Bagma Bulletin March/April 2017

bagma THE MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH AGRICULTURAL AND GARDEN MACHINERY ASSOCIATION ISSUE 03 | MARCH/APRIL 2017

BULLETIN

Howard’s Way Pullen celebrates 40 years as an agricultural machinery dealer and exporter

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IN THIS ISSUE

Time to catch up

ISSUE 03 MARCH/APRIL 2017

There are also opportunities for you to get involved in BAGMA Connect COMMENT

Cover Photo: Peter Searle

BRIAN SANGSTER PRESIDENT BAGMA I SEEM TO have had a little bit of spare time at the beginning of the year and used some of it to catch up on some of the trade magazines that very quickly accumulate. Well, without appearing biased, there were two that I thought warranted a mention. The first is the bira magazine that recently took on a new look in the same vein as our new BAGMA Bulletin and, of course, our own membership magazine.

In the February issue of the bira magazine, you may recall Alan Hawkins, our CEO writing about High Street parking, while encouraging members to complete an online survey as bira plans its political lobbying strategy on the subject. Just one of the many topics our Legal & Parliamentary group are working on. Bob Chapman, featured in the last BAGMA Bulletin, is our Legal & Parliamentary representative and attends these meetings on BAGMA’s behalf.

I was also interested to read that bira have teamed up with the Fuelcard People and can now offer us fuel cards at discounted rates as one of its many benefits. It would seem to me that many BAGMA members could benefit from this. It’s certainly worth investigating.

And then there is the BAGMA Bulletin. As BAGMA enters its centenary year, Keith and our editor, Chris Boiling, have produced an excellent article explaining why and how BAGMA was formed in 1917. Of course, BAGMA wasn’t the association’s name at that time. It was originally formed as The National Association of Agricultural Engineers & Implement Dealers. Keith The membership magazine of the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association Published 6 times a year by bira publishing Editor Chris Boiling 07823 416860 chris.boiling@bira.co.uk Design Alan Bingle 07949 024737 alan@forty6design.com Publishing director Sarah Golden 0121 446 6888 sarah.golden@bira.co.uk All advertising and media enquiries please email: editorial@bagma.com

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

clearly did a lot of research, digging deep into the archives in Middleton Cheney. His and Chris’s plan will be to continue to publish information in every issue throughout 2017. We already have some very positive feedback on the first article and have even been contacted by a number of companies who were actually founder members.

I’m sure they will be able to pull a few good stories from some of these contacts. If you have any historical stories or knowledge from some of the early days of the association, give Keith a ring or email keithchristian@bagma.com.

I’ve been working with the BAGMA Council over the last few months to reform the structure for the future of our association. So what do I have to report?

We have rewritten our strategy document in which BAGMA will continue to be a specialist division of bira and will be the only standalone division to retain our own name, retain our own director and staff, and to retain our own magazine and website. We also retain our seat on the bira board of management and get all the same benefits and services that all bira members get.

Our original BAGMA Machinery Committee that we renamed AgriTec Group a few years ago has again been reformed with a new name that seems more appropriate to its function: BAGMA Connect.

We have been trying for some time to form a new Garden Machinery and Groundcare Committee but believe the time is now right to integrate the agricultural machinery and the garden machinery and groundcare machinery groups with a neutral name that’ll connect with the whole industry.

BAGMA Connect is being headed up by Peter Arrand, our BAGMA vicepresident.

BAGMA, Middleton House, 2 Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxon, OX17 2TN Tel 01295 713 344 Fax 01295 711 665 www.bagma.com BAGMA president Brian Sangster BAGMA director Keith Christian Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material published in BAGMA Bulletin. bira Publishing Limited 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 bira. Advertisers in BAGMA Bulletin are not agents of bira or any of their associated businesses, including bira bank and bira direct.

Also, bira and its associated businesses never act as agents for any advertisers.

Printed in the UK by Buxton Press.

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TRADE NEWS Lister Machinery to open flagship depot; Sherriff extends John Deere dealership area

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BAGMA CENTENARY Our celebration of BAGMA’s centenary continues with a look at the key moments between its formation in 1917 and the rise of a new tractor manufacturer after the Second World War…

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COVER STORY Howard Pullen, BAGMA’s European CLIMMAR representative, is celebrating 40 years as an agricultural machinery dealer and exporter…

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NEW PRODUCTS The spotlight shines on the innovative products launched at recent trade shows

bira, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB Tel 0121 446 6688 Fax 0121 446 5215 www.bira.co.uk bira president 2016-17 Vin Vara CEO Alan Hawkins Finance director John Collins Marketing, membership & publishing director Sarah Golden Commercial director Jeff Moody Professional services & special projects director Bob Jarrett Business development manager Alasdair Straker: 07823 416862 Regional sales managers Leigh Green: 07572 790337 Lorna Lewis 07814 767 925

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BAGMA NEWS

BULLETIN BOARD

CASE OPENINGS

Case IH has appointed three new dealers. Two – Balgownie and Mark Garrick – are in Scotland, and Everitt & Marshall is in Hexham, Northumberland.

Balgownie has been in business since 1907 and Mark Garrick started in 2000. Everitt & Marshall was established in 1978.

RURAL RATES HIKES

Thousands of rural companies could be pushed to breaking point when the new business rates come into effect in April. Rates will fall for 920,000 businesses and remain the same for another 420,000, but are expected to increase for 510,000. Many of these are in the countryside. Riding schools, livery yards, livestock markets and vineyards are expected to be the hardest hit.

SELLING POISONS?

Companies selling professional standard poisons to endusers, such as farmers, now have a legal duty to check that the customer holds a Certificate of Competence.

SHOW AWARD

BAGMA member Sharron Agar, who runs family business George Agar Agricultural Engineers in Ravenscar, Yorkshire, accepts the Best Trade Stand Award at the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show in Murton, York.

Sharron said: “I’m delighted to receive this award, which makes a successful show even more pleasing for all of us at George Agar’s.”

BIGGA BACKS SUSTAINABILITY

The golf greenkeepers’ association BIGGA is working with England Golf and Environmental Solutions International to make golf courses more sustainable. The Golf Sustainability Project is currently gathering information from course managers about “the natural environment and resource consumption”.

DRIVING FUEL COSTS DOWN

BAGMA’s parent association, bira, has teamed up with the Fuelcard People to offer member a fuel card that saves up to 5p per litre on national average prices and up to 10p per litre at motorway pumps. The fuel card is valid at more than 7,000 pumps nationwide, including BP, Shell, Esso, Texaco and Tesco. Another benefit is a simple VAT reclaiming process.

MARCH 8 BAGMA Connect meeting, Norwich APRIL 11 AEA Conference, London.

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DIARY DATES

Lister Machinery to open £1.6m flagship depot BAGMA MEMBER LISTER Machinery is investing more than £1.6m in a new depot in Ashford, Kent. The 20,000sq ft depot, due to be officially opened this spring, will be used to display Kubota equipment.

This will include the company’s new range of disc mowers, rakes, tedders, flail choppers, fertiliser spreaders, round ba lers and wrappers, as well as the manufacturer’s recently launched M5001 and MGX-III t r a c t or s .

Kubota’s Rob Edwards said the move “allows us to expand our agricultural offering into Kent and target this market on a local level”.

Charlie King, managing director at Lister Machinery, said: “There is a massive opportunity to expand our offering in Kent. We have a 21-year

heritage with Kubota’s groundcare and construction equipment machinery in this area and have developed an excellent reputation for providing a firstclass service and aftersales support to these sectors.

“Our aim now is to replicate what we have done in the groundcare and constr uction markets and target the farming industry with our new agricultural p r o d u c t s . Jo i n i n g forces w ith Kubota Agriculture allows us to do this and we are excited to be going on this journey with them and being able to offer the complete Kubota product line-up at our Ashford branch.”

Lister Machinery’s new Ashford site will be the first dealership in the UK to feature Kubota’s new dealer branding concept.

