BAGMA Bulletin - July/August

THE MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH AGRICULTURAL AND GARDEN MACHINERY ASSOCIATION ISSUE 11 | JULY/AUGUST 2018

‘It started as a joke’ Nancy Bryson reveals the origins of Bryson Tractors and why she loved her biggest customer…

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IN THIS ISSUE

Getting the message out

ISSUE 11 JULY/AUGUST 2018

I've been talking to groups of children about our industry and the career paths it offers. It's something you should consider COMMENT

BRIAN SANGSTER PRESIDENT BAGMA

Cover: Iain Black

IN THE LAST edition of the BAGMA Bulletin I went on a bit of a rant about how so many people that I meet don’t seem to be able to attract apprentices into our industry. This column also suggested that we can’t just expect it to happen, we need to get out and sell our industry.

That’s what I’ve been doing.

I’m a STEM ambassador for land-based engineering. I talk to groups of children, through STEM and the schools, about our industry and the career paths it offers. For this role, there are no specialist skills or training required, just experience in the industry and a desire to encourage people into a career in landbased engineering. You will get a CRV check with a certificate, FOC. At the recent Royal Highland Show I also talked to groups of teachers and career advisors so that they can better direct youngsters to our industry.

I also recently did a similar presentation with LANTRA Scotland to careers teachers and Skills Development Scotland to target careers guidance staff. Scotland has official careers guidance teachers whereas in England there are no longer official positions in schools for careers guidance teachers.

I also work alongside RHET, the Royal Highland Education Trust, a charity within the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland that is committed to engaging all schoolchildren in Scotland with agricultural

The membership magazine of the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association Published 6 times a year by bira publishing Editor Chris Boiling 07713 192344 chris.boiling@bira.co.uk Design Alan Bingle 07949 024737 alan@forty6design.com Multimedia sales executive Simone Adams 0121 446 6688 simone.adams@bira.co.uk All advertising and media enquiries please email: editorial@bagma.com

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

industries. There are a number of other similar groups throughout the country who do similar work to RHET and who also need volunteers to help promote our industry. This year, however, I came across a new initiative at the show – one of this year’s RHS Presidential team projects.

‘Job Farm’ is already gathering momentum with plans to expand from the Lothians to the whole of Scotland later this year.

The aim is to make young people aware of the wide range of careers and jobs in the agriculture industry, which of course includes land-based engineering, and to be able to offer a couple of weeks’ experience in the workplace. It’s an ideal way of getting a ‘free demo’ for someone who is interested in an apprenticeship. It is hoped that this initiative will eventually be rolled out to the rest of the UK. I know it’s not a quick fix – more of a dripfeed – but the more people that get involved, the more likely the drips will turn into a steady flow.

The Royal Highland Show was again a huge success for BAGMA where we welcomed our new bira president, Surinder Josan, with his wife Kiran. They were both visiting the show for the first time. Surinder’s family has an agricultural background and so he was very interested in the tractors and machinery, particularly the size and technology.

We also welcomed our bira CEO, Alan Hawkins, with his wife Madeline who were also visiting the show for the first time. As with our centenary reception at last year’s show, Alasdair Straker pulled out all the stops to make it a special event for Alan, who is retiring later this year after 15 years as CEO (see page 19 for more details and some photos from the reception).

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NEWS Boosting sales with Safer Farmers; BAGMA bank’s new vehicle deal; Kubota’s big opportunity

8

MEMBER PROFILE Meet Nancy Bryson, the woman behind Bryson Tractors

12

SPECIAL REPORT Time to diversify?

New opportunities offered by new technologies

15 16

EVENTS The countdown to SALTEX has begun

OUT & ABOUT BAGMA has been to Scotland for a very special event

BAGMA, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB Tel 0121 446 6688 Fax 0121 446 5215 www.bagma.com

bira, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB Tel 0121 446 6688 Fax 0121 446 5215 www.bira.co.uk

BAGMA president Brian Sangster

bira president 2018-19 Surinder Josan

BAGMA director Keith Christian

CEO Alan Hawkins Finance director Beverley Long

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 Stephens & George.

Commercial director Jeff Moody Marketing & membership director Bob Jarrett Regional sales managers Joanne Arthur 07572 790337 Lorna Lewis 07814 767925 Gary Mitchell 07814767910 Janine Redford 07870 970856

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BAGMA NEWS

BULLETIN BOARD

EXPORT MARKETS

The latest research from DLG-Agrifuture Insights, part of the German Agriculture Society (DLG), reveals the current markets with high levels of investment in farm machinery. These are Thailand and Zambia, followed

by Germany, Brazil, and Russia. But the report suggests investment is subdued in South Africa.

NEW CEMA PRESIDENT

Anthony van der Ley has taken over from Richard Markwell, former vice president of Massey Ferguson, as the new president of CEMA. This appointment signifies a marked change for CEMA as it is the first time since CEMA’s restructuring in the early 2000s that the president is not from one of the big six tractor manufacturers. Anthony is CEO of Lemken, a medium-sized company specialising in the manufacture of implements.

DEERE DEAL WITH CMAE

John Deere has signed a new official supplier agreement with the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), a trade body providing club manager education. “Continued education is a core pillar of the John Deere philosophy and we look forward to supporting the CMAE in its quest to increase club manager education across Europe,” Carlos Aragones, John Deere’s European turf sales and marketing manager, said.

WHITNEY TO REPLACE MARTIN

Gary Whitney will replace Duncan Martin as managing director of STIGA UK on September 1. Duncan is taking time out to pursue ‘new ventures’ after clocking up 44 years in the industry. Duncan said: “I have known and worked with Gary for more years than I care to remember. He has the ethos and commitment necessary to continue developing our business for the future.”

TOOLBANK DEALS FOR MEMBERS

BAGMA members are being encouraged to start thinking about Christmas! “It’s never too soon to start planning Christmas to ensure you maximise your sales during this incredibly busy and important trading period,” says tool supplier Toolbank, which is looking to recruit more garden machinery dealers as stockists. The company says its Real Deals for You promotional campaign will reach millions of consumers through TV, print and digital advertising. All activity is intended to drive consumers to the Toolbank website – where they can find their local stockist. 01322 321460

AUGUST 22-24

Agritechnica Asia 2018, Bangkok’s International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC)

OCTOBER 31 AND NOVEMBER 1

SALTEX 2018, NEC, Birmingham

NOVEMBER 28 AND 29

CropTec Show, East of England Showground, Peterborough

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DIARY DATES

Brothers Mark (left) and John Eaton oversee sales and service activities at David Eaton Tractors, the farm equipment dealership at Fradswell near Stafford now handling McCormick tractors

Why Eaton switched to McCormick FAMILY-OWNED DAVID EATON Tractors has taken on the McCormick franchise for Cheshire and Staffordshire, scoring two orders from a new customer running a large dairy unit on day one.

