BREAK TIME COMING UP Vitally important to recharge by Service Dealer Editor, Steve Gibbs
The phrase 'work/life balance' can be bandied around quite freely, but it is something for dealers to be genuinely mindful of.
First up today, I'd like to draw your attention to a fantastic new video that our amazing Video Dude, David Comiskey, has shot and compiled following the recent Service Dealer Conference and Awards.
It acts as a superb summation of the event, encapsulating what Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke describes as a thoroughly enjoyable day. The short film recalls all our amazing speakers who presented during the Conference and offers a flavour of the joyous celebration that was the gala Awards dinner.
Duncan concludes the video by saying, "We've had some great feedback. Thank you so much to all our sponsors. We really hope to see you all here next year. It's an event not to be missed." Watch it now.
Break time!
One of the feelings that our Conference and Awards always gives me, is that sense of the industry collectively letting its hair down at the end of term. Yes, there's plenty of serious topics covered during the daytime, but once we complete the important business of the Awards in the evening, then it's time to relax - mostly in the bar!
This moment of kicking back with friends and colleagues genuinely feels important to me. It's a golden opportunity to chill, laugh and have fun with contemporaries - which let's be honest, doesn't happen nearly often enough during the course of a long, challenging season.
With this in mind as the Christmas period is coming up, I do hope our dealer readers are able to take a proper break from the business, even if only for a few days (but hopefully more!). The phrase 'work/life balance' can be bandied around quite freely these days, perhaps without being taken seriously enough. But I think experts who know way more about this sort of thing than I do, would say it is genuinely something to be mindful of. A switch off and a step back, is vital.
It's a subject I saw our friend Sara Hey, of dealer training experts Bob Clements International in the States talking about recently - specifically in relation to how important it is to take a temporary break from all work-related matters for members of a family business - of which there are many in our sector.
Sara, who herself grew up in a family business, said what a "game changer" it was for her to set clear boundaries. "Over the years," she said, "I’ve learned that the clearer we are on separating work from family, the smoother things run." She continued, "It’s all about knowing when to switch gears and focus on the people who matter most, not just the business."
One of the points that Sara made regarding why it's important for dealers to truly try to switch off during a holiday period (she was talking about Thanksgiving, but it obviously applies to Christmas too), is because, as she put it, "the next generation is watching."
This struck me as an incredibly important observation, especially when we consider just what struggles many businesses in our sector face with matters of succession. Sara said of younger members of the family, "They’re picking up on how you talk about and engage with the business, even in the middle of family gatherings. If they see the business as something that pulls you away from quality time or adds stress, they’ll remember that. But if they see it as something that unifies and strengthens your family, that positive impression will stick with them."
She summed up by saying, "If they hear conversations that highlight the pride, growth, and goals the business brings to the family, they’re more likely to see it as something meaningful and exciting, not just a job."
Everyone has moans and complaints with their work, that's natural. But as Sara says here, if those can be put aside for the upcoming break for a proper period of rest and recharge, it will help not only one's own state of mind, but crucially avoid a negative impact on those who we'd like to follow in our footsteps.
In a fantastic new video that encapsulates the highlights of the day, Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, explains the positivity that surrounded an amazing event.
In the fantastic new video below that encapsulates the highlights of the recent Service Dealer Conference & Awards, owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, explains how all the positivity that surrounded the day was amazing.
He says, "We've had some great feedback. Thank you so much to all our sponsors.
"We really hope to see you all here next year. It's an event not to be missed."
The promotion reflects the hard work, commitment, and leadership Phil Bush has shown since becoming dealer principle in 2023.
The Turney Group have announced that Phil Bush has been promoted to managing director.
Phil Bush
The dealership says that since Phil joined the company in early 2023 it has gone from strength to strength under his guidance. Recent success includes winning Service Dealer's Farm Machinery Dealer of the Year 2024 and territory growth with suppliers, including a significant Ransomes Jacobsen expansion - with more promised on the horizon.
Turney Group say the promotion, effective from 1st January 2025, reflects the hard work, commitment, and leadership he has shown since becoming dealer principle in 2023. As managing director, Phil will be responsible for setting the company's vision for the future and overseeing its development in the coming years. They say that technology, precision, and smart farming tools will form an ever increasingly important part of their business, and investment in these areas will form a key part of the future strategy.
Phil remarked, "We have already seen a slight improvement in late 2024 and hopefully this will continue into 2025. New opportunities in different market segments can bring new and additional revenue, and the re-alignment or increase in trading territories can strengthen the longer-term strategy."
The team at Turney Group wishes Phil all the best and say they are in strong support of his new opportunity and the development of the business going into 2025.
Manufacturer says they took the opportunity to recognise and thank dealers for their outstanding performance.
On Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November, Merlo UK hosted its annual Dealer Conference, at Crewe Hall in Cheshire, welcoming agricultural and construction dealer principals, and members of their senior teams to a two-day event.
Mark Lennox, sales director, DA Forgie receiving the Dealer of the Year 2024 Award from speaker Jenny Radcliffe, and Shaun Groom, general manager, Merlo UK and Ireland
The conference, titled Together We Thrive, saw a series of presentations and was also an opportunity for the manufactuer to recognise and thank dealers for their outstanding performance.