BAGMA and NAAC disappointed at withdrawal of trailer weights increase BAGMA AND THE National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) have expressed their disappointment at the Department for Transport’s decision to back away from increases to the combination weight limits of agricultural tractors and trailers.

In March 2015 the law on tractor speed and weights changed. This ‘Phase 1’ of amendments increased the maximum combination weight of a tractor and single trailer from 24.39 tonnes to 31 tonnes. However, the maximum laden weight of trailers remained unchanged at 18.29 tonnes.

BAGMA, the NAAC and others have been involved in negotiations and consultation for over eight years, working towards further trailer weight increases as part of the ‘Phase 2’ of changes, which were originally expected to be introduced for the 2016 harvest season but have now been ditched.

Howard Pullen, BAGMA’s European CLIMMAR representative, said: “It is a huge disappointment after all the time

and effort that we have spent on this.”

BAGMA director Keith Christian said: “It seemed that after over five years of working with the DfT and others that our common interest goals were about to be fulfilled but they are now dashed on the rocks and will end up as one of history’s wrecks.”

Martin Hays, NAAC chairman, commented: “We feel very let down that the Government has chosen to hold back our sector.”

Francis Jackson, a senior policy advisor at the Df T, explained the department’s decision: “Further analysis has indicated that the limits set in 2015 struck the right balance between the costs and benefits of higher weights. To further increase the permitted trailer weights would be expected to lead to significant additional wear on road surfaces, costing around £25m per year. The government is conscious of the effect that such an outcome would have on rural road users and the burden it would place on authorities responsible for road maintenance.”

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

BAGMA NEWS

Ploughing champion Andrew Mitchell Jr and friend Liam Wylie have set up new dealership AL Agri Ltd

World champion sets up new business F O R FA R- B A S E D A N DR E W MITCHELL Snr and his son Andrew Jnr – a new member of BAGMA – are both ploughing world champions. Mr Mitchell Snr won the world reversible championship title for the sixth time last year, while Mr Mitchell Jnr won the world conventional title for the third time.

Young Andrew has had two more reasons to celebrate recently – he has set up a new dealership in the heart of the Angus countryside with combine specialist and friend Liam Wylie, and their company, AL Agri Limited, has joined BAGMA! “It says a lot about the quality of our Scottish agricultural machinery dealers and I’m proud of their achievements,” said Alasdair Straker, BAGMA’s business development manager.

Mr Mitchell Snr uses a New Holland tractor and Dowdeswell plough, while Mr Mitchell Jnr puts his trust in a Ford tractor and Dowdesdell plough. But that might all change in the future as AL Agri is the principal dealership for

McCormick Tractors in the Angus and Perthshire region.

“We are also main dealers for Pottinger, which gives us a full range of tillage and grassland equipment to sell, Abbey equipment, including mixer wagons, slurry tanker, toppers and so forth, and Albutt loader attachments,” Andrew said. “But we offer a complete customer service for spares, replacement parts and repairs for all farm and agricultural machinery – including combines.”

Since their launch, Andrew said both he and Liam have been “bowled over” by how busy they have been and how much support they have received from the local farming industry.

“We have a very personal approach, but it helps that we are offering really good machinery,” Andrew said. “The McCormick range offers so much for farmers in terms of both efficiency and value for money. McCormick has a really forward thinking attitude – they want to work with farmers and so do Liam and I.”

Deere leads the way in UK tractor sales THE AEA HAS released the market share data for tractor companies in 2015. The figures show John Deere at number one with 30.2% of the 50hp+ market (3,655 units). Deere is followed

by CNH (Case and New Holland) with 27.1% (3,283 units) and AGCO (MF, Fendt, Valtra and Challenger) with 21.3% (2,577 units).

Kubota is the biggest climber from 2014, up into fourth place after increasing its share from 4.7% to 6.7%. CLAAS drops to fifth with 4.8% (583 units).

The rest of the top 9 are: 6, AGRI-ARGO (McCormick, Landini) with 2.4% (289 units); 7, SDF with 2.3% (284 units); 8, JCB with 1.3% (156 units); 9, ZETOR with 1.1% (128 units).

DROP IN SALES Registrations of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) reached 10,602 units in 2016, a decrease of 2.2% from the level of the previous year. Although this is the lowest annual unit total for more than a decade, the second half did see a substantial improvement following a first half that recorded a year-on-year drop of 9.8%.

Nearly a fifth of all new agricultural tractors registered in 2016 were in excess of 200hp. But it was the 161-200 grouping that saw the biggest increase in number of units registered (+36%), while the 241+ grouping saw a marginal improvement. Most horsepower bands, however, saw decreases. And the total tractor power sold in 2016 was 1.68 million hp, a decrease of 1.4% against 2015 (although the figures are only for agricultural units of over 50hp). The average horsepower (158.3hp) represented a further rise (0.8%) in the year.

‘You don’t have to be grey, bearded or ride a motorbike to be on our council’ COMMENT

KEITH CHRISTIAN DIRECTOR BAGMA BAGMA’S 100TH YEAR anniversary research is certainly proving interesting and showing the incredible depth the dealer side of the industry has and how long some of the family businesses involved have been around.

We have discovered that AT Oliver is a family business over 200 years old. We also want to hear from members about their history so please send us anything that is of interest.

Here we are with our third edition of our BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

new-style magazine fronted by yet another bearded member of our BAGMA Council.

You do not have to be grey, bearded or ride a motorbike to be on our Council, by the way – it is something that just happens to those who give up their time for the association.

We have started the year with a disappointment on increases to trailer weights not now going ahead due to the negative effect on road wear outweighing the economic benefits of larger, heavier trailers. One wonders if those decision makers are aware of tri-axle trailers with wide low pressure tyres which are unlikely to cause any more damage than an HGV to the road surface.

We also have an ongoing issue, still unre-

solved, about the use of rebated fuel by dealers when delivering or collecting tractors from their customers. We hope to hear something soon but it has taken three months so far for the HMRC to respond to the clarification issued by them in 2010.

Our new BAGMA working group, BAGMA Connect, is planning to meet in Norwich on March 8 after the BAGMA dinner on the 7th.

We hear that there could be record numbers in excess of 150 at the locally arranged dinner which has been running for over 30 years. In our centenary year there will be members of our BAGMA Council attending the dinner who will be looking forward to meeting members and guests alike.

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BAGMA NEWS

£34m

Thomas Sherriff & Co staff at the new dealership head office in Haddington, East Lothian

The value of secondhand agricultural machinery sold by auctioneers at Cheffins in 2016. That includes about 3,000 tractors worth a total of about £20m.

185

Ransomes Jacobsen is celebrating its 185th anniversary of mower production in Ipswich this year. The first mower produced by Ransomes in 1832 from Edwin Budding’s design signalled the beginning of commercial mower production in the UK.

Sherriff extends John Deere dealership area Otterbine soaring high at Eagle Resorts With Eagle Resorts set to increase its portfolio from 12 golf courses and hotels to 20 within the next three years, Otterbine contractor TopTurf Irrigation is soaring too. The Otterbine Gemini water aerator and display fountain has been installed in lakes at Tracy Park Golf and Country Hotel, Old Thorns Golf Club and Lythe Hill Hotel.

Estates manager Kevin Boxall says: “We have used Otterbines on all our courses for many years and we’re very happy with the product, quality of workmanship and after-sales care. Otterbine comes highly recommended by our irrigation company TopTurf and over the years it has proved itself to be reliable, providing the display we require and keeping the water in our multiple venues clean and clear.”

Ransomes Jacobsen rewards local groundsman Ipswich-based Ransomes Jacobsen sponsored the Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year competition for the first time, doubling the prize money on offer. The 2017 winner is 72-year-old Tony Adams (pictured), groundsman at Touchline SIL Division One leaders Claydon for the past 18 months. He said: “I am shocked. It is a great honour for the club and everyone associated with it.”

Tony’s prize is £200 for Claydon to spend on groundscare equipment.

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JOHN DEERE DEALER Thomas Sherriff & Co, based at new premises in Haddington, East Lothian, has bought the business of WM Dodds at Jedburgh and set up a new outlet in Hexham to take over the territory previously managed by Everitt & Marshall.

