!

Service Dealer is proud to announce that the magazine is one of only four finalists in the Business Publication of the Year category at the PPA ‘s Independent Publisher Awards.

The awards are a high-profile, prestigious competition who say their aim is to "celebrate the businesses, teams, and individuals who are delivering standout work, seeking new innovative approaches to best serve their audiences, and who have made a difference in their sector over the last 12 months." Over 40 publishing industry experts review the competition's entries to ultimately decide on the shortlist and winners in a two-step judging process.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "It is a great achievement for Service Dealer to be recognised again at this level, having previously been shortlisted for the same award in 2021."

Editor, Steve Gibbs added, "Service Dealer is the definition of a team accomplishment, so it's wonderful for everyone who is involved with the title to have their hard work recognised in this way."

The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 24th.

Due to the original deadline coinciding with several Dealer Days, organisers have decided to offer an extended period to get your nominations in for 2023's Dealer Of The Year Awards.

The new date to get your entries in by, is Monday 30th October before midnight.

Dealerships can enter on their own behalf or be nominated by customers, suppliers, or another third party - but entries must be complete and include a 250-word supporting statement and at least one piece of supporting evidence. The awards will be judged taking into account the 12 months prior to the submission date.

Kelly and Sophie Burgess of Buxtons Limited won 2022's Star Of The Dealership award

More detail on entries can be found by clicking the relevant category links below. 

A judging panel will review all the nominations prior to the Awards Ceremony on the 30th November. All entries for the categories below will be considered by the judging panel for the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year award (sponsored by Kress).

Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Husqvarna

Have you gone above and beyond this year to satisfy your domestic customers?

ENTER GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Ibcos

Would your farming customers say you are outstanding in your field?

ENTER FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR

Forestry Equipment Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Societe Generale Equipment Finance

Is your dealership at the top of the tree when it comes to supplying forestry equipment?

ENTER FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR

Professional Turfcare Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Toro UK

Is your team firing on all cylinders when it comes to your commercial turfcare customers?

ENTER PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR

ATV/Quad Dealer of the Year - sponsored by Yamaha

Are you the dealership customers turn to for tackling all terrain in the outdoor sector?

ENTER ATV/QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR

New Technician of the Year - sponsored by Kubota

Technicians are the staff who keep the wheels turning - this is your chance to highlight someone in their first four years of the role.

ENTER NEW TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Star of the Dealership - sponsored by EGO

Do you have a staff member who’s made an exceptional contribution to the business?

ENTER STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP

Best New Initiative - sponsored by STIHL

Have you implemented something new - be it a fresh idea, some renovation, diversification, or branching out with new tech, let us know!

ENTER BEST NEW INITIATIVE

Leadership Award - Sponsored by AGCO

Does your dealership benefit from a great team leader who leads from the front and acts as a great example to all?

ENTER LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner following the Service Dealer Conference that takes place on Thursday 30th November 2023 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford upon Avon, the theme for this year's event is Taking Care of Business.

EGO Power Plus recently held its annual Distributor Conference, which saw its network of European distributors come together to find out about the brand's upcoming plans for the year ahead.

Peter Melrose addressing delegates

Described as a “resounding success” by EGO’s managing director Peter Melrose, the two-day event in the UK served as a platform to showcase the manufacturer's 2024 product launches - including its new-look PRO X range for commercial users and the unveiling of their first pressure washer.

Alongside product launches, networking and collaboration, the event also provided an opportunity for the EGO team to offer insights to its distributor network, sharing knowledge on industry challenges, the competitor landscape, aftersales care, and marketing.

Peter said: “We are thrilled that another of our Distributor events can be ticked off as a resounding success. An important event for the EGO calendar, we look forward to sharing this dedicated time with our distributor network as we are always eager to get their reactions to the new product lines that we put so much time and dedication into perfecting for our customers.”

The event included live demonstrations of the new PRO X range and the team were able to discuss how the tools have been carefully designed to cater to the evolving needs of its customers - with the brand unveiling its new charging solution and IoT-driven Bluetooth Integration technology.

To end, the company surprised the distributors with a trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at the Warner Bros. Studio, during which the guests were treated to a cinematic video showcase which brought the EGO brand to life in what the company described as "a captivating and immersive way".

CNH have announced that they have continued to support the acceleration of smart harvesting technologies with a minority investment in the California-based start-up Advanced Farm Technologies, which specialises in the robotic harvesting of apples, strawberries and other fruits.

The two businesses say they will partner to drive industry and ecosystem innovation by collaborating across R&D and commercialisation.

