You might be aware that it's National Apprenticeship Week next week in England.

The government scheme has a very fancy website publicising itself and if you're based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can use it to link to find out what initiatives are on offer in your neck of the woods too. They also appear to be doing the right things in terms of hitting all the social media channels, which is essential for project like this these days.

The organisers of the scheme describe National Apprenticeship Week as an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England and see it as a time to recognise and applaud apprenticeship success stories across the country.

The idea behind the scheme is for apprenticeship employers to have the opportunity to promote the success of their apprentices and highlight the benefits to other employers, of all sizes, who are thinking of taking on an apprentice.

They say that apprentices across the country will also be celebrated throughout the week, with engagement and events in schools and colleges. Many current and former apprentices will go back to school to tell their story, all with the intention of attracting the next generation of apprentices.

We have a great story in the Weekly Update today regarding a business in our sector with an apprenticeship success story to tell. South west England dealer CR Willcocks are using the initiative to celebrate the accomplishments of their crop of apprentices. Currently employing five, Andrew Joll, service director at the dealership explains how they have always gone down this route. He says, "As a company we are very much focused on the future, as well as the present, and apprentices bring in energy and fresh ideas. It’s a great workforce motivator.”

Interestingly Andrew goes on to credit just how important the major manufacturers are to apprenticeships in the dealer sector - in this case mentioning how three of their learners are on an agricultural engineering course that is backed by New Holland.

These are sentiments echoed by BAGMA's Keith Christian in an interview we have with him in the upcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine. Keith tells us, "The manufacturers who run training and apprentice schemes are probably the glue that keeps the industry from falling apart when it comes to training and the quality of training."

Keith goes on to make the point, "The industry needs to make an effort to help support the SMEs who need trainees and apprentices but may struggle financially or practically to support them."

Clearly apprentices are vital for the future of the dealer sector - but how are you finding the whole situation in your dealership?

I'm aware that some businesses really struggle with finding interested candidates. And then if they do, the training options available to them in their locale can be limited.

One dealer who responded to a recent survey we ran told us, "There are no northern colleges running apprenticeship courses. We have 16 year olds that have to travel 200 miles by train on a Sunday. They are then away for 3 weeks at a time. Not ideal!"

It'd be great today if you would like to share any thoughts or experiences you've had in employing apprentices in your dealership. Good or bad, it would be very interesting to hear our readers opinions on the subject ahead of next week's events.

Please leave any comments you'd care to share below this article - we may use some in a subsequent issue of Service Dealer magazine.

Last week we reported that the Toro Company has entered into an agreement to acquire Venture Products, Inc., the manufacturer of Ventrac branded products.

The news of this broke whilst Price Turfcare, the UK distributor of the Ventrac machines was exhibiting at the BTME exhibition - which led to some speculation as to what the implications might be.

Rupert Price of Price Turfcare at BTME last week

“As the UK distributor of Ventrac, this came as quite a shock, so early on the first day of the show,” said managing director, Rupert Price. However as Price Turfcare spoke with their American colleagues over the following days, the picture became significantly clearer.

"Many people assumed that Toro would acquire the company, rebrand and paint the machines red, as they have done with previous acquisitions," Rupert explained. "However, if you look at what they did with Exmark, Boss and Ditch Witch, this is not always the case and Ventrac will be operated on a similar basis.

“Rick Olson, CEO of Toro stated publicly via a YouTube video that there is no intention of moving production out of Orrville in Ohio and that they would continue to build the Ventrac brand. At the Golf Industries Show in Orlando recently, I had the opportunity to speak with representatives from both Ventrac and Toro and they confirmed this. So, I see this as an excellent opportunity for Price Turfcare.

"Although we are a small team, we have taken a virtually unknown brand in the UK from zero sales in 2016 to over 100 machines sold by the end of 2019. We know that this did not go unnoticed within the Toro organisation.

“So, from hereon in, its business as usual; you’ll see us out and about around the UK, redoubling our efforts and continuing to increase the footprint of a product that has impressed Rick Olson for its quality and one that complements the Toro brand.”

You can watch the YouTube video, with Rick Olsen giving his assurances below:

Returning to the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry this November, the Service Dealer Conference & Awards will once again benefit from Kramp UK as Principal Sponsor.

The date of this year's event has been confirmed as Thursday November 19th 2020.

Des Boyd, Sales Director of Kramp UK (2nd from right) presents Jason Nettle of Winchester Garden Machinery with their Overall Dealer of the Year Award at 2019's Service Dealer Awards - with Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke (left) and comedian Charlie Baker (right)

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We are delighted to once again announce Kramp UK as Principal Sponsors for Service Dealer's Conference & Awards.

"We have established a fabulous relationship with Kramp who have supported our Conference and Awards on five previous occasions and we couldn't be more pleased that they are returning in November - for what is lining up to be another very valuable day."

Des Boyd, sales director at Kramp UK said the company was again very pleased to be sponsoring an event designed specifically for all members of the independent dealer sector. He said, "We believe the Service Dealer Conference offers great benefits to dealers, not only in the technical side of the presentations which take place, but also in the networking opportunities that it affords. The value of dealers sharing ideas and challenges with one another can't be underestimated ."

