THE NUMBERS ARE IN

THE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Association (AEA) published the final agricultural tractor registration figures for 2020.

It includes the breakdown of registrations by region and power band. Almost all parts of the UK saw a decline in registrations between 2019 and 2020. According to the report, only the South East of England saw a fractional rise in registrations. However, the rate of decline was smaller in the North of England and Wales than elsewhere. The sharpest fall was in the Home Counties, with the South West and Northern Ireland also seeing declines of more than 20%, compared with 2019.

The decline in registrations was seen across most of the power range, apart from the top and bottom. There was a small rise in the number of compact tractors (50hp and under) being registered and there was also a rise among machines at the other end of the range; 25% more tractors over 320hp were registered in 2020 than in 2019. There was a modest fall among machines over 200hp but all broad power bands below that level (and above 50hp) saw year-on-year falls of 15-20%. The rise in registrations at the top end of the power range meant that the average power of agricultural tractors registered during the year topped 170hp for the first time, reaching 171.0hp. That represents a rise of nearly 30hp, compared with a decade ago. Including compact tractors in the calculation brings the average for all machines down to 153.4hp

2020 registrations – regional analysis

2020 registrations – power analysis

IN THE LAST edition of the in the industry the issue of dealer BAGMA Bulletin, we ran a story contracts keeps coming up. It is a of the acrimonious severing of ties subject that has been ongoing in between Honda and a number of BAGMA’s 103-year history and one UK dealers. that has occupied CLIMMAR (the Since running this story in the Bulletin, in our e-briefing and on the BAGMA website, we have received praise from industry heads and dealers alike for putting the spotlight on the mistreatment DEALER CONTRACTS CAN STILL BE A BONE OF CONTENTION THAT CAN LEAVE THEM OUT OF POCKET Dealer Trade Association Group) during its 66-year history yet it is still a bone of contention that can leave dealers out of pocket and without a franchise for no fault of their own. of dealers by Honda – “No one is arguing including this letter of thanks (see that business arrangements will right) from Richard and Gill Read change and move with the times at Read Agriservices Ltd in Som- just that a fairer deal needs to be erset. found for those dealers who inno-

BAGMA Director Keith Chris- cently find themselves the victims tian said: “As long as I have been of a suppliers change of tactics.”

Keith Christian – Director of BAGMA

times. We were pleased to see your article regarding the abrupt termination of many Honda dealers. It brought back many memories of our receipt of termination letter from Agco. It was nine years ago and nearly 30 years of dedication to pioneering and promoting – initially FOLLOWING THE DECISION by Honda to axe 50 dealers from their UK network without warning on September 30, 2020, those dealers have been angered further by the company’s threatening letter sent by First Class recorded delivery, (but dated January 5, 2020 (sic).), writes Chris Biddle. The letter addressed ‘Dear Franchise Partner’ (although the franchise had formally terminated on December 31, 2020) instructed the sacked dealers to discontinue using any Honda trademarks, trade names etc covered by its Intellectual Property Rights and to destroy or return (at the dealers own expense) any signs, instructions books, technical pamphlets, catalogues, documents, paperwork or examples within 14 days or risk legal infringement. Furthermore, at the same time, Honda sent letters directly to the customers of the sacked dealers confirming the removal of their franchise and simply directing them to their website for alternative dealers ‘to service or repair your Honda product’, adding ‘we apologise for any inconvenience’. There was no explanation given. Since the circulation of letter by Honda, there have been numerous reports from those dealers impacted of being contacted by customers asking whether they were closing down. One said: “I’m angry and also very saddened. We’ve lived and breathed Honda for over 30 years. When I got the termination letter in September, without warning, I felt physically sick. “We’ve always played the game, registering machines when many non-specialist outlets would not have done so, and they kick us in the teeth by writing to OUR customers, planting a seed of doubt that we might have done something wrong. To me Honda are the Power of Nightmares.” Strong words. Like most of you, when I get a letter addressed to 'Dear Homeowner', it goes straight in the bin. In all my many years covering this industry, I have never come across such a callous, unprofessional approach to ending a business partnership as that displayed here by Honda. To address a dealer who has spent thousands upon thousands of pounds with your company over the years, promoted, sold, and serviced your products as ‘Dear Franchise Partner’ rather by name is unforgivable. But that’s only the tip of the issue. I understand that this dealer still has over £10,000 worth of machines to sell. To comply with the instructions in the letter, it would appear that he cannot display with Honda logos nor advertise these machines that he has paid for in good faith, if he is not to infringe Honda’s Intellectual Property Rights with all its threatened penalties. I’m no lawyer, but that would seem to constitute restraint of trade, and the letter as defamatory and in breach of GDPR. In summary, it saddens me to write in these terms, because I’ve had a very good relationship with Honda, both as a former dealer and as a journalist.. During this time, the lawn and garden division has been headed by some highly professional, approachable and business-like people who understood the dealer business. Not anymore. Attempts by dealers to engage in dialogue are ignored. The organisation is now seemingly run by mail merge communications! Honda are quite entitled to uphold contracts signed by dealers – but not surely at the expense of common courtesy, respect for those they call 'Partners'. protecting their intellectual property rights for years. It is unfortunate they have not demonstrated an ability to respect the business of their now ex-franchise partners. They are clear they want the past, loyal dealers to be cleansed of all things Honda except the stock they have left them with and perhaps the ongoing issues of warranty, customer care and the liability that a seller has to his customer under UK law. While changes to distribution may be necessary and suppliers may believe they are doing the right thing for the benefit of themselves and the majority of their customers they should have more respect and support for their business partners during and after any agreement that's been made. Threatening legal action by letter if there is no compliance to their rules is just an insult to the long term support they have had from the dealers. The Honda brand carries a lot of weight internationally so surely they could be sensitive enough to handle the changes they have made more professionally. Dealer contracts in both the garden machinery and agricultural machinery world have been a bone of contention for more than a 100 years. They rarely benefit both sides equally and if they ever have to be referred to or acted on it will invariably be the dealer who loses out. Fortunately, garden machinery dealers are resilient. Out of necessity, contracts contain detail but before a dealer signs one check the performance and termination clauses. Make sure that if you do part company you can get out clean and with some of your investment intact to move forward. No doubt the Honda dealer contract is watertight and covers their actions in legal terms but will do little for the reputation of the dealers, and some of the actions Honda have taken may be considered to be defamatory to their past ex-franchise partners. Former Honda dealers angered further by ‘threatening’ letter I HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS SUCH CALLOUS, UNPROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO ENDING A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

