BAGMA Bulletin Magazine March - April 2020

THE MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH AGRICULTURAL AND GARDEN MACHINERY ASSOCIATION ISSUE 21 | MARCH-APRIL 2020

The greatest career on Earth So how can we encourage more young people to take up a role in Landbased Engineering?

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IN THIS ISSUE

A stormy start to the year – but we’re hoping for brighter days

ISSUE 21 MARCH – APRIL 2020

Bad weather means real challenges ahead for business BAGMA Industry Training and Education Group. I heard some really good discussion at the meeting and was impressed at the expression of interest that we have had in this group. I would personally like to thank JCB for hosting I HAVE JUST listened to another weather this meeting. A full report forecast to hear that yet another storm is on its of this first meeting can be way. There are more predictions of heavy rain found on page 12 of this on already-saturated ground, leading to more bulletin, along with more flooding. Flood alerts have become a regular information regarding feature in the last few months and it will take BAGMA’s commitment to some time before conditions improve. training.

The weather at the end of 2019 was very The BAGM A Connect challenging and the start to 2020 has been group under Andrew Walker is no better. As I write this article holding its next meetthe fields around where I live in WE ARE THINKING ing at Husqvarna on March South Yorkshire are still stood OF THE VICTIMS 24. It looks to be a very interestin water and very few crops have OF THE FLOODS ing event as I believe a tour of been established. We are think- THAT HAVE LEFT the facility will take place, so I ing of the victims of the f loods THEIR VILLAGES encourage you to attend if you throughout the country that have AND TOWNS can. left their villages and towns under UNDER WATER Thank you also goes to Alaswater which will affect those comdair Straker for his continued munities for a considerable time to come. efficient organisation of the annual curling I hear regular comments that the weather event in Stirling, after the Scottish regional is also impacting on the confidence of our cusmeeting chaired by our past-President Brian tomers to make, or plan to make, purchases.

Sangster. I am always pleased to hear of the We are all hoping for the situation to improve positive comments when a regional meeting quickly. or connect meeting has taken place as memA positive that has come of this quarbers do find these beneficial to attend – there ter is my involvement with the set-up of the is always something new that they learn.

COMMENT

Cover photographed by Ben Roberts

PETER ARRAND PRESIDENT BAGMA

The membership magazine of the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association Published 6 times a year by Bira Publishing Editor Emily Bridgewater 0121 446 3730 emily.bridgewater@Bira.co.uk Design Alan Bingle 07949 024737 alan@forty6design.com Multimedia sales executive Lisa Ebdy 07799886115 lisaebdymedia@outlook.com All advertising and media enquiries please email: editorial@bagma.com

BAGMA, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB 01295 713344 www.bagma.com BAGMA president Peter Arrand BAGMA director Keith Christian BAGMA business development manager Richard Jenkins 07432 290605

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NEWS All the latest news from our members and the wider sector

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LEGAL Here’s what you need to know about next month’s rise in the National Minimum Wage

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COVER STORY It’s the greatest career on Earth – but how can we boost recruitment to the Landbased Engineering sector?

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SHOW NEWS Doe Show marks its 60th year with best-ever event – report and pictures

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EXPERT VIEWS How having an outdated computer system could be harming your business

Bira, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UB Tel 0121 446 6688 Fax 0121 446 5215 www.Bira.co.uk Bira president 2019-20 Howard Pullen CEO Andrew Goodacre Finance director Beverley Long Commercial director Jeff Moody Marketing director John Halliday

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.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

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BAGMA NEWS

BULLETIN BOARD

Pictured, from the left, Julian Cullis of GreenMech, with TNS Sales Director Chris Tew and Matt Bailey, Suffolk Groundcare Sales Manager

NEW CEO FOR NAAC

Jill Hewitt is the new CEO of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).

Taking over after the retirement of Duncan Russell, Jill has a wealth of experience: she ran the organisation from 2000-2013 but had to step down due to personal reasons.

She said: “I am delighted to be back at the helm of the NAAC at such a critical time for the land-based industry. With over 90% of farmers using a contractor it is vital that the NAAC is at the forefront of political negotiations to ensure that we are properly recognised in a postBrexit era”.

TORO BUY VENTRAC

The Toro Company has agreed to buy Venture Products, the manufacturer of Ventrac-branded products, for $167.5 million (£129 million).

Ventrac is a leading manufacturer of articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for the grounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal and rural acreage markets.

The Toro Company hope to complete the purchase by the end of the second quarter.

START-UP ANNOUNCE FIRST ROBOT FLEET

British agritech start-up Small Robot Company (SRC) is set to design and manufacture its first robot fleet in the UK. The initial fleet of 10 robots will be manufactured by Tharsus, the UK advanced machine and robots designer and manufacturer. The fleet is expected to be ready for October 2020.

DEERE’S GATOR ‘MOST COMFORTABLE’ YET

John Deere say its new premium XUV 865R Gator is the most comfortable model ever produced across its cross-over utility vehicle range. This 23hp diesel-powered model combines the established high performance of the XUV 865M with a wide range of additional operator friendly features, including a luxurious cab environment.

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TNS is a chip off the old block for GreenMech WOOD CHIPPING FIRM GreenMech has teamed up with a new dealer to offer better coverage to the east of England.

Thurlow Nunn Standen LTD (TNS) has been appointed as GreenMech’s distributors for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

Operating out of three depots in Attleborough, Kennett and Melton, TNS will now be handling sales and support for Europe’s leading range of woodchippers.

TNS is one of East Anglia’s premier agricultural machinery dealers, as well as offering a wide selection of groundcare products from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Chris Tew, Sales Director at Thurlow Nunn Standen, said: “TNS is very pleased to

be appointed as the new GreenMech dealer for East Anglia. We believe the range of quality products they offer will complement our existing portfolio and will suit both professional and domestic users. We look forward to promoting this range to our existing and new customers and working with this market leading British manufacturer.”

GreenMech Regional Sales Manager Julian Cullis added: “TNS have built a fantastic reputation on providing established products with excellent customer service. With so many years of experience and know-how under their belts, we look forward to working together with them to offer a more localised service across this area.”

Top golf club splashes out on new irrigation system A PREMIER GOLF club is continuing its partnership with Otterbine to maintain its irrigation reservoir.

Northamptonshire County Golf Club, a regional qualifying club for the Open, has been working with Otterbine for 15 years to keep the 3.5million gallons of water clean, clear and healthy.

However, when the club’s high-volume 5hp surface spray aerator reached the end of its life, it was replaced a like-forlike system from Otterbine.

Rob Hay, course manager, said: “The reservoir was built 18 years ago after a couple of particularly hot summers to take us off the mains for irrigation. The reservoir doesn’t have a particularly large surface area, but it is very, very

deep, and the greenkeeping team at the time soon noticed the water quality was fast degrading and a build-up of algae was forming.

“Otterbine was recommended by the club’s irrigation contractor, Stuart Sanders of SJS Irrigation, and from the moment it was installed it has delivered on its promise to manage the reservoir’s severe aquatic environment.

Its power and longevity are exemplary. The contractor advised never turning the aerator off, so it wasn’t, and it has performed consistently for 15 non-stop years!”

Peter Newton, of Reesink Turfcare which distributes Otterbine systems, said the product was the perfect choice for customers looking for a degree of water self-sufficiency. “Otterbine’s high volume range is outstanding at keeping large bodies of water healthy and usable."

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

BAGMA NEWS

Expansion plans for dealers after Deere partnership JOHN DEERE HAS announced that dealers Ben Burgess and Farol are set to expand their businesses into the East Midlands this year.