More details about this year's Service Dealer Conference & Awards will be announced in due course.

You can watch an interview with Des Boyd from 2019's Service Dealer Conference below:

Scamblers have announced that the Grasshopper network has expanded with a further four dealerships appointed.

Newly joining the network are Oakes Bros covering Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and West Sussex; Abrey Agricultural Ltd covering Essex; Peninsula Mowers covering Northern Ireland; and RTC Groundcare Ltd covering north west Cambridgeshire.

Ed Scambler md, told Service Dealer, “We at Scamblers are extremely pleased to have taken on these extra outlets.

Oakes Bros

“Oakes are a great addition to our network with their four depots and the way they approach their business with a customer service focus, along with quality products. They are run in a professional manner with a family business ethos.

Peninsula Mowers

“Peninsula Mowers are a small but very active company we first meet at Saltex. Both Sybil and Neville Stewart have a great understanding of customer care and back up. Sybil can offer training on machinery and Neville and his team of experienced mechanics are looking into expanding into selling and maintaining more professional machinery.

Abrey Agricultural

“Toby of Abrey Agricultural has been around the trade for a number of years and has built up a loyal customer base, but also saw the Grasshopper as a machine that could compliment his portfolio for commercial customers.

RTC Groundcare

“RTC Groundcare meanwhile, are relatively new to the larger homeowner, estate and commercial markets, but are very well equipped to handle it. They will run the franchise alongside their well established hire company, with experienced mechanics and a good understanding of customer needs.”

This year sees the launch of the new 400D (below) for Grasshopper and Ed says they are still actively looking for more dealers.

South-west England based agricultural and garden machinery dealer, CR Willcocks, say they have long been a champion of apprenticeships, currently employing five.

CR Willcocks' apprentices

On the eve of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, the dealership is celebrating their success.

Andrew Joll, service director at CR Willcocks, said, “We have always employed apprentices. It’s an ongoing process with the intention of taking on more apprentices in the future.

"As a company we are very much focused on the future, as well as the present, and apprentices bring in energy and fresh ideas. It’s a great workforce motivator.”

Of the five apprentices currently working at CR Willcocks, three are on an agricultural engineering course that is backed by New Holland. The agricultural engineering course, part of which is spent at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, enables the apprentices to learn fundamental engineering skills as well as specialist training on modern New Holland machinery.

CR Willocks say when an apprenticeship ends, there are continued opportunities to enhance career progression within the industry, such as attending specialist manufacturer training courses to keep up to date with the latest technology. There is also the opportunity to study further apprenticeship courses. One of their apprentices who completed a three year Vehicle Parts & Maintenance course is now attending an Apprenticeship Level 3 Principles In Management and Leadership course at South Devon College.

Andrew Joll continued, “An apprenticeship is something positive. It allows us to grow our own team, making them more aware of what our company is all about and where we are going. It’s an excellent way of developing a dedicated and knowledgeable staff that our customers require and deserve.”

A fifth apprentice of theirs is attending Bicton College (East Devon) as part of his Horticultural Engineering course, and the dealership says they will be looking to employ another agriculture engineering apprentice this summer.

Avant UK have announced that they will be partnering with Davies Implements Ltd to provide their full range of loaders and attachments to customers in south west Wales.

L-R: Sharon Davies, Davies Implements; Richard Jenkins, Avant; Heulwen Davies, director Davies Implements

Established in the 1930s, Davies Implements Ltd is a family run company with its origins based on sales, service and repair of agricultural machinery. Whilst continuing to serve the farming community, the experience gained over the years has enabled them to diversify into other product lines and industries including that of arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and hire. In tandem with diversification the company’s customer base has shifted to straddle both rural and urban communities as well as the public sector.

Avant UK’S after sales manager Richard Jenkins said, “I am enormously happy to have such a well-respected dealership such as Davies Implements Ltd joining the Avant family. With a vast amount of knowledge in a vast array of market sectors and a passion for customer service it makes for the perfect partnership."

Upbeat about their new partnership, Heulwen Davies, director Davies Implements said following a visit to Finland, “Seeing the construction of the product, the range of models and the wide range of attachments was invaluable to set us off on what we hope will be a long and successful relationship with the Avant brand.”

To highlight 25 years in the robotic mower sector, Husqvarna has released a special limited-edition anniversary version of their Automower 315X. Launching in February, it boasts a unique colour.

Sofia Axelsson, vice president, Husqvarna Division consumer unit, said, “We’re very proud to have developed the category to reach this business milestone and to release a limited edition 315X to mark the occasion. With Automower we’ve been determined to continuously innovate our solutions in order to lead the category forward and we’re excited about what the future holds for robotic mowing.”

In 1995, the company took the first step into a new product segment with the launch of the world’s first commercial robotic lawn mower, the Husqvarna Solar mower.

Three years after the launch of the Solar, the company released its first generation of Automower, a robotic mower which returned to a grid-connected charger to charge its battery.

The second generation was introduced in 2003. This platform featured a new design and a number of improvements. Later, other models based on this platform were launched. For example, a mower that could manage lawns up to 6000 m2 and a hybrid mower with both solar cells and battery.