4253 Bagma 25V4.indd 4 & finally Valtra 20/01/2021 13:43

Richard & Gill Read

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BAGMA TRAINING IS back! As of January 2021, BAGMA has reintroduced face-toface training where both the employer and the BAGMA-appointed trainer are happy this can be done in a Covid-safe environment. This means correct social distancing and the wearing of masks and use of sanitiser gels as appropriate. Due to the practical nature of our BAGMA training courses it is not possible for us to offer online training at the moment.

BAGMA has been involved in providing one and two-day training courses to the land-based industry sector for many years. These have been provided in the past by BAGMA’s own training manager and by manufacturers trainers working with BAGMA courses. The organisation, administration and course materials are all provided by BAGMA through the BAGMA Training and Administration Manager, Kari Hearn.

Courses are based on the need to meet current legislation, health and safety requirements and to support the requirements of businesses and consumer and employee protection.

They provide training on certain aspects of the implementation of legislation and the legal requirements surrounding Installation and Handover, Brake Performance Testing, Thorough Examination and F-Gas certification.

Working with a team of independent training providers who have backgrounds in the land-based industry and with manufacturers trainers, BAGMA can deliver this very specific training at dealers and manufacturers premises without the need for dealer staff to travel away from their businesses.

The following article provides some background on some of the trainers that are delivering BAGMA Training currently. All BAGMA trainers have to prove that they have a history of training, relevant experience in the industry and sign up to BAGMA’s code of practice and standards.

Born in Manchester in the swinging 60s, I entered the motor trade as an apprentice in 1982 at a local Toyota main dealer. In 1990 I moved to a larger Toyota main dealer in the northwest (RRG group) just as Lexus was launched in the UK; I was in the first group of technicians to be trained on Lexus vehicles.I was a Lexus technician for 18 years, twice winning national Lexus skills awards which culminated in visits to the factories in Japan and being inducted into the Toyota Technical Hall of Champions in Nagoya.

I’ve always hada passion for training courses and in 2008 I made the jump into training at Delphi in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. After three years I got the chance to join JCB as a technical trainer – a fantastic decade followed, making lots of very good friendships, travelling the world and being very proud to be training on a great British product. I worked mainly on engines, construction machines and high voltage systems towards the end but also being introduced to ag dealers via BAGMA training, delivering Installation, AC and Thorough Examination training to the JCB network. In late 2019 I started to think about my future

and in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic I made the decision to go for it and become selfemployed as an independent training provider.

Being a Manc, my two passions are sport and music. Most people know which side of the Manc football world I am from (Blue) after being a season ticket holder since 1981 and traveling the country watching them through thick and thin. Music-wise I enjoy everything from early 50s rock n roll through to 60s, glam and the Manchester music scene, my main genre is heavy rock. I am old enough to have seen most of the biggest bands live when they started out in small arenas back at the Manchester Apollo so now go watch tribute pub bands, mainly The Rooters, DirtyjackDC and Motorpace, but I also can’t get enough of Northern Soul and Warwickshire has some great live bands and Northern Soul nights. Live music is probably the greatest thing I have missed this past last year.

I am now truly living the dream. I am my own boss, time to enjoy life and the great Warwickshire surroundings.

