Before we get into it today, I'd like to take a moment to point out to all our dealer readers that the entry process for our Dealer of the Year competition is currently on-going, with the entry window open until midnight on Friday October 18th.
 
Please do not miss out on this opportunity to get your dealership or valued members of your staff in the running for these fantastic honours. You can nominate your own dealership or your teammates yourself, or your business can be put forward by a third party such as a suppling manufacturer or satisfied customer.
 
It’s a straightforward process to enter and we’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, the value of winning goes beyond merely a certificate to hang on your wall or a logo to stick on your website. The marketing potential to add to your dealership’s prestige is genuinely significant. 

I took the above picture of this poster from Mowers UK on the platform at Basingstoke railway station the other day. Those guys knew what they were doing when they placed it there. Footfall on that platform of commuters heading to and from London each day is genuinely huge. And with the tag line of Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year, proudly displayed right at the top, it will be getting themselves noticed. Well played guys.

Specialist dealers need to make themselves stand out. Stand out from internet-only traders, stand-out from the massive national chains, and stand out from the local competition. Any leverage which can be gained, should be fully grasped.
 
So if you've entered our competition in previous years, or have never thrown your hat in the ring before, I'd genuinely advocate giving it a go this time around. 
 
All the details you require for entering can be found here, so what are you waiting for?! Get involved!
 
How has the season been for you?
 
Like every single season before it, 2024 has presented our dealer readers with multiple challenges. Be that new routes to market, a shuffling of franchise territories, the wider political and social scene, or our old frenemy, the unpredictable British weather. 

Dealers are a hardy, resilient bunch, but even so, several of our colleagues’ businesses have fallen this year. It wasn’t long ago that it felt like we were reporting on another closure each week in this Weekly Update.

But if you’re reading this today, chances are you’re doing something right. And more than just right, you’re doing something well. Because when I’ve been chatting to dealers recently, I keep hearing about just how busy everyone seems to be. 

Rushed off our feet. A waiting list for service. These are the kind of things I’ve been hearing a lot.

Obviously, we’ve been told by the AEA throughout the year how registrations of new agricultural tractors have been down throughout 2024 on previous years. Unfortunately though we’re not privy to similar reports on professional groundscare or domestic machinery. We rely more on anecdotal evidence from readers to gain a sense of that.

But if sales of new machinery are down, is this why we’re being told that workshops are so full? Are customers across the spectrum of householders, commercial users and farmers, all choosing to make older machinery last for longer?

 
It'll be interesting to see if this theory is reflected in the results of our brief survey that we're running today, where we'd love to hear from as many of our dealer readers as possible. We traditionally run one like this in the autumn each year, asking you to look back upon the preceding months. It makes for a tidy round-up of the season in our final magazine of the year and indeed, acts as a talking point when we arrive at November’s Service Dealer Conference.

Also, we want to know what’s gone particularly well for your dealership this year? Have you diversified? Taken on a new brand? Had a re-jig in the showroom? Or just carried on doing what you've always done - but even better!? Let us know in the extended comments section what you've been doing in your dealership that's worked for you. We want to spread the word about positivity, creativity and entrepreneurship in the network.
 
It would be fantastic if you were able to spare a few moments to let us know how things have been for your dealership, by taking the survey. We shall report the results and feature as many of your comments as we can in the upcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine.
 
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
TAKE THE SURVEY

SALTEX has announced the retirement of ‘Mr SALTEX’, Derek Walder - its long-standing operations manager.

Derek Walder - 'Mr SALTEX'

He will step down following this year's event on the 30th and 31st of October at the NEC Birmingham, marking his 42nd and final exhibition.

The GMA says Derek’s career spans more than six decades, beginning in the early 1960s in horticulture as a gardener on a private estate in Sussex. His love for working on lawns then led him to become assistant head greenkeeper at a golf course in Hertfordshire. In 1970, he became the grounds manager at a major sports field complex in Southwest London, famously used as the training ground for Wimbledon FC during the "Crazy Gang" era.

His involvement with the GMA dates back to 1969 when he joined the then-National Association of Groundsmen. His first engagement with SALTEX came as a volunteer when the show was held at Motspur Park, Southwest London. After eight years of volunteering, Derek took on the role of operations manager when the exhibition moved to Windsor Racecourse in 1979. Over the decades, he has watched SALTEX evolve first-hand, overseeing its tenancies at Windsor, Peterborough, and the NEC, Birmingham.

During his time with the GMA, Derek has held positions of General Secretary and Chairman and his dedication to the industry has been widely recognised, earning him a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1988 for services to groundsmanship. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the GMA Industry Awards and, in the same year, he was awarded up the ‘Unsung Hero’ award by the Association of Event Organisers. Derek was subsequently inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame in 2021 as an acknowledgement of an illustrious career in the industry spanning more than half a century.

