Hopefully everyone has now received their latest copy of Service Dealer magazine? We do not enjoy being late and hope readers understand why there was the delay in publishing this time around. I promise it won't happen again (fingers crossed).

But there's no rest for the wicked and we're deep into production on our next edition - which surprise, surprise, is once again a right cracker! There will be plenty for dealers to get their teeth into, including round-ups of the summer ag shows and a look forward to the autumn turf care machinery exhibitions.

Elsewhere there's a helpful feature for dealers from industry expert Keith Christian, explaining the latest apprentice funding rules. A complex subject, Keith takes us through the changes under this new Government that everyone needs to know. As Keith puts it himself, "My hope is that more smaller employers in our industry will look toward employing apprentices and take advantage of the funding that exists and pay attention to the potential changes that are being proposed by our new Government to extend the funding to non-apprenticeship training." 

There's also a fascinating piece by our friend and editor of TurfPro, Laurence Gale (subscribe for free to receive every Monday at noon). Loz looks at a subject that dealers will take a keen interest in - and that's how the new generation of outdoor powered machinery tech, is being received by commercial end-user customers. Loz has opened his little black book of contacts and asked around, to get a sense of what commercial practitioners think of robotic tools and battery powered equipment.

It's a great subject for discussion, because there's absolutely no doubt that this is the route that manufacturers see the industry heading - supported by legislative trends. But is it what the turf professionals want right now? Because want those guys want, will presumably be what the dealers will want too.

Loz reports a spread of opinions in his piece which, not to spoil anything, finds that some grounds staff and greenkeepers are more in favour than others. Where we hear of some reluctance expressed regarding converting to the new power systems, it tends to be due to a fear of a too limited run time.

One turf professional tells Loz, "We are happy to move with the future, however we aren’t going to get rid of all fossil fuel equipment overnight. This will be over a long period of time when machines need replacing."

To complement this piece from Laurence in the upcoming mag, we also have an in-depth Q&A with a major supplier on the battery-powered machinery scene. As well as talking about what they offer their network and their new equipment developments, they also address some concerns with the power source in general that dealers have expressed to us recently. Because it's undeniable that some of our readers do hold reservations about the direction the industry is moving in.

That's not to say they are King Canutes, trying to hold back the tide of technological development. Rather they will simply know their own business and the requirements of their own customer base.

Whilst there still remains the purchasing choice for end-users, between petrol and battery powered products, dealers will likely fulfil those options for their customers. 

For how long that choice remains on the table though, well, that's another matter . . .

Having launched the new Cramer UK subsidiary in April this year, the company has now announced John McGrady as their new sales manager for the UK, starting on 29th of July.

John McGrady

John has spent 11 years with STIHL GB in various roles but most recently as the dealership development manager. Cramer says he has been involved in many projects which have given him a great understanding of the UK market and the dealer network. 

 
John said, “I am extremely excited to start this new chapter of my career with Globe Technologies and the Cramer brand. There is an impressive product lineup which I know will impress the dealer network. I’m really looking forward to engaging with the network over the next few months. If anyone would like to contact me then please drop me an email at john.mcgrady@globetech.com."

Jean-Christoph Durot, vice-president of Cramer division Europe, added, “We are pleased to welcome John to drive Cramer growth in the UK. John’s background will be an advantage to drive our new strategy to convince dealers to join our mission.

"The UK is a key region in Europe, which is why we have established our own organisation to deal directly with dealers and support them in the transition from petrol to battery for commercial users. Globe Technologies will be making substantial investments in Cramer in the UK to launch innovative products, like battery zero-turn mowers as well as robotics (boundary wire and wireless) for commercial users. Our 82V commercial range is already a big part of this product innovation plans."

The GGM Group have announced the addition of the Worky-Quad mini loaders to their product range, as one of a series of developments to support their growth into the ARB sector.

The company has been awarded the Cast SSQ Worky-Quad skid steer loader franchise, which was unveiled on their stand at the recent Great Yorkshire Show. 

The addition of Worky Quad to the product range follows significant developments in GGM’s entry in to the Arb market, including the expansion of their FSI territories with the addition of Yorkshire to North Wales and North of England, from the Scottish boarder and the recruitment of a new product specialist, all within one year of entering this market. 

Filippo Zangoni of the Cast Group said, “We are extremely excited to be working with The GGM Group to offer Worky-Quad to new territories in the UK. The company is long established and has made great inroads in to the Arb sector over the past year. We have previously worked with several members of the team and we know that we will build a fantastic, long lasting relationship.”