They will cover the area left when Sharmans Agricultural no longer hold the franchise at the end of October.

Burgess and Farol are now actively recruiting staff and acquiring new premises to facilitate the expansion.

BAGMA member Ben Burgess is planning to open a new outlet in central Rutland to cover that county and surrounding areas. In addition, Farol is looking to establish a new outlet in Newark, focusing on servicing customers in the surrounding parts of Nottinghamshire, west Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

Following the announcement, John Deere’s division sales manager Joedy Ibbotson said: “Both businesses have built their success on an ethos of first class, proactive customer service and support, and are committed to investing in their future growth.

“In the interim period before their new premises are officially opened, both dealers are well positioned to cover the new marketing

areas from their existing outlets. Both have also invested heavily in staff and systems to meet customers’ increasing demand for advanced, precision ag technology, and we are confident that they will continue to provide the highest possible standards of customer service as they grow their respective businesses still further with John Deere.”

With its headquarters in Norwich and an additional five outlets, Ben Burgess has held the John Deere franchise for more than 55 years.

Meanwhile, Farol has its head office in Milton Common, Oxfordshire, and has five more outlets.

They initially took on the John Deere agricultural machinery franchise in 2004, covering central and southern England.

The East Midlands area is currently served

by BAGMA member Sharmans Agricultural Ltd, and it will continue to do so until October 31, 2020. However, as reported in the last BAGMA Bulletin, Sharmans’ were shocked to have been served notice to quit by the end of October. At the time, the firm described the decision as 'brutal'.

New mower looks to cut through residential market BAGMA member Walker Mowers has unveiled its newest mower aimed at the residential market.

The R21 ‘out-front mower’ was launched in the UK recently, aimed at the ‘discerning domestic consumer gardener’.

Walker Mowers UK, which is based in Hull, launched the concept of out-front mowing technology 40 years ago. It is technology which provides ease of use, quality of cut, operator comfort, reliability and ease of maintenance, all demanded by its many commercial customers. These features are included in the new Model R. Powered by a Kohler 21hp engine with Smart-Choke™ technology, for easy starting in all temperatures, the OHV engine design has a cast iron liner and full pressure lubrication.

The mulching design mower decks use special serrated blades and bolt on baffles to provide that just collected look without the messy cuttings. It’s available in

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

Walker Mowers UK has launched the R21 for the residential market

two sizes that fit into an integrated frontmount deck design, which means clear up-and-down and side-to-side movement minimising scalping and uncut grass areas.

A recent two-year study compared the ‘out front rotary’ design from Walker, with 18 competitive style of mowing machine.

Big time savings were recorded, reaching 25% – essential if you’re a commercial landscaper looking for productivity boost.

Steve Egerton, UK Country Manager for Walker Mowers, said: “The quality of build gives everyone the assurance that this model will be a winner.”

HRS add new franchise to groundcare division THE HAMILTON ROSS Group (HRG) has added a new franchise, Baroness, to its groundcare division.

Baroness has been supplying the UK’s groundcare amenities market with their range of fine turf/grass cutting equipment for more than 35 years.

Eric Gardiner, HRG’s MD, said: “We are all very excited to welcome this new brand.

“With the addition of the Baroness franchise to our brand catalogue we hope to offer our customers a wider choice of quality products and to welcome new customers to the Hamilton Ross Group.”

Adam Butler, Sales Director for Baroness, added: “Bringing HRG into our already substantial dealer portfolio was an easy decision for us."

Reesink UK appoint tractor specialist A NEW TRACTOR specialist has been appointed at Reesink UK. Jim Maynard takes up the position to support the company’s growing prominence in the sector.

He will deliver technical support to Reesink’s dealer network and golf, sports, grounds and farming customers across the country, as well quality aftermarket support to customers.

During his extensive career, Jim has worked with customers, machinery manufacturers, dealers and distributors. He spent 16 years specialising in John Deere machinery and has strong experience in customer services and a sound technical ability.

Steven Haynes, sales manager at Reesink, said: “Jim has worked in the industry for many years repairing land-based equipment and we’re confident his technical knowledge and customer relations experience will translate well to his new position at Reesink.”

Jim is looking forward to the new job. He said: “I’ve always wanted to work for Reesink and with so much of my career focused on tractors – selling them and dealing with the maintenance and servicing of them too – when news of the job reached me, I felt it would really suit me.

“It will be great to be specialising in tractors, it’s an area I am really comfortable in.”

Steven added: “The trajectory of Reesink’s debut into distributing tractors in the UK just seven years ago has surpassed expectation and that’s why we’re expanding the team."

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BAGMA NEWS

Become a dealer for Pellenc’s Alpha range PELLENC IS LOOKING for dealers to add to its network of distributors.

The firm, a world leader in battery-powered tools for maintaining landscapes, is inviting BAGMA members to find out more about becoming a non-exclusive Pellenc Alpha dealer.

Pellenc offers its dealers hands-on product training, marketing support and dealership development.

Les Malin, Managing Director of Etesia UK, Pellenc’s exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland, said: “Our dealers play a pivotal role in not only delivering the highest levels of customer service and aftersales support, but also sustaining our position as the leading batterypowered garden maintenance manufacturer.

“We are looking for dealers that share our passion and commitment to providing customers with a great buying experience while promoting the benefits of environmentally-friendly

Pellenc is looking for dealers to stock its Alpha range

garden maintenance equipment.” Pellenc Alpha range features all of the usual Pellenc environmental and professional benefits to end users, but at a lower starting price point.

For more information or to apply to become a Pellenc Alpha dealer, visit www.pellencuk. com/become-a-pellenc-dealer, or call 01295 680120.

Restructure is driving force behind trio of appointments JOHN DEERE HAS appointed Brian D’Arcy Turf Division Sales Manager following a restructure of the business.

Brian takes up the role in the company’s newly-created Region 2 Sales Division 1 which covers the UK and Ireland, as well as key markets in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

An Agricultural Engineering Management graduate of Tralee Institute of Technology in Ireland, Brian joined John Deere Limited at

Langar, Nottingham, in 2007 as a tractor sales demonstration instructor. He was promoted through the company and, most recently, was the Region 2 product manager for compact and utility tractors.

As a result of the restructure Richard Charleston has been promoted to a new strategic account manager position for golf and turf covering the UK and Ireland, alongside Michael Grey. Meanwhile, Joanne Gregory replaces Richard as the turf territory manager for Scotland and the north of England.

John Deere and CNH lead sales of tractors in UK THE TOTAL NUMBER of tractors registered in 2018 was 13,795, according to new data from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

The figures include both agricultural tractors (over 50hp) and compact tractors (50hp and below).

AEA data also reveals the market share across the brands with John Deere and CNH (New Holland and Case IH) collectively enjoying more than 60% (61.1%) of the business.

US-owned AGCO (mf, Fendt and Valtra) has the third largest share of the market selling 21.3 per cent of the total number of tractors sold.

As always, data is released after a one-year delay due to competition law restrictions; figures for last year will be published in early 2021.

UK tractor market shares by brand 2018 Company

JOHN DEERE CNH

– New Holland – Case IH

AGCO

– MF

– Fendt – Valtra

KUBOTA CLAAS JCB

AGRI ARGO

– McCormick – Landini

Units

% of Total

4,032

29.2

4,405 2,532 1,500 2,940 1,350 925 665 746 528 302 131 86 45

SAME DEUTZ FAHR

209

Others

466

ZETOR

Total UK

36

13,795

31.9 18.4 10.9 21.3 9.8 6.7 4.8 5.4 3.8 2.2 0.9 0.6 0.3 1.5 0.3 3.4

100.0

Note: Data covers all tractors (over and under 50hp) Fendt includes Challenger

Scotts harvest a bumper crop of sales SCOTTS PRECISION MANUFACTURING recorded a bumper crop of sales for 2019.

