Running a successful, profitable company, whilst simultaneously doing good as a business, are not mutually exclusive.
Coming at the end of this week of love (!), we have some stories today in our Weekly Update, that can loosely be described as 'feel-good'.
Firstly, it's always a pleasure to feature articles of manufacturers recognising and awarding the great work undertaken by members of their dealer network. We've included a few of these lately, with Baroness now being the latest.
Of course no one is in business for the accolades, but to be told occasionally, yep, you're doing great work and we acknowledge that, is always going to be a fantastic boost for morale - as well as a perfect PR opportunity. So well done to all who have picked up a trophy from their suppliers this awards season - and for those yet to be recognised, your turn will be coming soon I'm sure!
Elsewhere today, we have a few stories that are definitely in the uplifting camp as they highlight businesses going beyond normal workplace remits and giving something back to the wider community. First up, there is a delightful piece regarding employees at JCB who are undertaking an epic cycle challenge to raise funds for cancer charities.
Inspired by a young employee of theirs, Hannah Roberts, who was only 20 when she was diagnosed with brain cancer, the team is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge that will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust. It's a truly inspiring story and one that we wish them all the best with.
Also, we feature the news that Mountfield have donated one of their mowers to be auctioned off for the British Heart Foundation during this current Heart Month campaign that the charity is running. Clearly a fantastic cause.
Finally, Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, tells us today about his passion for plogging - jogging combined with litter picking - and is encouraging anyone else who would like to get involved, to join a special Strava group in order to share their experiences. Duncan says plogging is not only good for your own physical health and your local environment - but it also has the beneficial side-effect, post-plog, of making you feel all virtuous! Which for some of us, is a feeling we can't claim to be all that familiar with!
Purpose in business
What these last stories remind me of, is a theme that emerged at the Service Dealer Conference back in November, of purpose in business. That day we heard from several speakers who believed that running a successful, profitable company and doing good as a business, are not mutually exclusive. Far from it in fact, both go hand-in-hand and can feed into each other. For an independent business, such as dealership in our sector, business experts would say there are multiple benefits to be drawn from having a purpose beyond that of purely profit-making.
Concepts such as a purpose-driven businesses resonating with consumers on a deeper level can be argued. When customers see that a company is committed to social and environmental causes, there's the potential that they are more likely to trust and support that brand in the future.
Also in today's world of social media and instant user-feedback posted online in a multitude of places, a company's reputation can make or break its success. Embracing social responsibility can allow a dealership to engender a positive brand image within their communities and wider industry. This positive reputation can be appealing to not only customers, but also potential future employees.
And talking about employees, advocates for this kind of social responsibility in business would say that a sense of purpose could inspire staff members to go above and beyond in their roles, knowing that their work contributes to something meaningful beyond financial gain. A motivated workforce, passionate about the company's mission and values, can foster a sense of pride and fulfillment amongst the team - potentially improving morale and staff retention.
We do know that so many of our dealer readers, as part of their regular working year, support local charities or get involved with community groups and projects. For example, activities such as sponsoring a local youth sports team or participating in community green space clean-ups or renovation projects can be seen across the network.
So if your dealership has anything like this on the agenda for this year that you'd like to share with our community of readers, please do get in touch and let us know. A few words and a couple of pics of what you've been getting up to will allow us to spread the goodwill. As ever, we're incredibly keen to highlight all the great work that our dealer readers achieve - and not just in the sales and service arena.
Please don't be shy - if you've got something above and beyond the norm going on, let us know!
In our WEB ONLY story the move brings the parts business in-line with the current distribution strategy for Kubota’s groundcare portfolio, following the formation of new subsidiary in 2022.
The manufacturer says their dealer awards celebrate outstanding individual and team performance.
At the recent BTME 2024 Baroness U.K recognised the excellence achieved within their dealer network over the last 12 months.
The manufacturer says their dealer awards celebrate outstanding individual and team performance - with George Browns Ltd, Henderson’s Grass Machinery and Lister Wilder all receiving recognition in Harrogate.
David Fisher of George Browns Ltd (left) receiving his award from Adam Butler, Baroness U.K. director
David Fisher, area sales manager (Groundcare) for George Browns Ltd was the recipient of ‘UK Salesperson of the Year 2023’. On collecting his award, David commented, “I’d like to thank all of my customers for the ongoing trust they have in myself and George Browns Ltd. 2023 was a great year and I look forward to continuing this positivity into 2024!”
