THE HEMING WAY

Twenty questions for the new President of BAGMA, Peter Heming

Why did you choose to get into this industry?

even more specific with your campaigns: are they a groundcare customer or parts customer, for example?

Once you have them segmented, you can send product specific emails/ post out to different customers, print lists and get your sales team to make contact with customer groups to tell them about your offers or offer a personal invite to an event. By taking this approach alongside your general marketing activities, you can ensure you have a higher chance of appealing to the decision-maker, all while maintaining good brand awareness with the next generation and general market.

“My father set up RG Heming Agricultural Engineering 55 years ago. It’s now known as Heming Engineering Limited.”

How do you think the industry will change in the coming years?

“Larger operations covering more ground. Ground management is going to be more important. Small enterprises will have to stand out providing something slightly different.”

What changes would you like to bring into the industry?

“More joined up thinking. We are selling products from different manufacturers to all different types of clients. We all have the same problems, eg lead times and staffing.”

“They say ask a busy person – I was there at the time. When I said I would do it, I was probably the youngest on the committee!”

What are your personal goals for BAGMA?

“To do my best for the members and to serve BAGMA to the best of my ability.”

What’s your proudest accomplishment so far?

“To have followed the footsteps of my father and to have built the business to where we are now.”

Whom do you look up to for inspiration?

“People who have set up a business from scratch including my father Robert Heming.”

What other companies do you admire in our industry?

“Businesses that worked through Covid and are still successfully trading.”

What, according to you, makes a great team?

“Any business that has successfully handed the reins over to second and third generations.”

What is the best advice that someone has ever given you?

“The mornings are the most important, what you do before 11am is worth twice what you do after 2pm.”

Do you have any hobbies that will help you as president?

“I have two lovely boys – an 11 year old and a three year old – who keep me on my toes. I farm for relaxation and work more in my spare time!”

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

How can the industry become more sustainable?

“Improve service delivered by reducing lead times and encouraging people into the industry.”

What still excites you about the industry?

“Meeting people and doing the deal!”

What are the biggest challenges BAGMA is facing today?

“Mergers and business takeovers. We need to encourage all members to find a new member to enable us to continue improving the offering.”

What do you think needs to be done to encourage people to join our industry?

“Get children interested in farming and machinery from a very early age.”

“Sir Alan Sugar to see who he has got around him to be so successful.”

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

“Taken on a huge construction job that tripled in size and we successfully completed on time.”

What’s your favourite piece of machinery?

“I love getting back on a digger away from the stresses of the office!”

What’s your claim to fame?

“Successfully continuing our family business and successfully operating a campsite.”

What do you like to do to relax?

“Run my farm and campsite and go out with my family.”