These developments have extended the dealership’s business area in the Lothians, Borders and Northumberland, with six outlets in total serving customers from the River Forth in Scotland down to Durham in the north-east of England, reaching out west to the Cumbrian border. The other existing outlets are based at Alnwick, Coldstream and Stow.

The majority of the WM Dodds employees have transferred to Sherriff Jedburgh, where Jimmy Laing remains as dealership manager.

He has also been appointed to the Sherriff board and has taken on the role of after-sales director.

CLAAS UK’s new HQ CLAAS UK AND associated dealership Manns of Saxham are pressing ahead with plans to build a new headquarters and showroom on their current site near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The building work, being done in phases, is expected to be finished by 2020.

A central feature of the design will be a new Technoparc machinery showroom, which will serve both as a display area for Manns, but also as the impressive entrance and welcome area for visitors to CLAAS UK. “The design gives us a building that is fit for the 21st century,” says Trevor Tyrrell, CEO of CLAAS UK. “It will improve the customer experience for Manns and for visitors to CLAAS UK, plus it will also enable us to provide a superb working environment for our employees.”

The current headquarters, a landmark alongside the A14, was constructed in the 1960s and has been extended piecemeal since then.

Sherriff Hexham opened for business in November at Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, just off the A69. The dealership team there is headed by Stewart Wheeler, who has more than 30 years’ experience working in the area with John Deere products.

Meanwhile, the Sherriff premises at Tweedside Industrial Estate in Berwick upon Tweed were closed at the beginning of December, with the technicians becoming field based. Finally, the new Sherriff head office site at Backburn in Haddington, which replaces the existing facility at West Barns in Dunbar, will allow both the dealership’s agricultural and turf divisions to operate under the same roof for the first time.

“The development at Sherriff Haddington has seen a significant investment of almost £2 million,” said dealership managing director Colin Weatherhead.

VIKING TO MERGE WITH STIHL Viking-branded garden products will be badged as STIHL from 2019. The German company has decided that STIHL is the better-known brand and all-orange is the future. Robin Lennie, managing director of STIHL GB, said: “With the merger, we bolster the areas of expertise of the STIHL brand and, as a consequence, we expect significant growth, new markets and larger market shares. This means new customers and higher sales for us and our servicing dealers.” Viking – part of the STIHL Group for 25 years – manufactures lawnmowers, robotic mowers, ride-on mowers, aerators, garden shredders and motorised cultivators and tillers in Langkampfen, Austria.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

BAGMA NEWS

AGCO dealers become ‘centres of excellence’ THE FIRST FOUR AGCO distributors in England to become ‘local centres of excellence’ are Chandlers (Farm Equipment) Limited, Lister Wilder Ltd, Peacock and Binnington, and Thurlow Nunn Standen Limited.

The restructuring in England follows a similar move in Scotland at the end of 2016.

AGCO wants brand-focused sales hubs to “ensure that the highest possible level of knowledge and expertise is provided to customers” looking for Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Challenger and Valtra products.

“We recognise that our brands are the main drivers of the business,” says Mark Casement, AGCO director distribution management UK and Ireland. “The

way AGCO supports its dealers and end-users puts the emphasis firmly on boosting the customer experience with our individual brands. These changes will power each of the brands to deliver growth by focusing knowledge, commitment, enthusiasm and passion across our excellent product portfolios.”

He added: “In times of volatility and some uncertainty for the future, we are all aiming for the same objectives – long-term stability and financial security founded on product excellence, high-quality support and trusted partnerships.

These latest developments at AGCO are part of a market share growth strategy which aims to deliver consistent and sustained growth over the next five years.”

Hats off to new technicians ELEVEN AGCO APPRENTICES receive their apprenticeship awards – and BAGMA centenary hats – at a ceremony held at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Warwickshire. At the ceremony the audience was told that high service levels at agricultural dealerships is crucial to the future success of the industry, and this is underpinned by the emergence of newly qualified dealership technicians.

Freddie Pullan, AGCO’s technical training manager, said: “New technicians are the key component to the success of our dealership networks, so we place huge investment in the apprenticeships, as do our dealers. But equally we get the returns in terms of the most skilled technicians coming out at the end of their training.”

James Booth, based at B&B Tractors’ Tideswell depot in Derbyshire, picked up the Apprentice of the Year Award, while his colleague Jonathan Cook, based at the company’s head depot in Warsop, collected the Most Improved Apprentice of the Year Award.

The awards were presented by BAGMA director Keith Christian, who pointed out that the majority of farmers and customers want to be working with an agricultural dealership within a 25-mile radius of their base, and they require a quick response when things go wrong. “The only way this can happen is to have new, skilled technicians within the sales chain,” he said.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

Heligan garden senior supervisor Cindy Maddison with the new John Deere 1026R compact tractor

LOST GARDENS FIND £200,000 FOR NEW MACHINERY Staff from Cornwall’s award-winning The Lost Gardens of Heligan estate, John Deere and BAGMA dealer Masons Kings gathered for the handover of new machinery purchased for the 200-acre site. The order for four XUV 855D diesel Gator utility vehicles, including one S4 four-passenger model, two TE electric Gators, three compact tractors (including a 1026R, 3036E with D160 front loader and 4066R with grab bucket), plus an X950R diesel lawn tractor with high-tip collection system was valued at more than £200,000 in a John Deere Financial five-year lease hire deal. During the handover, more than 40 services, events, maintenance, gardens and landscapes staff were assessed and marked on training and operating procedures for each new machine, to qualify for BAGMA certification. The product training stations covered John Deere’s latest diesel and electric Gator utility vehicles, compact tractors and a commercial lawn tractor. A new Tango robotic lawnmower will also be installed in the gardens this spring.

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14/02/2017 15:35:09

BAGMA CENTENARY

Growing in ‘numbers, Our celebration of BAGMA’s centenary continues with a look at the key moments between its formation in 1917 and the rise of a new tractor manufacturer after the Second World War… READING THROUGH THE association’s archive, it’s clear how much the industry and the dealers’ organisation was shaped by the two world wars. The National Association of Agricultural Engineers & Implement Dealers was set up in 1917 in response to the government’s demand to plough 2.5 million acres of grazing land and grow crops on them.

The trade association progressed through the post-war years – growing in “numbers, strength and prestige” – by working with the government on land management, the introduction of mechanisation in agriculture in response to the labour shortage, and working with the manufacturers’ association, the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

The history of the trade association and the companies that founded it and those that joined later is a testament to the longevity of the industry itself. The archives are punctuated with family names that have endured over 200 years in business and names that have become synonymous with the industry itself: Oliver’s, Burgess, Horn, Burlingham, Fletcher, Bartrop, Eede, Ruston, Twose, Achurch, White, Duncan, Thurlow, Randell, Peacock, Berner, and Bunner to name just a few.

Here are some of the key moments in the history of the association from the end of the First World War to just after the Second World War: l 1 919 – Subscriptions are raised from 1 guinea

to 2 and the association is incorporated in February 1919. l 1 919-1939 – After the First World War, there was an increase in mechanisation on farms

and an expansion of milk production. l 1 936 – A “splendid year” for the association.

Membership increases by 50% and trading conditions improve “to the same extent”, according to the Agricultural Machinery Dealer. “Branches have been formed where before there were none and old branches have taken a new lease of life.” l 1 937 – The annual dinner is transferred to a larger venue because of demand. 170 people attend the event. In 1938 there were more than 200 members and guests. l 1 939 – Members are asked to give headquarters information regarding staff who qualified for ‘reserved occupation’ status. l 1 939 – The Government sets aside £1.25m to purchase mainly Ford tractors and other agricultural machinery. l 1 939-1945 – The Second World War creates a shortage of labour, further encouraging investment in machinery. l 1 945 – Rowland Achurch takes over as president after the war. The main issues he faces are increasing demand from agricultural cooperatives for maximum trade terms and a healthy list of applicants for membership of the association. Mr Achurch died in March 1947. l 1 946 – Ferguson begins production of its ‘Little grey Fergie’, the TE-20, in Coventry. lF ebruary 14, 1947 – The association becomes a limited company and changes its name to the Agricultural Machinery and Tractor Dealers Association Limited.