Managing director David Eaton said: “Although we’ve been successful with the brand we’ve supplied for the past 17 years, switching to McCormick gives us access

to a much wider and more varied product range with more opportunities to meet the needs of local farmers and contractors.

“We can also trade across a larger territory with McCormick, so together with an expanded team of technicians in the workshop and for on-farm servicing and repairs we can aim to meet our goal of steadily expanding the business to secure its future and jobs.”

Member supports students with scholarship scheme LONGSTANDING BAGMA MEMBER Vincent Tractors and Plant is showing its support for the next generation of land-based engineers by continuing its scholarship scheme at a local college.

The family-run machinery dealership, based in Fraddon, Cornwall, is partnering with Duchy College Rosewarne again. It’s the third year running that the tractor dealer has offered a scholarship to one of the students. The offer includes a work placement at the dealership and £1,500 for tools, laptop, a telehandler licence and travel to study on the Duchy College’s

Level 2 land-based engineering course.

Paul Vincent, managing director, said: “We want to encourage youngsters into the industry as it is vitally important that the next generation of engineers is trained to a high standard.”

The first student to win the scholarship, Aidan Kent, has now joined the company as an apprentice and last year’s successful applicant, Morgan Gratrix, will soon be interviewed for an apprenticeship within the team.

Morgan said:“The scholarship has broadened my horizons, I have learnt about not only groundcare, but tractors, agricultural machinery and plant as well.”

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

BAGMA NEWS

Safety campaign boosts business for Devon dealers

The organisers of the Devon campaign are now keen to see it rolled out to a wider area. “I’m looking for companies, groups, major brands to take this on as best practice?” said Nick Creasy, Devon YFC operations manager.

For further details, call him on 01647 24120.

HRH Countess of Wessex launches the campaign at last year’s Devon County Show, with Claire Bellew, chairman of Devon YFC

THE GROWING SAFER Farmers initiative has boosted business for dealers taking part and made significant strides to improving the safety of machinery and equipment.

In the 12 months since it was first launched by the Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC), at the 2017 Devon County Show, the campaign has attracted widespread support from agricultural machinery dealerships and engineers and trade associations such as BAGMA. More than 1,100 PTO shafts have been repaired and replaced on machinery by the 19 participating dealerships and engineers.

The engineers have been making extra checks as part of a routine on PTO guides when equipment is brought to the workshop, even if this was not the original reason for bringing the equipment in.

Nick Creasy, operations manager for Devon YFC, said: “We are trying to help improve safety and point out these issues to busy farmers, so they

Kubota’s big opportunity KUBOTA UK HAS “a big opportunity to grow further and continue to diversify into new sectors”. So says its new managing director, David Hart (right).

David, who started his agriengineering career at Ben Burgess and went on to become a regional leader at John Deere, said: “Kubota’s brand, values and proven quality are facets I have respected as a competitor over many years, and I am excited to be part of the team that will take these to the next level.”

Dai Watanabe, president and CEO of Kubota in Europe, added: “We are very proud of the fact that we have a leading market position in the UK and Ireland with our current product portfolio. Our ambitions reach even further than that. With David on

board we have a leader that can support that ambition by bringing his extensive experience and knowledge to identify and exceed our dealers and customers’ needs and requirements.” l Kubota UK has promoted Martin Tyler to field service manager. This is a new management role created within the organisation to provide more support to independent dealers and end-users. Martin (above)

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

who joined Kubota in 2014 from a New Holland dealer, said: “The creation of this new role will enable Kubota to enhance its close working relationships with its dealers. It will ensure they have dedicated support and access to all the necessary tools and advice needed, to enhance their business operations. This in turn will lead to better service levels provided to our end-user customers.”

can be confident that those operating the equipment are safe. All the partners involved in the initiative have reported a significant increase in repairs and purchases of new guards since the start of the initiative 12 months ago.”

Growing Safer Farmers has brought together Devon dealers such as Fry & Son, Halse South West, Hamblys, James Pryce Tractors, Masons Kings, MST, Smallridge Bros, Buglers, Wide Valley, Independent Agri Parts, James Trout, Dayment & Skelton, CR Wilcox, CJ Saunders, South West Fixings, and R&D Machinery as well as BAGMA, the Health & Safety Executive, National Farmers Union and the Farm Safety Foundation.

The initiative has been a combination of repairing equipment and delivering training to the farming community on how to improve their safety and prevent accidents from happening.

Mr Creasy added: “Without such a strong group of partners we would not have achieved so much in the first 12 months.”

Have you completed your dealer satisfaction survey?

Check your inboxes for the annual National Dealer Survey which, for the second year running, BAGMA has sent in a digital format to the head offices of companies listed on its database as holding a tractor franchise. Last year’s returns were too few to publish meaningful information, so BAGMA director Keith Christian is urging dealers to fill out the survey this year “to enable us to provide you with helpful information about your suppliers and to encourage suppliers to improve their service to you”.

The survey is part of a Europe-wide study conducted by CLIMMAR, the umbrella group for agricultural machinery dealers’ trade associations.

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NEWS

1,222 5,343 The number of UK agricultural tractor registrations in May 2018.

That’s 20% up on the figure in May 2017 and the highest May figures since 2014.

The total number of UK agricultural tractor registrations this year to May 2018. That's 5% more than in the first five months of 2017.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald and JCB chief operating officer Mark Turner at the site of the new £50 million JCB Cab Systems plant in Uttoxeter

New role for Spencer at Ariens ARIENS HAS PROMOTED Darren Spencer (right) to vice president – EMEA and Asia. This means he will have responsibility for all operations and business within Ariens UK and Scandinavia as well as developing business within Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

It is one of several changes which the US-based company says is “aimed at putting more focus on the specific needs of the international market in the long-term”.

Larr y Weyers, president of Ariens Power Equipment, explained: “Ultimately we want to give the team control to develop the right products, for the right market, at the right time.”

