We report on more consequences for our industry today, as a direct result of the pandemic.

Firstly the story that Handy are closing their retail store in Swindon, after having a presence in the Wiltshire town for 82 years, is sad news.

Chairman Simon Belcher explains to Service Dealer that the move was necessary so they can concentrate fully on the wholesale side of their business, as the brands which they deal in are seeing tremendous growth. He also gave an interview to their local paper this week, the Swindon Advertiser, where he said, "The issue with the retail business is that it’s very staff-hungry but only makes money three months of the year."

He went on to be quoted, "If the profit is split over 12 months of the year, it’s more manageable to cope with this situation. But when you only make the money in three months of the year it’s like having lockdown all year."

The move towards closure and redundancies is such a genuine shame for the company and its employees. It brings into focus just how important it is for dealerships of all sizes to find ways to remain profitable year round and not just in the height of the selling season. In years like this (not that 2020 is in anyway common!) areas of the dealership like the parts department and in particular the workshop, play such a vital role in keeping a business viable.

We can only hope that this is not the beginning of reporting on more stories like this.

Online sales have proven an incredibly useful tool for many dealers so far this year, but the continuation of a thriving bricks and mortar servicing dealer network, is fundamental to the industry. Manufacturers and suppliers know this, so one hopes that any support that dealers currently require, is available and ongoing.

It is also unfortunate today to be reporting on further industry event cancellations. For what I think is the first time for our sector, we're bringing you news of the ruinous touch of covid stretching into 2021. 

BIGGA calling off January's BTME turf machinery exhibition this early is a bold move. The Association clearly believes that a major, well attended indoors exhibition and educational event, early in the new year, is simply too risky to continue planning for. Those halls, bars and restaurants in north Yorkshire certainly do get busy with turf professionals every January. As well as the stands and the classrooms at Harrogate, the social-side of BTME is an integral part of its DNA which sees attendees return year on year. I'm sure clarity this early for exhibitors and attendees alike is appreciated.

Also, one feels a move such as this was always a possibility whilst a NHS Nightingale hospital remains in place at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Inevitably, attention will now shift to whether the GMA's SALTEX exhibition will be in a position to take place in March - bearing in mind of course that the NEC also still houses a Nightingale.

BIGGA's talk of planning for a 'festival of turf' somewhere outdoors in the summer of 2021 is interesting. There are of course reasons why our two main turf machinery exhibitions take place indoors, but I've always felt that if you explained to someone with no connection to the industry that the two biggest shows featuring outdoor power equipment in this country, take place inside, they wouldn't believe you.

Perhaps a racecourse in Windsor could be considered?!

Seriously though, if the right venue can be found and BIGGA can gain support from exhibitors and visitors, that could be quite an exciting development.

Elsewhere today, as well as AgriScot's November cancellation, we also hear from Croptec who seem confident their event for the same month will go ahead. We of course wish them well with their plans, but as with everything at the moment, it would seem prudent to keep plans to visit fluid.

Sadly, anticipating change and disruption to anything and everything is something that we must get used to living with for the foreseeable future.

BIGGA's BTME event will not take place in January 2021 as anticipated, with the association promising an alternative ‘festival of turf’ planned for summer 2021.

The event’s organisers, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association, say they have cancelled the popular trade exhibition due to the ongoing uncertainty relating to the coronavirus pandemic, having prioritised the health and wellbeing of its members, exhibitors, staff and other attendees.

The decision was taken following consultation with members of the association and regular dialogue with representatives of the Harrogate Convention Centre and other major stakeholders. It was agreed the hosting of a gathering of turf professionals from across the globe would create an unacceptable risk of infection, potentially putting lives at risk.

BIGGA’s education programme, Continue to Learn, is held alongside BTME each year and will still take place during January 2021, albeit as an online event and with an altered timetable designed to reflect the new digital platform. BIGGA say a full programme of speakers will enable their members to access the education they have come to expect from the comfort of home or at their place of employment.

BIGGA have said their announcement of an alternative event in summer 2021 will enable them to explore options for hosting the event outdoors, which current understanding of the infectious disease indicates will make for a safe event and will allow improved social distancing measures to be implemented. BIGGA hope that many of the exhibitors who had signed up for BTME 2021 will support this new event and the Association says they will be liaising with exhibitors over the coming weeks to discuss the opportunities it presents.

The Harrogate Convention Centre, home to BTME since its inauguration as the European Turf Management Exhibition (ETME) in 1989, has been utilised as an NHS Nightingale Hospital since the peak of the outbreak in April and BIGGA say they are incredibly proud to be associated with a venue that has been transformed to enable the treatment of COVID-19 patients, should the need arise.