CLASSIC TALE 6

l 1 947 – The general committee considers the formation of a consultative committee with the AEA and NFU, with Captain Burlingham and Mr Horne representing the AMTDA. l 1 947 – Farmers suffer “staggering losses” in the bitter winter and subsequent floods.

AMTDA members raise more than £3,000 and send a cheque to the NFU. l 1 949 – The association’s newsletter, the Agricultural Machinery Dealer, which last appeared in August 1947, is replaced by the AMTDA Journal.

BIG ISSUES One of the big issues between the wars was the “invasion” of the motor industry in the agricultural machinery trade, with members demanding that the association voice their concerns to the AEA to get its members to stop supplying motor traders with tractor implements on trade terms.

Another issue that dominated a lot of committee meetings after the Second World War concerned Ferguson tractors. When Henry Ford retired, Ford stopped making Ferguson tractors and Ferguson started producing its ‘Little grey Fergie’ (the TE-20) in Coventry in 1946. At a meeting in January 1947, the association’s assistant secretary reported on a meeting with representatives of the Ferguson organisation who stated that they had defined their method and policy in respect of every county in which they were opening with their tractor. They said they had received thousands of applications for agencies and were thus able to select from the applicants sufficient for their purpose. Committee

This tractor was built in February 1918 when production of the first Ministry of Munitions order for 6,000 tractors was beginning to ramp up after the first were built in 1917. It has a mixture of features of the very early tractors and later Model F machines. It is owned by Nicholas Smith.

The first Fordson tractors were built in October 1917 and the first 6,000 were part of a large order from the British Ministry of Munitions, hence why these early tractors without the Fordson name on the front became known as the MOM tractors. In 1918 the Fordson Model F name was adopted for those tractors sold elsewhere. Production of the Model F continued in the USA, and a few in Cork, Ireland, until 1928. Production of the tweaked but otherwise similar Model N began just in Cork in 1929. In 1933 production had shifted to Dagenham in Essex with some new features including a change of colour to blue. In 1937 the colour changed to orange and more engine power was made available and in 1940 green became the colour and remained so until the bigger Major replaced the N in 1945.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

BAGMA CENTENARY

strength and prestige’ A NEW MAGAZINE IS BORN

The idea for an association publication was conceived in early 1922 and The Agricultural Machinery Dealer appeared as a quarterly newsletter sent out from the association’s offices in Mark Lane, London.

The newsletter was published regularly until 1940, when it only appeared twice. In the December 1940 issue there was a report of a bomb hitting the printer’s premises and destroying the magazine’s paper stock.

Once World War Two and paper shortages had ended, the association decided to produce a new journal, but it took a couple of years to procure the licence. The Agricultural Machinery Dealer, which last appeared as a news-sheet in August 1947, was replaced by the new AMTDA Journal in 1949. The aim was “to resume closer contact” with members through the magazine and revived branches.

“The strength of the association lies in the branches. If the branches are keen, vigorous and, above all, at harmony within themselves, then the association is strong and united, and with strength and unity we can do anything,” said RH Burlingham, the president of the association at the time.

members were told that the Ferguson company Ernest was from a farming family and was quite clear how it wanted to run things: began his career in the engineering shop of “If an agent has any other business it must be Messrs Geo. Brown & Sons of Leighton Buzentirely separate from his Ferguson business,” zard. In 1918 he started in business, trading as the assistant secretary said. “We would not be Messrs Hartwell, Curtis & Horn, which was allowed to hold any other agency which could altered to the more familiar Curtis & Horn in conflict in the smallest degree with the Fergu1923. When a new market opened in Oxford son. If the Ferguson agent received in 1934, the firm built a large an order from a customer outside warehouse with showyard space his own territory, he was bound to in the cattle market. That year pass it on to the other agent, and if he The fine for exceeding they also took over the business of received an order from a dealer who the 30mph speed Banbury-based Sidney Mawle, a is not a Ferguson agent, he was not limit, imposed on past president of the AMTDA. A the association’s allowed to pass on any commission.” couple of years later they moved to secretary, Herbert Association members concluded: Smith in 1936. larger premises in Park End Street, “No purpose would be served by Oxford, and, later still, they moved making any sort of representations to Witney where they stayed until to the Ferguson company, although they said the business closed (with Richard Horn as they were willing to meet the association’s repmanaging director). resentatives at any time.”

Parts of the business were acquired by the Turney Group, formerly known as PA Turney, KEY FIGURES in 1985.

One of the key figures in this period was Ernest Ernest Horn sounds like quite a character.

Horn, who joined the general committee in At one Christmas dinner Captain Bamford 1930, became vice-president in 1932, and was warned: “Members should ensure that they do elected president in 1937. He served as president not lag behind otherwise laggards may get a until 1945. prod from the Horn.”

£2

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

Andrew Watson, business director New Holland UK (left) and author Jonathan Whitlam (right) signing copies of the new book

New Holland celebrates centenary too New Holland is celebrating 100 years of tractor production and showcased two vintage Fordson tractors alongside its latest tractor models at LAMMA. The display on New Holland’s stand is part of a year-long celebration in association with tractor enthusiasts’ club Blue Force.

Celebrations began with a book launch at New Holland’s Basildon manufacturing site and showroom on January 11. The 528-page book, ‘100 years of Fordson, Ford and New Holland Tractors 1917 – 2017’, was published by Blue Force and includes more than 1,270 colour photographs as well as details of tractor models produced since 1917.

The stand at LAMMA featured a 1926 Fordson F series, owned by a Blue Force club member, and a Fordson Dexta, owned by Blue Force chairman Philip Gibson.

The next event for Mr Gibson and Blue Force treasurer Peter Plehov is a two-month long Coastline Tractor Challenge, starting on April 13. They will use two new Basildon-built New Holland T6 tractors to visit most of the coastline of England, Wales, Scotland and part of Ireland. The tractors will pull a scratch-built shepherds hut for accommodation, and a trailer carrying supplies.

The challenge will bring the 100-year celebration to farming communities around the coast and will raise money for Steps Care Centre and Cancer Research UK charities.

Mr Gibson said: “It was a fitting tribute to a century of manufacturing to reaffirm our close links with New Holland by taking two modern tractors around the coast of the UK and parts of Ireland. Blue Force will also have a club presence at six major vintage rallies around the UK to support the 100 years celebration.”

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Howard’s Way Howard Pullen, BAGMA’s European CLIMMAR representative, is celebrating 40 years as an agricultural machinery dealer and exporter…

8

HOWARD PULLEN IS taking the track units off a year’s big trip will be a ‘Tour de France’ – 3,000 miles combine harvester – getting it ready for the long journey around the coast of France in April. from the South Downs to Germany.

His other hobbies include singing in a local group, It’s one of 15 used combines that Howard has sold in playing the ukulele in a local pub, swimming at the golf the past year. Although he didn’t agree with the Brexit club where one of his three grown-up sons plays, pheasant decision, the slump in the pound has made the UK’s used shooting, and playing the fool in the local pantomime. “I tractors and combines attractive to foreign farmers. usually like a part like the arse-end of the cow because “The exchange rate is helping us considerably,” you can have all the fun but you don’t have to learn any he confirms over a cup of coffee. Acting as the bridge lines,” he said. In his most recent performance, he was between sellers and buyers is the latest role in Howard’s Lord Tottenham Hotspur, a philandering English prime 40-year career in agricultural machinery sales. minister in The Three Musketeers. As you would expect, The son of a dairy farmer, Howard could easily have there were lots of Brexit jokes and duels with French followed in his father’s footsteps. But he was selected for sticks. a Young Farmers’ exchange programme and the 21-yearHoward is also kept busy raising funds for the RABI old Howard spent six months on farms in Virginia and (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) – he is viceKansas, USA. There, he became familiar with Deutzchairman of the West Sussex group – and he helps his Fahr tractors and met a dealer who was importing Ford wife to look after their two grandchildren at least one tractors from the UK. day a week.