JCB builds new plant Expanded workwear range

Big

STIHL launches website for new dealers

buying benefits.

On average members save £1,518 per year*

STIHL HAS LAUNCHED a website dedicated to potential new dealers, with a simplified application process.

The website also offers insight into the tools dealers can access to boost sales of STIHL products. These include merchandising packages, marketing aids, technical support, and training programmes.

Wayne Stone, national sales manager at STIHL GB, said: “The launch of the new website is aimed at businesses that share our passion and commitment to providing customers with a great buying experience and highlights how a STIHL partnership can help drive business operations to the next level as a STIHL approved dealer.”

Want to know more about your BAGMA buying group? Call Steve Akers on 0121 446 6688

Our suppliers include:

Visit becomeastihldealer.co.uk

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bira direct - BD May June 2017 - Quarter Page Advert.indd 1

31/03/2017 10:36:36

As well as offering petrol chainsaws, STIHL has an expanded range of high-visibility workwear. The new lightweight MS Protect cut protective high-visibility jacket and trousers are suitable for a range of applications, including arb, forestry and landscaping work.

The jacket has two chest pockets and an outlet opening for harnesses on the back, while the elbows and shoulders feature thorn protection.

The trousers have two side pockets, one back pocket, one tape measure pocket and kidney protection. www.stihl.co.uk

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

NEWS

for cabs

WORK IS UNDER way on a new 350,000sq ft facility for JCB Cab Systems. The £50 million investment is next to two existing JCB plants near the A50 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

When the new plant opens next year, it will have the capacity to produce about 100,000 cabs a year for JCB products, including Loadall telehandlers and Fastrac tractors. It will include a computer-controlled production line, fully-automated painting facility and robotic welding and will create more than 200 new jobs by 2022.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald (pictured) said: “This new factory will be the most advanced and productive cab facility in the world and will bring even greater levels of efficiency to the business. The investment is one of the biggest in the company’s history and underlines our commitment to manufacturing in Britain and in our home county of Staffordshire.”

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Part No: CIW20LISF List Price: £159.98

Now here’s an interesting move PAT SMITH, A longstanding employee of New Holland dealer TH White Agriculture, has gone to work for New Holland as its new business director for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Pat (pictured), who had been with TH White for 34 years, has replaced Andrew Watson, who has retired after 31 years with the company. Pat was introduced to the dealer network in Basildon in June.

Afterwards, he said: “I’m looking

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

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forward to the challenge of this new role and I’m lucky to be working with a great team of people both here at New Holland and throughout our dealer network.”

Success for small family business Small family business Clearwater Pond & Lake Management has won the title of 2018 Otterbine Contractor of the Year.

The Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire-based team of four achieved the highest Otterbine sales figures by a considerable margin this year thanks to a passion for the fountain brand, a drive to succeed, and support from Otterbine and its distributor Reesink Turfcare.

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Clearwater owner Tim Soane said: “I think when you believe in Otterbine as much as we do, you’re halfway towards being a successful contractor.”

To find out more visit www.drapertools.com/bagma-july

Strength in Quality

Bagma JULY AUG 2018.indd 1

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07/06/2018 15:31

OPINION

How can we encourage more young people to enter the industry?

We spoke to members of BAGMA’s Young Manager Group to find out their thoughts on attracting younger generations into a career in agricultural and garden machinery.

“We need to work in connection w ith manufacturers’ schemes and bodies like Young Farmers. We are a very for ward-think ing industry but we need to stop living in the past and get more people interested early on.”

“Suppliers and manufacturers need to modernise their approach and provide the technology to support this. We need to look to other industries, such as the car industry, that 20 years ago were where we are now. We need to research how they made their careers more enticing for young people.”

“We need to glamorise the industry more. There is a stigma that it’s dirty and outside based, which puts a lot of people off. We need cleaner workshops and we should take inspiration from the automotive trade – and modernise our approach.”

Rosie Ward, WM Plant, Carlisle

“We need to make the prospect more exciting.

The people who are likely candidates to take up a career in this area are more likely to go down the automotive route, so we need to promote how technologically advanced our industry is.”

Tom Richardson, of Tools Today in Dudley

Chris Hughes, RVW Pugh, Montgomery, Powys

Ben Sims, Sims Garden Machinery in Stratford Upon Avon

“We need to change our marketing and focus on what younger people are into. We should be sponsoring big events and be where our target market is – eg rugby and football games, or Glastonbury!”

“We need to move away from the belief that this is a grubby industry, it’s not all about spanners a nd dir t . It is computerised now, it’s a ll technolog y a nd robotics. The investment in this area is great, making it a great career choice. We need a stronger message about the computerised side though, which is really exciting.”

Elliott Prior, Masons Kings in Newton Abbot

“There is a world of opportunity in this industry. Gone are the days of picking up a spanner. There is a wealth of training available to build a career, we should be promoting apprenticeships better for example. We need to work more closely with suppliers too. We need to build enthusiasm from an early age, making it the obvious choice for someone who is interested in technology. It baffles me why we don’t have support for this career, as for those who are enthusiastic, a career in this industry is 100% beneficial.”

Mary Evans, RVW Pugh in Montgomery, Powys

Chris Wilkinson, Robertshaws Garden Machinery in Kelbrook, Barnoldswick

WORKING WITH OUR EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS COMMENT

KEITH CHRISTIAN DIRECTOR BAGMA AT BAGMA, WE spend a lot of time working with our European counterparts on matters that are common to us all and, despite Brexit, we are still welcome at the CLIMMAR table, the European umbrella group for agricultural machinery dealers.

We have been a member of

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CLIMMAR since 1956 and are currently involved in working groups preparing position papers on Smar t Farming and the opportunities that this may offer dealers, as well as returning to the matter of dealer/supplier contracts that has been on our agenda for the 100 years BAGMA has been around.

CLIMMAR also provides us with the platform and Europeanwide information that supports our annual dealer survey concerning dealer satisfaction with their

tractor suppliers. This is out now and has been sent to more than 600 tractor franchised dealers in the UK in an electronic format. We need everyone to look out for this and fill it in and return by email.

It can be copied and printed to pass around, saved if need be but finally completed and sent back by email. Dealers will get reminders, so please look out for it and do your bit to help us encourage tractor suppliers to better serve you.

We also work with CLIMMAR on providing Branch Report

SOMETHING TO SAY?