The Lincolnshire-based firm, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of vegetable harvesting sold 70 Evolution separators – 20 more than its previous high.

The unique soil, clod and haulm separator was sent to customers across the UK, the USA and Europe, Norway and Canada.

Scotts also enjoyed record sales for its Trinity range of haulm toppers in 2019.

Derek Scott, MD at Scotts, said: “We had a

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really pleasing 2019. Our marketing activity, advertising, exhibition attendance and wordof-mouth referrals from satisfied customers, have all helped and we’re delighted to have sold so many Evolutions.

"The banning of diquat certainly helped increase the number of toppers we sold and also people were attracted to our offer because of its exceptional build quality, which we think is the Best of British!”

And Scotts is looking forward to another good year; the company is celebrating 25 years

in business with a move to a new larger factory to meet demand for its machines.

“We completed the extension of our factory at the end of November, and it’s given us the increased space we need. We have an ambitious business plan and having a state-of-the-art, larger factory will allow us to grow,” said Derek.

In expanding its production facility, Scotts received funding and support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the team from Lindsey Action Zone LEADER Fund.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

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BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

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BAGMA NEWS

Fatalities highlighted It takes two to win national award TWO APPRENTICES, WHO work for at first safety BAGMA member dealerships, were joint winners of a top award. meeting of 2020 Matthew Read of Brian Robinson MachinBAGMA’S RICHARD JENKINS joined representatives from other agricultural organisations for the first meeting of the year of the Farm Safety Partnership group.

It was held at the NFU’s HQ in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, and included staff from the AEA, Lantra, CLA and HSE, alongside Tom Price and Stuart Roberts from the NFU. BAGMA has been part of the Farm Safety Partnership for many years. It was set up to improve safety on farms and reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries that occur every year.

Figures published in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) report Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in Great Britain 2018/19 showed 39 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities during the year.

Agriculture has the worst rate of worker fatal injury (per 100,000) of the main industrial sectors. It is 18 times as high as the average rate across all industries.

Overturning vehicles or being struck by moving vehicles caused most deaths.

Nearly half of the workers killed were aged over 60. Two young children were killed. This number is up from 33 the previous period, a worrying statistic. We also see the same causes of these fatalities year after year with 14 killed by a moving vehicle, nine killed by a moving animal and seven killed by a fall from height.

So how can BAGMA members help? You all visit farms during your day-to-day business, and maybe have seen situations that could have resulted in an incident. However difficult it might be to make your customer aware of your concerns, surely the chance of stopping an accident should come above upsetting them?

ery in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and William Ogg of Peacock & Binnington (P&B) in Brigg, Lincolnshire, were named joint winners of the AGCO Apprentice of the Year award.

Matthew and William received their awards from Mark Casement, the AGCO Director of Distribution Management UK & Ireland, at a ceremony held at Forest of Arden Hotel near Birmingham.

They were the first of 14 agricultural engineering apprentices to undertake rigorous endpoint assessment (EPA).

Anthony Linfield, AGCO’s training development manager, said: “The AGCO apprenticeship schemes offer a real opportunity to gain

William Ogg

Matthew Read

knowledge and skills at college as well as gaining valuable hands-on experience in the workplace. Congratulations to all of the apprentices collecting their awards and starting the journey on a successful future career with AGCO.” Also collecting awards during the ceremony were Dominic Pender of BAGMA member Wilfred Scruton; Ryan Thorne of CJ Cox; Andrew Ford of TNS; and Kyle MacBain of Chandlers Farm Equipment.

Franchise announcement follows devastating fire RANDELL AGRICULTURE WHICH has been forced to close after being devastated by fire is set to make an important announcement about its Vaderstad franchise.

Managing Director William Randell told the BAGMA Bulletin the decision over who will be taking over the franchise is imminent.

William said: “As one of the most successful Vaderstad dealerships in the country, an

BAGMA Bank drives down the cost of your next vehicle

announcement will be made in the coming weeks as to who will be taking over the franchise.”

The Norfolk firm shut in its 200th year after fire ripped through its agricultural and garden machinery depot in Dereham last October.

The blaze destroyed buildings and stock, and one employee was hospitalised with minor burns, however they have since made a full recovery.

Looking to drive down the costs of buying a new vehicle? BAGMA Bank can help.

The bank has launched its latest promotional rates on vehicle loans – but they’ll only run until April 30, 2020.

The bank works with leading brands to give you a chance to buy new vehicles at discounted prices.

BAGMA Bank promotional rates until April 30, 2020:

l NEW VEHICLES: 2.6% flat rate of 4.9%APR (based on 12 months) l USED VEHICLES: 2.9% flat rate of 5.4%APR (based on 12 months).

Take advantage of this promotion or find out more about BAGMA Bank by contacting Dave, David or Frank on 0121 227 6656 or info@bagmabank.com and they will be happy to help.

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BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

BAGMA NEWS

Support a unique charity challenge SPONSORS ARE NEEDED for Ransomes Road Run – an epic 1,000-mile journey across the UK on a 46-year-old vintage sit-on lawn mower.

The event will raise money for Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture, and their families, when times get tough. It will also celebrate lawnmower manufacture and heritage.

Details about the trek, which starts on July 5 in Stroud and ends in Arbroath, Scotland, 20 days later, were officially revealed at the Garden Press Event in London at the start of March. fect solution for zero-emisAnd while the person sions commercial mowing. who’ll ride the mower With its zero turning is still being kept under capabilities, it is agile enough wraps, the machine itself – A Pershore College student prepares the mower to work in small enclosed spaces a 1974 Ransomes Motor Trifor its epic adventure while also having been designed to ple – is currently being prepared work on large areas with a long-lasting for the run by students at Pershore battery to match its versatility. All batteries College. come with a three-year warranty and have a The road trip is expected to visit relevant lifetime of + - 2500 charge discharge cycles. stops across the country including Ransomes The AllTrec unit can also be used with a in Ipswich; The Perennial Garden at York Gate number of other attachments including the Air Garden in Leeds; the British Motor Museum; E-Variator, weed brush, and hedge cutter. and Husqvarna UK at Newton Aycliffe.

A large-action radius and highly efficient Firms have already pledged support howattachments combined with low operation and ever, BAGMA members are now being sought maintenance costs make the AllTrec perfect for to offer sponsorship and donations to cover the use in urban environments, sports complexes, costs of the trek and raise much-needed funds holiday resorts and parks by contractors, local for Perennial. authorities and landscapers.

Campey’s commitment to make grass cutting greener BAGMA MEMBER CAMPEY Turf Care Systems is making new efforts to go green with a zero-emission mowing.

The Macclesfield-based firm is now offering zero CO2-emissions mowing on areas ranging from regularly managed turf to overgrown vegetation using the 100% electric AllTrec Tool Carrier.

Being environmentally responsible is a mission of many companies and councils. By August 2019, more than half of councils in the UK had committed to cutting carbon emissions, with many of them setting 2030 as the date to reduce carbon emissions to zero as part of the UK government’s plan to deliver the net zero target by 2050.

Using the AllTrec allows regular maintenance to be completed with zero emissions, minimal noise output and reduced vibration for operators, all of which help to improve green spaces without damaging the wider environment.

The machine has been designed by Dutch manufacturer, WeedControl B.V., to be the per-

For more information on making your mowing operation 100% electric and emissions free, contact Campey at info@campeyturfcare.com.

