It's been some weeks now since showrooms have been allowed to welcome customers back inside, which hopefully dealers are feeling the benefit from.

You may have read the recent ONS data that illustrated how April saw a boost to retail, with people returning to bricks and mortar stores. In fact so strong was the return to physical premises, that all retail sectors apparently reported a fall in their proportions of online sales. According to ONS figures, the total proportion of sales online decreased to 30.0% in April 2021, down from 34.7% in March.

No one is suggesting of course, that because of this it's time to ditch the online presence that many dealers will have built up so successfully over the past year. What it arguably confirms is what many have spoken of, that progressive dealerships of the future will thrive through a hybrid business model. A welcoming, modern premises backed up by a successful digital presence. A presence that not only sells goods, but crucially sells the dealer's own brand and ethos to their local target audience. For more information and tips about this, don't for get there's plenty of helpful information within Service Dealer's Dealer Digital Toolkit.

Anyway, the ONS report makes for interesting, encouraging reading. Of course comparing April 2021 to last year's one isn't exactly fair consider we were in the midst of the strictest Lockdown 1.0 at that point. But the underlying current trends of consumers continuing to spend, after fears it might drop off completely, must offer some heart.

From conversations we're having, it sounds like our readers are getting busier once again - albeit there is of course the ongoing elephant-in-the-dealership surrounding stocking.

Customers though, must be becoming ever more aware that these difficulties regarding supply are far from limited to the outdoor powered machinery sectors. This story on the BBC this week for example, regarding the building and construction industry and the trouble they are having sourcing materials, makes for incredibly familiar reading. It could almost have been written for our sector frankly, the story is so similar. And unfortunately, one suspects a tale to be repeated across multiple industries until a period of global stability is reached.

All of which is frustrating for a myriad of reasons - not least because business owners will be wanting to make firm future plans.

Recruitment hardships

We had some of these frustrations reflected back to us last week by you, our dealer readers, when we asked for your thoughts on the current state of recruitment. Thank you to all who helped us out with your feedback, we received a fascinating spread of responses and opinions.

Reading through your views, it seems fair to say that many dealers are keen to bolster their workforce and employ new staff - despite how inherently difficult this still appears to be. The sense of exasperation from your comments, was palpable.

One dealer encapsulated the feelings of many, saying, "There is a big opportunity for employment in our industry as I know nearly every dealer in the country is looking to recruit staff  - whether an apprentice or an experienced engineer."

Another said of the challenges they are facing in finding anyone to take on, "In developing our dealership this is the biggest challenge we face."

We'll share all the results and a further selection of your comments in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine - however, it's no big spoiler to say that what came through loud and clear, is that dealers aren't blaming any of these hardships involved in the recruitment process on any short-term effects from the pandemic.

No, these are perennial hurdles that are hindering their desire to employ. Age old factors such as a lack of applicants, lack of perceived skills, no local training facilities, or being priced out of the wage market by other sectors are being cited by readers as holding them back.

These are issues that have been discussed ad infinitum and to which there are no easy-fixes unfortunately. 

As our industry, like the rest of society, builds back after an unprecedented period in modern history, a focus is going to have to be placed on methods to attract fresh blood into the sector. As has been said before, this will mean a coordinated effort between trade associations, manufacturers, dealers and all who have a vested interest in the industry. All will need to work together towards a common goal. 

Perhaps alongside vital initiatives intended to promote the sector to those who may not have considered a career in landbased engineering before, serious consideration should also be given to a suggestion passed on to us by a dealer reader last week.

It sounds like simple logic, but presumably many others will agree that it has been overlooked in recent years. This dealer's suggestion was that we should be doing "whatever it takes to keep margin within our industry, to support the higher remuneration we are having to pay."

I can't see too many dealers arguing with that.

Club Car has appointed Farol Ltd as a UK dealer for its commercial range.

L-R: James Moore, Farol Golf & Turf business director and Darren Jones, Farol Group utility vehicle specialist

Established in 1976, Farol’s headquarters are in Oxfordshire, and it has five more depots throughout the UK. 

