We've been beavering away this week getting the next edition of Service Dealer magazine to the printers.

The July/August 2017 issue will be on your desks during the first few days of July - and it includes a special feature on the concept of The Future.

It's a topic which is on everyone lips at the moment, but we wanted to consider in some detail what the coming years could hold specifically for specialist outdoor machinery dealers - of all sizes.

Across 16 pages we feature articles which look at the dealerships, the technicians and the innovations of the future. We also reveal the results of our Future Dealerships survey which we ran on here a few weeks ago, gauging the opinions of our readers.

I can give you a preview of the new cover here:

It's interesting in fact, that in a week where the Cereals event took place with a reduced machinery presence from some of the big boys, there was a drone display within the showgrounds.

In order to whet your appetite for the full in-depth feature in the magazine, over the next couple of weeks we're going to serialise some of the features you can look forward to reading.

Below is an short extract of Martin Rickatson's artice on the future for dealerships. Martin visited Farol's newly built premises in Oxfordshire and from talking to the team there, gained a sense of what the dealer of the future may look like.

You can read Martin's piece in full in the July/August edition - if however, you don't receive a regular copy of the magazine please sign up for free here.

THE DEALERSHIP OF THE FUTURE?

A few hundred yards from the Oxfordshire venue for the annual Service Dealer conference now lies one of the most modern farm, turf and outdoor power equipment dealership premises in the UK. Martin Rickatson paid a visit to Farol’s recently-built new headquarters.

Agricultural equipment, particularly that used in arable farming, has changed out of all recognition over the forty years since Farol was formed. Back in 1976, quiet cabs had only just become compulsory on new tractors, fuel consumption was measured by gauge guesswork, and self-steering meant holding the front wheel against the furrow wall.

Fast-forward four decades, and the role of the dealership in supporting farm machinery has changed just as much as – indeed because of – the equipment itself. Dealer premises are having to change as a result, and there are few better examples than Farol’s newly-built head office and branch premises at Milton Common, near Thame in east Oxfordshire.



In 2011, Farol diversified by becoming a John Deere professional groundcare dealer from its Oxon, Leics and Berks branches, and more recently has broadened this by acquiring Godfreys’ western territory and its Wokingham depot. Two years later, with the firm having expanded considerably to employ 200 staff, 80 based at its head office, and having also added construction/plant franchises to its portfolio, the need for new premises there was identified, and plans were made for a purpose-built structure alongside the existing outdated ones, encompassing new large workshop bays, a showroom, office/training/meeting space and parts storage. The new facility was completed just a year before Service Dealer’s November 2016 visit.

“The purchase of our Hinckley premises, a building previously used as a premium car showroom, gave us a good idea of what a modern dealership building should be like,” explains Matthew Vellacott.

“We need to serve multiple types of customer, from farmers to homeowner gardeners, but while some want to discuss business machines worth thousands of pounds and others are seeking a new lawnmower, they have many similar requirements. We wanted to provide them with a welcoming premises, and had the space at Milton Common to create from scratch what we needed – a place to help customers and potential customers, and somewhere we can educate them as to what we can do for them.

“In order to do this, what we’ve tried to do is redesign the traditional agricultural dealer stores and showroom, putting more of the parts behind the counter – there’s no point in being Arkwright’s store and having every single pin and fitting on shelves – and instead putting on display more of the tools, toys and homeowner grass equipment – items that need to be handled and demonstrated, and which will produce fast turnover and be profitable. While we do have an internet sales presence and have 2,000 items on eBay with two full-time people overseeing this, the showroom is for items that we wouldn’t want to sell online – items that require advice and support, such as domestic mowers.

“It’s also important to ensure visitors – and the staff who serve them – are provided with comfortable surroundings, and that we play our part in conserving energy, so the new premises feature automatic doors, underfloor heating and a water recycling system.”


Read Martin's article in full in the July/August edition of Service Dealer

A total of 33 young service technicians have graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ.

John Deere has also been listed for the first time as one of the best 100 employers for school leavers in the UK, the only agricultural and turf machinery company to be so recognised (for the full list, click here: www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employer-rankings).


John Deere Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year 2016 Jack Robbens of Ben Burgess with John Deere training centre manager Richard Halsall

Three of the company’s apprentices won overall awards for the 2016 graduation year. Jack Robbens of dealer Ben Burgess, Norwich was named Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year, for which he received a crystal plaque, a certificate and vouchers for workshop tools worth £250.


John Deere Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year Lewis Parker of Mona Tractors with Richard Halsall

Lewis Parker of Mona Tractors, Llangefni was awarded Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year and Grant Roberts of Cornwall Farm Machinery, Penzance won Parts Tech Apprentice of the Year. Both also received a crystal plaque and certificate, and the same value workshop tools and shopping vouchers respectively.