Baroness’ Richard Connell presenting the ‘sales growth’ award to Henderson Grass Machinery
Henderson Grass Machinery, Baroness distributors for central and East Scotland, were recognised for achieving the ‘Highest Machinery Sales Growth on previous year (2022-2023)’. The Henderson’s sales team received their award from Richard Connell, Baroness U.K. area sales & service manager for Scotland.
The Lister Wilder Groundcare sales team pictured with Luke Collins from Baroness U.K
Completing the awards, and collecting the accolade for ‘Highest Overall Sales for 2023’, was Lister Wilder. Presented by Baroness U.K. area sales manager Luke Collins to the Lister Wilder Groundcare sales team in attendance, a spokesperson said, “It’s fantastic to receive this award. The huge growth that both Lister Wilder and Baroness have seen over the last five years is proof that we have become a ‘go-to’ choice for golf, sports and other fine turf customers.”
Adam Butler, director for Baroness U.K. added, “The Baroness Dealer Awards provide a superb stage to showcase the hard work and dedication that our multi-branch dealers continue to deliver. Baroness are proud to produce world leading machinery, for which we strive for world leading backup and support - that’s what we have and that’s what we will continue to build on, day-to-day and year-to-year. We are extremely proud of all within our network and especially the aforementioned winners for 2023. From the whole Baroness U.K team, we’d like to extend a big thank you to our dealers and customers alike for their continued support.”
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, is encouraging anyone who wants to get involved in plogging - jogging and picking up litter - to join a special Strava group.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, is encouraging anyone who wants to get involved in plogging - jogging and picking up litter - to join a special Strava group.
Duncan explained, "I have recently completed my 240th plog. If I am truthful, I thought I invented the concept a few years ago. I was out running one day, kickstarted by Covid boredom, and noticed how much litter there was around the place - and I live in the countryside!
"So I started picking it up along the way whilst jogging. Picking up litter plus jogging equals plogging - very simple.
"But as the saying goes, there is no such thing as a new idea - it actually transpires that the word 'plogga' In Sweden combines jogging with litter removal and was thought of by one Erik Ahlstrom several years earlier."
Duncan continued, "I soon started to take a bag with me and now I can collect up to a carrier bag of rubbish every run. So I recon my 240 runs have collected a skip’s worth.
"When I travel, I always try and sneak a plog in and do some good wherever I am (and another side effect of a plog is it makes you feel doubly virtuous after a run). My most memorable plog was meeting Arnie halfway across the the Big Four bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville when visiting the Equip trade show.
Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke plogging in Louisville with Arnie
"Arnie was also plogging! The only difference being he was picking up trash and I was picking up rubbish. And I managed to get a selfie with the lovely guy. He was good, the bridge was immaculate."
Now Duncan says he is delighted that the TAP team want to get behind plogging as part of B Corp Month. "I would urge anyone who runs or walks to join our Plogging Strava group and share what they are doing," said Duncan. "Share a picture - feel good about what you are doing!
"Let’s see how much rubbish (or trash) we can shift together (whether you are a “to hell with my time and collect a whole bag” or “just a couple of bits and a fast pace” type of person).
"If you are an organisation please, please share with your employees and beyond. No strings, we just want to share this lovely concept (even if I didn’t think of it first)."
Watch Service Dealer speak to Peter Melrose, managing director of EGO Europe, who tells us his company is hoping for a bit of predictability this year.
Watch Service Dealer speak to Peter Melrose, managing director of EGO Europe, who tells us his company is hoping for a bit of predictability this year.
Speaking to Service Dealer at their debut BTME, European President of Cramer, Simon Del-Nevo, tells us that turf professionals are focussed on making the switch from petrol products.
Speaking to Service Dealer at their debut BTME, European President of Cramer, Simon Del-Nevo, tells us that turf professionals are focussed on making the switch from petrol products.
Date changed to allow other events to be supported at venue.
The organisers of AgriScot have announced that this year's event has changed its date, bringing it forward by one week to 13th November.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and AgriScot have been working in partnership for a number of years. They say their relationship is one of collaboration to ensure that AgriScot remains preeminent in the agricultural calendar. To do that, they say, working together is pivotal, and this year means a change of date for AgriScot to allow RHASS to support other events at the Centre. This allows RHASS to deliver on their charitable remit, which continues to support agricultural events like AgriScot.
