Keep things SMART in 2023

BAGMA President Peter Arrand explains how new year resolutions can work… planning this next year, remember to keep it SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

IN THIS

ISSUE 37

JANUARYFEBRUARY 2023

2 NEWS ABA Groundcare opens new depot; 2022 tractor sales; LE-TEC tackles skills shortage

6 EXPERTS

Marketing, safety and parts sales

I WOULD LIKE to start this issue of the BAGMA Bulletin by wishing you all a Happy New Year and hope you found time for some rest over the Christmas period.

As the new year approached, I am sure we all discussed, or were asked, what our new year resolution was going to be and, as one year turned into the next, most of us probably contemplated what we would like to change or be better at.

More than half of all resolutions fail within a short time and very few succeed fully, but when it comes to changes at work they don’t have to fail. It’s about identifying the right resolution to improve your environment or performance, creating a plan on how to reach what you decided upon and becoming part of a small group of people that successfully achieves their goal.

Too many resolutions fail because they are too vague, have no realistic plan or are actually based on someone else’s, or society’s opinions. So, when you are looking ahead,

As we move into 2023, we are still obviously recovering from the effects of Covid, Brexit, increasing energy and input costs, the pressure of the economy and supply chain issues, which do seem to be easing slightly.

However, we must continue to look forward as we have all become more resilient. We have found new ways of working brought on by Covid and we continue to exploit the various technologies that are available to us to work more efficiently.

Key events in the calendar are now returning with a degree of optimism and I think you will agree everyone is enjoying and benefiting from the interaction that these events allow.

Keep an eye out in the mag azine and the BAGMA e-briefing during the year for the events that we will be organising or be involved in.

On behalf of BAGMA and myself, I wish you all the best for the New Year, hope you are able to stick to those resolutions should you wish to make them and hope you are able to keep safe.

8 COVER STORY

Interview with Chris Gibson, MD of GGM Groundscare. He discusses the business and the exciting progression of sister company PSD Groundscare

12 OUT & ABOUT First brake-testing course; Four Counties meeting, Welsh Winter Fair

13 CLIMMAR Message from the President and details of survey

NEW PRODUCTS

Some of the products that caught our eye at LAMMA

WINE CLUB

Your chance to be among the first to taste the editor's new range of wines

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.

NEW ERA, NEW BOSS

Rea Valley Tractors, which recently entered a new era (see our last issue), has promoted Matt Mulligan to the role of managing director. He joined the BAGMA member six years ago and has held roles as sales manager, depot manager, and operations director.

New Branch

Yamaha Motor UK has added the full Yamaha range to Tuckwells’ Framfield branch in East Sussex.

Tuckwells, established in 1954, now has three dedicated Yamaha showrooms displaying ATVs, side-byside vehicles, the electric UMX, and the brand’s golf cars.

Tuckwells sales manager James Gibbon says the plan now is to expand further into fruit, vineyard and equine sectors.

Top Of Claas

Irish family dealership Kellys has been named Claas UK Dealer of the Year for 2022. The two-branch dealership, established in 1957, shone in the three key areas of finance, dealer performance and customer feedback.

‘RIGHT TO REPAIR’

The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere & Co have signed a memorandum of understanding that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician.

Bagma Dinner Returns

After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the BAGMA Dinner will return to the Mercure Norwich Hotel on March 14. The dinner – an annual event for more than 40 years – is an opportunity for local members and guests to get together and enjoy an evening of entertainment, raffles, and auctions and to exchange views and ideas.

Record Turnover

The Claas Group recorded an increase in sales of 2.7% to a new high of €4.9bn for the 2022 financial year, despite the difficult trading conditions. Profits before taxes fell to €166.3m mainly as a result of the situation in Eastern Europe.