Plenty has been written and said already on the subject, but the drought conditions that everyone has experienced this summer have clearly had a significant impact across the country.

Yes, we’ve had pockets of rain this week, and hopefully there’s more to come. But the damage is done. Everywhere you look, the grass is scorched, yellow, straw-like and, in many places the ground itself is rock hard.

Laurence Gale, editor of our sister title TurfPro, has written on the subject from the perspective of professional end users, which you can read on our newly redesigned website (and do subscribe to TurfPro for free if you’d like to be kept up to date on the commercial sector each and every Monday.) But Loz’s piece got me thinking about the other side of the equation: how have our dealer readers been affected?

My guess is that the more traditional, out-and-out garden machinery businesses have faced some serious challenges.

I was speaking to our great friend and founder of Service Dealer, Chris Biddle, the other day and he was telling me what it was like being a dealer during the long, hot summer of 1976. His recollection was that basically no one came into the showroom for three months!

Hopefully it hasn’t been quite that extreme this summer. But has business been noticeably quieter? Is it as simple an equation for your customers that if the grass isn’t growing, they don’t need the machinery to cut it? And if that is indeed the case, have you had to pivot into other areas to keep things moving?

We know that for some of our valued dealer readers, professional turfcare equipment has been something of a saving grace in recent years. But as Laurence has pointed out in TurfPro, with that sector suffering from the drought conditions too, has even that market been keeping away from dealerships?

Then there’s our agricultural machinery dealer readers and the construction and plant hire sectors. How have those markets fared through what is being described as the hottest summer ever? Have they provided some much-needed resilience, or have they faced their own challenges?

All of which inevitably leads me to then ask, what happens next?

Obviously, we’ve had hot and dry seasons before. But if this really does equate to one of the most extreme summers we’ve experienced, does that also mean it has been one of the most difficult trading seasons ever for some dealers? As the rain comes back and the grass eventually grows again, do you anticipate it taking longer than normal for customers to return?

Perhaps you are already finding proactive ways to gee up your local market again? Are you putting on promotions, contacting customers directly, changing your product mix or looking at completely different revenue streams?

And what about the upcoming national shows? With APF, GroundsFest and SALTEX all on the horizon, could these events provide a useful opportunity to get customers thinking again, offer some inspiration and introduce them to new ideas and technologies?

There’s plenty to consider, but, most importantly, it would be fantastic to hear from you.

How has the drought affected your business? Has it been a major problem, a minor inconvenience, or even an opportunity?

Leave your comments below or drop me a line and let me know what you’re seeing on the ground. It would be fascinating to gain a picture of how the dealer network has coped with what has been an extraordinary summer.

Yamaha Motor UK has announced the appointment of Highland Leisure Sport Ltd as its new authorised All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) dealer for the Scottish Highlands.

Garry and Grant Coward of Highland Leisure Sport Ltd

The manufacturer says this move highlights their long-term commitment to providing robust, uninterrupted service to local farmers, estate managers, and commercial operators.

Operating from Unit 20, Cromarty Firth Industrial Park in Invergordon, Highland Leisure Sport will serve as the region's dedicated hub for Yamaha ATV sales, full workshop servicing, genuine parts, and accessories.

In a statement the manufacturer said, "The appointment ensures that existing Yamaha owners across the Highlands experience complete continuity in warranty work, routine maintenance, and replacement parts, as well as full access to Yamaha’s latest utility ATV lineup."

They continued, "With deep roots in the Highland agricultural community and an established in-house servicing infrastructure, Highland Leisure Sport was selected to elevate dealer standards and ensure local customer needs are met with speed and reliability."

More than 150 senior figures from across Europe’s construction equipment industry are expected in London this October for CECE Congress 2026, with the three-day event focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

CECE President, Phil Layton

Taking place at IET Savoy Place from 27–29 October, the biennial Congress is being hosted in the UK during the presidency of CECE President Phil Layton, with the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) leading delivery of the event.

Organisers say this year’s theme of Create, Innovate, Inspire, will explore issues including economic uncertainty, industrial competitiveness, technology, skills, geopolitical volatility and the future of European manufacturing. Speakers include economists, manufacturing leaders and figures from outside the construction equipment sector, alongside dedicated sessions on innovation, leadership and attracting new talent.

Phil Layton said the event provides an opportunity for the industry to look beyond immediate business pressures and consider the wider forces shaping its future.