Robert Neill, AgriScot chairman explained why the board have supported the request from RHASS, saying, “When RHASS approached us to review the date, allowing them the flexibility to welcome another organisation to utilise the space, the board, after much discussion, felt it was important to support the request and allow Scotland’s longest-standing agricultural society the ability to generate further income to support their work.”
Robert continued, "Each year we support RSABI by offering them complimentary trade stand space at AgriScot and facilities to host their AGM as well as a platform to generate donations. We work with SAYFC to support their Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, providing personal development opportunities. And we have a long-standing partnership with SRUC through our Business Skills competition, supporting mentoring and business skills development. In addition, we have supported individuals to complete studies and research that will benefit Scottish agriculture."
AgriScot has now been running for over 20 years and during this time the board has actively looked to develop partnerships, such as that with RHASS, generating more opportunities for visitors by expanding the number of exhibitors, seminars and competitions as well as ensuring the event and car parking remains free.
Commenting on the decision, Mark Currie from RHASS added, “AgriScot is one of the most important events in the Royal Highland Centre’s annual calendar, and we want to do all we can to ensure the revised date is well communicated and does not impact the event in any way."
Manufacturer makes donation of one of their mowers to be auctioned off for the British Heart Foundation.
The Mountfield team say they like to help charities whenever they can and were pleased this Heart Month to make a donation of one of their Electress 34LI mowers to be auctioned off for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) at the Cape Cornwall Golf Club.
Andy Cleary of the club said, "Cape Cornwall Golf Club are so happy to be supporting the BHF during Heart Month 2024. Being one of the most prolific mowers of grass in the area we are delighted to be supported by Mountfield with this generous donation. A round of golf uses approximately 15,000 steps and we hope this mower adds to the health benefits of one of our members.”
Money raised by this auction will help the BHF fund ground-breaking research to find new treatments and cures for heart and circulatory diseases, which affect 7.6 million people in the UK.
Mark Hawkins, BHF fundraising manager said, “With around twice as many people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases than with Alzheimer’s and cancer combined, we urgently need to fund more lifesaving research to fight heart conditions like cardiac arrest that devastate so many people and their loved ones. We are very grateful for this support during Heart Month as it will help to fund the breakthroughs of tomorrow and keep families together for longer.”
42 cyclists have begun a 42,000-kilometre, 80 day sponsored cycle challenge, with their sights set on a £100,000 target.
A team of JCB cyclists are undertaking a fundraising challenge to help enhance the lives of children and young people with cancer.
Hannah Roberts joined the JCB cyclists as they set off on their Around the World in 80 Days challenge
The 42 cyclists have this week begun a 42,000-kilometre, 80 day sponsored cycle challenge - the equivalent of riding around the world - with their sights set on a £100,000 target.
The money is being raised for Hannah’s Hope, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company.
Hannah, who will celebrate her 21st birthday on the final day of the JCB challenge, was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it.
Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together.
Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Monday 12 February to get the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge under way. Gail said, “JCB have never left our side in whatever we have faced and we will be forever grateful to Lord Bamford and the many JCB people who have raised funds for us and just shown that they care.
“Now that Hannah has more energy, she wants to give something back and help others. Six teenagers or young adults are given the devastating news they have cancer every day and they really need something to look forward to. We want to make the lodge a place for respite, recuperation and making memories for these families.”
JCB principal engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, explained, “The Bamford family wants to show its continued support for Hannah, and George Bamford, who is a keen cyclist, came up with the Around the World in 80 Days challenge.
“There will be 42 JCB cyclists taking part and it is very much an international effort, with employees from many of our UK factories taking part as well as employees based in Pune, India joining in.
“Over the ten-week challenge we will be clocking up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina where Hannah’s lodge will be sited. We’ll also be topping up the miles with spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
“Many of the cyclists met with Gail last week and after hearing first hand their inspirational story, we are determined to make a difference for them by raising at least half of Hannah’s £200,000 target.”
These collection and side discharge models have been added to the already comprehensive line-up which features models aimed at helping those with larger lawns to mow with ease and comfort, at an affordable price.
Cobra has announced the launch of two new lawn tractors powered by Loncin V-Twin engines into the range for 2024. These collection and side discharge models have been added to the already comprehensive line-up which features models aimed at helping those with larger lawns to mow with ease and comfort, at an affordable price.
The range starts with two rider models. These have a particular focus on manoeuvrability, allowing gardeners to flow and mow around the gardens, taking into account garden beds, curved edges and obstacles such as trees, patios and planting schemes as well as any other intricacies that make UK gardens so unique.