When Howard returned to the UK, he started Somehow he also f inds time for BAGMA – exporting tractors to the USA in 1977 and formed representing the association at meetings of CLIMMAR, Howard Pullen Farm Equipment, operating from a barn the association for European machinery dealers, and he at his wife Sue’s parents’ farm. He also took on the Deutzwas heavily involved in the drawn-out tractor-trailer Fahr dealership for West Sussex, moving to new premises brake testing discussions with the Department for in Petworth in 1986.

Transport.

The 1980s were “the best times” and turnover A member of BAGMA since the early 1980s, Howard increased to about £3m. Then the company was says he has used its insurance and credit card facilities hit by high interest rates and went into “a traumatic and attended one of its management training courses receivership”. early in his career. But the main benefit for Howard started again with Petworth I THINK WE him has been the networking opportunities.

Farm Equipment in 1990 with help from NEED TO BE “I’ve made some good friends and contacts some loyal farmers, selling CLAAS and SEEN AS THE both in the UK and across Europe,” he said.

Renault tractors. The business “went really PEOPLE TO Regarding BAGMA’s centenary, he well” and CLAAS UK bought it in 1995, GO TO AND BE says he hopes the association uses it as turning it into part of Southern Harvesters RESPECTED an opportunity to promote itself. “I think with Howard as the company’s sales director. it’s quite important that we put ourselves He remained with the company until forward to the farming community and the September 2015, when he retired from the business. end customers and tell them how important it is to deal Howard now works about three days a week as with a BAGMA dealer because I think we’ve lost that a machinery broker, selling and exporting surplus emphasis a bit,” he explained. “A BAGMA member was machinery on behalf of farmers. He also does valuations someone who was looked up to and had certain standards “which involves a lot of researching”, and acts as an agent and to a certain extent that’s slipped a bit and I think we for new trailers, toppers and mulching mowers. need to be seen as the people to go to and be respected.”

He says he enjoys the job and will continue “all the Having been involved with agricultural machinery for time I can make a living from it”. He adds: “I’m too young 40 years, BAGMA Bulletin wondered what he thought of to retire completely.” recent technological advances in machinery.

However, he admits the Brexit decision could make “Things have got more reliable mechanically but not things difficult. Exiting the single market, he believes, necessarily electrically,” he replied. “Things electronic could increase the red tape and paperwork, and make don’t always go together with agriculture.” him consider whether the headaches are worth it. “We He thinks he may have trouble selling some of the could be going back to the Dark Ages in terms of what we more advanced machines on the secondhand market. have got to complete in order to export something. And “Third-world countries don’t want those tractors with a that’s a real worry. At the moment it’s so easy to export a high degree of technology. They want ‘simple and reliable’. machine to Europe,” he told BAGMA Bulletin.

Simple and reliable things will always hold their value. I If he does retire, he’s unlikely to keep his feet up for see that when we are selling combines. You can always long. Howard has a long list of interests and hobbies. sell a combine that doesn’t have too many ºsophisticated Like many BAGMA members, he is very proud of his electrics on it.” motorcycle – a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. He bought his With that, he double-checks that the latest combine first Harley in 2007 and put 20,000 miles on the clock he’s preparing for export is under 3metres in width and before selling it for a £150 ‘loss’. “I get a lot of pleasure completes its CMR documentation. Howard has just out of it,” he said. He is a member of the local Hogsback helped to make another British farmer very happy as his Chapter, H.O.G being the Harley Owners Group based combine has found a good home in Europe at more than close to the famous Hogsback on the North Downs. This the usual dealer price.

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Photo: Peter Searle

COVER STORY

EXPERT OPINION

All change for apprenticeships YOU WILL NO doubt have noticed the increasing number of adverts Independent on the television proconsultant and LTA moting apprenticescheme co-ordinator ships. Government is committed to building a stronger skill base in the country’s workforce by encouraging the employment of apprentices. It’s something long overdue, in my view.

The introduction of trailblazer apprenticeships into our industry in England is imminent and there appears to be a lack of awareness or perhaps an element of ‘it will never happen’.

For those who think it will never happen, think again – it is happening. And soon.

Employers looking to employ apprentices need to start researching the facts! Ask the colTRAINING

DAVID KIRSCHNER

TIMETABLE APRIL 2017: Establishment of the Institute for Apprenticeships to drive up the quality of apprenticeships.

APRIL 2017: Apprenticeship Levy introduced.

MAY 2017: Apprenticeship funding service comes into effect.

SUMMER 2017: LE-TEC due to launch new apprenticeship standards for the Land-based Engineering Industry.

UNTIL 2020: Ongoing withdrawal of Framework Apprenticeships in favour of Trailblazer Apprenticeships.

leges who supply your apprenticeship training for more detail and what their intentions are when trailblazers are introduced. Also, Google Gov.UK (Trailblazer Apprenticeships) for more information on funding, the digital account payment system and, for those of you with a pay bill over £3m, find out more about the apprenticeship levy to be introduced from April 2017.

The observant amongst you may have noted in the previous paragraph I mention England – this is because trailblazer apprenticeships will only apply in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will do their own thing.

Existing apprenticeships are called ‘framework’ apprenticeships, the college or training provider claims a set funding amount from government to deliver the ‘off the job’ training element of the apprenticeship. Training is therefore delivered to a fixed price. This method of funding will cease as the trailblazer apprenticeships are introduced and will be totally withdrawn by 2020. Apprentices already on a framework apprenticeship will continue to be funded in the traditional way until the apprenticeship they are signed up to is finished.

At a recent Department for Education meeting it was announced that 40% of framework apprenticeship funding had already been switched off. Presumably this is because a trailblazer apprenticeship was available for that industry.

Trailblazer apprenticeships are called ‘standards’, each approved apprenticeship standard is allocated a funding band which in our case is the maximum funding bands available, eg. £18,000 and £27,000 for the level 2 and level 3 apprenticeships respective-

ly. Employers with under 50 staff will not be asked to contribute to the educational learning element whereas employers with over 50 members of staff will be asked to contribute 10% of the cost.

Another significant change is that apprenticeship certificates will not be issued until the apprentice has successfully passed an End Point Assessment (EPA) designed to establish that the apprentice is competent and fit for purpose.

This means that apprenticeships in future will be delivered to an industry standard not a price as in framework examples.

Additionally, employers will receive a £1,000 subsidy for employing 16 to 18 year old apprentices which will help offset recruitment and mentoring costs.

In the future if there is no apprenticeship standard approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) there will be no apprenticeship and therefore no funding available. To ensure the integrity of apprenticeships government are looking at legislation making it illegal to use the term apprenticeship if it is not an approved standard.

As you will have gathered, significant changes are coming and there is far more to be learned than these column inches will allow.

Whatever happens, we as an industry cannot continue to service our customers’ requirements without continuously recruiting apprentices and developing new talented technicians. History shows that low recruitment levels of apprentices in the past has for some time been biting us in the bum and there ain’t no quick fix.

The alarming degree of underinsurance AC C OR DI N G T O RESEARCH by the DEBBIE REID Building Cost InformaBAGMA Client services manager tion Service, which is part of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 80% of commercial properties in England and Wales are underinsured. Also in its recent thematic review of commercial claims*, the insurance industry regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, discovered that in 12 out of the 20 case studies there were issues relating to sums insured. In eight cases, property sums insured for buildings, trade contents and stock INSURANCE

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were inadequate. The FCA has described this as ‘an alarming degree of underinsurance’.

The same problem of underinsurance applies to other areas of insured risk, including business interruption and consequential loss. In the same review, the Financial Conduct Authority revealed that nearly 25% of the business interruption claims examined involved the period of loss exceeding the insured indemnity period. In many cases, this would leave businesses without the cash to see them through to full recovery.