Andy Bourke, Club Car’s regional manager UK&I & Nordics, said, “This new partnership will allow Club Car to further strengthen our position in key markets as well as expanding into new markets.”

James Moore, Golf & Turf business director for Farol, said, “We are very excited to be working with Club Car as it will make a great addition to our already diverse product portfolio. Club Car’s strong brand presence combined with our extensive connections within the professional turf industry and beyond mean we can hit the ground running.  

 “We have already seen significant interest - and taken orders - from existing Farol customers, and look forward to attracting many more new opportunities with Club Car.”

The Claas tractor factory in Le Mans, France - referred to by the company as the “Future Factory” - has officially started operations following three years of modernisation.

The manufacturer says following a 40 million Euro investment, their new facility draws on state-of-the-art digital technologies, making it one of the most advanced tractor plants in the world.

Claas gave the go-ahead for this major investment in Le Mans back in 2017. They say the huge investments were primarily spent on a complete renewal of assembly equipment and digital transformation of the plant. This brings the total investment in Le Mans, the development centre in Vélizy and the test and validation centre in Trangé to around €80 million since the acquisition of Renault Agriculture in 2003. 

“Our completely refurbished plant in Le Mans raises the bar for the production of premium and connected agricultural tractors”, said Thomas Böck, Chair of the CLAAS Group Executive Board. “We have therefore opened a new chapter in the continued growth of our global business.”

The modernisation of the plant, according to the company, creates entirely new opportunities for the manufacture of increasingly complex and individually configured tractors. This involved a complete rethink of many complex processes – especially in the area of in-house logistics.

The use of cutting-edge virtual reality technologies enabled digital simulation of all processes during the factory planning stage, even for tractor models that have not yet entered production. Innumerable options were acted out using 3D animations and VR goggles in order to play through all stages of assembly, from the powertrain to the finished and tested tractor. Any necessary structural changes were therefore identified early on. 

Claas say that their employees are the main beneficiaries of the completely modernised plant. The new logistics infrastructure means workers have significantly more space at their ergonomically designed workplaces, as only parts that are immediately needed are delivered to the assembly line. Some of the workstations are even equipped with headsets so that employees can benefit from easier communication. In addition, bright colours and state-of-the-art LED lighting technology ensure a concentrated and pleasant working atmosphere that resembles natural lighting conditions. 

At present, five tractor model series from 75 to 460 hp are produced in Le Mans. Together with the development centre in Vélizy near Paris and the test and validation centre in Trangé, around 1,000 people are employed in Le Mans. The locations cooperate closely with other development centres and plants, such as in Germany with Claas E-Systems in Dissen or with Claas Industrietechnik in Paderborn.

The Engineering Council (EC) has renewed IAgrE’s professional licences for a further 5 years.  
 
The EC licence is granted to Professional Engineering Institutions to authorise them to assess applicants for inclusion on the Engineering Council’s register of professional engineers and technicians. The licence gives IAgrE the authority to assess the competence and commitment of candidates for registration as chartered engineer, incorporated engineer and engineering technicians to qualified members. 
 
The Society for the Environment has also renewed IAgrE’s licence for 5 years. 
 
IAgrE is a founder constituent body of the Society for the Environment (SocEnv), an umbrella body for environmental professionals. It was formed to provide an internationally recognised professional qualification for environmental practitioners (CEnv) and IAgrE is able to offer the award to suitably qualified and experienced members. The Society also recently launched a new qualification REnvP which will provide more individuals with the opportunity to gain professional registration and achieve external verification of their competence. 
 
To qualify for renewal IAgrE was re-assessed by the EC and SocEnv to ensure continuing compliance and that the correct procedures are in place to continually monitor the professional development and conduct of registrants. 
 
From the beginning of this year the IAgrE say they have experienced a large increase in members applying for professional registration  
 
“IAgrE offers professional recognition to an extraordinarily wide range of people working in the application of science, engineering and technology to the land, whether it is for food or industrial production, amenity or environmental stewardship,” said Charlie Nicklin, IAgrE CEO.  
 