The third generation Automower platform arrived in 2011. The first models focused on small lawns and compact sizes. Later came higher capacity mowers equipped with connectivity. Five years later, 430X and 450X models were introduced, both equipped with the X-line feature package.

The manufacturer’s first robotic mowers for green space professionals, the 520 and 550, were introduced in 2018. Whilst in 2019, the first all-wheel drive robotic mowers were launched, the 435X AWD and 535 AWD, that can handle inclines of up to 70%.

The year of 2019 also saw another milestone as Husqvarna Group reached the two million mark in its manufacturing of robotic mowers.

T H White Agriculture has been named ‘New Holland Hay and Forage Dealer of the Year’ for the second year in a row, which the dealership says reflects their exceptional performance in baler and forage harvester sales.

The award was announced at the New Holland Dealer Conference held at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on 14 January.

Adrian Lovegrove, T H White's operations director

The team at T H White received a number of mentions throughout the New Holland conference commentary. They were positioned third for overall ‘Dealer service’ performance throughout 2019 and fourth in the ‘Dealer of the Year’ performance league tables. But most notably three of the top ten tractor sales representatives in the UK were selling from T H White - Ben Linton, Andy Taylor and Ryan Lanfear.

Commenting on the award and performance, Agricultural Director David Rapkins said “I am thrilled with our team’s performance. Since joining T H White I’ve been inspired by the passion and commitment demonstrated by our high calibre staff. Their knowledge and dedication to the industry is second to none and this award validates that”.

New Holland Business Director UK and ROI, Pat Smith, said, “I am delighted to have made this award to T H White for two consecutive years. It is very well-deserved recognition of top performance and delivery of New Holland targets”.

STIGA Ltd is a leading distributor of lawnmowers and garden products within the UK and Irish market. The STIGA group was founded in 2000 and today has the following established brands that share 99 years of history and expertise in the garden machinery industry: STIGA, Mountfield, ATCO, Castelgarden and Alpina.

We are looking to recruit a Merchandiser/Product Demonstrator to support area sales teams and dealerships as well as the Key accounts manager.  This is a national role, so the ideal candidate will be required to travel extensively within the UK and occasionally to the EU.

Working in a small team, the position requires a person who is highly motivated, energetic with good communication skills and the ability to work on their own initiative.  Generate sales through product demonstration, increase brand visibility as well as assisting with product development and product training, reporting directly to the Sales and Marketing Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the Director of Sales & Marketing in executing yearly Trade Marketing Plans for Traditional Trade and Mass Market Channels.
• Provide product information, using lectures, films, charts, and/or slide shows provided.
• Manage relevant operational requests in terms of in-store visibility (POS), making sure corporate guidelines are respected and activities are aligned with the Marketing Calendar.
• Collaborates with the Marketing Manager to maximize return and guarantee consistency of POS materials across platforms and touchpoints.
• Support Area Sales Managers in the execution of their regional activities while ensuring product benefits and brand values/equity are properly communicated.
• Set up and arrange creative displays and demonstration areas within designated dealer and retailer showrooms for prospective customers or staff product training.
• Attend trade shows, stores, exhibitions and other venues to demonstrate products or services.
• Learn about competitors' products and receive feedback from both end consumers and trade customers ' providing feedback to R&D/Product managers of interests and concerns.
• Record and report demonstrations, competitor and market related information

Who we're looking for (Skills, qualification and experience)

• Experience: 3+ years of practical sales, workshop or operational experience within the outdoor power equipment or landscaping industry.
• DVSA Trailer Towing - Driving License B+E Categories
• Knowledge: Good knowledge of Trade Marketing activities, tools and techniques is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office.  
• Languages: Full fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of any further languages is appreciated 

Offering an excellent remuneration package for the right candidate, dependent on experience, qualifications and sills.

Applications: Interested candidates should email their CV along with a covering letter to cristina.bettin@stiga.com 

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is giving one lucky reader plus their guest, the chance to visit GIE+EXPO, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment show in Louisville, USA, in October 2020.

The winner of this amazing free to enter competition, who must currently work at a dealership, will win two tickets to the show as well as travel to the US, transfers and accommodation.

SUPPORTED BY

Between the 21st-23rd October, GIE+EXPO will showcase the hottest products and technological innovations in the global outdoor power equipment industry - and you could be immersed in the latest developments plus be able to network with peers from across the world.

Throughout the three days you will be able to visit over 1000 exhibitors across the showfloor. There is even 20 acres of outdoor space for demonstrations and test-driving, so you can put the equipment through its paces.

You’ll also be able to attend a raft of insightful seminars aimed at boosting your efficiency and bottom line.

This really is an incredible opportunity to get away from the business for a few days and to come back with a wealth of new ideas from across the globe.

To enter the competition and for full terms and conditions click here.

Garden Trader is helping send quality leads to specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK. It has been designed to support and promote our dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.

It is easy and quick to register and costs just £96 + VAT per year to be listed and all revenues in 2020 will be reinvested into promoting the site online.

Garden Trader

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.

Map of dealerships registered with Garden Trader

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