John Deere Parts Tech Apprentice of the Year Grant Roberts of Cornwall Farm Machinery (centre) was presented with his crystal plaque and certificate at the Royal Cornwall Show in June by John Deere Limited division sales manager Joedy Ibbotson and area aftermarket manager Monika Stypa

The presentations were made by Deere & Company’s Region 2 training delivery manager Dr Lutz Schueppenhauer and John Deere Limited training centre manager Richard Halsall at the John Deere Forum visitor centre in Mannheim, Germany. They took place during the apprentices’ annual graduation visit to the company’s tractor and cab factories and European Parts Distribution Centre (EPDC).

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering, and registration at LTA2 level in the industry’s Landbased Technician Accreditation scheme. In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA4 Master Technician accreditation.

Now in its 25th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, nearly 700 apprentices have graduated through the three main John Deere schemes (Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech) and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

The John Deere and ProVQ schemes were recently included in the 2017 School Leaver Awards, in recognition of the programme’s quality and the opportunities it presents to young people working productively in the agricultural and turf sectors.

“We beat some very strong competition from other household names, coming first for an engineering and manufacturing company and third overall in the ‘Best Intermediate Apprenticeship Programme’ category,” says ProVQ managing director Julian Lloyd. “To be recognised as one of the country’s top 100 employers for school leavers, as judged by the apprentices themselves, makes us all very proud of the achievement.”

The last weekend of March has been found to be the most common weekend for mowing the lawn.

A survey, carried out by Cub Cadet, found that the most popular day for giving the lawnmower its first outing of the year is Sunday 26th March, closely followed by Saturday 25th in second place.

March was found to be the month when lawns received their first cut with 66.5% of all participants reporting their first mow.

Cub Cadet launched the survey to see if changing weather patterns are taking their toll on gardening conditions and maintenance, and more specifically lawns.

Discussing the findings, Nick Hills, General Manager for Cub Cadet UK, said, “Feedback from our customers and dealers last year suggested that the mowing season was notably longer than previous years so we wanted to find out if this was true. It’s too early to say for definite if people are starting to mow earlier in the year, we need future years’ data to demonstrate that, but feedback from recipients certainly indicates that this may be likely.”

Initial comments from respondents back up Cub Cadet’s suspicions that the lawn mowing season is being extended and starting earlier than ever. With comments such as “When we first moved to this house in the 70s, the first cut used to be mid to late April & final one early October. Now it is usually late March until early November;” and “We have lived at the house for 31 years and I think this is the earliest we have started mowing.”

The survey also explored any recurrent problems that people face with their lawn. Drainage and moss were the most commonly reported issue, followed by clay soil and damage caused by animals.

Jim Wade, Principal of the JCB Academy has been announced as the next speaker for the Service Dealer Conference which takes place at the Oxford Belfry Hotel on November 16th.

The Conference this year, entitled The Challenge of Change: Embracing & Adapting To A Changing Market, will see a series of highly-qualified individuals address the delegates on topics relevant to all dealers of all sizes. All will be linked by this theme of change.


Jim Wade

Jim Wade will be discussing the issues surrounding the dealership technicians of tomorrow - how to identify and attract them.

Jim started as Principal of JCB Academy in January 2009, 20 months before the school opened for its first cohort of students.

Jim has been a Principal for over sixteen years and before joining teaching, worked for Citibank at their UK head office in London. He has always been involved in technical and vocational education and started his teaching career with involvement in the Certificate of Pre-Vocational Education back in the mid-1980s and was Deputy at Somerset’s first technology college.

He is passionate about the role technical education plays in developing life chances for young people and currently sits on The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Education and Skills Policy Panel, as well as the UTC Principals’ steering group.

For full details of the Service Dealer Conference including ticket booking please visit the Service Dealer website. 

New apprenticeships in Landbased Service Engineering are being introduced later this year and key partners representing the Landbased Engineering industry are coming together with colleges and training providers to offer a series of “What's it all about” seminars where machinery dealerships can find out more about these apprenticeships as well as the new apprenticeship levy.

“These new apprenticeships have been designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes for the twenty first century Landbased Service Engineer,” comments IAgrE Chief Executive Alastair Taylor.

“In partnership with our colleagues from the AEA and BAGMA we have collaborated to make sure these apprenticeship meet the needs of machinery manufacturers as well as dealerships.”