Recent Aviva SME Pulse research** found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of UK SMEs either do not have business interruption insurance or are unsure about whether it is included in their current business insurance policy. Despite

this, one in five surveyed (21%) said they had experienced disruption to their business. Some resumed normal business trading relatively quickly, ie within a few months. However, most were affected for up to two years and more.

The widespread problem of underinsurance – and claims not being paid in full – has seen the British Insurance Brokers’ Association publish specific advice for businesses. This is in an attempt to highlight the problem. BIBA believes that too many businesses focus on the price of their policies and not on the adequacy of their sums insured. It is true that competitive premiums are important, however with a likely premium payable for general commercial property of little more than £100 for £100,000 of sum BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

EXPERT OPINION

Fatal distraction at the wheel

TOP OF THE LEAGUE Katie Croft concluded a two-year apprenticeship at Manchester City FC by being named the Most Promising Sports Turf Student of the Year at the annual Institute of Groundsmanship Awards.

Katie combined her apprenticeship with studying at Myerscough College Preston. After graduating she was made assistant grounds person at the Premier League ground.

Head groundsperson Lee Metcalfe, who recruited Katie, said: “In her first interview Katie showed promising signs of being a successful apprentice. The competition was tough, with over 200 people applying for the job, but her desire to learn was evident and her bubbly character a welcome addition to the team.

“She was the first female grounds person we have taken on, and we are one of the first football clubs in the country to have employed a female in the role, but she has paved the way and because of her success we have employed another female apprentice, Tara Massey, a year ago.”

Katie receives her award from Toro’s national accounts manager Alastair Rowell (right) and Chris Gray, head of learning at the IOG

Holly Jones, marketing manager at award sponsors Reesink Turfcare, commented: “Engaging with a wide sector of young people in the grounds industry, supporting and promoting their talents and watching them progress, is an important role for us and sponsoring this award demonstrates Toro’s long-term commitment to the development of the industry. This is a wonderful achievement for Katie, but it is just the beginning and we will follow with great interest her career and look forward to letting everyone know what she is getting up to over this all-important year.”

ARIENS INVESTS IN MORE APPRENTICES The Ariens Company Apprenticeship Programme started in 2014 and the aim is to recruit two new apprentices every year to ensure and maintain the success of this manufacturer of the Countax and Westwood brands of garden tractors and accessories.

Tanya Bezuidenhout, Ariens HR manager UK & Scandinavia, says: “With the current skills shortage in engineering, we’re proud to show our commitment in this economic climate, by making long-term investment in new talent, offering extensive training and career development opportunities. It is so rewarding to witness our

insured, low insurance valuations could be a false economy. It is much better to have appropriate levels of cover and peace of mind in the long term.

Another potential issue for businesses to consider is the change in the rules of duty of disclosure, introduced by the Insurance Act 2015. The new legislation reemphasises the duty to disclose material circumstances to insurers. Inadequate sums insured or indemnity periods could be regarded as material. If deliberate or reckless, insurers have the right not to pay claims, even in part. Although this would only be in extreme circumstances, it demonstrates the need for businesses to review their values at risk and basis of insurance.

As well as keeping insurance costs down, common reasons for underinsurance include: lN o consideration of the replacement of damaged foundations, gates, fences or car parking areas; BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

A CASE THAT followed the deaths of four PAUL MARSH Office manager people has put the use Safetyaide of mobile devices whilst driving into the spotlight. How might this affect you?

Major accident. In October 2016 lorry driver Tomasz Kroker pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. In-cab video technology proved that at the time of the accident Kroker was looking at his phone rather than at the road, so he failed to notice that the traffic had ground to a halt. He didn’t stop and ploughed into stationary vehicles.

Four family members were killed and a further five were injured – one suffering life-threatening damage.

Aware of his duties. The court was told that Kroker had signed an agreement with his employer which stated that he understood he must not use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving. It transpired that Kroker had signed this agreement only a matter of hours before the crash. As Kroker’s employer could prove that it had taken reasonable steps to prevent its staff from using their phones, it did not face criminal charges.

Tip 1. Although it’s impossible to stop everyone from ignoring your rules, this case proves that having a driving at work policy in place can help protect you. It should set out your rules on the use of hand-held devices such as mobile phones. You must make it clear to staff that the policy also covers checking texts, emails, social media, playing music, etc.

Tip 2. As well as having the policy in place, you must enforce it. If staff are found to be ignoring your rules, they should be subject to disciplinary action.

The police are on the roads. Since this case reached its conclusion the police have increased the number of patrols on the lookout for those using their phones while driving. Those caught will receive three points on their licence and at least a £100 fine.

SAFETY

apprentices grow in confidence and become skilled engineers. We’ve been really pleased with how things have been going and we’re now looking to recruit two more apprentices to grow our talent pool further.”

lL isted buildings and the time and cost of rebuild work impacting business interruption insurance cover; lS ite clearance, site access costs and professional fees not considered.

All of this shows just how important it is to get it right, before anything goes wrong.

FOR A COPY OF THE CLIENT BRIEFING

For a copy of the briefing, with tips on how to avoid underinsurance and access to a specialist insurance valuation service, please contact Debbie Reid, BAGMA client services manager on 0344 8921330 or email info@birainsurance.co.uk.

*Source: BIBA, Professional Indemnity Volume 6: Managing Under-Insurance – A guide to prevention, May 5 2016. ** Research conducted online by RedShift February 2016

‘POLICE PATROLS HAVE BEEN INCREASED TO TARGET THOSE USING THEIR PHONES WHILE DRIVING. THOSE CAUGHT FACE £100 FINES AND THREE POINTS. USE A DRIVING AT WORK POLICY TO MAKE THE RULES CLEAR TO STAFF AND PROTECT YOUR POSITION’ 11

NEW PRODUCTS

LINDNER

Austrian manufacturer Lindner made its debut at a UK trade show, presenting its Geotrac tractors, the CVT Lintrac model and Unitrac transporters at LAMMA. The Lintrac model is the first CVT standard tractor with 4-wheel drive. Technical highlights include Perkins 4-cylinder-engine, high-performance hydraulics by Bosch and the particularly easy LDrive handling.

Climbing to the top The spotlight shines on the innovative products launched at recent trade shows, such as LAMMA, BTME and SIMA

Innovation to the fore at LAMMA THE DEPTH AND breadth of agricultural innovation was highlighted at the annual LAMMA Innovation Awards, which saw more than 70 entries vie for top honours.

The awards were open to new products exhibited at the annual event, held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. The competition was split into five categories, judged on best product or innovation. Here are the winners: lC rop production equipment – Pace Mechanical Handling’s Orion CBC (complete bag control). This fully automatic stitching machine grabs and sews filled sacks with repeated accuracy, producing the same finish to every bag. A certificate of merit went to TractAir Ltd. lL ivestock equipment – Northern Engineering’s fully hydraulic roll-over cattle-squeezing side crush for farmers, foot trimmers, and vets to treat all four feet for lameness and other procedures such as dry-cow therapy. This crush has a new feature of a side opening for vets to perform caesarean operations. lT echnological – Acres Machinery’s Supercrop1, a three-in-one innovative crop wilting machine that can rake, condition and

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ted grass, hay or straw. This reduces the amount of machinery required, enables quicker and more consistent crop drying and reduces labour and machinery time. lE nvironmental – Witham Oil & Paint’s Prolan is an environmentally friendly protective lubricant that provides incredibly long-lasting protection of metal, wood, rubber and electrical components from rust and corrosion. Prolan lubricants are made with lanolin derived from sheep’s wool. lF arm Machinery and Equipment Innovation Award – Ubiqutek’s Touch Pro is a professional hand weeder that uses electricity to kill weeds without damaging surrounding plants or soil. It is designed for horticulture and amenity sectors and is ideal for growers, gardeners and maintenance staff to spot-treat weeds and for ongoing weed management.

STIHL

STIHL presented a range of new engines at LAMMA. These included the KM 131 R and the KM 111 R – versatile machines that can be used across 12 different appliances from hedge trimming to brushcutting.

The KM 131 R is a powerful 1.4kW engine for professional use. It features a simplified start and stop button and a large fuel tank to save time on the job.