However, the alteration of dates will require a new venue to be found and discussions are underway with potential event hosts. Details will be released in due course.

It is anticipated that BTME will return to the Harrogate Convention Centre in January 2022.

BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton said, “The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves across our industry and BIGGA members have worked admirably in difficult circumstances to enable the continuing success of the facilities they maintain. The work they are doing in a safe and socially-distanced manner is admirable and has undoubtedly led to an increased confidence in golf as a safe pastime during these uncertain times.

“With member health and wellbeing being BIGGA’s absolute priority, it was immediately clear that to invite thousands of turf professionals from across the globe to attend an exhibition during a season when there is anticipated to be an increased risk of disease transmission would be negligent and expose attendees to undue risk.

“BIGGA considers it important to host an annual event and BTME plays a vital role in the calendar year for the turf industry. BTME is an opportunity to come together to celebrate the achievements of the previous year, while building new contacts and looking forward to the future. We feel it is important to retain this community spirit where possible, especially considering the hardships we have all faced, and so we are exploring the possibility of hosting a safe and accessible alternative event in summer 2021. I’m excited about the possibilities presented by this and am confident our new ‘festival of turf’ will be as exciting and influential as ever.”

BIGGA Head of Member Development Sami Strutt is responsible for the organisation of Continue to Learn, working with members to develop an engaging and relevant education programme each year.

Sami said: “Although the association will have no physical presence in Harrogate during January, we will be hosting Continue to Learn as a digital event and I’m certain the spirit of Harrogate week will be as strong as ever before.

“We have engaged with BIGGA members through our annual Members’ Choice survey and are in the process of building an incredible series of online learning that will enable BIGGA members to continue their professional development, wherever in the world they may be.”

Following their successful research in 2019, TAP, the owner of Service Dealer, wanted to see how the agricultural tractor market has changed in the last 12 months.

They launched a survey to ag dealers back in February through Service Dealer, and since then have gained responses from 62 individual dealerships.

Now in addition to publishing an Ag Research Summary Report which is due in the next few weeks, TAP is hosting two live webinar sessions to go through the results of the survey and to answer questions about the research.

Shaun Cooper, head of insight at TAP, said, "There will be two separate webinars, so if you miss out on the first, you can always join the second one."

The dates of the webinars are:

• Thursday 13th August 2020
• Thursday 6th September 2020

Use the form here to register your interest and a URL link and password for the webinar will be sent a few days before the event.

TAP encourage those who are interested to sign up ahead of receiving the report, and to think of any questions you may like to ask.

Dealers HRN Tractors, who have branches in Insch, Turriff, Kinloss, Muir of Ord, Wick, Balbeggie and Stirling, have released a statement speaking out against John Deere, following the manufacturer announcing they were to be replaced as dealers in certain areas.

The recently announced changes to the network saw Netherton Tractors being declared as Deere's new representatives from two new outlets in Turriff, Aberdeenshire and Nairn, Highland as of 1st November, replacing HRN Tractors there.

Prior to that, Netherton Tractors had been announced as establishing a new agricultural and homeowner equipment outlet in the Perth and Kinross area, replacing the sale of Deere machinery from HRN's Balbeggie branch.

Commenting publicly for the first time, in a joint statement published on their Facebook page last week, father and son owners of HRN, Neil and Stuart Barclay, posted a message firstly to reassure their customers. Saying they are "fully committed", Neil and Stuart said the business is in a "secure place."

The statement then went on to explain, from their point of view, why they have decided to part company with John Deere after 40 years.

They said, "We signed an annual contract renewal with John Deere in October 2019, and six weeks later, we were verbally told by John Deere management that in order to allow another John Deere dealer to survive in the area, they would be terminating HRN’s contract at Balbeggie.

"In addition, they advised that their ideal scenario would be that HRN continue as John Deere dealers north of Stonehaven, but that we cease trading completely in the Perthshire and surrounding area, to avoid us taking on another franchise and competing with the other John Deere dealer in the area."

The statement continued, "It has become abundantly clear that our visions of the future of Scottish agriculture differ greatly and we have completely lost trust in the company."

HRN quote a "senior member of John Deere management" who they say told them “Farming north of Stonehaven will be non-sustainable in the future” and “the west of Scotland will all be planted in trees”.

"We feel this", writes HRN, "shows a complete disconnect with reality."

The statement explains how HRN believe farming in Scotland will prosper in the future and that how they are a company built on reputation and trust, ".. neither of which we can now rely on with John Deere UK."

