Another week of more uncertainties and turmoil. You'd think we'd be used it by now after all that's been thrown at us this year - but I'm sure it still gave us all pause for thought.

After the comparative calm of the summer months which many were fortunate enough to enjoy, we're now moving into a period which if we're being honest, was always going to prove challenging. 

It would be interesting to hear from any readers whose businesses are located within the areas deemed to be in high or very high risk locations. I realise the classifications have only been imposed this week, but has anyone noticed any immediate effect on business? Has footfall dropped or indeed hits to your website increased? Or are you expecting to perhaps notice some discernable impact over the coming weeks or months? Please let us know in the comments below.

What is important to remember throughout all of this, is that help and advice is available to assist your company during these trying times. 

Today for example, our SME Digest editor, Adam Bernstein, in his regular Business Support piece, kindly sponsored by Kramp, considers the government's new Job Support Scheme. Brought in to follow on from the end of furlough, Adam looks at the details of the new system as we understand them so far and how they might benefit dealers. An enlightening read, Adam talks of how the JSS could potentially force employers’ hands since they’ll now have to consider the ongoing viability of staff roles. Some may have to face up to the very real prospect of redundancies, whilst others may benefit and be able to hang on to employees who might otherwise been let go.

There's more business advice to come from Adam as well in the next edition of Service Dealer magazine. Included in the forthcoming issue, which is at the printers as we speak, is a special supplement mag again sponsored by Kramp, offering insight on several areas of the business which might hopefully help you navigate the year ahead.

There are features on engaging with your local community; how to keep a customer for life; increasing profitability; and how to disarm an angry customer amongst others.

If any of these pieces can offer a spark of inspiration or set off an idea regarding something you might try in your own way in your own dealership, the supplement will have served its purpose. Because every small business is different - there's no one-size-fits-all solution for any of this. However, if there are tools and sources of inspiration at hand which can set someone off down a useful path - that's about the best we can hope for.

Other tools at hand of course, include the recently launched Dealer Digital Toolkit. We've heard so many times during the course of this year just how vital digital resources have been for dealers - both in terms of actual selling, but perhaps more importantly, in keeping their profile at the forefront of the minds of their local community.

The free Toolkit, which we know many of our readers have utilised to great benefit (199 at last count apparently!), offers suggestions but never lectures on how you might up your digital marketing game. There's content in there for both those experienced in the field or for those coming at it from a novice position.

There are other tools available to help in these strange times too. Garden Trader, the website with the sole purpose of putting independent dealers in front of customers who are on the cusp of making a purchase, continues to go from strength to strength. The site acts as another tool in the dealers' armoury that can be used to wrench back sales from the giant multiples and online-only retailers. It sends your way those customers who are searching online and who may not know that such things as outdoor powered machinery experts even exist!

I've been told that this year to date, Garden Trader has experienced over 100,000 customer visits to the site - adding up to a quarter of a million page-views! Each dealer has been delivered an average of 165 customers to their exclusive dealership page and research conducted this year by the organisers of the site showed that just under 80% intended to visit the dealership for their purchase. Handily, the site also features a dealer-only forum, allowing peers to discuss any issues they may be experiencing away from the prying eyes of suppliers!

Also we shouldn't forget all the work which BAGMA of course do for dealers. Amongst all their regular services, they have really been there for the network this year with their online Coronavirus Hub. This resource is regularly updated with a myriad of helpful and up-to-date information.

So whilst circumstances have been undeniably tough, and will of course continue to be so as we move though 2021, it should always be remembered that there is help and assistance available. Help from colleagues within your own business, from your suppliers, from your peers, trade associations and industry journals.

You're not alone.

Boss ORV has appointed three new 4x4 Corvus utility vehicle dealers. Joining the network selling the Corvus Terrain Diesel Side by Side are Anderson ATV, Cheltenham GM and OHG ATV.

“We’re pleased in the current situation to be able to expand our dealer base,” says Phil Everett, Boss ORVs managing director. “We’re able to meet the demand for Corvus in much wider locations and know there is full service and support to back the product.”

Anderson ATV is a long-established ATV specialist in the North East of England, selling, repairing and servicing all makes of quads/ATV’s and accessories. Until the partnership with Corvus, they had no UTV to offer.

“We knew Phil and had talked for a while,” says Paul Anderson. “The Terrain looks a quality machine and it complements our line-up. We’re pleased to be Corvus dealers, it’s the start of a new journey as we had been looking to expand into the work machine sector. This is a natural fit for all of us.”