With its ergonomic loop handle and 4-MIX engine, this is a KombiEngine for a range of tough maintenance jobs. The slightly smaller KM 111 R shares the same premium features as the KM 131 R, making it a reliable tool for landscaping and property maintenance.

STIHL has also responded to the rise in theft in the industry by installing Datatag technology on all STIHL cut-off machines under the MicroCESAR scheme, which gives each piece of equipment a unique and permanent ‘fingerprint’ that thieves cannot remove.

At this year’s Executive Hire Show, STIHL showed a range of models featuring this security system, including STIHL’s best-selling TS 410 and new Lithium-Ion powered TSA 230.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

NEW PRODUCTS

JACOBSEN

LAMMA LAUNCHES

Jacobsen introduced the versatile GA600 aerator at this year’s BTME in Harrogate. The GA600 is the first in a range of new aeration equipment from Jacobsen. The deep tine aerator can work up to 3.4 km/h at a working depth of 30cm and a width of 1.8m. Lee Kristensen, product manager, said: “A lot of research and development has gone into creating the GA600, and this is evident in the unique feature of being able to achieve deep and shallow tine aeration in one pass.”

PRODUCT BRIEFS

MICHELIN showed its all-new AxioBib 2 tyre range, which gets its international launch in June. The new range bridges the gap between Michelin’s XeoBib and AxioBib, and is designed to meet the rising trend for tyres that carry high loads at lower pressures.

US MEAN GREEN COMPANY

The US Mean Green Company has come up with a range of electric mowers that are quiet, produce zero emissions, have minimal routine maintenance, and eventually pay for themselves in fuel savings. The range of mowers, imported by Overton (UK) Limited, also offers commercial operators with all-day run times.

Powered by long-lasting lithium batteries, the range includes the WBX-33HD wide area walk behind, SK-48 Stalker stand-on mower, and the CXR zero turn mowers. Guy Overton is looking for a network of dealers to cover the UK and Ireland. Call 01522 690011 or visit www. meangreenmowers.co.uk

QUICKE’s new implements include Big Bag Lifters, the Powergrab BOH and the Silocut SGII. Quicke also gave LAMMA show visitors a sneak preview of its new loader, which is due to be officially launched in April.

HOZELOCK EXEL showed the wide range of Berthoud and Cooper Pegler precision spraying products for the first time at the LAMMA show. Ian Sutton, national account manager, said the ranges have “distinct features and enjoy a strong reputation for durability and ease of use”.

VICON introduced the first of a new range of mower conditioners. Called the Extra 700 series, the range currently includes two tractormounted models offering 3.2m and 3.6m working widths. Both use the new suspension system called QuattroLink. Prices start at £16,226.

THE WITHAM GROUP showcased a new protective lubricant made from lanolin derived from sheep’s wool and a blend of natural oils. Managing director Nigel Bottom says the lubricant is “completely natural and environmentally friendly” while “extremely effective for preventing corrosion, even in the toughest environments”. The product also has NSF International food safety approval for both H1 and H2 requirements.

CASE IH’s new tractor series, the Luxxum and Maxxum, made their UK debuts at LAMMA. Luxxum brings high specification to lower power bracket while Maxxum renews the brand’s offering in the key 100-150hp category.

KUBOTA

Kubota Agriculture launched a range of Kubota-branded implements at LAMMA. The orange-liveried range includes a selection of disc mowers, rakes, tedders, flail choppers, fertiliser spreaders, round balers and wrappers, which are manufactured and distributed for Kubota by the Kverneland Group.

“This is an exciting time in the expansion of Kubota’s agricultural business,” said Rob Edwards, Kubota Agriculture’s business development manager. “Our vision is to BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

introduce a range of Kubota implements through carefully selected dealers who can support and expand our tractor and machinery business. While we have already hand-picked some of our existing Kubota tractor dealers, there will be further new dealer appointments over the next three years to broaden our network.” Currently, Kubota has appointed 13 dealers throughout the UK and Ireland already.

Among the latest appointments are Vincent Tractors, TH Horn and George Browns.

MCCORMICK showed its largest models to date – the new three-model X8 series.

Comprising the X8.660, X8.670 and X8.680, the series ranges from 264hp to 310hp.

JCB has overhauled its 8000 Series of tractors. The 8290 and 8330 models feature a centrally positioned cab and the inclusion of a rear deck. The power of the flagship 8330 rises from its rated 335hp to 348hp when placed under load.

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NEW PRODUCTS

SIP INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

SIP Industrial Products’ new promotion, Winter into Spring 2017 is out now. The promotion covers SIP’s ranges of heaters, welding and metalwork, compressors and air tools, chargers, starters and boosters, lifting and automotive, power generators and lighting, pressure washers and water pumps plus woodworking. The Winter into Spring 2017 promotion runs until May 31. For further information call 01509 500500 or email: sales@sip-group.com

HE-VA

HE-VA has upgraded its trailed Combi-Disc, with the new 450 and 550 models offering wider widths of 4.5m and 5.5m respectively.

This gives growers higher output, single pass machines for subsoiling, surface cultivation and consolidation. The new models can be specified with either shearbolt or hydraulic auto-reset legs. The new folding trailed 450 Hydraulic reset Combi-Disc (shown) retails at £50,339 plus VAT while the 550 version sells for £62,638 plus VAT.

GLOBAL VEHICLE TRUST OX

The world’s first ‘flat-pack’ truck – the Global Vehicle Trust OX – was at the show to spark interest in a simple but hugely capable lightweight truck among farmers. The prime purpose of the vehicle at the moment is humanitarian purposes in the developing world but the team was at LAMMA to assess its prospects as a commercially-available vehicle.

MASCHIO

New generation HD gearboxes are now fitted as standard to the Maschio ORSO, TORO and JUMBO range of power harrows. “As tractor horsepower continues to increase on our customer’s farms, Maschio has developed a new series of machines with gearboxes large

14

enough to cope with the challenge,” explained David Day, Maschio product manager. “The new gearboxes have double the oil capacity, strengthened parts and increased cooling capacity, making them capable of smoothly transferring the extra horsepower, whilst increasing the longevit y of our machines.”

BRIGGS & STRATTON

“Homeowners tell us that storage space and maintenance, including annual oil changes, are two of their biggest issues with outdoor power equipment,” according to Rick Zeckmeister, vice president of engines marketing and planning at Briggs & Stratton. So the engine manufacturer has combined its Mow N’ Stow engine, which can be stored upright, with its Just Check & Add technology, which involves checking and adding oil when required rather than an annual oil change. Both are now available in the Toro Recycler lawnmower.

“Our collaboration with Briggs & Stratton helps us build mowers that meet consumers’ unmet needs for more storage space and easier maintenance, without compromising on mowing power, performance and productivity,” said Wade Tollison Jr, senior marketing manager at Toro.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

NEW PRODUCTS

PRODUCT BRIEFS

MAKITA

REESINK TURFCARE showcased its latest range of South-Korean built TYM tractors at LAMMA. Several models are available, with power outputs ranging from 23hp-100hp.

The largest T1003 model features a 4.4-litre, four-cylinder Perkins engine which is coupled to a 32-speed, power shift gearbox and offers a top speed of 40kph. The firm also offers a range of eight loaders to match its various tractor models.

The new Makita EB7660TH back-pack blower has increased air flow and air speed, with the maximum power output speed from the Makita MM4 75.6cc 4-stroke engine increased to 7,200rpm. Maximum air flow volume is raised to 20m/min and the maximum air speed velocity increased to 92m/s. Vibration has been reduced to 3.5m/s with the engine mounted on four damper springs effectively isolating the engine and fan to reduce vibration on the operator’s back, even during long hours of use.

The back-pack carry frame has a comfortable harness with adjustable straps. The long telescopic pipe and nozzle gives accurate control of the airf low, and the extended distance from the nozzle to the throttle grip avoids the static electric shock risk created by the air exiting the nozzle.