Shaun Groom, Merlo UK’s general manager said, “We’ve packed a lot into our conference this year. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to share our vision for working together with our dealers, thank them for their support, and together, look forward to embracing the opportunities and innovations that lie ahead in 2025."
Effective from January, the dealership has been awarded the franchise to sell Toro grounds equipment from Reesink UK, the brand's UK distributor.
Effective from January, T H White Groundcare has been awarded the franchise to sell Toro grounds equipment from Reesink UK, the brand's UK distributor.
The partnership will see the dealership offer ten models from Toro’s range of cylinder, rotary, and flail commercial grounds equipment (excluding golf) to customers across Hampshire, Dorset, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and the borough of Birmingham. Complementing sales, the company will provide backup on Golf products sold through Reesink’s direct sales team within these areas.
Alastair Rowell, managing director of Reesink UK, said, “This partnership is an excellent addition to our UK dealer network. T H White Groundcare brings great expertise, a proactive approach, and a strong commitment to service excellence. We are delighted to work with such a focused team of ground care specialists.”
T H White’s divisional director, Adrian Lovegrove, added, “This collaboration allows us to further enhance our offering, ensuring we can provide the right machine for every bespoke application. Our excellent staff and carefully selected partners are the cornerstone of our success, and this partnership strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our clients.”
In his new role Michael Robson says he'll be supporting dealers by optimising stock levels, upholding brand standards, and driving growth across the network.
Polaris UK has announced the appointment of Michael Robson as its new district sales Manager for southern England.
Michael will be overseeing 26 Polaris Off-Road dealers across the south of the UK, from Lincolnshire to Cornwall. He says he will be supporting them by optimising stock levels, upholding brand standards, and driving growth across the dealer network.
“I’m thrilled to join the four-wheel off-roading world with Polaris and to help grow an exceptional dealer network,” said Michael. “Polaris’ products are unparalleled, and I’m eager to drive more customers into our showrooms with fresh, innovative ideas.”
Michael’s career began with 23 years in the British military, where he specialised in logistics and later trained as a motorcycle technician. This experience laid the foundation for his post-military career in after-sales and customer support within the automotive sector. After his military service, he worked at a KTM dealership in a technical and after-sales capacity for five years, before joining Piaggio in 2014 as a field-based manager for southern England. In 2017, he advanced to operations manager for UK operations and sales, solidifying his operational expertise and commitment to quality.
Cobra is excited to announce the launch of its exciting new range of four lawn tractors for the 2025 season.
Cobra is excited to announce the launch of its exciting new range of four lawn tractors for the 2025 season. Designed for homeowners and garden enthusiasts, this new line-up combines powerful performance, user-friendly features, and sleek design to make lawn care easier, more efficient, and enjoyable.
The Cobra LT112HR2L is an exceptional lawn tractor powered by a 586cc V-Twin Loncin engine, delivering outstanding performance and reliability. Featuring a 112cm (44") cutting deck and an impressive 320ltr grass collector, it stands as the largest model in the Cobra lawn tractor range. The adjustable cutting heights, ranging from 25mm to 85mm, provide precise control for a perfectly tailored lawn finish. Additionally, the inclusion of a premium comfort seat ensures operator comfort, making even the longest mowing session a pleasure.
We are also introducing the all-new Cobra LTX92HR2L and LTX102HR2L premium lawn tractors for the 2025 season. These cutting-edge models combine stunning aesthetics with exceptional performance, making them a standout in the Cobra lawn tractor range. Both models feature powerful 586cc V-Twin Loncin engines, ensuring top-tier performance and smooth operation and are equipped with a 92cm (36") or 102cm (40”) cutting deck and a large capacity 240ltr grass collector.
One of the standout features of these models is the LCD dashboard, which provides the operator with all the vital information needed for seamless operation. The LED headlights, along with a striking strip light across the front, not only enhance visibility but also give the tractor a sleek, sporty look, and for added comfort, both tractors come with an adjustable superior comfort seat, ensuring you can enjoy a smooth and relaxing ride, even during the longest mowing sessions.
To complete the range is the compact but powerful Cobra LTX66HRL. This versatile lawn rider is perfect for navigating around smaller gardens and tight spaces. With its 66cm cutting width and hydrostatic drive system, the LTX66HRL provides smooth, easy manoeuvrability, making it ideal for passing through narrow gateways or tackling more intricate areas of the lawn. Despite its smaller size, it doesn’t compromise on performance, delivering efficient cutting power and ensuring that every inch of your garden is well-maintained.
Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Cobra Tractors, shared his thoughts on the new range:
"We are incredibly excited to launch this new range of domestic lawn tractors for the 2025 season. Our team has worked diligently to develop models that not only offer exceptional performance and cutting-edge technology but also enhance the overall lawn care experience. The new models are a direct result of our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable products for homeowners. Whether you have a small or larger garden, there’s a Cobra tractor perfectly suited to your needs. We're confident that our new range will make gardening more enjoyable, efficient, and rewarding for all our customers."
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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