He explained, “The Congress brings together industry leaders, policy voices, technical experts and people from outside our sector who can challenge how we think. It is a place for the industry to test ideas, understand the wider picture and make better decisions about what comes next.”

He also believes London provides an appropriate setting given the international nature of the industry and the current focus on UK-EU relations, trade, regulation and industrial competitiveness.

“Europe’s construction equipment industry is strongest when it is outward-looking, connected and prepared to work together. London is a major global meeting point, and it gives us a strong platform for a Congress focused on the future of European industry.”

CECE Congress 2026 is open to both CEA members and non-members, with tickets available for the full programme.

John Deere has been awarded the Award of Merit for New Innovation at the 2026 Royal Welsh Show.

The award recognises the innovation with the greatest potential to improve agriculture in Wales, with the manufacturer receiving this achievement for the new Weave Automation technology on the V452R Round Baler.

Weave Automation, available on the variable chamber V452R and V462R Round Baler models, is described by Deere an advanced feature that automatically guides an operator’s baler left and right along the windrow, creating consistently well-shaped bales without constant operator input.

The active hitch automatically follows curved windrows, even in corners. Precisely tracking the windrow, the V452R with Weave Automation eliminates missed crop and reduces tractor manoeuvres.

This technology uses sensors and hydraulics to weave the baler back and forth as needed, ensuring the hay is distributed evenly inside the chamber, resulting in perfectly shaped, consistent bales every time.

Chris Wiltshire, John Deere tactical marketing manager said, “In streamlining the baling process, Weave Automation reduces fatigue in operators as the machine can do everything for them.

“This means reduced operator error, better documentation, and consistent bales.”

Friday the 31st July, saw the 200,000th Claas combine, a Senator, which was built in 1968, returning to the historic home of Claasin the UK.

Farmed by the Mann family and just behind the current Claas UK headquarters at Saxham, Honey Hill Farm was the original base used by Bill Mann when he first started importing the machinery and combines into the UK in the 1930's.

The 200,000th Senator model, was bought by Scottish farmer John Steven and was handed over to him by the founder of Claas, August Claas, on the 16th August 1968. After decades of faithful service in Scotland, the machine was acquired by Claas UK in 2025 and returned to their UK headquarters, where it has been restored to full working order.

For its full working return to the Mann family farm, the historic unit was joined by a 1953 Claas SF and by a modern day Trion 720. Put to work on the farm of George and Freddie Gittus in Suffolk, it harvested around 20 tonnes of wheat in just five hours. 

When the Sentor was launched, the manufacturer described it as more than just a new model, because in addition to its modern styling, it also saw the introduction of the iconic seed green colour still used on their machinery today, and marked the beginning of a new era for Claas combine harvesters.

GroundsFest 2026 is set to bring the biggest collection of brands ever seen at a UK trade event for the groundscare and landscaping industry, with more than 500 brands confirmed to appear across the two-day event.

Taking place on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, GroundsFest offers visitors the chance to discover the latest machinery, equipment, products and services from leading names across the industry, all in one place and across more than 40,000sqm of exhibition space.

But GroundsFest is about more than simply looking at products. Visitors can get hands-on with the latest machinery through the extensive outdoor demonstration areas, giving them the opportunity to see equipment working in real conditions and, in many cases, try it for themselves.

Inside the halls, hundreds of exhibitors will be showcasing everything from turf and landscaping products to machinery, tools, technology, irrigation, seed, arboriculture and business services. With more than 500 brands represented, there will be plenty to discover whether you are looking for the latest innovations, comparing products or simply keeping up to date with what is new across the industry.

The event also features a packed programme of free education and CPD opportunities, with expert-led sessions covering some of the key issues currently facing the industry. Visitors can also experience Machinery Nation LIVE, the Landscape Zone supported by BALI and a range of other attractions.

And when the working day is done, GroundsFest has a festival atmosphere to enjoy, with live music on the Wednesday evening.

Best of all, GroundsFest is completely free to attend, with free parking included.

With more brands, more machinery and more opportunities to discover what is next for the industry, GroundsFest 2026 is an event not to be missed.

Register for your free ticket now at www.groundsfest.com

Leading garden machinery distributor Henton & Chattell returns to GroundsFest 2026 in a landmark year for the business as it celebrates 95 years since it was founded.

The company will unveil one of the biggest collections of new Cobra machinery in the brand's history, with major launches spanning professional sports turf, robotic lawncare and domestic lawnmowers.

