SPG Machinery in Lymington closing after being unable to recruit staff with right skills

A LYMINGTON couple are “devastated” to be closing their long-standing business as they cannot recruit staff with the right skills.

Clare Edwards and Nik Moore, who run SPG Machinery on Boldre Lane, said they have no choice but to shut up shop this Friday despite their loyal customer base.

The couple have been trying in vain for years to find replacements for two retiring workshop technicians who can maintain two-stroke engine machines like hedge trimmers, chainsaws and lawn mowers.

“Devastated would be an understatement,” Clare told the A&T: “SPG Machinery has been going for more than 40 years in various forms. The business was founded under a different name, but then moved to become SPG Power Machines Services Ltd.

“Nik and I took the business over seven years ago and changed the name again to just SPG Machinery because it was a bit less of a mouthful.

“We have a master technician who is retiring after being with the business for more than 40 years, and another technician who is retiring.

“All our staff are great – we have a fantastic team and lovely customers. If anything, we have too much work and great premises, but we have two members of staff retiring and we can’t replace them.”

Clare said being unable to find staff with the right skills is an “industry-wide” issue: “More and more traders across the board are having this problem.

“There don’t seem to be any staff coming off college courses with the right qualifications to maintain garden machinery and two-stroke engine machines.

“We’ve been trying for years to find replacement staff – we’ve tried recruitment agencies, national agencies, we’ve approached colleges like Sparsholt.

“It seems like people want to work with tractors and big machines, but no one’s getting qualifications in smaller, two-stroke machines anymore.”

She continued: “I’m gutted. Most of our customers say they feel devastated, and they’re wondering where they’re going to go now.

“This is a very niche industry but we’re also very busy. I hate feeling like we’re letting people down; we’re in a service industry but we can’t offer a service.”

Nik told the A&T: “It’s a sign of the times. Lots of other businesses and industries are in the same boat.

“We have commercial customers, like builders, who are also having trouble recruiting people with the right skills. It’s the same in hospitality.”

He continued: “I think part of the problem is where we are. People want to work in machine maintenance but more around the Southampton and Bournemouth areas.

"There’s been far too little investment and training of young people, and it’s not their fault if they’ve not been given the right opportunities to train, or even learn what’s available in terms of work.”

Nik and Clare said they want to “wholeheartedly” thank their customers for how “warmly” they were welcomed to the area. They also paid tribute to their staff, who they described as “fantastic”.

SPG Machinery is now selling off stock privately. For more information email info@spgm.co.uk

After learning of SPG Machinery’s closure, New Forest Business Partnership chairman Matthew Lawson told the A&T: “Skills shortages continue to pose significant challenges for New Forest businesses across various industries.

“The lack of skilled workers has become a pressing issue, hindering growth and productivity. It is essential to address this issue to ensure the long-term success of our businesses and the overall economic development of the New Forest.”

He continued: “Skills shortages directly impact small businesses, limiting their ability to meet customer demands, innovate and expand. With limited resources and workforce, local businesses struggle to find qualified individuals with the necessary skills and expertise. This not only affects their day-to-day operations but also hampers their ability to stay competitive in the market.

“To address skills shortages, collaboration between local businesses, educational institutions and government entities is crucial.”

Mr Lawson urged business owners on the Forest to contact his organisation.