OUT AND ABOUT At CLIMMAR, APF, John Deere and SALTEX

Dealers reconnect

Husqvarna UK hosts the first BAGMA Connect meeting since 2019…

AFTER A COVID-ENFORCED delay, BAGMA was able to hold its first Connect meeting since 2019. The Connect meetings are an opportunity for members to get together with each other and representatives from the industry, listening to key speakers and sharing ideas.

This year’s long-awaited meeting took place at the end of October, hosted by the Husqvarna UK team at their premises in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. With 27 members and service providers in attendance, visitors were treated to an in-depth factory tour, including the main assembly lines for the Husqvarna robotic mower range which is made in the UK for worldwide distribution.

Visitors saw components being made using robotic systems and the assembly line in full flow. A new mower comes off the line, in some cases, every 52 seconds! Attendees were given an understanding into the way the operation is managed and how Husqvarna ensures it remains sustainable. Over the last five years, Husqvarna UK has reduced its energy usage by 5% each year whilst still being able to double output.

Members also learnt that none of the waste ends up in landfill and, as a company, Husqvarna is classed as a net-zero business; meaning it isadding no more greenhouse gases to the Earth’s atmosphere than the amount they are taking out.

The meeting began with Stephen Irvine, UK sales manager for Husqvarna UK, going through the background of the company, where it sits in the UK market and beyond, as well as giving an insight into exciting new products coming in 2023!

A mixture of speakers then covered some interesting topics that encouraged open conversations around the room. Topics such as ‘getting the measure of aftersales’ showcased the importance of health checks on dealer’s departments to ensure that performance and customer service are being delivered. This advice was provided by Pete Harding of PFW Associates.

BAGMA President Peter Arrand talked about educational updates with the new T-levels being introduced and how this will be an opportunity for dealers to bring in school leavers. This was something everyone in the room was passionate about.

Touching on the current energy topics and telecommunications options was Colin Beake from Utility Options, stressing the benefits that they can offer BAGMA members as a preferred service provider. Dean Lowe from Safety Aide, another BAGMA service provider, explained the new focusses being driven from the HSE for 2023 and how dealers can prepare better for this to minimise unnecessary accidents and subsequent fines which can be very large.

The day finished with an update on BAGMA services and some of the additions - including the new branding for the tractor and trailer inspection and brake testing course which is now to be named the Agricultural Tractor Trailer Scheme (ATTS). The idea of benchmarking within the industry was also mentioned where members discussed their wants and needs and the information pooled and shared with members. It was beneficial to also have a manufacturer’s view from Husqvarna during this open-table discussion on various aspects of what dealers may want to know and how to develop this information.

After the event, Husqvarna UK’s Stephen Irvine commented: “It was a pleasure to reconnect with the BAGMA team when we hosted their latest BAGMA Connect Conference at the home of Husqvarna Automower. Providing a factory tour and to present the history of Automower allowed all the BAGMA members present a great insight into robotic technology. With that said, listening to the speakers gave me an opportunity to better understand the excellent service they provide for the agriculture and groundcare dealers.”

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Saving on energy costs

LOOK AT THE long term. That is the advice that Erik Hogervorst from Noordwijkerhout, near Rotterdam, and former president of the CLIMMAR trade association often gives to customers who come to his company for a new agricultural machine. He has now put that advice into practice himself with the purchase of a heat pump with ground source heat. In September, the gas pipeline to the company on the Schippersvaartweg was closed and removed.

Hogervorst Creating Solutions is a mechanization company where all kinds of agricultural equipment are sold, maintained and custommade. The company also invents and develops new AG Sprayer equipment. In addition to a showroom and office space, the company has a large workshop, spread over two buildings, with underfloor heating. “That was a novelty 25 years ago because the installers did not want to give a guarantee that we could keep the workshop warm. But it worked fine,” says Erik who, together with his brother André and their respective wives Patricia and Natasja, own the company.

Two years ago, Erik started looking for a way to cool the workshop in the increasingly hot summer months. A traditional air conditioning or an air heat pump cannot keep up. They heat the outside air and require a lot of energy. “So we opted for a heat pump with ground heating and cooling,” he says as he walks past the installation, which consists of two large cabinets and a water reservoir.

For the closed system, 16 pipes go 160 metres into the ground. In the summer, the water cooled in the ground is pumped up and ensures a pleasant temperature in the company via the existing underfloor heating. The heated water goes back into the ground where it can be used in the winter months for heating the same property. The required energy for the pumps is provided by 208 solar panels that are installed on the recently extra insulated and white-painted roof. Erik says: ‘It must provide enough energy for our own use. We have completely insulated the 25-yearold industrial building on the outside, so that the heat in the winter and the cool in the summer stays inside better. In addition, the energy consumption is reduced because we also provide the offices with the same climate system plus presence system. The light will only be on if someone is actually in the room.”

Two years ago, he thought that the investment of nearly €650,000 would pay for itself in 20 years. Due to higher energy prices now, that forecast has been reduced to five years. Erik commented: “Just like 25 years ago with the underfloor heating, it was not very easy to realise this system. Installers but also financiers do not recommend it. I am now very pleased that we have persevered in view of the current energy prices. In addition, you must ultimately make a contribution to the environment. We are already noticing the difference because in the past, the oldest building was the warmest place in the company. Now it is wonderfully cool there on a hot day.”

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