"Achieving professional registration can increase a persons’ credibility and career progression and the trend in people wanting to be professionally registered continues to rise confirming registration is an investment in your future."

Manitou Group is launching a new brand dedicated to its attachments, called 'Manitou Group Attachments', intended to simplify their offering for users.

Now designated under this new “Manitou Group Attachments” brand (previously Edge and Manitou), the company says attachments designed in Italy, the United States, and India are adapted to the many markets targeted by the group. In particular, the offering addresses agriculture, construction, mining, or logistics applications.

This single brand will equip the forklifts, telehandlers, compact loaders, articulated loaders, and backhoe loaders manufactured by the group for the three brands: Manitou, Gehl, and MustangbyManitou. 

Wim Roose, global product line manager for attachments, explained the change, saying, “Our goal is to respond to all of our users’ needs in a more coherent way.

"Thanks to our design office, which is dedicated entirely to attachment design, we are able to respond to all requests, including on the niche markets.” 

This offering is now identifiable with a new logo across the product categories.

The organisers of the Cereals Event say this year's edition is going ahead as a real live, in the flesh, face-to-face event.

Event organiser, Alli McEntyre has stressed that Cereals is happening as an in person event, saying “No online webinars, just real people meeting in the fields of Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire. Not a ‘virtual’ link in sight.

“You can walk across real grass, eye up actual machines, talk to people directly, attend seminars in person, examine the crop plots - and there’s even a soil pit you can get into.”

There will be 300 exhibitors to visit and the Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena will showcase live demos. The Isuzu Driving Course will allow visitors to drive real vehicles, and the full seminar programme will consist of 100% live speakers, travelling from all over the country to the Cereals site in Lincolnshire. 

The event which will be held from 30 June - 1 July 2021 will organisers say it will comply with all required biosecurity measures against Covid-19.

New Holland Agriculture was recently honoured with the Gold medal at the 2021 edition of the Edison Awards for the Loop Master knotting technology featured on its BigBaler 1290 High Density and BigBaler Plus range.

The annual award competition recognises excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation. Winners are selected based on four criteria: Concept, Value, Delivery and Impact.

Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition for our patented Loop Master technology, which brings significant cost and environmental benefits to our customers. By recognising that bale quality is key to delivering maximum productivity and minimum waste, over the years our team has been focusing its resources on how to enhance these two aspects further, while making baling even more sustainable.”

Felix Ramuenke, global product manager for Large Square Balers, added, “The Loop Master technology takes the best from the two existing knotting technologies and combines them to provide a solution that is an industry first. This unique solution has attracted great interest from industry experts and farmers, and has been very well received by customers.”

The Loop Master technology, on the one hand, eliminates the loose twine ends generated by double knot technology, which are left behind in the field, representing a cost for farmers, a hazard to livestock and a contaminate to the environment. On the other, the solution also adopts the higher tensile strength of the ‘loop’ knotter, increasing it by 26%. This means that lower grade twine can be used and bales are more resistant to handling.

Due to the cancellation of the Royal Highland Show this year because of the pandemic, The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) is to host a livestreamed ‘behind closed doors’ event - the Royal Highland Showcase.

Taking place over the week of 14th to 20th June, the Showcase, will see livestock judging, equestrian, food & drink and rural skills streamed live and in high definition from the Ingliston showground in Edinburgh to an online audience.

The livestream will also include the winners of this year's Technical Innovations competition.

The organisers say all online access will be free, and four live streams will be providing nine hours of action on each of the seven days. It will also have hours of on-demand content which can be accessed throughout show week.  
 

RHASS Chairman Bill Gray said, “Our farmers never stopped through the pandemic, and neither will we. We know how much the Show means to our members, the wider agricultural community and the show-going public. This innovative event will act as a bridge between the no-Show year of 2020 and the planned 180th Show in 2020, the bicentennial anniversary of our very first Show. 
 