They conclude by saying "We have seven depots across the country, currently have the largest selection of used and nearly new agricultural machinery and equipment in Scotland and are exploring the possibility of taking on new franchises.

"We are excited about the future and the developments it will bring."

You can read HRN's statement in full on their Facebook page here.

Service Dealer asked John Deere if they wished to respond to HRN's comments but was told no further comment would be made beyond what was said in their last press statement announcing the changes.

John Deere has announced that Devon and Cornwall dealer Smallridge Bros Ltd will be expanding its agricultural sales area into mid and west Cornwall, effective from 1st November 2020.

Dealer principal Simon Smallridge (left) and group sales manager Jason Toogood of John Deere agricultural dealership Smallridge Bros

The family-owned business, which already has three outlets in Barnstaple and Holsworthy in Devon and at Callington in east Cornwall, will be replacing Cornwall Farm Machinery, who have decided to relinquish the John Deere franchise from that date.

The manufacturer has confirmed that their professional turf dealership managed by Masons Kings at St Columb in Cornwall is unaffected by these changes.

Smallridge Bros plans to open a new outlet to serve customers in the region, with John Deere saying details of this will be confirmed in due course.

Smallridge Brothers was established at East Collabear near Barnstaple in Devon in 1977, when brothers David and Michael Smallridge started an agricultural engineering partnership, and John Deere signed the business as an official franchise dealership in 1990. In 2011 the company moved into Cornwall for the first time with a second outlet at Callington, and in 2014 a third outlet was acquired at Holsworthy in Devon when the dealership took over the John Deere business previously managed by Robert Cole Agricultural Engineers Ltd.

Smallridge Bros currently employs over 70 staff and has established a successful new technology department specialising in John Deere’s Precision Ag and Connected Support systems. The dealership also operates a number of other franchises including Kramer telehandlers and loaders, in addition to John Deere’s full line of agricultural products and services.

“We are very pleased that Smallridge Bros has been awarded the John Deere agricultural franchise for mid and west Cornwall,” said dealer principal Simon Smallridge. “We look forward to opening a new depot to extend our existing high levels of service support and sales expertise throughout the entire county.”

John Deere Limited division sales manager Joedy Ibbotson added, “I am delighted to make this announcement. Smallridge Brothers built its original business on efficient, reliable service and customer support, and this is still very much the company’s ethos 30 years later. As one of our longstanding and highest performing dealers, Smallridge Bros will ensure continuity of service and support for customers in the newly expanded trading area.”

AgriScot 2020 has announced that it will not take place.

Scheduled for Wednesday 18th November, the show's directors say they remained optimistic until recently that the event would be able to happen, even if not quite in the usual format.

However, the decision to cancel the live event was announced following a board meeting on Wednesday 22 July.

Speaking after the meeting, AgriScot chairman Robert Neill said, “Covid-19 lockdown has thankfully eased over recent weeks and whilst restrictions over small scale meetings and social gatherings have reduced, there remains significant uncertainty and risk relating to large scale indoor events such as AgriScot. We recognise that a socially distanced or restricted event cannot deliver the same benefits for visitors and exhibitors. Lead in timescales determine that we could no longer delay a decision regarding November’s event and therefore today made the sad decision to cancel.

“Having carefully considered the matter, we do not believe that a virtual AgriScot in 2020 could adequately replace the face-to-face business event format. However, we do intend mark this year’s date with online activity. More details will be released in due course.

“AgriScot is a hugely successful annual event, which has experienced significant growth, particularly in terms of visitor numbers and the value placed on it by visitors and trade exhibitors alike. I and my fellow directors believe that we can return in 2021 with an even better AgriScot for this new decade.”

The CropTec Show organisers say they are still planning to take place at the East of England Showground in Peterborough for a live event on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th November 2020.

Organisers say the show will be held in accordance with the latest UK Government and Public Health England recommendations regarding COVID-secure business-to-business trade exhibitions. The show management is working closely with the East of England Showground and the exhibitions industry to ensure the latest advice and best practice is being followed.

“I am delighted we are able to host The CropTec Show 2020 again", said Jason Lunn, venue director at the East of England Arena and Events Centre. “The venue has been at the forefront of planning for outdoor and indoor events as part of the industry associations’ working with government. We are delighted to see the latest announcement that indoor events will return from October. We are working with the organisers to provide a safe environment for exhibitors and visitors and look forward to The CropTec Show 2020 opening on 25th November.”

Organisers say this year’s event will once again bring together the best and brightest in arable farming, providing key take-home, practical messages to develop on farm. As social distancing measures will reduce ticket availability, the CropTec Show is also making seminars, hub talks and other content available, live, online.