Speaking on his upcoming retirement, Derek said, “Looking back at SALTEX, I never imagined that on a cold autumn day in 1979, when we arrived at Windsor Racecourse for the 'Windsor Exhibition', I’d still be involved 42 years later. Over those years, we have seen so many changes in the industry of which the exhibition has adapted to, and for 56 of those years I was in the profession so I could appreciate what needed from a visitor perspective. Even now, I still get the same buzz when the doors open as I did in 1979.”

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said, “Derek's dedication to SALTEX and the grounds management industry has been remarkable. His expertise and leadership have played a vital role in shaping the exhibition into the premier platform it is today. His legacy extends far beyond the various roles he has held within the GMA - he is embedded in the culture of grounds management, having served most notably with the 'Crazy Gang'. Over the years, what has stood out to me is Derek's passion for SALTEX, which he has developed as a personal commitment. His work has provided the GMA with a strong foundation for the future. What many people may not know is the incredible amount of voluntary work Derek has done for both the association and SALTEX, of which we are grateful for and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Service Dealer's agricultural machinery editor, Martin Rickatson and his wife Rebecca, are taking part in Maidstone Half Marathon, raising funds for the Stroke Association.

Martin and Rebecca Rickatson

Martin said, "September 25th this week was our 20th wedding anniversary, and to mark the occasion Rebecca and I (OK, it was my idea - we’ll have a nice dinner afterwards…) are running the Maidstone Half Marathon in Kent on Sunday October 20th. 

"The route takes us through Hollingbourne past our first two houses and the church where we were married. I have run this race a few times, although not for a year or two, and have previously been sponsored by many kind friends and farming colleagues, raising £711 the last time for the Stroke Association.

"Having seen the effects both a mild and a severe stroke can have, we would like to run again for the same charity, and see if, with the two of us taking part, we can break the £1,000 barrier. If every friend and colleague could spare £5, I’m sure we could get there, and if I can raise a few more pounds through a small corporate donation or two, that would be welcome. We’d be really grateful for your help!"

You can sponsor Martin and Rebecca by visiting their JustGiving page.

The organisers of the recent GroundsFest exhibition, held on 10 and 11 September at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, have now released the attendance figures for the two day event.

In an official statement they said this year saw "8,014 visitors across two days - 4,738 on day one and 3,276 on day two" - an increase on the inaugural event's figures, which were given around the 6,500 mark last year.

Event director, Christopher Bassett, said, “It’s incredible to see how much support GroundsFest has received from every corner of the industry. The growth from last year has been phenomenal, and we’re so grateful to all the exhibitors, visitors, and partners who made this year’s show such a success.

"As we look to the future, we want to continue growing and evolving the show - and the only way to do that is by listening to the industry. That’s why we encourage everyone to take the time to fill out the surveys we’ve sent out. Your feedback is invaluable.”

GroundsFest 2025 is set to take place on 9 and 10 September 2025, once again at Stoneleigh Park.

In celebration of 40 years working together, Toro distributor Reesink UK and The Toro Company have announced that they will join forces on stand at the upcoming SALTEX for the first time to bring visitors to the show what they describe as the biggest range of Toro groundscare machinery yet.

Alastair Rowell, managing director of Reesink UK, explained, “We wanted to do something special at SALTEX in recognition of our 40-year partnership. We’ve been providing the UK groundscare customers with Toro machinery options for decades and our stand will celebrate that."

Alalstair continued, "There will be 10 machines - our largest selection ever at a show; a range of Toro and Perrot irrigation solutions for the sports market, and - another first - an interactive racing game in conjunction with Mark Blundell’s racing team, MB Sports.”

New machines will include the LT-F3000 triple flail mower; the latest model Toro Groundsmaster 7210, and the Workman UTX utility vehicle amongst others.

Genpower Ltd has announced that Lawn and Power of Cardiff has emerged as the winner of their latest dealer competition. 

As a result, they have been awarded a £1000 holiday voucher to celebrate their success and commitment.

The competition, designed to recognise and reward outstanding dealers, is one the initiatives Genpower say they run to show appreciation for its valued partners. The supplier said that dealers, such as Nigel Crossley from Lawn and Power who go above and beyond in providing excellent service and
promoting their products, are entered into a range of prize draws throughout the year.

Roland Llewellin , managing director at Genpower Ltd said of Lawn and Power, “Their dedication to our brand has been exceptional, and we’re pleased to reward them with this holiday voucher. Our dealers are an essential part of our success, and we are committed to regularly offering competitions, incentives, and prizes to celebrate their hard work.”

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.  

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