“I’d encourage everyone to log on for what will be a truly unique showcase of the best rural that Scotland has to offer, wherever you are in the world.” 

With the recent announcement of our depot coming soon in Ropley, Hampshire. We are now looking for experienced Agricultural Technicians to join our team at Crawfords.

Crawfords is a family-run business and has been trading for 40 years, providing the Agricultural Industry with outstanding support and service across Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, partnering with leading franchises. Crawfords supply; Tractors, Material Handling Equipment, Pick Up Trucks and Implements.  

The successful applicant will have relevant technical experience with agricultural machinery, however, candidates with previous experience working on groundscare machinery, plant machinery or HGVs with transferable skills will also be considered.

All applicants must be hardworking and able to work both independently and as a team. You will be carrying out repairs and servicing of agricultural machinery to an exceptionally high standard ensuring customer satisfaction. This will be carried out both on farm, and within our modern fully equipped workshop.

Package Details;

• Working Hours are 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Overtime available for weekends.
• Weekend On call requirement every 5th week
• Competitive salary (depending on experience)
• Company Van, fully equipped
• 22 days holiday, plus 8 days Bank Holiday
• Company Pension
• Company Benefits

How to apply;

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to laura.crawford@crawfordsltd.co.uk 

If you would like any further information, please call Laura on: 01245 322733, this would be completely confidential.

As Crawfords continue to grow. We are looking for experienced Agricultural Technicians to join our team in West Sussex.

Crawfords is a family-run business and has been trading for 40 years, providing the Agricultural Industry with outstanding support and service across Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, partnering with leading franchises. Crawfords supply; Tractors, Material Handling Equipment, Pick Up Trucks and Implements.  

The successful applicant will have relevant technical experience with agricultural machinery, however, candidates with previous experience working on groundscare machinery, plant machinery or HGVs with transferable skills will also be considered.

All applicants must be hardworking and able to work both independently and as a team. You will be carrying out repairs and servicing of agricultural machinery to an exceptionally high standard ensuring customer satisfaction. This will be carried out both on farm, and within our modern fully equipped workshop.

Package Details;

• Working Hours are 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Overtime available for weekends.
• Weekend On call requirement every 5th week
• Competitive salary (depending on experience)
• Company Van, fully equipped
• 22 days holiday, plus 8 days Bank Holiday
• Company Pension
• Company Benefits

How to apply;

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to laura.crawford@crawfordsltd.co.uk 

If you would like any further information, please call Laura on: 01245 322733, this would be completely confidential.

Crawford’s is a family-run business and has been trading for 40 over years, providing the Agricultural Industry with outstanding support and service across Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, partnering with leading franchises. Crawford supply; Tractors, Material Handling Equipment, Pick Up Trucks and Implements.  

As Crawfords continues to grow, we currently have an opportunity for the position of an Experienced Service Advisor. This role will be based at our depot in Charing, Kent. 

 Key responsibilities:

• Provide outstanding customer care and be the vital link between our customers and the service team.
• Scheduling on-farm technician visits, pro-active workshop bookings, customer machine depot drop-offs and collections.
• Inform and consult customers on machine servicing and repairs, keeping the customer up to date at every stage whilst answering any technical questions or queries they may have.
• Liaise with the Service Manager/Assistant Service Manager and update customers on machine work statuses, costs and ensure that machines will be ready on time.
• Increase clients awareness of all maintenance packages and retail options available
• This is a challenging role where customer care always comes first, you will take the time to build customer relationships and identify our customers’ requirements.

Requirements:

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of working in a service department.
• 2-3 years proven experience as a Service Advisor or similar role.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with an aptitude in building relationships with professionals of all organisational levels.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• A strong customer service background.
• Experience of working with IBCOS GOLD system would be beneficial but not essential.

Package Details:

• Working Hours are 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
• Seasonal weekend work on rota will be required.
• We are offering an industry-leading salary (to be discussed at interview stage).
• Phone and laptop.
• 22 days holiday, plus 8 days Bank Holiday.
• Company Pension, benefits and incentives.   

