IN THIS ISSUE

2 NEWS

Devon businesses join BAGMA; Massey Ferguson man joins RVW Pugh; Henton & Chattell takes ‘the next logical step’

6 EXPERTS

Storing lithium-ion batteries safely and marketing to decision-makers

I LIVE IN the area of the Three Counties (Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire), five miles from the showground. Our businesses are based in the Cotswolds, where I grew up and lived until I was 50 years old!

Our business roots are serving agriculture as RG Heming Agricultural Engineers for 55 years. Forty years ago, we developed a construction and civils company, initially working with existing clients on farms, market gardens and country estates. I have worked alongside my mother, father and latterly my sister for 38 years.

It was an honour to travel up to Scotland with my 81-year-old father to receive the chain of office as President of BAGMA. Peter Arrand did a sterling job and I am sure will be a font of knowledge. We have special feelings for Scotland and have many friends there. My father was based in Ayrshire during some of his agricultural training.

It was great to see the new BAGMA clock hanging high on Ingliston House. Alasdair Straker has decided to retire; he has been a fantastic hardworking repre -

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

Advertising and media enquiries Stephanie Young 01295 713344 stephanie.young@bagma.com

As you will be aware, Keith Christian has retired and Nick Darking has taken the reins as General Manager of BAGMA. Keith did an exceptional job over the past 16 years, especially while moving out of BIRA and joining forces with the AEA. I am sure that Nick will be a massive asset to us moving forward.

Exciting times ahead. We need to be forward thinking.

The industry is going to be evolving over the next few years and it’s important we move and adapt with the times.

My aims during my office are to serve the members, make members and prospective members more aware of BAGMA services and encourage members to utilise what is available. I want to encourage existing members to introduce BAGMA to people and businesses they know who may be interested in joining us in our mission.

I would like to encourage industry networking, to enable the sharing of views and experiences. Let’s work together.

BAGMA is here for YOU. If you want to contact me personally, please email me on peter@heming-engineering.co.uk or call on 07831 585476.

For more of Peter’s views, turn to page 7.

BAGMA, Samuelson House, 62 Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8JB. 01295 713344 bagma.com

BAGMA president Peter Heming

BAGMA general manager Nick Darking nick.darking@bagma.com

BAGMA business development manager Richard Jenkins 07432 290605

7 MEET YOUR NEW PRESIDENT

Twenty questions for Peter Heming

8 COVER STORY

Steve and Charlotte Dommett on Devon Garden Machinery’s reluctance to sell online and their move to new premises

12 BAGMA’S CLOCK IS BACK

It has been installed in its rightful place

12 TRAINING

Are you still valid or is it time to renew your handover accreditation?

14 EVENTS

BAGMA will be taking over the Dealer Hub at GroundsFest 2023 while SALTEX is set to be 20% bigger

16 BAGMA CONNECT

Report from the latest meeting at Merlo UK’s head office

18 OUT & ABOUT

Photos from the summer season

20

BAGMA GOLF DAY & DINNER

Book your place now for this event at Nailcote Hall, near Coventry

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.

REBRAND FOR B&B TRACTORS

B&B Tractors has undergone a rebrand with the aim “to better align our company’s visual identity, messaging and overall brand strategy with our current vision, values and market position”. The rebrand includes new logo, colour palette and typography “that better reflects the company’s dynamic nature and future-focused approach”.

James Bowring, managing director, said: “It positions us for continued growth and enables us to better connect with our customers in a rapidly evolving market.”

In addition to the visual elements, B&B Group has split into four specialised divisions: B&B Tractors, B&B Machinery, B&B Groundcare and B&B Plant.

Atv Safety Campaign

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has launched a social media campaign on ATV safety to impress the importance of wearing a helmet. In the last five years, ATVs have been involved in 14 deaths in agriculture.

TRACTOR SALES DROP 21%

The number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK during May fell below the level recorded last year. However, registrations were unusually strong in May 2022 and this year’s figure was still above the recent average for the time of year. At 1,015 machines, registrations were 21% lower than a year before but 3% above the seasonal average from the previous five years, according to the AEA.

The total number of machines logged in the year to date remains higher than in January to May 2022 and was the highest total for the opening five months of the year since 2019.

MAY 2023

1,015

+3% vs Jan-May 2022 -20.9% vs May 2022 YEAR TO DATE

5,649