If you would like to offer sponsorship please email emily.bridgewater@bira.co.uk.

Alternatively, if you’d like to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ britmow-perennial-road-run

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BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

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BAGMA LEGAL

The National Minimum Wage is set to rise – here’s what you need to know Employers can be issued with penalties if they do not pay their workers correctly

EMPLOYERS CAN BE LEFT WONDERING HOW MUCH THEY ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO PAY 8

THE NATIONAL MINIMUM Wage and National Living Wage increase from April 1.

Then there’s the Living Wage – not to be confused with the National Living Wage – which will also be updated for 2020.

Confused? You’re not alone. Employers can be left scratching their heads wondering how much they are legally required to pay their workers and who is entitled to receive it. Here’s some advice from BAGMA’s legal partner Ellis Whittam.

Some businesses have, in the past, been publicly criticised for failing to pay the legal minimum. While the government’s ‘naming and shaming’ scheme was suspended last year following concerns that complex rules meant businesses were often outed over technical breaches rather than deliberate flouting of the rules, employers can still face legal trouble if they fail to pay the right rates.

Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, says: “It’s against the law to pay below the National Minimum or National Living wage or to falsify records. If HMRC discovers an employer has not paid at least the minimum wage, they can send a notice of arrears plus issue a penalty for not paying the correct rate of pay.”

In addition to HMRC penalties, National Minimum Wage underpayments can also result in Employment Tribunal claims from employees who believe they have: l Not been receiving the correct, current minimum wage rate for their age; l B een dismissed or treated unfairly in relation to their right to receive the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage; and/or l Been discriminated against because their age would require an employer to pay them more.

So, what rate of pay is each of your workers entitled to? We explain the different terminology and the latest statutory pay requirements.

Who do minimum wage rules apply to? lM inimum wage rules apply to anyone classed as a worker. This includes people with a traditional Contract of Employment, as well as casual workers, temporary workers, agency staff and those who work under an apprenticeship agreement. l It is a legal requirement to comply with National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates – this means workers’ rates cannot be reduced or amended, even by agreement.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

BAGMA LEGAL

What factors determine the amount a worker is entitled to?

The minimum amount that a worker is entitled to will depend on: l Their age; and l If they are an apprentice.

Brexit: What now for EU workers?

What are the National Minimum Wage rates for 2020?

The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour most workers under the age of 25 are entitled to by law. From April 1, 2020: l The rate for 21 to 24-year-olds will increase from £7.70 to £8.20 l The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase from £6.15 to £6.45 l The rate for 16 to 17-year-olds will increase from £4.35 to £4.55 l The apprentice rate (for apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship) will increase from £3.90 to £4.15 l The Accommodation Offset will increase from £7.55 to £8.20.

Now that the UK has left the European Union, employers may be wondering what happens with regards to EU citizens under their employment.

If they wish to remain in the UK, workers from the EU will need to apply to the government’s EU Settlement Scheme by June 30, 2021. They may have already done this, or you may wish to point them in the right direction.

If you are keen to support EU citizens applying for settlement, the government has now released a toolkit of information for employers, which includes an overview of the scheme, a template letter to send to EU citizen staff, and other materials to help out.

What’s the minimum wage rate for apprentices?

If you employ an apprentice under the age of 19, or an apprentice over the age of 19 who is in the first year of their apprenticeship, the minimum wage rate for an apprentice (£3.90) applies.

However, apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed their first year must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for their age, as per the above guidelines.

Here is a brief summary of the advice issued:

What is the National Living Wage for 2020?

The National Living Wage refers to the minimum pay per hour most workers aged 25 and over are entitled to by law.

From April 2020, the National Living Wage will increase from £8.21 to £8.72 per hour, and you must ensure that any workers within this age bracket are paid at least this amount.

So, what’s the Living Wage?

The government’s National Living Wage is different from the Living Wage, which is an hourly rate of pay and updated annually.

The Living Wage is set independently by the Living Wage Foundation and is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. Paying workers the Living Wage is not a legal requirement; employers can choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. If viable for your business, becoming a Living Wage employer can be a great way to attract and retain staff.

How should I prepare for minimum wage changes?

If you haven’t already, now is the time to review your existing pay procedures to ensure workers receive the correct rate of pay from April 2020.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

In post-Brexit UK, what should BAGMA members do if they employ EU citizens? BAGMA’s legal partner Ellis Whittam gives some advice

lE U citizens who have resided in the UK for five years or more by December 31, 2020, will be able to apply for ‘settled status’. This entitles them to continue living and working in the UK. Important points for employers include: l The five years in question don’t need to be the last five years, just five consecutive years. lA pplicants will only need to show that they have lived in the UK for six months of each of the five years. Even if they have lived outside of the UK for more than six months in any given year, applicants may still be eligible for settled status if their time away from the UK was due to childbirth, serious illness, or being sent abroad by their employer for work or training. l I ndividuals can apply for settled status if they are from the EU, EEA (which includes non-EU member states such as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland. Family members of these individuals can also apply. lN on-EU family members of EU citizens will also need to apply to the scheme. lE U citizens do not need to apply if they have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or are an Irish citizen, but they can if they want to.

There are three steps to the online application process.

l Workers will first need to verify their

identity and nationality by uploading a digital photo of themselves and providing proof of either their passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card. l They will then be asked for their National Insurance number as proof of residence. l The final stage is a criminality check, which will require applicants to declare any criminal convictions (only serious or persistent criminality will affect an individual’s application).

Responsibility for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme rests with employees.

As an employer, you are not legally required to facilitate the process or communicate with your EU workforce about the scheme, but it’s a good idea to direct employees to the government’s toolkit so that they have all the information they need to do this themselves.

While there is nothing for employers to do now, you should be aware that there is no requirement for EU workers to inform you that they have applied to the scheme or notify you of the outcome.

It is unlawful to discriminate against prospective and existing EU staff on the basis of Brexit. This means that decisions about who to hire and whether or not to renew a person’s contract should not be dependent on, or influenced by, their application status.

Right to work checks won’t change until January, 1, 2021, and there is no requirement to carry out checks on existing EU employees.

You should refrain from giving immigration advice to EU workers unless you are qualified.

James Tamm, Director of Legal Services, says: “Although EU citizens have until June 20, 2021, to apply to the scheme, you may wish to encourage workers to apply online now so that they can ensure settled status well ahead of time. It is not yet clear what contingency plans will be in place for those who don’t apply by the deadline; however, supporting staff to achieve settled status in the coming months will reduce the risk of them remaining illegally after this date, thereby minimising disruption to your workforce next year.”

9

RECRUITMENT SPECIAL

How do you solve a problem like recruitment? a reluctance to engage in the unknown. There is no question that LBE needs to help itself in KEITH recruiting new entrants and – regardless of the CHRISTIAN size of a dealership – there should be a concertDIRECTOR BAGMA ed effort from them all to recruit new people into the industry. A large multi-branch dealerIT’S HARD TO emphasise how vital recruit- ship may be running schemes for as many as ment is to the future of our industry.

20 apprentices a year, whereas a smaller garden The Landbased Engineering sector (LBE) is machinery business may need only one or two. simply not recruiting enough people to replace Whatever, wherever the requirement is it needs what is an ageing population – average age 55 to add up to a lot more than 350 a year.

– of technicians.