How to apply:
 
To apply please send your CV and covering letter to laura.crawford@crawfordsltd.co.uk 

If you would like any further information please call Laura Crawford on 01245 322733 this would be completely confidential.

Key Account Manager – London North 

Job Overview

With over 330 years of innovation and passion, Husqvarna provides sustainable solutions within the Professional Greenspace Maintenance. We let high performance meet usability and safety, ensuring you are ready to get the job done efficiently. Every development by Husqvarna is made with the user in mind. Husqvarna offers a wide and growing range of products and accessories, including everything from Professional Chainsaws and Professional Battery handheld products; to Professional robotic lawnmowers (Automower®). With a solid focus on the Professional Automower® solution, we offer the strongest range of sustainable turf care made in the UK and are the world leaders in robotic mowing since 1995. We are therefore looking to grow our team in this area with a talented and pro-active Key Account manager to help us reach our goals.

Key Responsibilities

The role will involve the implementation of Go to market sales and marketing strategies and this will include developing and managing freely a regional Key account Pro Automower® portfolio together with managing and growing the existing Pro Key accounts.

The negotiation of product listing, making recommendations, and implementing action plans is vital in this role and establishing a sustainable relationship with Pro Automower® customers, strong communication and relationship building is pivotal. 

In addition, the role will involve gathering market and competitor intelligence and analysis and identifying and facilitating marketing opportunities. As part of the role, you will be part of the UK Pro sales team and a strong collaboration with dealer sales team

Support efficient coordination with the various departments of the company to achieve the objectives set:

• Marketing activities which include product approach, markets, management of calls for tenders, pricing
• Manage sales administration on a regular basis
• Liaise with Supply chain for goods being despatched
• Support customers with any after sales queries 

The Candidate

A good educational background with relevant degree education or equivalent and turf maintenance knowledge and B2B sales experience would be advantageous.

Essential skills for this role include being team player but also able to work independently with a strong “self-starter” approach. In addition, strong interpersonal skills and relationship building are essential qualities with the ability to communicate, present and influence at all levels. Individuals will possess a high level of tenacity, be self-confident with a style that can enliven, engage and positively impacts individuals and groups to succeed together. Finally, you will enjoy working in a fast paced environment and have a strong commitment to results and be commercially astute, numerate and with an appreciation for pricing, costs and profitability.

Additional skills required include:-

• Must be highly experienced in: Microsoft packages, Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and CRM solutions
• Full UK driving licence. A towing (B&E) category would be advantageous

Benefits

The role includes a competitive benefits package and our sites across the globe act as culture hubs where collaboration is key to success. The role will also involve elements of home working and will give the best opportunity to combine work and private life.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role, please contact andy.scott@nigelwright.com for further details.

Key Account Manager – London South

Job Overview

With over 330 years of innovation and passion, Husqvarna provides sustainable solutions within the Professional Greenspace Maintenance. We let high performance meet usability and safety, ensuring you are ready to get the job done efficiently. Every development by Husqvarna is made with the user in mind. Husqvarna offers a wide and growing range of products and accessories, including everything from Professional Chainsaws and Professional Battery handheld products; to Professional robotic lawnmowers (Automower®). With a solid focus on the Professional Automower® solution, we offer the strongest range of sustainable turf care made in the UK and are the world leaders in robotic mowing since 1995. We are therefore looking to grow our team in this area with a talented and pro-active Key Account manager to help us reach our goals.

Key Responsibilities

The role will involve the implementation of Go to market sales and marketing strategies and this will include developing and managing freely a regional Key account Pro Automower® portfolio together with managing and growing the existing Pro Key accounts.

The negotiation of product listing, making recommendations, and implementing action plans is vital in this role and establishing a sustainable relationship with Pro Automower® customers, strong communication and relationship building is pivotal. 