We cover a wide selection of topics in the pages of BAGMA Bulletin, but please let us know if we are missing something or you have a story to tell. Email me at editorial@bagma.com

information to determine how the dealer side of the industry is doing across Europe. Unfortunately, we are not so good at gathering this information but will be trying harder in the future as it is clearly a worthwhile exercise.

Take some time to check out the CLIMMAR web site www. climmar.com and learn a bit more about what goes on in CLIMMAR. BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

EXPERTS VIEW

You want to be a what?

WHEN I DECIDED in 1965 that agricultural engineering was for me, Independent it was fully accepted and consultant and LTA scheme co-ordinator I was congratulated in securing an apprenticeship. I suspect the response nowadays would be ‘why on earth would you want to do that? It’s a dead-end job with no prospects.’

How little teachers and most of the general public for that matter know about our industry and how wrong could they possibly be? To quote the LE-TEC industry brochure, it’s “a world of opportunity” – and I should know.

I would opt for an apprentice over a university graduate every time. There are people who may disagree, but whilst graduates have vast amounts of knowledge they have little to no practical skills.

An apprentice has the opportunity to learn the practical skills at work and underpin that skill with knowledge accumulated on the job and at college whilst getting paid. Historically, TRAINING

DAVID KIRSCHNER

The risk of death and fines from overhead powerlines THE PARTNERS OF a Suffolk-based farm have Office manager been sentenced after a SafetyAide haulage contractor was electrocuted to death when his vehicle struck an overhead powerline.

On 30 August 2016, Mr Christopher Wilson was killed when his tipping trailer was raised and contacted overhead powerlines that ran across part of the yard at the Airfield Grain Store, in Parham, near Framlingham, Suffolk.

The site was managed by Nicholas and Roger Watts, partners of FS Watts & Sons.

Investigating, the HSE found that FS Watts & Sons had failed to take suitable precautions for work near to the overhead electric powerlines.

The Watts each pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 3(1)(a) contrary to regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and each was fined £9,500 and ordered to pay costs of £4,700.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Saffron SAFETY

PAUL MARSH

Turnell said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young father. This death could easily have been prevented if those in control of operations at the grain store had acted to identify and manage the risks involved and put a safe system of work in place.”

What you need to know Accidental contact with live overhead powerlines kills people and causes many serious injuries every year. People are also harmed when a person or object gets too close to a line and a flashover occurs. Work involving high vehicles or long equipment is particularly high risk.

Remember: lG oing close to a live overhead line can result in a flashover that may kill. Touching a power line is not necessary for danger; lV oltages lower than 230 volts can kill and injure people; lD o not mistake overhead powerlines on wooden poles for telephone wires; and lE lectricity can bypass wood, plastic or rubber, if it is damp or dirty, and cause fatal shocks.

Don’t rely on gloves or rubber boots to protect you.

Tip 1. Before you conduct your work carry out a field risk assessment of the work area.

Lessons to be learned Walk the job and look for hazards that may This tragic accident could so easily have been have an effect on high-level work equipment. avoided. The risk from inadvertent contact with This may include powerlines, lighting, heating overhead powerlines should have been recogpipes or other services. nised, the work activities should have been propTip 2. If the work presents a risk of coming erly planned and suitable control measures put in into contact with high-level electrical services, place. All these considerations should have been then check to see if they can be isolated for included in the field risk assessment process the duration of the work. and dealt with before the work comTip 3. Ensure that you issue a menced.

ABOVE EYE LEVEL safe system of work to your For a basic field risk assessIf your staff intend using staff and talk them through ment form please visit our work equipment such as it before they start. This is website at www.safetyaide. extension ladders, elevating also an ideal opportunity com and download a free platforms, tractors, forklift to discuss your field risk copy. Also, free guidance trucks etc, then ensure that assessment. note GS6 on overhead cables they are instructed to watch out for all is found at the HSE website. high-level services.

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

‘OUR INDUSTRY WILL SEE THE FIRST APPRENTICES GRADUATE AT THE END OF THEIR TRAILBLAZER APPRENTICESHIP IN THE NEXT SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS’ apprenticeships have produced well-rounded, highly skilled individuals and they will again with the introduction of the new apprenticeship Trailblazer Standards.

Our industry apprenticeships are approved, the funding allocated and groups within our industry are working to produce the assessments that will be applied at the end of the apprenticeship to test apprentices as fit for purpose. It’s all happening and our industry will see the first apprentices graduate at the end of their trailblazer apprenticeship in the next six to eight months. It will be a landmark in our industry as the new apprenticeships get into full swing. It’s a really productive step in starting to plug the industry skills gap.

Now it’s all down to industry to attract and employ the next generation of technicians and convince those who don’t know what a ‘World of Opportunity’ our industry offers.

As an industry we tackle the difficult and impossible every day so if representatives of LETEC can persuade the chief executive of the Institute for Apprentices (IfA) to leave his London office to come and listen to our industry views and aspirations, then selling careers in landbased engineering to the general public should be a walk in the park.

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MEMBER PROFILE

Nancy Bryson explains the story behind Bryson Tractors and what it’s like sleeping with your biggest customer…

ALONG WITH HUSBAND Jake Bryson and sales director Tom McGregor, Nancy Bryson set up Bryson Tractors in 2002. The company, which started by selling New Holland and Kuhn machinery, has grown over the years and expanded from agricultural machinery into construction and the groundcare market. Other suppliers include Herron Engineering, McConnel, Opico, Walter Watson, HiSpec, Trimax, and Quicke.

How did you become involved in the agricultural machinery business?

I could say that it had always been my dream, but that would not be true! Being honest, it started as a bit of a joke – my husband Jake, an agricultural contractor at that time, and the salesman for the local New Holland dealer, Tom McGregor, were discussing who would take over the area as the current dealer and New Holland were parting company. I suggested that Jake and I could do it – jokingly!

Why did you take the plunge to start your own business?

At the time I was a sales director for a bank and worked long hours and away from home a lot.

Jake and I had talked about starting a family so I knew I would need a change of career. The opportunity to take on the New Holland dealership seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

With my sales and customer service experience from my banking career, and Jake’s knowledge of machinery and his reputation as a contractor for more than 15 years in the area, I reckoned we could do a good job. So we approached New Holland and Kuhn Farm Machinery and luckily they agreed.