One of the problems we at BAGMA accept is Estimates suggest only around 350 people a that a lot of dealers do not know how to recruit year are taking up apprenticeships in the land- or employ an apprentice. There are also those based engineering sector when we that have gone down this route and need around 1,000 – that’s a shortfall IT'S A FACT been let down after investing in an THAT ONE of some 650 trainees. apprentice. The fact of the matter is We are not alone in the UK in IN THREE that one in three apprentices will not this; all countries are experiencing APPRENTICES complete their course, so you have a the same problem with no sign it will WILL NOT 66.66% chance of getting it right COMPLETE improve and no real solution. which is an awful lot better than not The LBE sector is competing with THEIR COURSE having a technician at all if you do major companies in the engineering nothing. industries for new entrants and these indusDealers should also understand that there tries can appear to be more attractive and more is funding available if you are employing an lucrative than our own. However, they are also apprentice and your local training provider struggling to replace their own ageing popu- can help you with advice on this. There are also lation of engineers – and are looking to other special rates of pay for an apprentice although industries to provide replacements. apart from this they are employed under standThe traditional supply of new apprentices ard conditions. If you are concerned about an from the farming community has slowed down apprentice leaving before they have served their as farms disappear or merge into bigger entities. time or just after, you can legally incorporate Agricultural and horticultural engineering is a ‘claw back clause’ in their employment connot being promoted as a career and informa- tract to recover some of your investment in their tion about it is fragmented and not easy to find. training.

Manufacturers’ apprentice training schemes Employing and training an apprentice is an are keeping the industry afloat with qualified investment in the future, and an investment in people but the dealer network seems to be less the industry itself. Do what you can locally to inclined generally to offer apprenticeships, encourage more people to join our industry and perhaps because of a lack of understanding or narrow the skills gap we have.

COMMENT

10

It’s up to us to Recruitment – What can we do? l I ncrease the awareness and perception of the Landbased Engineering industry lP romote Landbased Engineering careers and apprenticeships as an alternative to a university education through apprentice programmes and T Level Qualifications (due to be launched in 2023) lE nsure our industry apprenticeships are delivered to the highest standards lE mbark on an upskilling campaign of mature technicians lS eize the opportunity to start working together on an industry-wide solution lD evelop literature and promotional material with the same theme for all to use lM ake careers in the sector more attractive with better pay and conditions lW e need to do this as a complete industry – not just on an individual basis lL ook at programmes to encourage those who have left the industry to return

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

RECRUITMENT SPECIAL

make a difference But how do we retain good staff? lB etter incentives are needed with pay and conditions to encourage people to stay lM ap career opportunities and progression for a better future l J oined up thinking between dealers and manufacturers to keep people in the industry lR ecognise the achievements of individuals through accreditation schemes

Recruitment, retention and development The industry needs to put more effort into its general recruitment campaigns. It would be good to provide a template for all to use in the recruitment of new people to the industry.

Retention of quality people needs to be addressed in terms of career development, income and opportunity. The Landbased Engineering sector has a poor track record at promoting itself and the opportunities that exist.

This needs to change.

We – as an industry – need to be

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

responsible for the development of individuals through structured training programmes such as apprenticeships, further education, higher education and manufacturers’ training programmes.

The dealer network and trade associations need to engage more with what is being offered by manufacturers and encourage manufacturers to be involved in a more generic industry programme for the recruitment and retention of individuals.

Here are some of the challenges facing the LBE: lP opulations are migrating to urban living lT he number of farms is decreasing lT he number of people employed in the countryside is decreasing lT he visibility and awareness of our industry is at an all-time low lY oung people’s awareness of the industry is very low

lC areer paths are not obvious lT he competition for skilled engineers from other industries is very high

Best practice – What do we do in the UK? lW e have a working group funded by industry that focuses on recruitment and training, LETEC (Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee) lW e develop promotional material that is freely available, World of Opportunity brochure www.bagma.com/world-of-opportunitymagazine/ lW e have a web site www.landbasedengineering.com lW e have an industry accreditation scheme, The Landbased Training Accreditation Scheme lW e promote apprenticeships and work with government on standards and assessments lW e work with training providers to promote careers and education for the industry

11

RECRUITMENT SPECIAL

The five apprentices at CR Willcocks are looking forward to bright futures

Dealership celebrates latest crop of apprenticeship talent HERE’S A DEALER leading the way with its commitment to the future of our industry.

South-west England based agricultural and garden machinery dealer, CR Willcocks, currently employs five apprentices. The Newton Abbott firm has long championed apprenticeships, and celebrated the scheme's success during National Apprenticeship Week last month.

Andrew Joll, Service Director at CR Willcocks, said, “We have always employed apprentices. It’s an ongoing process with the intention of taking on more apprentices in the future.

“As a company, we are very much focused on the future, as well as the present, and apprentices bring in energy and fresh ideas. It’s a great workforce motivator.”

Of the five apprentices currently working at CR Willcocks, three are on an agricultural engineering course backed by New Holland. The agricultural engineering course, part of which is spent at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, enables the apprentices to learn fundamental engineering skills as well as specialist training on modern New Holland machinery.

CR Willocks say when an apprenticeship ends, there are continued opportunities for career progression within the industry, such as attending specialist manufacturer training courses to keep up-to-date with the latest technology. There is also the opportunity to study further apprenticeship courses.

One of the apprentices, who completed a three-year Vehicle Parts & Maintenance course, is now attending an Apprenticeship Level 3 Principles in Management and Leadership course at South Devon College.

Andrew continued: “An apprenticeship is something positive. It allows us to grow our own team, making them more aware of what our company is all about and where we are going."

A fifth apprentice is attending Bicton College (East Devon) to study on its Horticultural Engineering course.

The dealership says they will be looking to employ another agriculture engineering apprentice this summer.

Full marks as BAGMA launches new training and education group A new BAGMA training and education group to meet the landbased industry’s needs for recruitment and retention of staff has been launched.

Peter Arrand, President of BAGMA, was at the helm of the first meeting of BAGMA’s Training and Education (T&E) Group, at JCB’s Global Learning Training Centre in Uttoxeter, on February 26.

It is expected the new BAGMA T&E Group will work alongside the industry's Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee, LE-TEC, feeding in relevant activities and information via BAGMA’s representative on the LE-TEC Board.

The meeting included a variety of companies

representing nine dealerships, two colleges and BAGMA staff. The group will be further enhanced by additional training providers, companies and industry organisations which have already expressed an interest at being involved.

The first meeting was held to enable the participants in the group to set the format, agenda and priorities for future meetings. They also discussed the industry's current education and training landscape, and the issues surrounding recruitment and retention.

The group met to discuss how to improve recruitment rates within the sector, and also enjoyed a tour of the JCB museum at its Uttoxeter headquarters

Outcomes of the meeting included acknowledgment that the industry did require better representation and consultation for what is needed in the future.

It is expected that more companies will be invited to attend future meetings to

expand the scope of the group, as well as representatives from government organisations as circumstances require. lF or more information on the BAGMA Training and Education Group please contact Starra Redmond, group administrator admin@bagma.com

JUST THE JOB: BAGMA BULLETIN WILL FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION THROUGHOUT 2020 12

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

BAGMA TRAINING

Your views will help to shape BAGMA

Course will help you harness the power of social media ALMOST A THIRD of BAGMA members don’t use social media at all and more than half aren’t active, according to a recent survey.

The figures were released as part of the 2020 BAGMA Membership Survey.

Many businesses attempt to use social media to market and promote their services but don’t get instant results so stop putting in the time required to deliver success.

However, the effective use of social media is fast becoming a key marketing tool across all industries, offering businesses a new channel to engage with customers and drive sales.

We want to support BAGMA members to harness the impact of social media. We are offering a social media masterclass, designed to help those who are new to its use through to marketing pro-

fessionals who want to boost their industry-specific knowledge.