I have always loved training since my first course I attended, I enjoy travelling to all the dealers and meeting all the staff and I try to enjoy every course I deliver. Training should be enjoyable, if you enjoy something you get more out of it. I learn something on every course I deliver and try to do my little bit to help engineers.

My targets for 2021 include getting really fit again so I can continue to fly around the world delivering training. I also would like to visit as many of the BAGMA dealer network as I can.

I have always enjoyed showing customers how machines work, and how to get the best performance from them. I realised that this would be ‘my future’, when I joined the Ransomes demonstration team, way back in 1984.

Now, some 37 years later I am still at my happiest when delivering training courses on turf machinery. I left Ransomes Jacobsen in May 2005, I now run my own training business called High Five Training.

It’s the people I work with and the places this industry gets me into that make it all so interesting, and of course, the machinery I work with.

The BAGMA Installation course brings those elements together, so I’m still as enthusiastic about it now, as I was when I first started.

I’ve been working with the Merlo product since 1994, initially working with a dealer as an agricultural engineer, servicing and repairing Merlo machines.

In 1997, I joined the small team at Merlo UK working in the service and spare parts department, eventually becoming a service manager. After many years, a company reorganisation took place when Merlo SPA gained complete ownership of the company. I stepped aside from service manager to concentrate on what I enjoyed the most – training. I was also tasked to represent the company at industry-focused meetings such as BITA, and the AEA.

I started training from 1999 when I was asked to cover (due to ill health) the person whose job it was at the time. Unfortunately he didn’t return so it was left to me to carry on with the training that we had already been booked. Being thrown in at the deep end was probably a good thing, as it was not something I’d considered that I could do. I had no teaching experience however I did understand the product and I’d done the job of the technicians I was training. It was not long before I realised I’d found something that gave me great satisfaction and the more I did, the more confident I became.

The job though very enjoyable, is not an easy one; you are always expected to know everything about the product. Merlo is a highly innovative and fast-changing company so keeping up with the ever-changing products is not easy. Trying to create training courses the dealer technicians can engage with is also a challenge as we have to consider the age range of the technicians which can be anywhere between 18 and 70 along with different abilities and backgrounds.

Training has become more important as the years have gone by as, unfortunately, the general level of technicians coming in to the industry seems to have dropped. We have had to now turn to teaching even more of the basics to bring them up to a good standard. Due to more technology being added to machines to meet the ever-changing safety regulations and engine emission standards, technicians now require a larger skills set which is also a challenge. They all need to be able to work with computers as well as being able to repair a gear box etc. Quite often technicians can be good at computers but not rebuilding a gear box or the other way around.

We start by offering a foundation level training course which gives the technician a basic understanding of the product and the ability to p.d.i and service the machines, followed by drive train and basic electrics and hydraulics moving on to the more advanced hydrostatics and hydraulic systems, electronics and diagnostics.

The range of courses are designed to help the technicians at the more basic level as well as helping the technicians at the higher level.

We also carry out the BAGMA Thorough Examination and Installation training courses.

We use the BAGMA courses as they are considered the industry-standard and are accredited by the Landbased Training Accreditation scheme. It is important to have the accreditation and up- to-date course material and legislation for this training which BAGMA provide.

Installing machines with the customer is so important to get right; by using the BAGMA system it ensures the process is carried out in the correct way cementing a good relationship with the dealer and customer as well as meeting their legal requirements.

Good servicing is also essential and separately checking the machine at least every 12 months with a thorough examination completes what is necessary for safe continued operation and meets the requirements of the PUWER legislation, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

Due to Covid restrictions, training has been a challenge. We have managed to keep going with the introduction of instructor-led training over Zoom. We intend to continue with some aspects of online training which has added value even once we get back to face-to-face training hopefully later in the year.

A new training centre is being built for Merlo in the UK which will also allow us to expand the training courses we can offer for the future.

In March 2019 I joined Lister Wilder as the health and safety manager, supporting the group activities and business outputs. Having inherited many elements of good practice I have since enabled the team to continue that drive for the betterment and safe systems of work throughout the business. Lister Wilder’s dedication to H&S and the wellbeing of its staff and customers, has led to achieving Achilles B2 accreditation and ISO45001 (May 2020). A true record of a People Matter organisation.

Having joined Lister Wilder after serving more than 25 years within the military and civil service, I have been very fortunate to undertake many learning and development opportunities. I’ve also been lucky to qualify in training delivery, training management, and training the trainer capabilities. This is where I found I could add the most value, developing others or training others whilst on a journey through an organisation, when volunteering at a local club or leaning in to help in times of need is where my strength resonates.

I’ve built capacity and opportunity for the following courses in-house and external should there be a need. First aid training, IOSH H&S training, abrasive wheel training, dignity at work and BAGMA installation training – all of which are great to deliver and great to support our staff with. I find no greater achievement in helping others met and or exceed developmental expectations, regardless of capability.