Cheltenham Garden Machinery was established in 1971 as a family business and is now a main dealer in the Cheltenham area for many leading brands. “We have a strong customer base including local authorities and utility companies,” says manager Alex Matthews. “It is important for us to display new and eye-catching products to draw people’s attention. This is why we chose Corvus. It is not only a great looking product that will catch attention but also in our view one of the best build qualities in the UTV market.”

Boss had been looking for a suitable partner for South West England for a while before linking up with OHG ATV, the well-established Devon dealership.

“We had a gap in our range of new machines we needed to fill,” says Lloyd Gove. “We had customers asking us for a Diesel UTV and it happened that Boss was looking for a Corvus dealer for the area. It’s the ideal match as we cover the whole of Devon and West Somerset.”

Boss ORV say they are continuing to build a small, professional dealer network throughout the UK and Ireland and welcomes enquiries from dealers interested in joining.

Blaney Group, based in Ahoghill, Co Antrim have completed the first phase of their new purpose built manufacturing facility which they say will help future-proof the business and expand the capacity required to meet customer demand across all of its engineering divisions.

The new facility houses Blaney’s precision engineering company Blaney Gears and gives significant space for assembly of the Blaney Agri tractor machinery and Quad-X ATV equipment. This new site also allows for extra yard space and some warehousing and spare parts storage.

The company says the expansion further cements the synergy Blaney draws from each of its engineering divisions including Blaney Agri, Quad-X, Blaney Gears, Blaney Fabrication and Blaney Motor.

This new facility has allowed for the enhancement of Blaney’s existing manufacturing plant which is situated 100m away, to focus on metal fabrication giving greater capacity for welding, laser cutting, folding, bending and CNC machining.

Owner, Sean Blaney, said, “We are excited to be looking forward to continuing to innovate, develop and to build world class products. We have invested in a wide range of capital expenditure projects over the last few years and are completing the first phase of an exciting business improvement and investment programme.”

William Neill, production manager, added, "In recent weeks we have introduced one of the most advanced robotic welding cells in Ireland to our fabrication plant to help strengthen our ability to meet the increased demand on our capacity requirements.”

Katrina Niblett, HR manager said, “Covid has made us rethink how we operate and reach our customers, and this has resulted in increased sales over the last six months. Our extensive product range covers products for every season and so with a combination of ongoing design and development, fabrication and assembly as well as the move to the new factory, things are always busy."

The company says the next phase of their investment programme will be concluded shortly including some restructuring and further investment in the sites in Ahoghill. The new facilities allow investment and further development of a Centre of Excellence in engineering.

Ego, the manufacturer of battery-powered equipment, say they have put to the test the UK’s most widely used petrol-powered outdoor power tools, as part of a new report published by themselves.

The company claims ‘The Report’ brings together "evidence, insight and expert opinion, uncovering the true environmental impact of petrol-powered tools" - and outlines consumer attitudes when it comes to tackling climate change.

In an official statement Ego said, "The research shows that more than 89% of tools used by councils in the UK are powered by petrol engines which collectively use more than 600,000 litres of fuel every year, and are used to maintain public spaces, parks and even school playing fields. When subject to emissions tests, however, these tools are proven to use significant levels of petrol compared to the average car and in some cases even exceed permitted levels of particulates.

"The test results also show that, in just one second, the most widely used leaf blower recorded more particulates than the legal limit for road vehicles in a kilometre."

The Report has been launched as part of Ego’s Challenge 2025 which is their campaign through which a cleaner, quieter and safer environment is envisaged by encouraging the use of battery power over high-emission petrol-powered gardening equipment.

Emma Gayler of Ego, said: “The Report is our biggest research project to date and the startling statistics we’ve been able to uncover outline just how damaging petrol-powered equipment is for our environment. Despite using petrol engines, these tools are not subject to the same standards and testing as roadgoing vehicles, so we put them through emissions tests and found some alarming results.

“Knowing how damaging these tools can be in terms of pollution, it’s worrying that they remain in the hands of unassuming users and are still used to maintain outside space. We want to make people aware of the dangers of petrol-powered tools, not just on our environment, but also on the health of ourselves and our communities.”

To gather the results for The Report, Ego say they commissioned emissions and fuel economy tests, carried out a survey of domestic and professional power tool users and submitted Freedom of Information requests to analyse data from councils across the UK.

Download The Report here.

Lincolnshire-based Ireland's Farm Machinery has added the Kubota groundcare equipment range to its existing tractor business.

The move will extend the product offering to include a full range of compact tractors from 18-60hp, commercial and domestic ride-on mowers and RTV utility vehicles, allowing the firm to expand into new markets.