Perhaps less fortunately, it was a year before they told us, and by then the agricultural contracting business had really taken off and I was seven months pregnant. So after much consideration I took on the running of the dealership without Jake, but along with Tom McGregor and four other staff from the previous New Holland dealer.

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‘It starte Did it cause many sleepless nights?

All the sleepless nights were caused by my son Angus who was two months old when we opened our depot. However, I persuaded my sister Janey to come and work with me, and she became my righthand woman! She looked after Angus when I had meetings and did all the invoicing and wages for the company – 16 years later she is our accounts manager and still keeps everyone right! As for sleepless nights now – I’m not really a worrier, I don’t think you could work with the sums of money that we deal with and worry about it! Probably my banking background helps me.

What issues did you have starting out?

Our biggest problem was with premises – trying to find suitable and affordable premises. We started out renting but quickly found that the landlord would do nothing that was promised.

It was a huge learning curve for me as I had no

experience of landlords and commercial property rental. My lawyer quickly became my best friend. After five months we had to move and I managed to secure funding to purchase an old rundown building in a rundown industrial site – not sure that banks are so kind to new businesses now but they certainly backed me and really helped us out in the early days.

How are things going at the moment?

We have grown from a staff of six in the early days to 17. We have a very busy workshop and stores department. Our sales are steady with business from agriculture, landscaping and local councils. Over the years we have won a number of Special Recognition awards from New Holland, including Dealer of the Year in 2008 and runner-up in 2016.

Are there any major concerns or headaches?

Staffing is always a huge issue for us – as many BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

Nancy Bryson, who set up Bryson Tractors in 2002, has seen the company grow from agricultural machinery into the construction and groundcare market

ed as a joke’ dealers will agree! We really struggle to find and keep staff. I have fantastic staff that work with me, and feel very lucky to have them but as our numbers have increased over the years it has become more difficult to find good staff to fill our vacancies.

What’s the best performing part of the business at the moment and why do you thinkthat is?

At this time of year our stores are very busy, with silage season upon us, and quite a few people attempting some haymaking in this unexpected sunshine. Our workshop is busy all year round, as we cover a diverse range of customers who are busy at different times of the year. Sales are a bit slower at the moment. With all the uncertainty (Brexit, Scottish independence etc) and the bad summer last year, followed by the worst winter we have had in years, people are reluctant to commit to large purchases. We have had a great BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

start to the summer so I am sure the sales will come as people start to see a bit of sunshine and feel better about the outlook.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

I have never missed a school performance (although I have been a bit late a few times!) A big factor in setting up the business was I wanted the flexibility of having time for my kids. My daughter Isla arrived three years after Angus, and I have been able to mix family time and work life very well. (My kids might tell you differently!)

If I am allowed two ‘best things’, the other is the people – fantastic staff and fantastic customers. Over the years I have made some really good friends.

And the worst?

Having your husband as your biggest customer.

You never get away from the moans! But proba-

bly the things you cannot control. It is really frustrating when you have an issue with a machine that you cannot fix and have to rely on someone else – who is perhaps not very reliable! I have become very good at shouting over the years – as some of my suppliers will vouch for!

You believe in training for staff - what do you get out of it?

We have always brought new workshop technicians in through apprenticeships, and trained them up over the years. With the increased complexity of machines you need staff that understand them and can fix them if anything goes wrong. Investing in staff means that customers will trust you to look after their machines, and your staff have much more loyalty and job satisfaction with being able to do a good job.

How was the Royal Highland Show for you?

It is a fantastic show – a brilliant showcase of 

9

MEMBER PROFILE

Clockwise from right: Apprentice technician Fraser Baillie at work, Nancy chats with customer Duncan Allison, Nancy with her sister, Janey Bould (accounts manager)

all that is good about farming. There is something for everyone. It is a huge commitment for us as a company with it being a four-day show.

For Bryson Tractors, it is quite local for us and a great way to catch up with customers, and we generally get quite a few enquiries from it. We also support our local shows, and have a stand at the larger ones to remind our customers that we are there. AgriScot is also a very important date in our calendar. It is a one day inside show held in November, and we have had a stand there right from the start. Over the years it has become one of the must-attend events. It is free to attend, so it is easy for people to pop in for a few hours, and is a great way for us to catch up with a large number of customers in a short period of time.

How else do you promote the business?

I like to promote the business in many different ways – both to existing customers, new customers and also to potential staff. As I said earlier, we attend local shows and events to showcase our products and services. We also have a website and Facebook page to help promote offers, and sell more. Social media is a great way of getting your message out without a great deal of expense. I’m not as good as I would like to be with Facebook, but rely on Stuart Dickson, our depot manager, to do this for me – younger generation! Over the years, I have also built our ties with local schools and colleges to attract apprentices. We provide work experience placements and do talks in schools to promote our business. Personally I am also very involved you could imagine how interested I was. He did with RHET (Royal Highland Educational persist so to shut him up more than anything I Trust) who are the charitable arm of the Royal went along to a meeting. And the rest is history Highland Society that organise the show every – I have been a member for probably 15 years year. I do ‘tractors to school’ talks for primary and have made some really good friends who sell school children, as part of a larger farming other makes of machinery (inferior obviously!) project for the kids, and also have done a few and we have swapped good practices over the business talks for secondary school children on years. I have never been scared to pick up the starting up your own business. phone if I have needed some help.

These are a great way to promote ‘I DON’T THINK Bryson Tractors as a business, YOU COULD WORK What’s the main BAGMA serbut also the agricultural industry WITH THE SUMS OF vice you use?

MONEY THAT WE as a career choice.

We have used various services DEAL WITH AND over the years – insurance, legal WORRY ABOUT IT!' Why did you join BAGMA? help, card services, health and Ah! That was with a bit of arm safety, training courses and I have twisting. An ex BAGMA president – Doug- priced lending with BAGMA bank. Our main las Hamilton (who is sadly no longer with us) services are with Safety Aide for their health and phoned me and told me that as I didn’t know safety and Towergate for their insurance. I like anyone in the industry (being a woman and that they know our industry, so understand our from a banking background) he felt I would business, and would highly recommend them benefit from the company at the local meetings to anyone. and from being part of the organisation. At the time he was the local CASE dealer in my area What do you do to relax? and probably one of my biggest competitors. So Not sure that I understand the question. Relax-

10

ing, I think, was something I did before I had children and ran an agricultural dealership – I cannot remember!