The expansion comes 10 months after the group made the first part of their move in to the ARB space. In further developments, GGM has appointed Matt Bolton as Ag & Arb product specialist in a role which will see him working alongside Phil Edmondson (Ag & Arb product manager) tasked with taking the range out into the field and meeting customers. 

Chris Gibson  said, “GGM already have a reputation for offering the customer an exceptional level of service, both before, during and after sales, welcoming Matt to the team brings additional skills and knowledge to compliment this existing expertise offering our Ag and Arb customers a bespoke solution to their machinery needs.

“Both our Colne and Haydock workshops have highly skilled in-house and mobile service technicians with vast experience in all kinds of grounds maintenance and ag & arb machinery who, along with our dedicated well stocked and knowledgeable parts team, offer customers the high level of aftersales service you expect.”

Operating on an 8-acre site in Carryduff on the outskirts of Belfast, Cyril Johnston say they are proud to welcome the Yamaha franchise to its portfolio of brands.

The recent appointment will allow the business to offer its customers a full range of machinery for a variety of needs. 

Managing director,Tom Black, said, “Yamaha is the missing piece of the puzzle for us. The appointment has come with a lot of excitement for the team as it gives us the addition of the golf vehicles and ATVs that we haven’t had before. Brian Mitchell our head of groundscare and retail along with Ian Ellis, our sales manager have both been instrumental in the appointment and I am very grateful for the work they have put in to this new partnership.

“As a rule, we don’t like to hold brands that clash with each other, so we have been missing this type of product. The team are looking forward to getting out and speaking with customers about the new product range.” Tom continued.

Gareth Sloane, manager, Power Products, Yamaha UK added, “Cyril Johnston has a long-standing reputation for providing excellent customer service and expertise in the power equipment industry, and we are confident that they will be a valuable asset to our network. We look forward to working with them to bring the Yamaha ATV range to even more customers in Ireland.” 

Husqvarna Group has been acknowledged by TIME and Statista as one of the world's most sustainable companies in their 2024 ranking.

Calle Medin, head of sustainability at Husqvarna Group

When TIME and Statista acknowledged the 500 companies Doing best for the Earth in 2024, Husqvarna Group achieved a ranking of 183rd. The recognition follows a rigorous evaluation process that assessed the world's 5,000 leading companies across various sectors. 

To qualify, the companies at the top of the list have signed on to some of the most respected climate programs, including the 1.5°C target from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and receive high scores from CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project). TIME and Statista’s ranking of the world’s most sustainable companies aims to identify organisations making substantial progress in environmental sustainability. The ranking evaluates companies based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collected in, among them Scope 1 and 2 emissions and energy consumption relative to company size, emissions reductions, and proportion of renewable energy used by the company’s operations. 

With more than 90% of its emissions originating from end-users, Husqvarna Group recognises the critical importance of electrification in reducing its overall carbon footprint.

Calle Medin, head of sustainability at Husqvarna Group explained, “Reducing carbon emissions is essential for combating climate change. Our dedication to sustainability drives our innovation and transformation, ensuring we provide low-carbon and resource smart solutions to our customers. Husqvarna Group is proud to be one of the highest ranked companies in the world, showcasing leadership and dedication to sustainability on a global stage.”

Husqvarna Group say they have made remarkable strides in their sustainability journey, reducing emissions by 51% since the base year 2015, while also achieving a 47% growth in business. The company say they are actively transforming their business model by shifting from petrol to battery-powered products. As of 2023, 43% of Husqvarna Group's motorised products are electrified, up from 11% in 2015. The Group aims to electrify two-thirds of its motorised products by 2026. 

In the same year it celebrates 60 years of tractor production, the New Holland plant at Basildon, England, is now marking the manufacturing of its two millionth tractor, a feat managed by only a handful of such facilities across the world.

The two millionth unit is a 225hp T7.225. It has received a striking celebration livery comprising ‘candy blue’ body panels, New Holland silver and black graphics featuring the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom, and a ‘2,000,000 Basildon Tractors’ logo, plus a New Holland leaf bonnet top. The tractor also features black wheels rims with candy blue rim edges.

“This is a major milestone in the life of our Basildon plant, and a mark of both the dedication of our skilled employees here and the loyalty of our customers worldwide, to whom we are extremely grateful,” said Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president.  

“From the tractors of 1964 to those of today, we have come a long way in capability, capacity and technology, allowing our customers to farm more efficiently. What is unchanged, though, is our commitment at Basildon and across the whole of our business to continue developing the technology our customers need to sustainably power their farms into the future.”

The two millionth tractor will make special appearances during forthcoming events in the UK, and will then be displayed in the Customer Centre at Basildon.

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