“It has been quite the year so far, but we are determined to deliver what is a key event in the arable diary in the most safe and effective way possible. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the farming community and our exhibitors in person, and, to make sure the expert-led content reaches an even larger audience than normal, we will be streaming all content on-line via our new and improved website,” commented Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group events director for AgriBriefing, owners of The CropTec Show.

The event is free to attend. Tickets must be booked in advance due to the government social distancing measures. Registration will be launching in August but interest can be pre-registered via the CropTec website.

Cultivations equipment manufacturer Tillso say they have entrusted the sales and distribution of its Sabre tine system to Spaldings under a new long-term agreement.

Spaldings will be the exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland of the patented Sabre tine assembly, which is a multi-component system designed for restructuring of compacted soils using subsoilers or cultivators incorporating soil loosening tines.

Available from Spaldings – the Tillso Sabre Max, Lite, Mono and Ultralite soil restructuring point, shin and wing assemblies mounted on different legs

Spaldings managing director Steve Constable said, “Tillso is an innovative British cultivation specialist and machinery manufacturer leading the way in technology designed for sustainable soil management and conservation.

“Distributing Tillso’s Sabre retro-fit system will be complementary to our highly-durable SPL Ultra cultivator, subsoiler and seed drill coulter points, and the other ranges of soil-engaging parts we supply for tillage and drilling.”

Tillso’s Chris Lane commented, “We are looking forward to working with the Spaldings team to build a platform for future developments in our field of expertise.”

Polaris Britain dealer, Reiver Garage Services, has expanded its offering with the manufacturer's recreational product line-up, including the RZR.

A family-run business based in Duns, a town in the Scottish Borders, Reiver Garage Services has been an authorised Polaris dealer for four years, offering utility UTVs and ATVs since 2016. After expanding to become a recreational dealer this year, Reiver now offers the full line-up of Polaris vehicles including youth models, utility vehicles including both petrol and diesel Ranger models and the Sportsman ATV range, as well as sport and leisure vehicles such as the RZR and Scrambler.

Dealership owner, Dale Robertson, has always been strongly involved with motorsport which is one of the driving forces behind his decision to add leisure  vehicles to his offering. Dale began rallying in 2005 and has competed in both Scottish and British championships, claiming the Scottish Group N Rally Championship title in 2014.

Dale said, “With rallying such a prominent part of my life, we saw this as an excellent opportunity to combine work with pleasure. We’re really proud to be expanding and to have the full Polaris range on offer now. It’s exciting to stretch out into the recreational market to give both new and existing customers the chance to experience this side of off-road vehicles and get some adrenaline running through their veins.

"We’re planning on holding a ‘ride and drive’ day in October to give people a chance to see what these machines can really do, and we’re sure they’re going to love it as much as we do.”

Job Title : Area Sales Manager – UK European Engine Centre

Honda Engines are one of the world’s leading suppliers of small general-purpose engines used in a diverse range of Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEM) products including generators, construction, lawn and garden equipment.

We are looking to recruit an Area Sales Manager (Southern Region) to join our small but successful UK based European Engine Centre team. You will have responsibility for achieving and generating Honda engine sales to UK OEM’s throughout the Southern Region.

With experience in developing effective customer relationships you will possess a consultative selling approach, building a solid understanding of the OEM’s needs in terms of its products ‘’Powered by Honda’’. In this way ensuring the best match between the OEM application and our Honda Engines.

Key Responsibilities

• Development and maintenance of an accurate sales plan for the region.
• Through customer visits, work closely with OEM’s to develop new and potential projects from concept stage through to final product.
• Assisting with technical aspects of Honda engines including installation and application testing, supported by the team’s Application Engineer.
• Managing current key accounts and developing new prospects.

Required Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Completed full time education to minimum of GCSE Level or equivalent with a minimum of Grade B in English and Mathematics.
• Minimum HNC level in a mechanical discipline.
• Full UK driving licence.
• At least 3 years’ experience of sales within a business to business environment.
• Development of sales strategies in support of sales plan.
• Experience in the lawn and garden and/or construction equipment industry would be preferred.
• Good organisational skills with a high degree of computer literacy.
• Problem solving.
• Project planning.
• Excellent communication skills across different levels and disciplines, both written and oral.
• Clear and confident decision maker with a commercially focussed approach.
• Persuasive, self-motivated and flexible with a confident, positive attitude.
• Team-player.
• Willing to undertake extensive travel within the UK and occasional overseas travel.

Excellent benefits including a competitive salary, Company car and Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.

If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, please forward your CV and covering letter to tracey.middleton@honda-eu.com. Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 14th August 2020.

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