The course is delivered by Polly Barnfield, CEO of Maybe*, an expert in helping businesses develop and use social media effectively. It will take place at Bira Birmingham on Wednesday, April 22. This exciting new programme will help attendees unlock the secrets behind social media success. Through our parent company, Bira, you can receive substantial discounts on the course price. Spaces are limited, so make sure to book early in order to avoid disappointment. l I f you want to find out more about the courses Bira Training provides for BAGMA members, contact Neil Moss on 0121 446 6688, email neil. moss@bira.co.uk, or visit bagma.com/event/ social-media-masterclass/

Thank you to the BAGMA members who took the time for fill out our annual membership survey.

The questionnaire, which covered all aspects of membership from the services we offer to our style of communication, and from your thoughts on this magazine to your wider concerns, ran from December to the end of January.

We’re currently looking at your answers and will have a detailed report for you in the next edition of the BAGMA Bulletin, on the website and in our BAGMA Briefing newsletter. We’ll be using your information to improve all aspects of BAGMA. As a thank you for taking the time to complete the survey, members were entered into a prize draw to win £400.

Our two winners were Compact Plant Services, based in the Midlands, and Russell Gas & Mower Centre Ltd, based in Stirling, Scotland.

Well done to both winners and thank you to all members who took the time to complete the survey. Your feedback and insight are appreciated and will help us to be able to continue to serve our members and the industry. lF or more BAGMA news and updates, you can visit: bagma. com/news/.

Register before 17th April to start earning your rebate Grow your business with BAGMA Direct by 10% and receive a 1% rebate on your total spend until the 30th June 2020.

Don’t have a BAGMA Direct Account?

Call credit control on 0800 028 0245 to open an account and earn 1% back if you spend over £2,000 by 30th June. *Bira Direct Terms Apply.

BB M-M 2020.indd 1

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

biradirect.co.uk/rebates

direct 19/02/2020 09:40:30

13

SHOW NEWS

Some of the tractors on show at this year’s event

It’s all go at diamond Doe Show BAGMA member Ernest Doe celebrated its 60th show in style – and we sent Richard Jenkins to take a look around RICHARD, BAGMA’S BUSINESS development manager, said the show, which took place in February at the firm’s headquarters near Maldon, Essex, was the best one yet.

The first Doe Show was held at their Braintree branch in 1960 – although the company dates back to 1898. The main feature of that first show was grain handling and storage equipment, and it proved to be a great success.

After a couple of years, the show moved to Does’ headquarters at Ulting so that they could make full use of the farmland surrounding the site, demonstrating the machinery in action on the land.

Over the past 60 years the show has grown in size and reputation. It has become a firm fixture in the diaries of farmers, groundsmen, construction workers, greenkeepers, arborists, tractor enthusiasts and the local community, appealing to visitors of all ages.

At the most recent show, more than 10,000 people descended on Ulting, and was the first event to be presided over by new managing director Angus Doe. Angus took over the role from his father Colin at the beginning of the year. Angus took the opportunity to engage with customers and suppliers across the three-day event. He said it was an extremely well attended event and feedback from both customers and suppliers had been very positive.

The weather was kind and on the day of Richard’s visit there was glorious sunshine and no rain.

14

This bought in lots of visitors, along with families with young children, people from overseas, and many retired farmers and dealers who had clearly been coming to the show for many years.

Doe & Sons is always looking to drive the business forward, offering new and innovative technology and machinery for customers and this year was no exception with the introduction of a new feature The Tech and Innovation Centre. Cutting edge technology was on display and there was even the opportunity to try out a virtual reality Stihl chainsaw and an F1 simulator.

The Mangled Worzels played live in the Case IH Marquee, which also showcased all the latest machinery available on the market including the first UK display of the new Magnum AFS Connect range and Large Baler.

In the New Holland Marquee there was a

The Doe Show also gave visitors a chance to shop

unique Diamond White tractor, specially commissioned for the 60th show, which was snapped up by a buyer within an hour of the event opening.

As well as celebrating all the latest tractors on the market, the show gave a nostalgic nod back to the past 60 years, with a large vintage display, which was expertly curated by retired employee, Paul Wylie, with the support of a number of local owners and enthusiasts.

Richard said: “To see the professionalism of these owners and their Doe 130s was a pleasure and the highlight of the show for me” Away from the demo areas there was a huge range of stock on display for sale with special Double Diamond deals available for items bought during the show.

Many leading manufacturers were also there to support Doe, there was plenty of food available and lots to do for everyone. Overall, Richard said it was a brilliant show which was well-run and a pleasure to attend. BAGMA say well done and good luck with the next 60 years.

The main entrance to the 60th Doe Show

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

ar tr y s

Se fo

rv

“The support you receive as a member is similar to having a friendly and knowledgeable head office that is always there to support you.”

s i r o n g In d u e ver 100 y

Bob Chapman Bavenhill Mechanics Co. Ltd

Members since 1998

Join thousands of like-minded businesses We’ve been supporting independent, agricultural and garden machinery businesses across the UK since 1917. In this time, we’ve consistently delivered genuine business savings and benefits for members, as well as networking opportunities and business support.

Industry events We attend varied events & exhibitions, and host BAGMA meetings

Business services Access to preferential rates on services designed to save you time and money

Support Through our membership team for phone support or via the BAGMA website

You can access all of the above and much more with BAGMA membership.

Join today bagma.com/join

EXPERTS

What impact will Brexit have of health and safety laws?

THE UK LEFT the EU on January 31, and a into effect before the UK joined the union. It’s A transitional period now applies until at least a robust and long-lasting piece of legislation.

December 31, 2020. Until that date, EU legislaCommitment to managing risks and ensuring tion will continue to apply in the UK. The UK the safety of workers will remain a priority. will also remain part of the EU’s Sin- SAFETY Any significant change to that gle Market and Customs Union. So, commitment could impact the UK’s PAUL MARSH during the transitional period, it will Office manager international reputation. be very much business and usual with SafetyAide regards to EU legislation.

Myth number two – health and So let’s dispel some of the common safety regulation will become myths about health and safety laws in less strict post-Brexit post-Brexit UK. The duties of employers and businesses will be relaxed or diluted Myth number one – all health and after Brexit. Without regulation safety red tape will disappear coming from Europe, the UK will be IT'S BEEN once the UK leaves the EU. PROVEN THAT free of ‘unnecessary’ legislation.

Some employers think they won’t need GOOD RISK It’s been proven time and again to worry as much about health and MANAGEMENT that good risk management saves safety obligations after leaving the SAVES businesses money, reduces incidents EU because laws will become much BUSINESSES and improves reputation. According less strict with Europe out of the MONE to the Health and Safety Executive picture.

(HSE), 30.7 million working days are It’s unlikely that lots of laws and regulation lost due to work-related illness and injury every will suddenly be reversed after leaving day. year. If health and safety duties were relaxed, While a number of our laws stem from the EU, this figure will only rise, placing a huge burden the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) came on businesses nationwide.

Myth number three – health and safety regulation will go back to ‘the good old days’ When the UK leaves the EU, we can kiss goodbye to risk assessments, working time regulations and everything else EU directives introduced into the UK. Whatever you believe to be true about Brexit, there’s no chance that the UK will reverse any of the great strides that have been made in the last four decades. Just like in myth number two, leaving the EU gives the UK an opportunity to excel in the field of health and safety.

And so without the conflicting interests and drawn-out approvals process between the UK and the EU, regulation around new and emerging technologies has the potential to move much more quickly. The UK has every chance of exploiting this, delivering world-class research and taking its place at the cutting edge of new regulation.