The two compact LT62 rider models each have a 24” cutting width and comfortable seat. Being smaller, these models have great manoeuvrability coupled with a 75cm turning radius. The LT62 is available with either manual or hydrostatic automatic gear change transmission, with the latter offering smoother usage and even greater manoeuvrability.
For larger gardens and paddocks to mow, there are now eight ride-on tractors available. With cutting widths ranging from 33” up to 42”, and choices again being manual and hydrostatic gear changing, as well as a twin cutting blade and the option to collect the cuttings, release them back to the ground or turn them to mulch. They also offer enhanced comfort with an ergonomically designed padded seat, easy electric key starting and new for 2024 V-Twin Loncin engines.
In launching the new ride-on mowers, Henton & Chattell has tapped into its 1500+ dealer network and utilised the companies’ unique position in the industry to gain an understanding of what customers want and ensure that the products are expertly based exactly on the needs of UK gardeners.
Discussing the lawn tractor range, Peter Chaloner, managing director of Henton & Chattell, commented: “We’re so excited for this next chapter for Cobra. We’ve been developing the new range of ride-on mowers for some time now and it’s a significant step in the brand’s history. We can’t wait to hear what customers think of them! We have further plans to keep expanding Cobra over time with more products already planned for the year. To support this and accommodate our growth plans, we have also doubled our warehousing facilities in Nottingham which will also help us to ensure that we continue to create business opportunities for our dealers.”
British garden manufacturer Handy has announced the arrival of its new Product Range and Pricing Catalogue and Monthly Dealer Promotions Calendar.
British garden manufacturer Handy has announced the arrival of its new Product Range and Pricing Catalogue and Monthly Dealer Promotions Calendar, both designed to provide retailers with valuable increased margins on a wide range of gardening and DIY products and ensure they have everything needed for the season ahead.
The new Dealer Promotions Calendar demonstrates Handy’s ongoing commitment to providing retailers with competitively priced products. Offering fully funded monthly promotions with improved margins and discounts, retailers can benefit from cost savings across a wide selection of gardening and DIY products from well-known brands such as:
Webb
The Handy
Greenworks
Q Garden
AVA
Bosch
Karcher
Flymo
Solo
Handy Parts
To further support retailers, the new 2024 catalogue from Handy highlights the top brands and prices for the season, such as its latest range of Webb Rear Roller lawnmowers. Adding a touch of elegance to lawns with an attractive striped pattern, the incorporation of the classic rear roller also helps to enhance stability and control during the mowing process, offering users an all-round more comfortable mowing experience.
Embracing the future of gardening with products designed to meet the evolving needs of eco-conscious customers, the new product and showcase catalogue also includes the new Webb Eco range of garden machinery, which has been designed to offer gardeners an environmentally friendly and versatile gardening experience.
With Handy’s commitment not just focused on new products but also to its strengthened partnerships with renowned brands, the new catalogue also showcases its durable range of AVA pressure washer products that tie in seamlessly with the Handy commitment to delivering products that stand the test of time.
CLICK HERE to download the NEW Range and Pricing and Monthly Dealer Promotions.
To place your order, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Handy’s Sales Team via email: Sales@handys.co.uk or call: 01793 333220
About Handy
Since 1938 Handy has grown to become one of the UK’s largest independent garden machinery wholesale distributors and manufacturers, supplying specialist dealers, large national retailers, garden centres and mail order companies, from its purpose-built 70,000ft Swindon site which is home to more than 45 full-time staff.
Handy has developed some of the UK’s leading machinery brands including Webb, The Handy and Q Garden. These distinct brands stand as a testament to the company’s creative and manufacturing prowess.
As the UK-appointed distributor for the Greenworks brand cordless equipment, Handy is at the forefront of leading battery technology offering a full complement of cordless equipment.
To this day, Handy remains a family-owned British business. Its experience, expert knowledge and dedicated customer service – which includes carrying over 10,000 spare part lines - have enabled it to build a team driven by high performance and family values.
That’s the philosophy of Garden Trader and we have maintained our affordable annual subscription at £96 for the whole year. This equates to 26p per day and an average of just 83p for every potential customer the site delivers to dealers. Garden Trader has 160 skilled dealers subscribed up and down the UK and they are all benefiting from the 1m+ dealer search impressions the site generates each year. People want to buy from people and this highly targeted website is delivering quality leads to subscribed dealers for just 26p per day.
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In this role you will be responsible for developing and driving sales with a variety of innovative new Kress products through the Specialist Independent dealers.