Tell us a fun or surprising fact about you.

I am often described as ‘scary’ but the surprising thing is that I am not. (My husband might tell you otherwise!)

Is there anything else we should know about you or Bryson Tractors?

We are looking to the future now – I have an almost 16-year-old son and almost 13-year-old daughter, and am keen to encourage them into the industry. My husband took the decision to ‘retire’ last year and that has had a huge impact on our lives, it has freed up time to do lots of things we could not do before. We enjoyed our first summer holiday ever last year and have another one booked for this year. Jake is now project managing a new extension onto our depot. It will allow a much better flow to the building and give us a fantastic new stores department. I am really looking forward to this, and it is long overdue.

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018



BAGMA PROMOTION

Big discounts on Toyota & Lexus via BAGMA bank Are you looking to buy a new hybrid car, pick-up, van or other commercial vehicle? Waiting lists for the new September registrations are filling up and it is not surprising that Toyota and Lexus are leading the way.

WITH A LARGE range of listed vehicles for all budgets and requirements, including the Toyota Hilux (below) which was voted pick-up of the year in 2017, BAGMA bank is delighted to launch an exclusive partner discount on all new Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Officially launched at the bira conference in May, bira and BAGMA members were pleased to have the opportunity

to test drive a range of vehicles throughout the conference and ensure they were firmly on the waiting list for the new registrations.

BAGMA bank is offering BAGMA members significant price discounts on new vehicle purchases, with savings of up to £8,498 on selected vehicles. This offer coincides with the banks seasonal discount on vehicle lending rates to give members a double benefit.

John Collins at BAGMA bank said: “We are delighted to be working with Toyota & Lexus to offer this promotion exclusively to vehicles all or part financed by a BAGMA bank loan. With new vehicle loan rates currently as low as 5.1% (APR) members have extra reason to get themselves on the new registration waiting lists as soon as possible.”

With some pick-up models also offering many attractive tax and warranty advantages and these offers not available via your local dealer, get in touch with Dave Baker at BAGMA bank to find out how much you can save on 0121 227 6656.

Membership built around your dealership We’re always looking for ways to increase the value of your membership further. So, whether it’s industry training or expert legal advice, we’re here to support you.

Here are just a few of the ways you can benefit:

To start using these or any of our other services contact the membership team or visit our website

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• Loans & deposits through BAGMA bank

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BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

26/06/2018 09:40:06

11

Opportunity Farmers are getting grants to buy ‘the best kit available’, but this may not be the kit in dealers’ showrooms. Is it time for BAGMA members to diversify into adjacent sectors and new technologies?

OUR COVER STAR, Nancy Bryson, says one of the factors behind Bryson Tractors’ success since opening for business 16 years ago has been its ability to adapt to change.

“You have to be ready to change as and when you need to,” Nancy told the BAGMA Bulletin.

“Our customers have had to adapt to changes over the years, particularly in the dairy industry.

The ones who haven’t changed with the times are no longer farming.

“We, as dealers, need to be the same, as technologies and innovations are introduced into our industry we need to embrace them. As our customers’ requirements change, we need to adapt to be able to meet their needs.”

Farmers are certainly getting plenty of encouragement to adapt and use new technologies and innovations. Farming Minister George Eustice, speaking at the recent Royal Cornwall Show, explained why the government is backing this approach: “The equipment on the market today can revolutionise farms, saving time and increasing yields.”

He revealed that Defra has handed out grants worth £23.5 million since March under the Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme. The aim of which is to boost productivity by enabling farmers “to access some of the best kit available”, including guidance systems

12

to aid precision farming. index tracked by funds worth a combined $4 Andrew Ward MBE of Roy Ward (Farms) billion.

Ltd, Leadenham, Lincolnshire, is at the fore“If you can reduce herbicides by the factor of front of encouraging fellow farmers to climb 10 it becomes very compelling for the farmer in aboard the trend and will be talkterms of productivity. It’s also ecoing at this year’s CropTec event, friendly and that’s clearly going to outlining the new technology his be very popular, if not compulsofarm will be adopting over the ry, at some stage,” he added. coming years: drones and aerial The worldwide agricultural The UK government, as part imagery to identify weeds and tractor robots market is of its Industrial Strategy, has put diseases; drones for spot spray- expected to reach this artificial intelligence (AI) at the ing; precision drills; mechanical value by 2024. Last year it heart of its growing productivweeding machines; and driver- was a $185m market. ity aims. It wants to make the less tractors.

UK the world’s most innovative Autonomous tractors are now nation by 2030 by capitalising on being seen as the start of a full AI and a “new industrial revolurollout of robot technologies into The expected value tion”. And it is putting its hand the agricultural industry. Robotic of artificial intelligence where its mouth is, committing weedkillers will be next – disrupt- in agriculture by 2025, £725m over the next three years ing the $100 billion pesticides growing from last year’s to achieve its goal. and seeds industry by reducing $518.7m.

Also, as part of the governthe need for universal herbicides ment’s Strategy for Agricultural and the genetically modified (GM) crops that Technologies – designed to help provide engitolerate them. neering and precision agriculture solutions for “A lot of the technology is already available. the agri-food industry – four national Centres It’s just a question of packaging it together at the for Agricultural Innovation have been set up. right cost for the farmers,” said Richard Light- Their aim is to help the UK turn agricultural bound of ROBO Global, an advisory firm that innovation into commercial opportunities for runs a robotics and automation investment UK businesses, encourage inward investment

$3.2bn

$2.6bn

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

SPECIAL REPORT

buzzes

and improve farming practice.

The industry received an insight into the way things are going at the recent 2018 Cereals show.

At a seminar on artificial intelligence, visitors were told to expect an “avalanche of new technologies” over the coming years, after a ten-fold increase in investment in agri-tech start-ups between 2012-2015.

Joe Allnutt, head of ‘robotics awesomeness’ at the Small Robot Company, said the industry will transform from its reliance on large tractors to small robots. The company is developing a system of three robots, named Tom, Dick and Harry: Tom monitors and photographs crops

Why diversify?

“As long as suppliers and dealers have existed, there has been conflict within the relationship that has led to difficulties with operating a successful dealership with a strong and secure future. Trust and loyalty are the fundamental ingredients for a stable and profitable relationship and, if this does not exist between a supplier and a dealership, the future relationship will not survive changes or difficulties.