Taking centre stage will be the new Cobra Fortis Rotary 34, developed to complement the already successful Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower range. The new rotary model further strengthens Cobra's growing presence within professional sports turf, offering grounds teams an additional high-performance mowing solution for stadiums, cricket clubs and other premium turf environments.

GroundsFest visitors will also get a first look at a new Cobra out-front mower, the latest generation of Cobra Mowbot robotic lawnmowers, and a number of other new additions to the Cobra range.

The new Mowbot range will include the Mowbot 800RTK X and Mowbot 1500RTK X, both featuring RTK satellite positioning, VSLAM visual navigation and intelligent obstacle detection to deliver accurate, wire-free mowing without the need for a traditional boundary cable. Multi-zone management and app-based control also allow users to easily manage different areas of the lawn.

Visitors will also be given an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Cobra Mowbot Edge, ahead of its planned launch in 2027. Designed to deliver a cleaner finish right up to the lawn edge, the Mowbot Edge features Precision Offset Drive technology, with a motorised lateral cutting adjustment system that moves the cutting disc beyond the wheel line.

By allowing the mower to cut to within just 1cm of the lawn edge, the system is designed to deliver an exceptionally clean finish around borders and boundaries, significantly reducing – and in many cases eliminating – the need for follow-up trimming with a grass trimmer.

The Mowbot Edge will also introduce 180° Ultra-Vision Avoidance: Dual-Camera System. Featuring a new Side Camera alongside advanced AI vision, the system enables the mower to identify more than 300 different obstacles and expand its field of vision beyond the direction of travel. This allows it to effectively “see” around corners and respond in real time to pets, children, garden furniture, ornaments and other objects as it moves around the lawn.

Combined, the Mowbot 800RTK X, Mowbot 1500RTK X and preview of the 2027 Mowbot Edge demonstrate Cobra's continued investment in next-generation robotic lawncare and make the 2026 showcase one of the most significant product showcases ever staged by the brand.

A major focus of the stand will also be the continued evolution of the Cobra Fortis range, including the Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower. Developed specifically for the sports turf market, the professional cylinder mower has been engineered to deliver the precision, consistency and finish demanded by stadiums, golf courses, cricket clubs and bowling greens.

Together, the Fortis Stadium 34 cylinder mower and new Fortis Rotary 34 underline Cobra's growing commitment to the professional sports turf sector, combining robust engineering and exceptional cutting performance with the backing of Henton & Chattell's established dealer support network.

The brand will also showcase its zero-turn and stand-on mowers. The new range includes the ZTR42L and ZTR50L zero-turn mowers alongside the ZTS32L and ZTS36L stand-on models.

Designed for large estates, local authorities and landscapers maintaining larger areas, the machines feature heavy-duty cutting decks, premium engines and enhanced manoeuvrability to maximise productivity across demanding sites.

Henton & Chattell will also be showcasing a selection of models from the Billy Goat range. Built for demanding commercial applications, the range includes powerful leaf and litter vacuums, debris loaders, blowers, aerators, overseeders, scarifiers and turf renovation equipment.

Designed to help contractors, grounds teams and landscaping professionals work more efficiently, Billy Goat machinery combines high performance, durability and user-friendly operation.

GroundsFest comes during a particularly significant year for Henton & Chattell, as the family business celebrates its 95th anniversary. Over nearly a century, the company has built a long-standing reputation for supplying quality garden machinery and supporting dealers across the UK, with Cobra becoming one of the country's fastest-growing garden machinery brands.

Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Henton & Chattell, said:

"GroundsFest has become one of the standout events in the industry, bringing together dealers, contractors and grounds professionals from across the UK, so we're delighted to be returning during such a significant year for our business.

"While celebrating our 95th anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect on our heritage, it's equally important to look ahead. Cobra has evolved dramatically in recent years and we're continuing to invest heavily in new product development across domestic and professional markets.

"This year's GroundsFest showcase reflects that ambition. From professional sports turf machinery and the latest robotic lawncare technology to new ride-on and lawnmower launches, we're looking forward to showing visitors just how far the Cobra range has developed and where we're taking the brand next."

Representatives from the Henton & Chattell team will be available throughout GroundsFest to discuss the latest product launches, demonstrate the new machinery and talk to dealers, contractors and end users about the continued expansion of the Cobra range.

For more information on Cobra visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

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