It is sad to be hearing about the plight of the people in Ukraine. Let’s hope that peace will return very soon. The last thing we need is an outbreak of war, especially as we have just come out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The economic sanctions that are imposed resulting from the invasion are already affecting business. The sanctions have driven up fuel prices to unthinkable levels. This is making it more expensive to operate machines, deliver equipment to our customers and keeping our sales reps on the road. If you throw in the price increase in commodities such as aluminium, steel and copper, which are used to manufacturer much of the equipment we sell, it makes for a bleak future.
Looking to the bright side, winter is now behind us and we have just entered the wonderful season of spring with long summer days to look forward to. Farm machines will soon be busy getting the fields ready for sowing and it won’t be long before we get the wonderful whiff of freshly cut grass from parks and gardens. It is time for dealers to be prepared in supplying spare parts and doing the necessary repairs associated with intensive agricultural operations.
On foot of the recent successful Golf Industry Show (GIS) in the US, it is wonderful to see the return of many of our trade shows. This month will see the return of BTME to Harrogate after an absence of two years. The exhibition dates are from March 22 -24 and a large attendance is expected. This will be a great opportunity to see what is on offer and meet up with friends and colleagues. Nearer to home the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) will be back at Punchestown Racecourse to hold their Farm Machinery Show. The show was last held in 2019. This year’s event will take place outdoors over two days from Wednesday, July 13th to Thursday July 14th. Also back after an absence of two years will be the Garden Landscape Amenity Sportsturf (GLÁS) exhibition. This takes place on July the 21st at Citywest Events Centre.
Spring is the time of year for the showrooms to be stocked with the latest range of garden mowers and equipment. Now that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted customers will be relieved to visit our premises to see what the latest deals are on offer. For those that are involved with selling garden machines it is important to know what the garden trends are likely to be for 2022. One trend that is getting very popular is the creation of wild flower and cottage gardens. This got much favour during lockdown when people began to appreciate the simplicity of nature.
Even though we are involved with selling machinery, dealers should be knowledgeable with horticultural practices such as ground preparation and plant propagation. This will help us get an idea of what equipment is needed to stock our showrooms with It is good to know, for example, how to prepare the ground for sowing wild flora and knowing what is the best equipment to use for cutting down a wild flower meadow at the end of the season.
I do hope that, by the time I write my next blog, that the situation in Ukraine will have stabilised. In the meantime enjoy the spring and have a happy St. Patrick’s Day.