Fiona and Jonathan Ireland

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to support Ireland's Farm Machinery with the opportunity for further growth of its business,” explains Tim Yates, business development manager, Kubota (UK). “This partnership will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important markets with the ability to cross-sell between agriculture and groundcare customers.”

Operating from three locations - Carrington, Sutterton and Market Rasen - Ireland's Farm Machinery, run by husband and wife team Jonathan and Fiona Ireland, has become a key dealer for the supply of new and used tractors and machinery.

“The arrival of Kubota groundcare equipment to our existing business is a fantastic opportunity for us,” explains owner and director Jonathan Ireland. “It reinforces Kubota’s commitment to the industry, and we’re extremely pleased to now offer a greater range of Kubota machines to customers old and new, in addition to the wider community.”

The business also operates its own tractor hire fleet, and is an area that Jonathan Ireland wants to replicate by introducing a dedicated hire fleet of groundcare equipment.

“Having the opportunity to add to what we do with the development of a groundcare machinery hire fleet will also create additional opportunities with golf clubs, parks and sports grounds,” says Jonathan.

Cub Cadet has seen its millionth XT Enduro series lawn tractor come off the US production line in Martin, Tennessee.

This follows on from a story earlier this year which stated that there are now more than 10 million Cub Cadet engines in use worldwide.

“We’re very proud of our team in the US building 5-star tractors, they’re already starting on the next million. But we couldn't have done this without the support of our customers and dealers here in the UK,” said Phil Noble, divisional sales manager, Lawn and Garden at E.P.Barrus.

More than 250 dealers in the UK support Cub Cadet. “Our customers give us excellent feedback on Cub Cadet machines. We are truly proud to have been a trading partner of this great brand here in the South of England since 1985,” said Steve Cann of George Cann Garden Machinery.

Overloaded battery terminals are contributing to a large number of tractor fires, research by rural insurer NFU Mutual has revealed.

NFU Mutual say they launched a review into the causes, following an increase in tractor fires reported to them. In 2019, the insurer paid out nearly £19m on claims resulting from tractor fires.

Following an examination of the causes of almost 1,000 tractor fires, NFU Mutual say they have discovered that a common factor in a number of fires in modern tractors was electrical accessories wired directly to the tractor battery cables.

When combined with the heavy current drawn from modern tractor electrical systems, these extra loads can lead to overheating and fires. NFU Mutual is now working with machinery manufacturers and dealers to identify potential problems and is urging farmers to get the wiring of tractor accessories checked and to ensure any new electrical equipment is wired through an ISOBUS connector.

Bob Henderson, technical engineering manager for NFU Mutual said, “Over the last few years the number of tractor fires has shot up, putting lives of people and livestock at risk as well as leading to expensive damage and disruption of farming activities. A tractor is a significant investment for any farm and the damage from a tractor farm is often total.

“It’s often very tricky to find the exact cause of tractor fires because the intense heat makes forensic examination difficult.

“Traditionally accidental tractor fires have been attributed to overheating bearings and other moving parts starting fires - or chafed wiring causing a short circuit. However, NFU Mutual’s staff engineers, who inspect damaged machinery, were concerned that there could be another factor behind the rise in fires we have seen in tractors which are only a few years-old.

“During our in-depth investigation of these cases we have found a number of fires that have been caused by resistive heating of the battery terminal.

“In every case the battery terminal has either been altered or has had an additional power feed added. This can compromise the efficiency of the battery clamp, making a poor connection and increasing resistance. This then causes a build-up of heat to the battery clamp and terminal, which ultimately can catch fire.

“Older equipment is not so power hungry and drawing additional power supplies from the battery was an accepted method, unfortunately this is not so now. Manufacturers have now combatted the problem by fitting power strips to cabs and have also started to use ISOBUS connectors - both of which avoid overloading the battery wiring.

“These power strips and ISOBUS connectors can be fitted new or as an aftermarket fitment to any machine.”

Opico has appointed Tom Brookes as demonstrator, primarily for SKY drills, HE-VA cultivation equipment and Opico inter-row cultivators.

Tom Brookes

Tom will also take responsibility for coordinating shows for Opico, HE-VA, Sky, Strautmann, and Maschio Gaspardo brands.

Tom comes from an arable farming background and graduated from Harper Adams in 2014. Over the past six years he has worked on a number of large arable farms, most recently as assistant farms manager in Lincolnshire, where he was also responsible for the agronomy of 520 acres. Prior to this he spent 2 years travelling and farming in Western Australia.