Seminars have already been held at Reaseheath College in Cheshire and Askham Bryan College in Yorkshire. The following are planned:

• 27 June – Warwickshire College (Morton Morrell)
• 29 June – Cornwall College (Bicton and Rosewarne)
• 6 July – Wiltshire College (Lackham)
• 13 July – Bishop Burton College (Riseholme College, Lincoln)
• 20 July – Easton College, Norwich

Further Seminars are planned for Plumpton College and other locations yet to be confirmed. Colleges have invited key local employers to attend but others are welcome to come along. Visit www.landbasedengineering.com to find out how to get involved and for the most up to date information.

The development of these new apprenticeships is overseen by the Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC). Although the apprenticeships primarily focus on Landbased Engineering, pathways have been developed for those working with Construction and Plant Equipment and Outdoor Power Equipment.

Husqvarna recently concluded its Battery Tour initiative, which started in early February.

The company organised and hosted a series of training events to 'enlighten, energise and enthuse' dealers on the key features and benefits of their Battery Series.



As part of the tour, Husqvarna purpose built and customised a battery trailer in order to demonstrate products and host training sessions. A number of key dealers and their staff received training in each territory and a total of 83 dealerships were visited.

Following the dealer ‘roadshow’, the Husqvarna Professional team also conducted their own two-week tour which culminated in their presence at Turf Maintenance Live for 2 days at the end of April, accompanied by the Battery Series trailer.

Each dealership on the tour received a presentation by an Area Business Manager on the Battery Series and the training ended with enough time for practical hands on usage, encompassing guidance and best practice. The company says this offered dealers the opportunity to become accustomed with key product features and benefits, and allowed them to gain insight into the quality and performance of the Battery Series in comparison to petrol equipment.

UK Field Sales Manager, Mike Hind said, “The tour was a huge success, providing the dealers with invaluable training and knowledge which can be passed on to the end user at the point of sale. We are committed to continued investment in providing training and support to our Dealer network, to improve the overall service and customer journey of Husqvarna.

"Training programmes like this one are a great way to interact with dealers and to get them excited about new products”.

Derbyshire Quad’s Wild Park Leisure near Ashbourne was the venue for this year’s Polaris Ride and Drive Days.



Forty Polaris dealers gathered over two days in May for dealer training, product focus and the opportunity to get familiar with new Polaris Rangers and Sportsman ATVs. Unusually, Polaris had also arranged for competitive machines to be available for comparison testing.

The trekking centre offered the ideal venue for putting all the machines through their paces, with over two hundred acres of land to play with, including mature woodlands, swamps, brooks, open fields and challenging terrain. This was perfect terrain for testing all units and the Polaris line-up comprised the new Ranger Diesel 1000 HD, Ranger XP900 and Ranger 570, with the Sportsman range represented with a Sportsman 570 and 570 EPS.

There was strong focus on the new Ranger Diesel 1000 HD 2017 model with the facility to try the Active Descent Control for controlled hill descents. 

The Ride and Drive Days also provided good opportunity for the dealers to familiarise themselves with the latest Lock & Ride Pro-fit cab options and the many accessories available for both the Rangers and Sportsman models.

Richard Tarleton has been appointed as a new Ariens Company Area Sales Manager for the south west of England.


Richard Tarleton

Ariens say Richard brings with him a wealth of experience in Sales and Account Management gained in various positions in FMCG and the aquaculture industries. His appointment is part of Ariens Company’s on-going commitment to the strengthening of the field sales team.

Richard will report to Ariens Company’s UK Sales Manager, Matt Wilson.

“We’re delighted to welcome Richard to Ariens Company. His sales management experience will be critical in developing existing dealer relationships, as well as new business development in the south west.” says Matt.

Across the region Richard will be covering all the manufactured and distributed brands: Ariens, Countax, Westwood, ECHO and Shindaiwa, whilst developing relationships with commercial accounts.

Richard adds: “I’m excited to be joining an organisation of Ariens Company’s calibre and the opportunity to work with the sales partners across my new region. Although my career to date has been outside of the garden machinery industry, I’m looking forward to using my experience in technical account management to support the dealer network in the south west.”

To get in contact with Richard email rtarleton@ariens.com, or call 07887 505 052

Kramer, who manufacture a range of 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steer wheeled loaders and telehandlers, has appointed Doubleday as its new dealer for Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.



Commenting on the appointment, Doubleday Group Sales Manager Alex Child said, “The Kramer franchise represents an exciting opportunity for the Doubleday Group. We are very much looking forward to representing this high quality German brand. "

Recently the Doubleday sales team have attended product training both in Germany and in the UK, and say they have been impressed with what they have seen.

Kramer have been manufacturing the Claas Scorpion telehandlers since 2005 but this relationship with Kramer will cease next year and Kramer now wish to supply their product direct through their own dealer network.

