At the Equip show in Louisville, we could see (and hear!) just how popular gas-powered options are right now in the U.S. Are our UK & Ireland dealer readers experiencing a similar demand?
Firstly today, woop woop!
This is your final, final warning! If you would like to enter your dealership, any of your valued team members or a special customer of yours into our Dealer of the Year competition (and you really should because you are all fantastic!) then you have until midnight tonight on Friday 31st October 2025.
The organising team have informed me that, as ever, we've had some marvellous nominations submitted across all this year's categories - but there are a few hours left to squeeze in yours if you haven't yet thrown your hat into the ring.
If you've been considering it, please do get involved. Everyone has an equal chance to win. The morale and PR boost that simply being in the running could give to your dealership, shouldn't be underestimated.
Talking of being surprised, that's what I think our Service Dealer contingent were at the Equip show in Louisville last week. Not with the sheer size or indeed the quality of the event - we've come to expect that. No, what I think struck us all as somewhat unusual from our UK perspectives, was the proliferation of petrol (or gas) machinery options displayed.
As I mentioned last week, there seemed to be quite the contrast on show. Inside the halls, the exhibits were sleek, AI-driven, cordless, robotic, clean, and futuristic - a vision of high-tech progress. Step outside into the huge demonstration area, however, and you were met with a wall of roaring engines across most of the plots and the unmistakable scent of petrol hung in the air.
And the huge crowd of end-user landscapers operating those machines? It appeared as if they couldn’t have been enjoying it more!
For the past few years at our UK shows, it has almost been a case of hunt the petrol machine. If you think back to the recent GroundsFest where kit was in use, there wasn't a cacophony of noise (unless you were watching the old-school mower racing!). My guess is that at SALTEX in a couple of weeks, petrol options on show will be at a minimum.
But at Equip last week, it felt like gas was having a moment in the ascendancy. I asked the head of the OPEI and show organiser, Kris Kiser, for his thoughts on how traditionally-fuelled equipment was faring in the U.S market currently. He told me, "We're seeing the resurgnce of gas - certainly in commercial applications."
He stressed that for the homeowner market, battery is here to stay, it has deep U.S market penetration and those numbers continue to evolve and expand. But in the commercial sector, Kris said, yes battery is growing, however, "We are seeing a better evolution in gas products with cleaner, more efficient products." He summed up the current market situation saying, "Right now, gasoline is making a bit of a comeback." (You'll be able to watch my whole chat with Kris, plus tons more interviews from around the whole show, in our soon to be published Digital Special Report - the trailer for which, you can watch here.)
So my question to our UK and Ireland dealer readers today is, are you also seeing a resurgence in demand for petrol-powered commercial machines in your dealership? Has the pendulum swung back in favour of the combustion engine?
Or indeed, has that demand never really subsided? Do we have a slightly skewed impression of what commercial users actually want from merely looking at all the battery options lined-up at our trade shows?
The other option of course, is that battery genuinely is the preferred option now for our turf professionals. Do you think the transition is mostly complete? I remember at the Service Dealer Conference last year, the top guys from Twickenham and Lord's were asked if either would ever buy another petrol mower for their facilities - and both said they didn't think they would.
Now of course, gas is much, much cheaper in the U.S than on this side of the Atlantic. So that will have an undeniable impact on the popularity of machinery powered by it. But is there something more fundamental at play, than simply cost?
In our dealer readers' opinions, is petrol having a resurgence over here?
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below or drop me a line.
There is until midnight tonight (Friday 31st October 2025) to get entries in for this year's Dealer Of The Year Awards.
The entry process for 2025's Dealer Of The Year Awards must end by midnight tonight, Friday October 31st 2025.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, said, “We’ve received some fantastic entries across every category this year. However, for anyone who still wants to take part, we’re now down to the final few hours to get entries in - so please don’t miss your chance!”
Clicking the logo above will take you to the nominations page where you'll find all you need to put your dealership and staff forward for as many awards as you like. You know how hard you've worked this year, so why not shout about it?
Dealerships and individuals can also be nominated by any third party who feels they are deserving of recognition. These nominations can come from manufacturers, suppliers, customers, staff members etc.
Entries must be in by midnight tonight, Friday 31st October 2025.
In our WEB ONLY story, well-known dealership has confirmed a significant management change, with its long-standing director stepping back from day-to-day operations.
Watch the brand new trailer for Service Dealer's forthcoming Digital Special Report, covering last week's Equip exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky.
Watch the trailer for Service Dealer’s 2025 Equip Digital Special Report, fronted by owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke – who is joined by dealers Pete and Emma McArthur from Strathbogie Forest & Garden.
During their visit to the world’s largest outdoor powered machinery exhibition - held in Louisville, Kentucky - they spoke with U.S manufacturers, dealers, trade associations, and specialist trainers to take the temperature of the market.
The full Equip Digital Special Report, published soon, will be packed with interviews, insight and plenty of content to fascinate dealers from the UK and Ireland. Keep an eye on this Weekly Update and our social channels for details.
Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, updates us he reaches towards the end of his challenge - smashing his original fundraising target!
Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he updates us he reaches towards the end of his challenge - smashing his original fundraising target.
Hi everyone,
I have some absolutely incredible news: Thanks to every single one of you, we have not only hit my original fundraising target of £10,000, but we have blown past the new goal and hit £12,000!
To everyone who has donated, shared, cheered, or simply laughed at my expense - thank you. This monumental effort proves what we can achieve when we pull together. Every single pound is going directly to Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice and St. Michael's Hospice.
I also have an update on the latest pain session: I successfully completed the Wight Lines Marathon last weekend, finishing in 5 hours and 59 minutes. That's it - only two more to go until December!
I'm incredibly grateful to FGM Claymore for sponsoring this month's ordeal. Your support truly helped push me through what was an incredibly tough mental and physical grind.
Running: A very complicated relationship
As the finish line of this challenge approaches, people keep asking if I've started to enjoy running yet. The honest answer? I can't say I do. Maybe it's the pressure of having to pull another full marathon out of the bag every month. Maybe it's the fact that I've approached this challenge with the training regime of a particularly lazy sloth. Or maybe, just maybe, running simply isn't my calling.
The physical pain is constant, the mental battle is relentless and the weather is definitely turning against me. But the pressure and the expectations - whether internal or external - are definitely a huge factor in why I haven't found that elusive "runner's high."
That’s okay. The reason I started this ridiculous challenge was never about finding a new hobby. It was about creating a hook, a strange feat of endurance, to encourage conversations about men's health and, most importantly, to raise vital funds.
Two more to go!
With two marathons left, the end is truly in sight. The body is battered, the feet are bruised, but the motivation has never been stronger.
Thank you again for helping us sail past £12,000. Let’s see how far we can push this final total!
Dealership's brand manager says the expansion of their area helps them to be more focussed and specialised across all depots.
Kverneland Group UK has announced that long-standing dealership Tuckwells has increased its trading area, expanding into Sussex and Kent with the Kverneland brand.
Kverneland area manager Don Campbell with Tuckwells’ Kverneland brand manager, Gary Buckle
The manufacturer says this gives the family-run dealership maximum coverage for their entire portfolio, by extending availability across its depots.
Harry Durrant, Tuckwells chief sales officer for agricultural products said, “We’re delighted to have increased our sales area for the Kverneland product range, and we’re now looking forward to welcoming customers old and new through the doors at our depots in Framfield, East Sussex, and also Ivychurch and Stockbury in Kent, where we previously did not have access to Kverneland products.”
Dan Crowe, Kverneland managing director, said, “We are pleased to support further development of the Tuckwells business, which has been a Kverneland dealer for over 25 years. This expansion adds clarity to the distribution of the Kverneland portfolio throughout Sussex and Kent, while increasing access to sales, service and support for our products, further strengthening our long-term relationship with the Tuckwells team.”
Gary Buckle, Tuckwells’ Kverneland brand manager, added, “This expansion of our area helps us to be much more focussed and specialised across all our depots, which will bring greater benefits to our customers through enhanced product knowledge, service, support and availability of original parts."
The students will initially study for a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard in Land-Based Service Engineering, before progressing.
On the 29th September, Claas UK welcomed this year’s new apprentice cohort of 18 students to the Claas Academy at Saxham for their Apprentice induction and the start of their first training block on their Apprentice Programme which is highly rated by Ofsted.
18 apprentices from 11 dealerships throughout the UK and Ireland have commenced their training
Over the next four years, the students will initially study for a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard in Land-Based Service Engineering and upon completion of that will progress to the Land-Based Service Engineering Technician, Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard.
For the block release elements of their training, the students will be based in the Academy’s purpose-built facilities that include specialist fabrication, hydraulic and electrical workshops along with classrooms.
The manufacturer says completion of their apprenticeship is just the start in a career pathway that gives them to opportunity to progress to higher level Master Mechanic product specialisation status, and on to the highest Master Technician level, a role which will see them in turn supporting and helping train that generation of apprentices.
Dealer says the new range of equipment "aligns perfectly with the needs of our customers."
Sharrocks has announced a new partnership with GKB Machinery, becoming the official dealer for Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Adrian Dodd & Steve Hanlon of Sharrocks
This new dealership agreement gives customers across the Midlands direct access to GKB’s full product range. The manufacturer offers a portfolio of professional machines, including scarifiers, top dressers, aerators, and brushing systems
“We’re delighted to be partnering with GKB Machinery,” said Adrian Dodd, sales director at Sharrocks.
“Their innovative and reliable equipment aligns perfectly with the needs of our customers and our dedication to supplying robust, high-quality solutions for the professional groundcare sector.”
To cover the area from Birmingham to the South coast of the UK promoting/selling Toro Golf, Res Comm, & Perrot irrigation products and complete system sales.
The latest independent 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.
The latest independent 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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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.
