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NEWS B&B Tractors go back to school; latest tractor registration figures; tribute to Eric Young
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Now is the time to think about apprentices
BAGMA president Peter Arrand says don’t leave your recruitment until spring…
COMMENT PETER ARRAND PRESIDENT BAGMA
LAST MONTH WE held a tremendously successful BAGMA Connect meeting at Husqvarna (see page 13). Thank you to Husqvarna for hosting the meeting and showing off their production facilities – an example of British investment and manufacturing at its best.
I was fortunate to attend and gave a brief overview of the current post-16 education landscape including training and education, in particular the new T-levels which are not far away, starting September 2023
When preparing the presentation, I could not help but think about the apprentices we recruited. Starting in July and August, they have settled in well and, believe it or not, it is already time to start thinking about our intake for next year.
Too many times I speak to employers that start the process in spring and wonder why it is so difficult to recruit good applicants.
My role and experience as link governor to careers within my local school has demonstrated to me that if you are looking for an apprentice or trainee, now is the time of year to think about it. Schools have responsibility, particularly under the new Ofsted framework, to ensure that advice and information
are not only passed onto students but parents and those with parental responsibility. This generally comes in a range of activities and different information sources and schools are usually looking for speakers or ambassadors for events or talks that they hold. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get in front of students and sell our industry and the progression within it, and it’s all happening now! Schools are responsible TOO MANY TIMES EMPLOYERS THAT START THE PROCESS IN SPRING AND WONDER WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT GOOD APPLICANTS for tracking and recording final destinations of its students when they leave year 11, so you can see why schools start the process of collecting this information early and will assist in signposting students who are looking for a particular career route. We are competing with universities, colleges and every industry that invest time to get in front of students or supply material for schools to use. So, I say it again, and did so at the Connect meeting at Husqvarna several times: Now is the time to start your recruitment for next year’s apprentices, not in spring when students have already found and decided what their destination will be.
IN THIS ISSUE
ISSUE 36 NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2022
2NEWS
B&B Tractors go back to school; latest tractor registration figures; tribute to Eric Young
6EXPERTS
Advice on marketing, safety and tachographs
8KEITH’S MEMORIES
A personal farewell from our retiring director
12 SAVING ON ENERGY COSTS
How one company in the
Netherlands did it
13 RECONNECTING Husqvarna UK hosts the first BAGMA Connect meeting since 2019
14 OUT AND ABOUT At CLIMMAR, APF, John Deere and SALTEX
16 BAGMA WINE CLUB Learn about Malbec
The membership magazine of the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association Editor
Chris Boiling 07713 192344 chrisboiling@live.com
Design
Alan Bingle 07949 024737 alan@forty6design.com
All advertising and media enquiries please email: keith.christian@bagma.com
BAGMA, Samuelson House, 62 Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8JB.
01295 713344
bagma.com BAGMA president Peter Arrand
BAGMA director Keith Christian
07823 416849
BAGMA business development manager Richard Jenkins
07432 290605 Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material published in BAGMA Bulletin. BAGMA can accept no responsibility for claims made by manufacturers, advertisers or contributors. Views expressed by advertisers or contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or of BAGMA. Advertisers in BAGMA Bulletin are not agents of BAGMA or any of their associated businesses. Also, BAGMA and its associated businesses never act as agents for any advertisers. Printed in the UK by Stephens & George.
BULLETIN BOARD
TRACTOR REGISTRATIONS BOUNCE BACK
The number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK in October was up by 25.3%, compared with the same month last year, at 926 machines. That is the biggest year-on-year rise since August 2021. The monthly total was the largest for the time of year since 2016.
October was the third month in a row when registrations were above the seasonal average (over the previous five years), with 10% more tractors registered this year than in an average October. It remains to be seen whether the upturn is just a short-term one or if it indicates that supply chain disruptions are beginning to ease. These have meant 3.5% fewer tractors have been registered so far this year than in January to October 2021,
TAKEOVER FINALISED
JCB dealer Oliver Landpower is expanding its territory westwards into Warwickshire with the acquisition of Stratford machinery dealership LQG Agri from the Lockwood family. The deal adds a fourth branch to Oliver Landpower’s sales, parts and service network, with branches already in Tingewick (Buckinghamshire), Luton (Bedfordshire) and Kings Langley (Hertfordshire). A further expansion eastwards is on the cards next year, when Oliver Landpower takes over JCB’s Essex territory from a site in Colchester.
SDF INVESTS IN BAKUS
Italian tractor manufacturer SDF is taking a majority stake in VitiBot, the French specialist in robotics for the vineyard care market. Based in the Champagne region, VitiBot has created Bakus, a 100% electric and autonomous straddle tractor. SDF says Vitibot – like the group’s other subsidiaries – will retain full autonomy in terms of technical, industrial and commercial development.
HSE CAMPAIGN
HSE is aiming for 1,000 inspections in October and November as part of a campaign to combat serious aches, pains and strains.
Inspectors will be checking how workers are moving heavy or bulky materials. Recent figures show around 40,000 people in the construction industry alone suffer musculoskeletal disorders each year, which can cause years of agonising aches and pains.
RVT takes its first delivery as New Holland dealers. From left: Andrew Petrie (NH Area Sales Manager), Pat Smith (NH UK Business Director), Steve Petford (RVT Group Managing Director), Simon Clarke (RVT Chairman), Matthew Clarke (RVT/Dunstall Holdings), Matthew Mulligan (RVT Operations Director)
New era for Rea Valley Tractors
A NEW ERA in Rea Valley Tractors’ 38-year trading history has begun, as the BAGMA member embarks on new franchise agreements and an extended territory.