“Changes in demand, in the local and global markets, together with supply problems, legislation, staff and financial instability can affect the needs of both the supplier and dealership businesses. This being the case, some level of diversification is in order to secure a dealerships’ future and mitigate the influence of one or two suppliers on its future.

“Heavy stuff and open to loads of debate, of which the outcome will vary from type of dealership and how entrenched they are with a supplier or how much influence that supplier has on the business. Diversification can be achieved in many ways with different products but exploring the less obvious or moving with trends is what dealers should be considering.”

Keith Christian, BAGMA director

plant-by-plant, recognising weeds and disease “This level of precision farming is going to issues, while mapping the farm with highly- happen, and there is a new frontier here. What accurate satellite signals. The data is passed to has changed now is the technology has matured Dick, which carries out targeted micro-spray- over the last few years, and robotics and AI have ing and weeding, and Harry, the seed-planting got to the point where these ideas can be a real robot. possibility.”

Mr Allnutt said such a system could reduce One of the potential problems that could pesticide use by 95%, and energy use by 90%. hold things back is a lack of skilled technicians “The whole system to be working without to operate and service the new machines. any [human] interaction is all posBut this is where Keith Christian, sible within the next 10 years,” director of BAGMA, sees a real he said. “But in five years we opportunity for members WHAT DO YOU THINK? will have large elements of to secure their futures.

Should dealers invest in this in operation.

“Diversification can be standalone departments with people who have an entirely achieved in many ways different skillset than current with different products staff? How much can a dealership but exploring the less diversify to secure its future for obvious or moving with generations to come and still keep satellite data – that is trends is what dealers in touch with their core business? something we can do at should be considering,” Email your replies to the editor the moment,” he said. he said. of BAGMA Bulletin: “A lot of it will depend In the future, he sees chris.boiling@bira.co.uk on crop pricing, which could members having “divisions depend on the results of Brexit and within the business that could be changes to subsidies. If farmers lose created to handle drones and related all their subsidies we could see a big move business, parts departments using 3D printers to towards precision farming as they will need to create parts on demand, and smart or precision cut their costs.” farming divisions dealing with all that relates to this ever-expanding area of opportunity”.

Brexit’s role in spurring change Speaking at the 2018 Cereals show, Oliver Claydon, operations director of Claydon Drills, said there was potential to incorporate more data-driven elements into the family firm’s cultivation machinery – and Brexit could be one factor which drives the speed of the uptake of new technologies.

“Where I would see it is in seed rates and mapping of fields, integrating soil and nitrogen maps so we can do variable seed rates from

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

13

UPDATES

Meet the team: Richard Jenkins

EVENT NEWS

Getting to know BAGMA’s new business development manager, Richard Jenkins – a former golf pro.

Richard Jenkins is the newest me mb e r o f t he B AGM A team. His job title is business development manager and he will be working closely with Keith Christian, BAGMA’s director, to further develop the association’s services for members, as well as being involved with membership recruitment.

What brought you to BAGMA? Keith mainly. He can be very persuasive! But I also had been looking for a new career after nearly 30 years (straight from school) as a golf professional. I needed a new challenge and less weekend work.

How would you describe your job to a child?

I would probably say that I look after people and make sure they are happy at work and I get to look at a lot of tractors!

What is your biggest achievement to date personal or professional?

Professionally, scoring 64 a rou nd Ma ch r i ha n ish in southwest Scotland. A lso putting junior staff through the Professional Golfers Association training course, seeing them qualify and then going on to succeed at their own clubs has been highly rewarding.

Personally, fatherhood beats everything (most of the time).

What do you like most about your new job?

It is a very varied role and you get to meet some amazing people that are passionate about their

14

jobs. Also, I get to look around the agricultural shows which, for someone born on a farm, is a dream job.

What has surprised you most about your role?

I was surprised by how much is going on within the industry and by the diversity of the BAGMA members.

SALTEX aims to grow number of gardeners SALTEX 2018 October 31 and November 1 NEC Birmingham

What’s the one thing you wish people understood about BAGMA? Getting BAGMA members to understand how much they can benefit from their membership, from using the free legal advice to using the bank facilities on offer to them.

Do you still love golf?

Yes. I have been lucky enough to play some amazing courses with friends around the UK and abroad. I’m also a very keen rugby and cycling fan. There are not many sports I don’t enjoy.

Given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?

A fighter pilot or the Prime Minister – but sorting out our wonderful country might take a little longer than one day.

Tell us a fun fact about you.

I taught Andy Ridgeley (of Wham!) and his wife Keren Woodward (of Bananarama) to play golf when working in Cornwall.

SALTEX 2018 IS aiming to grow the number of landscapers and gardeners visiting the show, which will take place at the NEC, Birmingham, on October 31 and November 1.

It is teaming up with Lawn Care Legends, a Facebook group with more than 3,000 worldwide members who showcase their work and knowledge on the page.

The majority of group members are based in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and Canada and the group sees, on average, 40-60 individual member posts and approximately 4,500 engagements every day from likes to comments.

“The kind of topics of conversation can be anything from recommendations on products,

Show us what you’ve got

Highlights from recent events

CEREALS EVENT

Larger sprayer FEATURING JOHN DEERE’S new PowrSpray solution system, a larger 5000-litre capacity spray tank and a lightweight but extremely strong carbon fibre boom, the R4050i self-propelled sprayer was demonstrated for the first time in the Sprays & Sprayers arena at Cereals 2018.

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

EVENT NEWS

Standing out from the crowd Here’s an example of what can happen at the show. At SALTEX 2017, Toro’s LT-F3000 triple flail mower stood out for Harlow Council-founded facilities management company, HTS Group Limited. In fact, the company, which deals with grass cutting and landscape maintenance around the Essex district, was so impressed it promptly invested in two machines.

“Post-show, I got in touch with our local Reesink Turfcare representative, Danny Lake, who took me on a tour around the Spellbrook Toro Factory in Bishop Stortford.

Seeing machines hand-built before my eyes convinced me that for quality and robustness, Toro was the way to go,” said Andrew Bradley, landscapes manager at HTS Group.

machines or brands, what people prefer to use – the pros and cons, or it could be to do with marketing your business or pricing a job. It is open to professionals and aspiring professionals and the group encourages the positive aspect of sharing information,” said group founder John Ryan.