Well-prepared employers should continue to make health and safety compliance a priority, even in the face of Brexit uncertainty.

Whatever the outcome of Brexit, appropriate risk management is the only proven way of preventing accidents or fines for not complying.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

New Appointment Bolsters SPAL’s Agricultural Team SPAL continues to expand its presence in the agriculture sector with the promotion of Maggie Lech to Business Development Manager for Off Highway, Agriculture and Construction sectors West.

Her duties will dovetail with those of other recent recruit Adam Betteridge (BDM Off Highway, Agriculture and Construction sectors East). Although each will have their own sales territory, the two have agreed there will be some crossover where there are pre-existing business relationships.

Commenting on the new role, Maggie said: “ I am looking forward to promoting SPAL’s high quality heavy duty cooling solutions to customers, expanding the reach of SPAL in servicing and spare parts as well as making sector aware of the availability of OEM products accessible to the aftermarket”.

Harper Adams Scholarship Presented SPAL’s exclusive £2,500 scholarship with Harper Adams University was officially presented to 4th year student Emily Jones, MEng Automotive Engineering (Off Highway) in February.

The scholarship will provide additional

16

financial assistance in her degree course as well as tapping into the Harper Adams’ professional network to make those important connections before embarking on her future career.

As the UK arm of the Italian globally renowned designer and manufacturer of high performance axial fan and centrifugal blowers, SPAL UK got behind the Harper Adams scholarship programme in order to highlight to students its product range for agricultural applications and their role in helping reduce vehicle emissions, in compliance with Stage V and Euro 6 standards.

Attending the presentation ceremony SPAL UK MD Matthew Morris said: “We have been extremely impressed with the Harper Adams Engineering Department and with the calibre of students we’ve encountered there. Today was a very well organised event with a great buzz in the room. I was taken aback by the sheer wealth of talent of the younger generation, as well as the enthusiasm and positivity which I’m sure they will bring to developing new solutions for tackling the big issues facing the planet in the

coming decades, to help managing the environment and ensure sustainable food resources.”

Welcome to our warehouse After another good year of buoyant sales, SPAL has put together a behind the scenes video about how recent upgrades in the warehouse have facilitated greater efficiently in fulfilling orders and teasing customers about plans for future expansion.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

EXPERTS

Is your old PC putting your dealership at risk?

JANUARY 2020 SAW the end of the line for Microsoft’s support for Windows 7 as well as Windows Server 2008.

Although mainstream support for this operating system officially ended in 2015, it wasn’t until January that Microsoft completely ceased any form of extended support.

fact, in recent months we have seen global businesses such as Travelex fall victim to sophisticated ransomware, leaving them unable to trade for a matter of weeks.

What do you need to do?

Here at Catalyst alone we have replaced or updated more than 200 of our clients PCs still running Windows 7, and we’re sure So, what does this mean for your there’s still a lot more out there. If you’re business? one of these people running a Windows 7 While PCs still running an outdated machine, here’s what you should do. operating system will still function, they’ll Anyone running out-of-date software no longer be updated by Microsoft. This should considering upgrading as a matter means any bugs or security of urgency to avoid any risk to IT vulnerabilities will not be your business and its valuable fixed and updates will not be PAUL data. Talk to your IT provider ALEXANDER available. This could leave your IT about your options when services manager, valuable company information Catalyst Computer upgrading as older machines Systems open and vulnerable to attack may need to be completely or theft. replaced in order to still run smoothly on Windows 10. If How could this affect your you’re not sure what operating business? system your PC is running, Running Windows 7 or even information can be found earlier operating systems online on how to check for this can have a hugely negative CONSIDER information. If you’re running impact on your business. Not UPGRADING a server using Windows only is your businesses data AS A MATTER Server 2008, this may be a vulnerable to hackers, but OF URGENCY little more difficult to check, what is perhaps more of a TO AVOID ANY however your IT provider can concern, is the vulnerability of RISK TO YOUR help you with finding out all your customers’ data. GDPR BUSINESS of the necessary information laws dictate that if your required to ensure your customer’s personal data ends up in the company data remains safe from any of wrong hands you could face considerable these pitfalls. punishment – most likely to be a hefty fine.

More than just security Also, since the deadline, it has also The need to update your PCs to been reported that insurance companies Windows 10, to some, may seem like an may consider your business ‘insurance unnecessary and redundant undertaking. invalid’ if you are running it through an The benefits of upgrading however, are outdated operating system. It may also not solely focused on increased security in effect which other businesses will be your business. The upgrade will give you willing to deal with you. For example, access to the latest tools and handy new businesses such as MasterCard or Visa features available through the operating may decline to work with you due to system, including the ability to print lack of PCI compliance, resulting in not documents directly to PDF format, as being able to take card payments in your well as increased system speed and easedealership. of-use. Overall, the improvements and The lack of protection against increased security gained from updating ransomware can also have hugely your operating system far outweighs the negative consequences for businesses. In cost. Upgrade as matter of urgency.

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

Keep calm and carry on – but be sensible With so many things going on it is always difficult to know what to cover in a few lines.

COMMENT

KEITH CHRISTIAN DIRECTOR BAGMA As I write this column, we are in the throes of a nearpandemic with the coronavirus scare. Massive amounts of money dropping off share values, and all sorts of public events are being cancelled around the world. The effect on everyone is tremendous and a few words from me will not cover the effects of what could be a global shutdown. Batten down the hatches and be sensible seems to be the best advise being given out so far.

We have another BAGMA Connect meeting taking place at Husqvarna’s facilities in Newton Aycliffe on March 24 and information and invitations are being sent out. The Connect meetings are for Emily Bridgewater dealers – both members and non-members. If you want to attend give us a call or email BAGMA for more information. admin@bagma. com And finally, it’s all change at the BAGMA Bulletin, as we say a massive thank Chris Boiling you to our long-standing outgoing editor, Chris Boiling. He's now Wine Editor at William Reed Business Media. Chris has been an editor with the Bira Group for many years. He’s been working as the BAGMA Bulletin’s editor for a number of years on a freelance basis.

Personally, and on behalf of BAGMA, I would like to thank Chris for his excellent contribution to our magazine and for all his support over the years.

We now have a new, in house, editor, Emily Bridgewater, who will be editing both the BAGMA Bulletin and the Bira magazine. Emily has a considerable background in print journalism and is very keen to learn about the Landbased Engineering sector. Prior to joining BAGMA and Bira, she served six years as the Weekend magazine editor at the Express & Star in Wolverhampton, the country’s biggest regional newspaper. Outside of work, she tells me she enjoys food, travel and spending time with her young family. Welcome to Emily who has put together this edition as her first foray into the wonderful world of BAGMA.

17

PRODUCT NEWS

Catalyst's software update will help users get ahead

Quality protection range will help save face Hellberg’s SAFE face protection range offers visor solutions to suit a variety of internal and external work environments.

With a standardised product design across the ranges, the visors and carriers can be combined with hearing protectors and safety helmets – or worn as standalone visors.

These stylish products give you multiple options that all fit perfectly together. Choose one of the readymade combinations, or select your own combination of carrier, visor and hearing protector.

All of Hellberg’s products are highquality, comfortable to wear and deliver superb, practical protection for all types of hazard.

The Hellberg Safety PPE range features the latest advanced technologies, modern design, comfort and quality together with great performance to appeals to all types of professionals working in a high-risk environment.

Hellberg Safety has more than 50 years of knowledge in hearing conservation and product development.

For more information on the Hellberg’s product range visit www.hellbergsafety.com

CATALYST COMPUTER SYSTEMS has recently released an update of its software.