In addition, the role will involve gathering market and competitor intelligence and analysis and identifying and facilitating marketing opportunities. As part of the role, you will be part of the UK Pro sales team and a strong collaboration with dealer sales team

Support efficient coordination with the various departments of the company to achieve the objectives set:

• Marketing activities which include product approach, markets, management of calls for tenders, pricing
• Manage sales administration on a regular basis
• Liaise with Supply chain for goods being despatched
• Support customers with any after sales queries 

The Candidate

A good educational background with relevant degree education or equivalent and turf maintenance knowledge and B2B sales experience would be advantageous.

Essential skills for this role include being team player but also able to work independently with a strong “self-starter” approach. In addition, strong interpersonal skills and relationship building are essential qualities with the ability to communicate, present and influence at all levels. Individuals will possess a high level of tenacity, be self-confident with a style that can enliven, engage and positively impacts individuals and groups to succeed together. Finally, you will enjoy working in a fast paced environment and have a strong commitment to results and be commercially astute, numerate and with an appreciation for pricing, costs and profitability.

Additional skills required include:-

• Must be highly experienced in: Microsoft packages, Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and CRM solutions
• Full UK driving licence. A towing (B&E) category would be advantageous

Benefits

The role includes a competitive benefits package and our sites across the globe act as culture hubs where collaboration is key to success. The role will also involve elements of home working and will give the best opportunity to combine work and private life.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role, please contact andy.scott@nigelwright.com for further details.

Following last week’s launch of the 48V (2 x 24V) 199mph Variable Speed Blower & Vacuum from Greenworks we are pleased to launch yet another new product for Handy Distribution for 2021 with an all new Greenworks GWG24X2LM36K2X 48V (2 X 24V) 36cm Cordless Lawnmower with Two 24V 2Ah Batteries & 2Ah Twin Charger.

If you want a high-performance lawnmower, the 48V cordless mower range could be your answer. Utilising two 24V batteries, used in series to deliver 48V of power, all this without the hassle of cables and the weight of petrol. You can use this lawnmower with your existing 24V batteries so upgrading your lawn mower couldn’t be easier.

You can have the best of both worlds. Mowing with a cordless mower is so much easier than with an electric or petrol machine. There is no cable to get in the way, and unlike petrol machines they start first time, every time. They are light to move and use, easy to store, quiet in operation, and have no fumes or odours, all round they are much nicer and easier to use, and you get the benefit of being able to buy other tools to fit the battery, at much cheaper prices.

Perfect in small to average gardens the 48V 36cm Lawn Mower has a 36cm cutting path, a 40 litre grass collector and a single lever 5-position height adjustment. With a carry handle and a fold-over handle, it’s easy to transport and compact to store.

Using this lawnmower along side the other 48V & 24V products gives you an amazing range of garden tools; Including Blowers & Vacuums, Chainsaws, Drills, Linetrimmers, Sanders, Hedgetrimmers & more. The twin charger means you can fully charge two 2Ah batteries in an hour.

As with all Greenworks products the GWG24X2LM36K2X offers exceptional value for money, with SSP of just £229.99 including VAT including two 24V 4Ah batteries and a twin charger. Furthermore, the model features full spare parts backup, a 3 year warranty, and competitive dealer terms ensuring your profitability.

As well as our 2021 National advertising campaign in leading newspapers and magazines we have also invested heavily in our brand content, with new product videos, photography and online information. Visit our YouTube channel to see the latest product videos.

For more information on any of the new Greenworks products contact Handy Distribution on 01793 333220 or speak to your local sales representative. Alternatively, all products can be easily ordered online at www.handyonline.co.uk

Visit the Kentucky Exposition Center, between the 20-22nd October 2021, to take part in GIE+EXPO’s:

• 4,000sqft hands-on Drone Zone
• UTV Test Track for driving and comparing the latest vehicles on real terrain
• Remote Pilot Certification Course
• Arborist demos and classroom courses
• Keynote presentation from Admiral James Stavridis
• Free dealer workshops by Bob Clements International, as well as much more… 

Visit gie-expo.com to find out more.

Our Summer research shows 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 2021 will be reinvested into promoting the site online.

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.

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