At SALTEX John will be hosting Lawn Care Legends LIVE on the first day alongside popular landscaping ‘YouTubers’ Curtis Jones and Jason Groom. John explained: “By bringing Lawn Care Legends LIVE to SALTEX, it creates a go-to event of the year that people, not just members of Lawn Care Legends, can look forward to in connecting with other likeminded individuals.”

ScotGrass returns to Dumfries in 2019 SCOTGRASS IS SET to return to Crichton Royal Farm at Dumfries on Wednesday, May 15 2019.

The event gives livestock farmers and grassland contractors the opportunity to see the latest grass conservation methods and machinery in action in field-scale plots on a commercial dairy farm. Visitors will also have the chance to talk to industry experts on technical subjects affecting the livestock industry and those supplying products and services into the livestock SCOTGRASS sector.

Kayleigh Holden, event organiser, May 15, 2019 explained: “The AEA is extremely Royal Farm, Dumfries pleased to be back at Crichton Royal we would like to thank SRUC for hostFarm which was also used for the 2016 ing the 2019 event.” event. The site in Dumfries offers excellent faciliScotGrass is a triennial event organised by ties for manufacturers to showcase their machinthe AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association). ery to potential customers and visitors alike and www.scotgrass.co.uk

Get an insight into the future in Peterborough FOR AN INSIGHT into new technology, form for farmers and their advisers to network cutting-edge agronomy and best business with some of the best minds in the industry in practices, dealers may find a trip to an informal atmosphere, and to pick Peterborough at the end of Novem- CROPTEC 2018 up invaluable practical advice to help November 28-29 improve farm business prospects.” ber worthwhile.

The CropTec Show 2018 comes at East of England More than 170 companies are a time when two key factors – Brexit Showground, expected to exhibit at the show, and the UK government’s current Peterborough which will be held at the East of Engenvironmental focus – are adding to land Showground, Peterborough, on the uncertainty surrounding agriculture.

November 28 and 29. Other features include Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group events direcsprayer demo and soil compaction tor of AgriBriefing, which owns The CropTec areas.

Show, said: “The event provides an excellent platwww.croptecshow.com

PRODUCT NEWS

LINCOLNSHIRE SHOW

Large capacity robot mower

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

New balerwrapper

K U H N FA R M M ACHI N E RY unveiled the latest version of its i-BIO+ baler-wrapper combination machine at the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh. It features KUHN’s patented film binding system, which uses two standard 750mm stretch film rolls to fully encapsulate the round bale.

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

VISITORS TO THE Lincolnshire Show got an exclusive preview of the Italianmade Ambrogio L400 series, the largest capacity autonomous lawnmower on the UK market. Offering coverage of 30,000m2 (7.5 acres) and the option to operate without a perimeter wire, the threemodel range garnered rave reviews from those who saw the machines on the Mower Magic stand.

John Hall, managing director at Magic Distribution, said: “The L400 is such a leap forward in terms of what’s on offer in the autonomous mowing sector and we think it’s a really exciting proposition.”

GRASSLAND UK

Netwrap debut GRASSLAND UK SAW the UK debut of the Kubota Netwrap – another solution from Kubota’s collaboration with Tama. Kubota says Netwrap with Bale+ technology is “the next generation of bale wrap” as it offers “the best protection”, guarantees length, includes roll end warning stripes, left and right roll marketing, and carry handles for easier and safer handling.

15

EVENTS

A Royal farewell BIRA’S OUTGOING CEO Alan Hawkins and his wife, Madeline, visited Scotland’s iconic celebration of farming, food and rural life, the Royal Highland Show, to bid a fond farewell to bira and BAGMA members and Scottish friends at a party on the BAGMA stand.

A variety of guests turned out to wish Alan well in his forthcoming retirement, after 15 years at the helm of the trade association. These well-wishers included bira president Surinder Josan and wife Kiran, BAGMA president Brian Sangster, and Scottish past president of the BHF Brian Smellie.

BAGMA and bira staff, along with service providers and members, ensured that guests were treated to a very pleasant evening and had an opportunity to talk to Alan. A special cake was organised with a message in Gaelic.

Alan and Madeline were invited to the RHASS Presidents luncheon at the show as well as a dinner with the BAGMA stand staff and guests.

Alan’s treat for his first visit to Scotland’s largest event was a brand new country jacket so that he looked the part at the evening reception.

New associate member Catalyst Computer Systems was the other major guest on the BAGMA stand. They were there to demonstrate dealer software packages to members. Marc Nolan, sales manager, commented that they had a great time at the show and were very pleased to have been able to attend Alan’s retirement party.

OUT AND ABOUT WITH BAGMA

Madeline Hawkins, Richard Fairnie (the piper) and Alan Hawkins Alasdair Straker and Alan Hawkins - in his new country jacket

BAGMA’s Highland fling

189,851

The number of visitors at this year’s four-day Royal Highland Show.

30,000

The estimated number of children who visited the show for free.

£65m

The estimated economic benefit of the show to the UK.

£8m

The amount visitors are estimated to have spent at the event.

1,000

The number of beef and dairy cattle in the Highland Hall.

2,029 250,000 The number of sheep entries.

The number of toilet flushes.

16

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

EVENTS

Surinder Josan and wife Kiran with Marc Nolan (Catalyst Computer Systems) and Bob Chapman (Bavenhill Mechanics Co)

Also in Scotland Alan Hawkins (centre) receives a bottle of whisky from Marc Nolan and Alex Gamble of Catalyst Computer Systems

BAGMA also visited the Game Fair in Scotland. There, we met the Kirby family – BAGMA members who have identified a good little niche in professional log splitters. Picture shows Isobel Kirby with her dad, Ian (the company owner), and brother James.

The feedback on this year’s show has been incredible – yes, the weather played its part but overwhelmingly visitors are amazed with the scale and size of the event with every part of the showground brimming with things to see and do for the whole family.”

Brian Sangster (BAGMA president) with Brian Smellie of Gray & Son and Kiran

BAGMA BULLETIN JULY/AUGUST 2018

Jimmy Warnock, chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS)

We have supported the event since 1981 and once again it showcased the very best Scotland has to offer and helped thousands of visitors understand why the agriculture sector is so crucial to the country’s economy.”

Malcolm Buchanan, chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Scottish board

17

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BAGMA bank is a trading style of BIRA BANK LIMITED. BIRA BANK LIMITED is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services register No. 204478). Registered office: 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB. Registered in England. Company No. 00555071