Wayne Freke, Area Sales Manager for Kramer said, "We are really pleased to have the Doubleday Group on board with supplying our product range. The group are well known for supplying high quality agricultural machinery from leading brands and providing first class support."

This year’s IAgrE’s conference on Wednesday 11 October at Rothamsted Centre for Research & Enterprise, takes on the challenge of where will the next innovative solutions come from to reduce the carbon footprint.

“The carbon footprint for agriculture is complex. At one end tractors and mechanisation systems are big energy users whilst natural resources such as forests and the soil can be managed to capture carbon," said Alastair Taylor CEO of IAgrE.

"The conference will explore a broad range of perspectives with a view to helping those responsible for policy and practice choose the right approaches and develop the technologies and practices required if reliance on carbon is to be reduced."

The conference is targeted at engineers, scientists and technologists, farmers, growers, producers and movers and shakers working in policy and sustainable development.

Speakers include Dr Jonathan Scurlock, chief adviser, renewable energy and climate change, National Farmers Union, Carlo Lambro, President New Holland Agriculture talking about the ‘Energy Indpendent Farm’, Jonathan Lodge of City Farm Systems exploring different ways of producing food closer to its market and Professor Jane Rickson of Cranfield University talking about the importance of soil and its vital role as a carbon sink and that good soil management will assist in maintaining its ability to continue to act as a carbon sink.

In the afternoon agronomists at Rothamsted will be discussing the latest research and how it fits with the BBSRC strategic programme on ‘cropping carbon’ plus insight into the research and development programmes at Rothamsted.

Organisers of SALTEX have launched their new 2017 campaign, which features their heart-shaped logo formed of grass complete with the words - Your Industry - Your Show.

In 1934 a groundsman at Eton College named William Bowles believed the industry needed a voice, and an organisation which sought to improve both the status and standards of grounds professionals, so together with 10 other founding members the National Association of Groundsmen, which later became the Institute of Groundsmanship, was formed.

In 1938, SALTEX was launched to unite the industry and offer educational and networking opportunities for those that managed green spaces. 79 years’ later the show has continued to grow and has now established itself as Europe’s largest annual turf management event. With its home at the NEC, in Birmingham, organisers say SALTEX remains true to those within the industry offering a world of opportunity in which they can discover the latest trends and innovations, connect with colleagues and learn from top industry professionals.

The 2017 SALTEX campaign boasts the fact the exhibition is indeed “Your Show.”

More than 220 manufacturers and suppliers have already confirmed their attendance to showcase an extensive range of products and resources and visitors can expect to see the industry’s newest advances and compare the full array of equipment, products and services.

Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s educational programme offers a wealth of new knowledge to delegates as well as boosting their CPD points.

SALTEX 2016 saw a number of unique show features all designed to assist and help develop those within the industry - the Young Groundsmen’s Conference provided an ideal opportunity for young people looking to advance their career; Pathology and Soil Science LIVE allowed visitors to look in detail at the symptoms of turfgrass fungal disease problems; and the SALTEX College Cup - an academic test of turf management knowledge for students enrolled at UK colleges, helped to raise the level of academic prowess in the industry. These features have again been confirmed for SALTEX 2017. 

SALTEX 2017 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017.

Due to the addition of a major new dealership, our Essex based company has an opening for a skilled technician within our Service Division.

We are a distributor for industrial petrol & diesel engines, transmissions & parts to the trade & Original Equipment Manufacturers.

The successful candidate will be an extremely self-driven, physically fit & energetic individual with a proactive and positive attitude. Applicants should possess a high level of previous experience with petrol & diesel engines, although full training will be given on our exact range of engines & transmissions; a degree of computer literacy will also be beneficial.

Our Engine Dealerships are: Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Kubota, Lombardini, Yanmar

Our Transmission Dealerships are: Peerless, Tuff Torq

As well as working out of our Great Dunmow base, the role will also include travelling in our company vehicles across the UK for service/warranty call-outs.

The position offers an attractive salary, private medical insurance & company pension scheme.

If you feel that this position is right for you, please email a CV and covering letter to tricia@uni-power.co.uk ;

or send via post to Uni-power Ltd, Attn: Tricia Paveley, Unit 8 Flitch Industrial Estate, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1XJ

Tel: 01371 875331

www.uni-power.co.uk

The following organisations have confirmed their sponsorship of the 2017 Service Dealer Conference and Awards. We’d like to welcome them on board and thank them for their support and input. 

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR




GOLD SPONSOR




SPONSORS

Want to become a sponsor? Email: julie@theadplain.com