INSIDE AGRI-TURF

To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2021, Inside Agri-Turf features three women who are currently fully engaged in technical and service roles with agricultural engineering companies.

There is an extract from a previous episode talking to Laura Bassnett, the winner of the Technician for 2021 Award, I discover how the runner up in those Award, Lauren Savage, prefers tractors to her previous job working with cars whilst Poppy Burrough, an engineering apprentice with JCB tells how prospective employers described their workshop as 'no place for a girl'.

Finally, for an industry perspective on whether there is real transformation underway for an industry commonly regarded as male dominated, I talk to Charlie Nicklin, the CEO of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE)

Women in Engineering Society

LE-TEC (Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee)

That is just one of the principles of being a specialist dealer outlined by Howell and Emyr Jenkins of Jenkins Garden Machinery in South Wales in this episode.

In recent years, the Jenkins family have suffered from a series of personal set- backs with Howell just back in the business after leukemia, and the passing of wife and business founder Glynis shortly after the death their other son Gareth, both in the last two years.

Emyr has since driven the business forward making the fulsome use of social media and this year a successful TV commercial hosted by legendary international rugby referee, Nigel Owens.

The pair complement one another, and both adopt a very clear set of business terms for customers.

The episode is full of Jenkin-isms, such “The customer is always right – NOT” and “Compared with newpaper adverts, on Facebook we can express ourselves better – and be more playful!”

Or their motto for customers “It doesn’t matter where you buy your machine until . . .* (* it breaks down, it needs parts, you need advice, you’ve got a problem etc etc)

And perhaps the ultimate in Google Reviews received by the company “It is a pleasure to have a machine break down so Jenkins can fix it”

Recently, the Landbased Education and Training Committee (LE-TEC) selected the winners of its Technicians for 2021.

Overall winner was Laura Bassnett who works as a Technician at Case dealership, Ernest Doe, Fyfield branch.

I caught up with her during a hiking holiday in Wales, and just after she had climbed the Tryfan peak in Snowdonia. We chatted about her love of the outdoors and how she had been attracted to a job in the agricultural machinery industry after spending time in Australia and New Zealand.

After enrolling on a two-year agricultural machinery course at Reaseheath College, she was taken on by Ernest Doe and talks about many of the enjoyable aspects of her job - as well as some areas that she still finds challenging.

Laura says that her job is possibly not for everyone, but for anyone who loves the outdoors, wants variety and is always up for a challenge, then landbased engineering is an ideal career

During the early hours of 7 April 2021, a devastating fire swept through the premises of specialist ATV dealer, MKM Agriculture in Bedfordshire.

Owner Anthony Deacon, along with the fire crew, could only stand and watch as huge flames wiped out his workshop along with over 80 machines (both his stock and customer repairs), all the workshop equipment and tools.

Fortunately, the offices were unaffected and his computer records provided a full inventory of all the machines that has been lost.

Anthony talks me through the events of that day, the aftermath and the difficult questions he had to face from the insurance company before they accepted his claim in full three weeks after the fire.

He urges businesses to fully study, 'the last six pages' of their policy containing the exclusions and other factors that might disbar a claim - rather than the opening pages which summarise the extent of the cover.

It's a salutary tale for any business owner considering a scenario of 'What If'

Recorded during Mental Health Awareness week, I talk to Tom Johnston who experienced depression and a series of mental health issues as he took his first steps into agricultural engineering, a career that he had always dreamed off.

For a 'tractor-mad' boy, he never wanted to do anything else, but several twists and turns resulted in set-backs, until he decided to return to college after a couple of experiences with dealers were blighted by his mental state.

A chance opportunity, resulted in a job on a golf course. He immediately connected with the turfcare industry and has recently started his own repair business.

He says that mental doubts and uncertainties still lie under the surface, but urges those with similar symptoms not to hide them, but to speak out. Tell everyone that's "Its OK not to be OK" he says

WEBSITE: Inside Agri-Turf

WEBSITE: LE-TEC (Landbased Engineering and Training Education Committee)

CONTACT: [email protected]

After a short break, Chris Biddle summarises the content of future episodes of Inside Agri-Turf which re-launches with Season Two on 24 May 2021.

Topics covered will include mental health, coping with a business-threatening event, diversity, the importance of family businesses with their 'name above the door', the future role for independent dealers in the future.

As ever, Chris will also reflect on the changing news agenda as it affects the industry as a whole and dealers in particular.

Also see the new website www.inside-agriturf.com

Contact Chris at [email protected]

In this short episode, Chris Biddle reflects on the background,, the production and the content of Series One of Inside Agri-Turf as it takes a short break - and provides some thoughts on the theme for Series Two which will commence in May 2021

After he was mentioned by two of my recent podcast guests (Jeremy Gibbs Ep 24 and Graham Thompson Ep 26 ) as providing valuable mentoring advice at different stages of their careers, I’m delighted to be joined by Peter Leech for his views on the value of mentoring.

Peter spent more than 40 years in senior technical and training roles with John Deere UK – joining the company when the average horsepower of tractors sold was barely more than a present day compact tractor – and he also reflects on the evolving nature of the agri-turf machinery industry

A common theme comes back to communication, particularly the importance of the ‘Hows and Whys’ both between company members and between technicians and the customer.

Peter recalls some the WOW moments in tractor technology and provides his thoughts on the most likely powers sources for the tractors of the future – and oh, explains how he used a standard pencil to test the thought processes of trainees!

As machinery manager for Glendale, a leading management company maintaining substantial areas of green open spaces, forestry and sports facilities, Neal Harper is responsible for the purchase, upkeep and use of over 5000 pieces of equipment and vehicles.

In this podcast, he talks to Chris Biddle about his route into the agri-turf machinery industry, of his years working in varied roles for a number of dealers before taking up his present role which has meant switching from being a supplier to that of a significant customer.

He says that it is important that he, as the client, works closely with both dealers and manufacturers to mutual benefit – and that price alone is not always the major factor when buying equipment for the fleet.  

In this episode, Chris Biddle reflects on the people and the quotes that have stood out during the current season of Inside Agri-Turf

In particular, he discusses how and why so many sons and daughters have followed parents into the family business, bringing with them new skills. He also picks out the stand-moment when the industry was described in glowing terms - and finally reflects on the perfect mission statement for dealers

Time stamps for subjects covered

05:01 The importance of Ps and Qs

06:56 The stand-out quote of the season

09:28 How do you 'bottle' and present the industry to outsiders?

15:49 Mission Statements

17:19 The perfect dealer mission statement