A new name has entered the UK grassland machinery market – HI-SPEC. The company, based in Carlow, Ireland, showed its AutoCut triple mower, with its 10.5m maximum cutting width. As most of the weight is carried on the frame, smaller tractors than normal can be used for a mower of this size.

KEENAN/STORTI

Collaboration between agricultural manufacturing companies Keenan and Italy-based Storti has resulted in the production of a range of twin and triple-auger vertical feeders. The Keenan VA2 and VA3 mixer wagon ranges comprise ten models with capacities from 18 to 44 cubic metres. Twin auger mixing systems are employed for models up to 33 cubic metres, and triple augers in the range topping 36, 40 and 44 cubic metres. To help reduce ground loadings for successively larger capacity machines, there are single, double and triple-axle versions.

Three new Quadrant balers have been added to the CLAAS range. New features include heavier duty drive systems, longer bale chambers, redesigned knotters and the CLAAS APC (Automatic Pressure Control) system, which ensures that bale weight is maintained by automatically monitoring the knotters and the stress on the drive system.

ZETOR extended its range of Major tractors with a higher-spec (HS) version.

MASSEY FERGUSON has updated its 6600 four-cylinder tractor series, which now features more transmission choice and hydraulic performance. Comprising six models, the new 6700 S Series is powered by Agco Power 4.9-litre, four-cylinder engines.

BOMFORD TURNER showed its Flailbot, a wirelessly operated track mower for challenging terrains (slopes up to 55 degrees).

BTME LAUNCHES

Every DAKOTA TURF TENDER model from Campey Turf Care Systems now comes with an upgraded control panel. This allows the user to take full control of the brakes and vibrator.

DOUBLE A AND TRU-TURF launched the R50-11 turf roller. Features include selfcleaning smoothing rollers in each head and a range of quick-fit attachments, such as slitter, spiker and brush.

CLAYDON

Claydon launched this 3m Hybrid T3 trailed drill at LAMMA. “An increasing number of customers, both in the UK and overseas, have requested a trailed version of our popular 3m mounted Hybrid drill,” Spencer Claydon, commercial director, explained. The UK manufacturer also offers a kit to enable customers who already own a 3m Hybrid M3 mounted drill to convert it to the new trailed specification.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

TRILO showed its updated S4 vacuum sweeper. Now available with larger radial tyres, larger air inlet, mechanical driveline and a range of shaft options, it provides groundsmen with a multifunctional unit to perform difficult cleaning work in a straightforward manner.

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SHOW NEWS

BRANDING AND GOOGLE AT THE BIRA CONFERENCE THE BIRA 2017 Conference will take place on Monday, May 8 at Bristol’s Marriott Royal Hotel. Speakers include brand specialist Phil Dean, from creative agency Certain, and Google Digital Garage which will help delegates to make their businesses more visible online.

The conference starts at 10am and will wrap up at 4pm, ready for the British Independent Retail Awards in the evening.

The awards are designed to showcase the outstanding talent, hard work, innovation and achievements of members across the different sectors that bira represents, including BAGMA. The awards include the Independent Retail Business of the Year 2017, Team of the Year, Local Hero and Charitable Champion.

Day ticket prices start at £95 +VAT.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS

visit bira.co.uk/conference2017, email events@ bira.co.uk or call 0121 446 6688.

TOOLS AND BARGAINS AT THE TOOLBANK TRADE SHOWS TOOLBANK AIMS TO reduce your costs and improve your margins on key products, such as tools, through deals available exclusively at its spring trade shows. Many of its suppliers launch their latest products, promotions and merchandising innovations at these shows, which are held across the country from March 14 (Newbury) to April 27 (Bolton). In between there are events at Chepstow (March 16), Droitwich (March 21), Norfolk (March 23), Exeter (March 30) and Coventry (April 5).

The events are not just about products – Toolbank’s latest marketing and IT developments will be on display too. There are also complimentary meals and drinks! For further details call 01322 321460.

Organisers promise bumper shows in 2017 MORE THAN 180 exhibitors have already rebooked their stands for SALTEX 2017. The show organisers say this is a record and, compared to January 2016, there are more than 50 additional exhibitors. The organisers believe the combined attendance of 8,754 in 2016 and high satisfaction levels among last year’s 292 exhibitors are the reason.

Dean Winters, head of brands for Treadstone Products, said that after a few years away from exhibiting at the show, the company’s return to SALTEX was a hugely successful experience. “We were most impressed by the quantity, quality and diversity of visitors we spoke to. From very early on day one, the show was buzzing, with plenty of opportunities to talk to visitors about our product ranges. Over the two days, we far exceeded the amount of leads Record number of exhibitors we had forecast and now have many quotes and rebook for SALTEX 2017 projects to follow up.”

Ray Garvey from The Grasshopper Company reported an SALTEX 2017 Centre “bigger and better than excellent debut at SALTEX. NEC, Birmingham ever”.

“This was our first year being November 1 and 2, 2017 Before the 2017 exhibition directly involved with SAL- www.iogsaltex.com had even closed, the British and TEX, and the show exceeded International Golf Greenkeepour expectations. We sold a BTME 2018 ers Association, which hosts the number of attachments at the Harrogate Convention event, had already sold 950sq show, arranged several further Centre, Harrogate m of space at BTME 2018. That demonstrations and have a good January 23-25, 2018 amounts to 25% of the available number of other leads to follow www.btme.org.uk stand space. This number is four up on.” times the usual amount sold by Long-term SALTEX exhibitor INTURF the close of the show. A further 550sq m were was also upbeat following the show according sold before the end of January, meaning 40% of to joint managing director Alex Edwards. “We available space at BTME 2018 has been booked have supported SALTEX for three decades and up. This equates to rebookings being more than the move to The NEC has cemented our future a month ahead of last year’s numbers. at the show. We had a very positive experience BIGGA business development manager and have already booked for 2017.”

Jill Rodham said: “The entire BIGGA team is Plans are also afoot to make next year’s already working hard to ensure BTME 2018 BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition at the builds on this momentum and becomes our recently-renamed Harrogate Convention best exhibition yet.”

Trump Turnberry manager at BIGGA Scottish Conference ALLAN PATTERSON, estates and courses manager at Trump Turnberry, will be among the speakers at the BIGGA Scotland Golf Industry Conference 2017. He will be talking about the redesign of the championship course.

Taking place at Perth Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 7, the conference is the flagship event of

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the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s Scottish Region and brings together professionals from around the country and from all sectors of the golf industry.

Also speaking at the conference will be Dr Steve Otto, director of research and testing at The R&A, and course designer Martin Ebert,

of MacKenzie and Ebert.

The event is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of Scottish greenkeepers and turf management professionals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

call John Young on 07776 242120 or email johnyoung@bigga.co.uk.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

OUT & ABOUT

Curlers aim straight BAGMA’S ANNUAL CURLING match in Stirling was a OUT AND closely contested and fun affair, as usual. The curlers were ABOUT put in teams that mixed experienced players with novices WITH to add to the excitement.

BAGMA This year was the 29th consecutive year for the popular event and one curler, BAGMA member Fraser Robb, has played in all the matches.

But it was his wife, Kate, who skippered the winning team this time and was named ‘Player of the Match’. Her triumphant teammates were novice players Brian Sangster (BAGMA president) and Jimmy Glen.

The event was sponsored by SafetyAide, BAGMA’s health and safety consultants.

John Corbrick of Nairn Brown Ltd discusses stone positions with Brian Lorimer

Paul Marsh of SafetyAide in the process of releasing a stone towards its target BAGMA president Brian Sangster and Miriam Byrne

BAGMA member Kate Robb is presented with her Player of the Match Champagne by sponsor Miriam Byrne

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2017

BAGMA member Fraser Robb, who has competed in all 29 curling events

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T: 0333 207 6681 lines open: 9am - 5pm Mon - Fri

Insurance protection for your business with a specialist scheme for BAGMA members.

British Independent Retailers Association (bira) is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) is a trading name of bira. Bira Insurance and Towergate Insurance are trading names of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited.

Registered in England No. 4043759. Registered Office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Towergate Underwriting Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.