The latest technology will allow users of its dealer management software to integrate directly with one of the world’s leading agricultural parts supplier BEPCO. The new feature gives dealers the opportunity to upload entire baskets of orders to the BEPCO portal directly from their DMS. The addition of a BEPCO price file into the system will also ensure that all of BEPCO’s 130,000 items are listed at the correct price in the DMS. This will give dealers peace of mind that anything they purchase through the portal remains profitable for them. This price file is automatically updated by Catalyst, so users can always trust the price they’re getting is upto-date.

This integration is exclusive to Catalyst DMS, and looks set to completely eradicate the often complex and time-consuming ordering processes of past.

For more information on this feature, call Catalyst on 0116 230 1500.

New tractor is match made in heaven for football club TYM TRACTORS HAS scored a home win by selling a vehicle to Southampton Football Club.

Southampton FC bought the T503 tractor to help with its extra workload; it has taken on site maintenance of AFC Totton’s Testwood Stadium where the Saints’ women’s team train and play their home games.

TYM Tractors has enjoyed a 16-year partnership with Southampton FC. The club now owns seven of their tractors – including the new T503..

Andy Gray, Southampton FC’s grounds manager, said: “Taking over maintenance of the new stadium, alongside our own St Mary’s Stadium and Staplewood training ground is certainly a challenge, which is why we’ve invested in a new TYM Tractor to help take on the task.”

And it seems the use of TYM at the club has created somewhat of a buzz.

Andy added: “Word of mouth has already spread about the quality of the pitch at AFC Totton; we’ve had other clubs in the same league asking us how we maintain it to such a high standard!

"Of course, the answer is always: hard work combined with high quality machinery.”

Iseki’s latest mower will cut through the market ISEKI UK IS expanding its product range for professionals with the launch of a new mower.

The SF224 is a new out-front mower and has a Stage V compliant 22.5hp diesel engine and hydrostatic transmission with automatic or selectable four-wheel drive. There is also a lockable differential for use when conditions demand. To ensure efficient engine cooling, the radiator is fitted with an automatic reversing fan, preventing the blockage of the grill.

David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK & Ireland, said: “With the Stage V engine regulations coming into place shortly, we wanted to offer the customer a competitively priced out-front mower with the same Iseki quality and

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reliability alongside a new Stage V compliant 22.5hp diesel engine.

“We believe the SF224 offers the most economical way to cut grass commercially with high productivity, plus the added benefit of the new engine, enabling customers to save on fuel and initial purchasing costs of their machinery.”

There are a range of decks on offer to suit various customer sites and cutting cycles, which allows the mower “to be highly versatile in this competitive market,” says David. It is compatible with the Wessex, Iseki and Muthing flail decks, as well as the new Iseki 60-inch out-front rotary deck. The SF224 also comes with a large storage box as standard.

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OUT AND ABOUT

The TH White Machinery Import stand at this year’s BTME

The Kubota stand at BTME

BTME exhibitors report ‘quality enquiries’ despite reduced footfall All that’s new in the golf and sports surface maintenance industry was on show at BTME, and BAGMA’s Business Development Manager Richard Jenkins went along to find out more BTME TOOK PLACE at the Harrogate Convention Centre from January 21 to 23.

Most visitors seemed to have got used to the layout introduced last year but certain areas still felt quiet – especially those in the Blue Hall, which took time to reach.

Each hall had an individual feel to it and exhibitors are grouped together in the sectors they represent which creates mini shows within the conference hall.

The busiest area often felt the Purple Hall, the first point of call for many. BAGMA member Ransomes Jacobsen’s Ltd had their stand

there, with a number of new battery-powered products on show, plus their updated AR 730, a highly impressive machine.

T H White Machinery Import division were also exhibiting for the first time and reported that although footfall had not been exceptional, there had been a number of quality enquiries.

A similar state of affairs was reported by Ernest Does Hire Company, which had seen a continuous stream of clients – old and new.

Early indications suggest visitor numbers were slightly down on 2019 and there were also less exhibitors present. Walking around

Jacobsen’s new AR 730 is an impressive bit of kit

you could see areas that had been filled with seating or reduced in size which, in previous years, would have been allocated with stands.

However, the show is still a good way for dealers to see what’s new on the market and to see a large number of suppliers all in one place.

Harrogate is, of course, a wonderful town to visit and can be very sociable but the cost of hotels is high during the week of the show.

Well done to BIGGA for organising a slick and smart operation, and to the exhibitors for creating a welcoming and informative show.

March 17 FutureScape Spring, Surrey

DIARY DATES

April 28-30 Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC, Birmingham

Game on for BAGMA’S annual curling match THERE WAS ALL to play for in the 32nd consecutive BAGMA Curling Match.

The annual event took place at The Peak Sports Centre in Stirling on February 5, sponsored by SafetyAide Ltd. Thirty-two curlers of all ages and abilities participated in a keenly fought match, enjoyed by all.

Former BAGMA President Brian Sangster handed out the following prizes: Overall winners of the BAGMA Salvers & SafetyAide bottles of malt whisky were skipper Liam Armstrong ( SRUC), Ben Lawler (

20

SafetyAide), Adam Giles (Ibcos) and David Key (The Grass Company).

Runners-up prize of craft beers from Catalyst Computers were skipper David McQueen (G&HS St Andrews), Steven Grundison (Edinburgh), Brian Sangster (BAGMA ) and Stephen Falcus (Ibcos).

Winner of The Miriam Byrne Award of a bottle of Champagne to the Best Lady Novice went to Bev Lowe ( SafetyAide).

BAGMA would like to say a big thank you to Fraser Robb for announcing the scores and delivering an entertaining after-dinner speech.

May 13-16 Balmoral Show, Belfast 28-30 Royal Bath & West Show, The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallett

June 4-6 Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge 11-13 South of England Show, The South of England Showground, Ardingly, Sussex 18-21 Royal Highland Show, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2020

Free insurance valuation A building is often your most valuable asset and if not adequately insured it could jeopardise your business. With BAGMA Insurance designed and delivered by Towergate, we can arrange for a free desktop valuation of your premises to ensure you are not underinsured, giving you greater peace of mind that you are covered properly.

We also offer Wide definition of ‘vehicle’ to include trailers and agricultural implements.

Unaccompanied demonstration cover for up to 72 hours.

Cover protection for vehicles, stock, general machinery, tools and contents both at business premises and elsewhere.

£5k worth of portable hand tools cover for employees.

Loan or hire whilst vehicles are in for service or repair.

Advice and support from specialists in the agricultural and garden machinery industries.

Specialist insurance for a unique industry We have arranged for specific covers such as unaccompanied demonstrations of agricultural vehicles to be included as standard as well as the usual covers you would expect from a machinery dealer’s insurance policy. This means there is something for everyone in the agricultural and garden machinery industries. So, why not give the Towergate team a call today to see how we can help?

Talk to Towergate today on 0333 207 6681 bagma@towergate.co.uk

bagma.com/specialist-insurance/

Towergate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No.4043759. Registered Address: 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AA. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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2020 SAVE A DATE IN YOUR DIARY Great Western Exhibition

Great Northern Show

Great Southern Exhibition

Tuesday 24th March (11am - 7pm) CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE, St Lawrence Rd, Chepstow, NP16 6BE

Thursday 26th March (1 - 9pm) UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON STADIUM, Burnden Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6JW

Tuesday 31st March (10am - 8pm) SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE, Portsmouth Rd, Esher, KT10 9AJ

Over 100 Key Brands on show including

Have you had your invitation? If not please contact your local branch, sales representative, email b2binfo@toolbank.com or call 01322 321460