CNH say shifting to robotic picking has great potential to significantly improve fruit farmers’ productivity by harvesting high value crops up to five times more efficiently. In the United States, 46% of the production cost of apples comes from handpicking labour, 70% in the case of strawberries. These high labour costs are exacerbated by a continued downward trend in handpicking workforce availability. 

Advanced Farm Technologies’ system uses computer vision and a machine learning tech stack to pick the best fruit, either during the day or at night, while gently handling it to avoid bruising and damage. Their system’s robotic arms with gentle grippers, a serial-hybrid drive system, autonomous navigation and automated bin handling are among the key features. This automated platform eliminates the need to carry a ladder from tree to tree - vastly reducing the strain of a repetitive and arduous task.

CNH say they are in a technology growth mode, especially focused on automated, autonomous, and sustainable farming innovations.

The AEA has released figures that examine UK agricultural tractor registrations by power and region for January - September 2023.

Across the year to date, say the Association, growth has largely been confined to high-powered machines. Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the AEA, says, "Above 160hp, registrations were nearly 20% higher than in January to September 2022, representing more than 800 extra machines. Between 51hp and 180hp, there were 9% fewer tractors recorded, a drop of over 400 machines."

Stephen continued, "The pattern was somewhat different in the third quarter. While there was still strong growth for the largest machines (over 280hp), there were small year-on-year declines for most power bands below that level but above 110hp. Instead, most of the growth was for tractors with engine power between 51hp and 110hp, which were up 12%, compared with July to September 2022, although they still accounted for fewer than one in six registrations of tractors over 50hp."

At regional level, registrations across the year to date were similar to or higher than in January to September 2022 in all parts of the country apart from North West England (-2%) and Northern Ireland (-6%). Growth was strongest in the East Midlands, where 18% more tractors were registered this year. The South of England also recorded faster year-on-year growth than the UK as a whole.

"However," explained Stephen, "as with power ranges, the pattern was different in the third quarter. Apart from the East Midlands, significant annual growth during July to September was limited to the North of England, Wales and Scotland. Wales saw a particularly strong increase of 19%. In contrast, the East of England region registered 15% fewer tractors in the third quarter than a year ago, with Yorkshire and the West Midlands also seeing year-on-year declines."

Organisers have announced that this year's Midlands Machinery Show on 8-9 November, will feature machinery demonstrations led by several dealerships.

Russells will showcase a new flagship model in the New Holland T7 Long Wheelbase range, launched earlier this year - the T7.300 with PLM Intelligence. The dealership will also present the Horizon DSX no-till seed drill.

.

"For farmers looking to the future with regenerative farming, the new Horizon DSX drill may be the ideal solution,” says Bob Skinner, dealer principal at Russells’ Harby Depot. “Visitors can see a presentation in the demonstration ring about how it can help those on their regenerative farming journey.”

Chandlers Farm Equipment meanwhile, one of the largest AGCO dealers in the UK, will bring along two telehandlers from Fendt and Massey Ferguson. "We are looking forward to demonstrating the new Fendt Cargo T740 telehandler, with its unique lifting cab, which drastically improves loading visibility and safety when loading materials into a lorry or container,” says managing director, Gavin Pell.

"We'll also have the robust and underrated Massey Ferguson TH.8043 telehandler – which has a very capable 8m reach, with 4.3 tonnes lift capacity. Both machines will be put through their paces in the demo arena, handling a range of materials, with the product specialists from Fendt and MF on hand to provide commentary and further information on the products, and to answer customer questions during the displays.”

Also at the show, Sharmans Agricultural will be demonstrating the capabilities of JCB Agriculture’s telehandler and telescopic wheeled loader range, offering live commentary on the features and applications for both arable and livestock farms.

Show organiser Elizabeth Halsall said, "This year's demonstrations offer a mix of technology and machinery advancements supporting commercial farms of all sizes."

Campey Turf Care Systems is planning a UK Road Tour in 2024 and say that SALTEX will provide the platform for dealers and customers to register interest in attending a demo day in their area. 

  
For many years Campey say they have taken a huge number of machines across the water for various educational and sales tours throughout Europe. Most recently was an eight-country demonstration tour visiting 14 venues to provide customer support and training.
 
Now it is the turn of the UK. The key to the success of all the events, say the company, is working with turf professionals to solve issues specific to their sport and conditions. For Campey director, Lee Morgado, this is the primary purpose of the in-person demos.
 
“Giving people detailed advice on issues specific to them is priceless, and the impact of it really can’t be overestimated,” Lee said. “The challenges groundsmen and greenkeepers face in the UK can vary considerably, so to have the opportunity to talk through those issues can make a difference for them and us because we can learn and adapt from it.”
 