Becoming one of the biggest agricultural machinery dealers in the country, RVT is opening three new branches: Middlewich (Cheshire), Ormskirk (Lancashire) and Denbigh (North Wales). This is in addition to existing branches in Welshpool (Mid-Wales), Sudbury (Derby), Newport and Shrewsbury (Shropshire). This means RVT will now more than double its trading area for its new franchise, New Holland, and enhance the coverage for JCB and Kuhn Farm Machinery and other premium agricultural brands.
Their Sudbury depot moves forward as a JCB Centre of Excellence and has also been able to secure an enhancement to its current Kuhn portfolio as a dedicated Kuhn Baler Centre.
The changes have created more than 60 job opportunities throughout the company.
Steve Petford, RVT’s managing director, commented: “In a relatively short time, RVT’s aim is to provide all customers – both established and new – with a much more enhanced service than ever would have been possible before.”
GMA, BIGGA and AEA aim to work closer together
IN RECENT MONTHS, roundtable discussions have taken place between the Grounds Management Association (GMA), British International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). The collective view of all three associations is that they should be open to looking at how, on a proactive and collaborative basis, they can work better together.
The GMA and BIGGA had previously considered a merger, but this is not a part of the current discussions. “This had been progressed previously with both associations determining they operate independently of one another. We do, however, see areas where we can collaborate, such as workforce development issues and training and education. Indeed, recent discussions with the senior management teams of both GMA and BIGGA were very productive,” the associations revealed in a statement.
The three associations say the current discussions are about building a better industry, and they believe by collaborating that they can create good foundations to build from and to support the vital work individuals, teams and companies do more effectively.
“Our most recent roundtable was encouraging, as all represented had a sense of responsibility, an understanding of the issues and a willingness to underpin our shared objectives to create a vibrant and buoyant sector,” they stated.
The three associations are appointing an independent research company to conduct a detailed survey to gather the views of those working in sports turf, including their respective members, and to discover whether a new approach is required. The survey will also have questions about the trade shows SALTEX and BTME.
B&B Tractors’ success at first careers event
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AGCO DEALER B&B Tractors recently attended their first careers event – and already have one young man in mind for their apprenticeship scheme.
The event, organised by Bassetlaw District Council and the North Notts Careers Hub, attracted more than 1,000 students and 50 employers. The aim was to showcase the opportunities available to students, raise aspirations, and bring careers to life.
Andrew Walker, group aftersales manager at B&B Tractors, said: “The day was a great success and there was lots of genuine interest in the apprenticeship along with many fascinated faces from interacting with the two modern tractor armrests we had on display. The highlight of the day was one extremely enthusiastic student who had already decided he wanted to pursue a land-based engineering career but was not aware he could do this via an apprenticeship. This student has since called me to again confirm his interest and how he should go about formally applying to be considered for a place on our apprenticeship scheme. We have agreed he can come on some work experience next year and that he should focus on getting the best grades he can, but with his positive attitude and enthusiasm he is just the type of person we are looking for.”
Andrew added: “I am so glad we attended this event and would encourage any dealers to participate if they get the opportunity.”
Ben Burgess purchases JW Doubleday
THE BEN BURGESS group has purchased fellow John Deere dealer the Doubleday Group. All JW Doubleday’s 54 employees and four depots across Lincolnshire and Norfolk are now operating as part of the Ben Burgess group.
“The combined business will strengthen our position in the industry and enable the future investments required in facilities and technologies to proactively support our customers, offer greater opportunities and security to all our employees whilst continuing to grow in a responsible and sustainable manner,” Ben B Turner, dealer principal at Ben Burgess, said. “This growth will give the company a strong platform to enable our business to continue building on the great legacy of these two-family businesses.”
Founded in the early 1970s by John Doubleday, the business became a main dealer for John Deere in 1982.
Ian Doubleday-Collishaw, grandson of the founder, commented: “This decision has not been taken lightly but we, the Doubleday family, were determined to protect the future of our loyal team and the longevity of a reputable John Deere dealer across our trading area. We believe this is the correct decision for everyone involved. Ben Burgess share Doubleday’s values for providing premium brands backed by expertise and excellent standards of customer service. The combination of our joint processes, dedicated teams and the infrastructure already in place at Ben Burgess will deliver the best value to both our team and customers.”
Krone crowns top dealers
SCOTTISH BUSINESS GEORGE Marshall Tractors has taken the title of Krone Dealer of the Year. George Marshall Tractors joined the Krone family in 2020 and has “since embraced all aspects of the brand, successfully transitioning into selling the full product range,” according to Krone UK managing director Marcus Oliver.
He praised the team’s “high level of commitment to demonstrations and increasing brand visibility in the area”.
Carr’s Billington was named Sales Dealer of the Year. “Carr’s has excelled in out-of-season stocking, while continuing to open new branches in the northern territory, following rapid sales growth,” Marcus explained.
Lincolnshire-based JPM Agricultural Ltd was crowned New Dealer of the Year after making it into the top ten dealers for turnover in its first full year of supplying Krone products.
The award for Service Dealer of the Year went to Compass Tractors Ltd in the South West. Marcus explained that the Compass team has demonstrated a strong focus on staff training and development.
The Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Tim Adcock from Chelmsford’s Adcock Agri because he has displayed an infectious ‘can do’ attitude, which cascades and manifests itself throughout his team.