Commenting, James Woolway, Opico managing director said, "Initially Tom will focus on Sky drill demonstrations this autumn. He brings with him a wealth of arable knowledge and we are delighted to have him on board."

On his new appointment BASIS qualified Tom said, "Joining Opico is a new and exciting challenge for me. It allows me to link my agronomy knowledge to the machinery being used and, importantly, puts me on the front-line of the latest machinery developments in action.’

Tom will be based from home near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and his contact details are:

Email: tom.brookes@opico.co.uk mobile: 07508 875189.

Dan Kendle, head greenkeeper at Newquay Golf Club, says it is great being back at work after lockdown with his full team, on a busy golf course, with the added bonus of using several new John Deere course maintenance machines supplied by local dealer Masons Kings at St Columb.

Masons Kings dealer sales consultant David Barnes and Newquay head greenkeeper Dan Kendle (standing front left and right) with (rear left to right) Joe Ibbs-George, Carl Phillips, deputy head greenkeeper Scott Paterson and Tom Bunt.

Dan managed the course on his own during lockdown before the club opened again for play in May, mainly cutting grass and doing a bit of spraying to keep the course as tidy as the pandemic restrictions allowed. Since the rest of the greenkeeping team returned to work, he reckons they were just about on top of everything again by early September.

“And we needed to be, as we’ve been getting twice as many visitors compared to a normal year, as well as picking up new members,” says Dan. “On some days the club’s taken double the usual amount of green fees, which seems crazy but the demand has been there from the off.”

The first of the club’s new John Deere machines, a 2500E hybrid electric triplex greens mower, was delivered in September last year, with the remaining machines arriving this spring and summer. These included a second 2500E plus a 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mower and a new 4049R compact tractor plus front loader.

The compact replaced a 30 year old John Deere 1550 utility tractor, and the club had bought a number of Gator utility vehicles from Masons Kings before, but this was Newquay’s first John Deere fleet deal. The mowers have been bought on a five-year John Deere Financial operating lease, while the tractor is on hire purchase, and all service and maintenance operations are carried out on-site.

“Our previous mowers were coming to the end of their lease period, and for this new deal we were looking at new options, particularly in terms of dealer support,” says Dan Kendle. “Masons Kings is a very local dealership with a good reputation for reliable service and back-up, so it made sense for us to speak to them and have some machines in on demonstration.

“Everyone in the team had a go on the new machines, and we were all impressed with their operator comfort and user-friendly features. The quality of cut in particular sealed the deal for me, and I like the password protected TechControl system on the 7700A, which allows me to set the mower to get the same consistent results whoever is operating, in all conditions.

“As with all new machines, there were a few issues during the initial set-up but they were all sorted out very quickly by John Deere and Masons Kings, which was important. We’ve continued to receive great support and back-up from the dealership’s salesman David Barnes and technician Gavin Hearne, even during lockdown, so we’re very pleased all round as it shows we made the right decision.”

Are you looking to drive your business to the next level? Find out how to become a non-exclusive Pellenc Alpha dealer and join the team.

Pellenc are committed to their dedicated network of dealers. From hands-on product training with your Area Sales Manager, marketing support and dealership development, they will give you and your business all of the tools for future success.

So, if you’ve got what it takes to become a Pellenc Alpha Dealer, you can expect:

Marketing support

Access to marketing tools, such as, press, social media and digital campaigns, in-store POS, product promotions and advertising templates to ensure businesses are seen and heard.

Technical support

A team of Pellenc experts on hand to provide support and advice on servicing tools and replacing parts.

Les Malin, Managing Director of Etesia UK, Pellenc’s exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland, commented: “Our dealers play a pivotal role in not only delivering the highest levels of customer service and aftersales support, but also sustaining our position as the leading battery-powered garden maintenance manufacturer.

“We are looking for dealers that share our passion and commitment to providing customers with a great buying experience while promoting the benefits of environmentally-friendly garden maintenance equipment.”

Pellenc is the world’s leading expert in battery-powered tools for maintaining landscapes. The Pellenc Alpha range features all of the usual Pellenc environmental and professional benefits to end users, but at a lower starting price point.

IP54 plug-in, fully waterproof batteries capable of running for up to 6 hours on a single charge and bags of power, the Pellenc Alpha range has what it takes to convert the last of the professionals who are hesitant to abandon petrol powered tools.

For more information or to apply to become a Pellenc Alpha dealer, please visit www.pellencuk.com/become-a-pellenc-dealer

Our Summer research indicates that on average, each Garden Trader dealer will be sent 145 to 150 new customers (or people with a buying intention walking through your door) per year.  This works out at 63p each.  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.

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