So, for this reason, Campey has chosen SALTEX this year, not only to exhibit a selection of their range of equipment, but to engage with industry professionals on the stand to discuss when and where Campey may be visiting their region. Also, to invite anyone who would like to take part in the tour, and wishes to use their own venue, to talk to their area manager or anyone in the team before the final list is drawn up.
 
Anyone who registers and attends any of the road shows will have their name automatically put into a raffle to be held at each venue. The top prize is a visit to the Imants and Vredo head offices in Holland with a tour of the factory, followed by traditional Dutch hospitality. 

We are pleased to announce our Briggs & Stratton Pre-Season offer 2023-24 (For Trade & OEM customers).

Ordering Period: 9th October 2023 to 31st January 2024 (multiple orders are allowed).

Delivery: as soon as the majority of items are available from stock.

Extended Credit Terms: 3 x equal payments - 29th Mar-24 / 30th Apr-24 / 31st May-24.

Minimum Order Value: £500net (not including Engines, or *Product Parts).

*Product Parts: see separate section at the bottom of the order form.

Carriage: FOC to standard locations (remote/offshore locations-standard terms apply).

Please use the downloadable form only to place your orders via info@uni-power.co.uk (Webcart or other formats are not accepted).

We are pleased to announce our Kawasaki Pre-Season offer 2023 (For Trade & OEM customers).

Ordering Period: 9th October 2023 to 20th December 2023 (multiple orders are allowed).

Delivery: as soon as the majority of items are available from stock.

Extended Credit Terms: payment 31st January 2024.

Minimum Order Value: £500net.

Carriage: FOC to standard locations (remote/offshore locations-standard terms apply).

Please use the downloadable form only to place your orders via info@uni-power.co.uk (Webcart or other formats are not accepted).

The new Fortis range of cylinder lawnmowers from Cobra delivers advanced lawn mower technology to bring a convenient lawncare solution with incredible cutting performance. Cobra Fortis lawnmowers are not only precision designed and reliable, but they effortlessly create a beautiful fine finish on every lawn or sports pitch they are used on.

There are four mowers in the Fortis range. Starting with a compact 14” model that is powered by a Loncin petrol engine, and then the 17”, 20” and 25” all featuring Briggs & Stratton engines for extra power for larger lawns. They are all self-propelled and have a three-way drive facility, allowing the blades to be disengaged without having to stop the engine.

Fortis mowers all feature a six-blade precision ground cutting cylinder to give the finest, most precise cut possible. The height of cut can easily be adjusted too with variants as low as 6mm and ranging up to 30mm. The finishing touch to the perfect cut comes from the steel front roller giving an enhanced definition to the iconic lawn stripes.

Convenience and comfort have also been considered as the mowers have foam cushioned handles that fold down for easy transportation and compact storage.

What makes the Fortis machines the ultimate in lawncare however, is their ability to transform into seven other machines to ensure that lawns are immaculate and healthy. The Fortis six-bladed cassette can simply be removed and replaced with another accessory cassette in the range to switch its use. Other cartridges include:

• Verticutter - lightly removes thatch build up with light, fine blades without penetrating the soil and by cutting vertically to increase turf density.
• Scarifier - more aggressive than the verticutter and can easy remove debris and dense thatch by penetrating the soil to encourages new growth.
• Dethatcher - will remove the densest layers of thatch and will collect twice as much material as the verticut cartridge. Its thick, wide spaced tines will penetrate the soil up to 6mm deep.
• Aerator - brakes up soil compaction as its blades slit the ground to allow extra air, moisture and nutrients to reach the grass roots. Ultimately, creating a healthier, thicker and more luscious lawn
• Turf rake - powerful blades both lift thatch and thinly slice soil surface to ensure maximum water, air and nutrients can flow to the roots.
• Lawn brush - features rotating brushes that easily collects light debris such as fallen leaves, twigs, grass clippings or litter and places it in the collection box. It can also be used to remove dew and light rain from the lawn to prevent fungal diseases.
• 10-blade cassette - gives an even closer finish worthy of croquet, tennis lawns and bowling greens!

It’s not just the convenience of the cartridges that makes the Fortis range so special, the cutting ability is superb and incredible precise.  

The cylinder mowers’ blades spiral around the cartridge, as such they cut with a scissor action, slicing instead of chopping like a rotary mower. This is better for the grass, as it has less impact and causes less trauma which in turn leads to healthier grass. The clean cut from a cylinder mower is less damaging for the plant and also helps prevent against diseases forming. 

Not only does this create healthy lawns, but it also gives crisply defined lines for a perfectly striped finish.

For more information on Cobra visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk

or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

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