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Welcome to your A View from the Forest newsletter on Wednesday, December 18th.
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As we begin to wind down for the holiday season (and put the first Forestry Journal of 2025 to bed!), your newsletters will be looking a little bit different over the next week or so, starting today with an exclusive Q&A on the current state of Can-Am's ATV/UTV offering with Rachael Turner, BRP commercial manager UK and Ireland.
Friday's Latest from the Woods will count down our top-10 stories of 2024, and, all being well, I'll be back next Wednesday with a reflective look at the year just gone.
Then we will be on a short break until the New Year.
Jack
 The latest additions to the Can-Am off-road line-up are the Can-Am Outlander 500, pictured, and 700 models (Image: Supplied)
1. What kind of customers in the forestry and arb market are using road-legal Can Am SSVs and ATVs? What kind of work are they doing?
At BRP, we are at the forefront of design and development of road-legal ATVs for the utility sector and the way this is achieved is simple. Our R&D team constantly works to ensure that our Can-Am off-road ATVs and SSVs are compliant with the current legislation and provide the user with the power, performance, versatility and comfort they require. As a business in the UK, we are seeing users in the forestry and arb sectors choose road-legal models from our portfolio. The reason for this is our road-legal models are just as at home on the road as they are off-road, which is especially important for these users because the sites they might be working on could require them to do a mix of off-road and riding to get there, so they do not have to worry about the performance of the ATV.
2. In terms of future developments, what are your forestry customers telling you they want to see in your vehicles?
We are constantly listening to feedback from customers, and we are developing products that will benefit them in the short, medium and long term. An example of this is the new G3L platform, which is a whole new product that is easier to live with when it comes to servicing.
It is also more efficient and provides the user with a lower cost of ownership, which is what owners are looking for.
In addition, the G3L provides increased loading and carrying capabilities with an increased bed size. There are also genuine accessories that have been designed with the user in mind and are relevant to the sector. These include a chainsaw holder that bolts directly into the machine and a fuel caddy that is homologated for use on road legal vehicles.
3. How has the road-legal ATV/SSV market changed in recent years? What have been the major developments?
The road-legal market has changed to the point where users want a vehicle that can handle the road as well as rugged terrain. In the Can-Am off-road line-up, we have expanded the T-category models to meet marketplace demands, while also introducing several industry-leading developments that have benefited the end user. The first is the introduction of ABS onto the T class models, which has increased the performance of the vehicle by enabling a higher top speed. The second is electric power steering for more control. The third and final one is developing multi-fit original equipment accessories that enable the user to easily customise their vehicle for increased efficiency
4. What new models have you recently added to your line-up? What do they bring to your offering?
 The Can-Am Outlander PRO XU HD7 ABS, a popular choice (Image: Supplied)
The latest additions to the Can-Am off-road line-up are the Can-Am Outlander 500 and 700 models. What these models bring to the market is the ability to haul and tow, and they can store more than any other
ATV on the market. There are a couple of models that have been popular sellers since their launch at the end of 2023. The first is the Can-Am Outlander PRO XU HD7 ABS. This ATV puts out 50 horsepower and 41 ft-lb of torque as well as having intelligent engine braking (iEB), which enables the user to select the level of braking assistance required based on the terrain and steepness of the descent, so travelling up the downhills or towing and carrying cargo on the flat is now easier and more efficient.
The second is the Can-Am Outlander BASE PRO HD5 T.
Forestry machine specialist Jas P Wilson has made a commitment to encouraging young people into the industry and developing their careers through its in-house education centre and apprenticeship programme, for its own benefit and that of other employers. The man behind the training and recruitment strategy is Drew Easton. Forestry Journal met up with him on site to learn more.
TAKE a look around Jas P Wilsonâs facilities at Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway and you may be surprised to see so many youthful faces.
In an industry with an ageing workforce and challenges around recruiting new talent â particularly in engineering â it seems this is one company that is bucking the trend. But thatâs no accident. In fact, itâs taken a considerable amount of work.
Turn the clock back around eight years and things were looking quite different. The staffâs median age was in the mid-fifties, a fact which had not escaped the attention of then managing director Billy Wilson and was causing him some concern. While heâd made connections with local schools and colleges to offer work experience, it was clear this wasnât going to be enough to tackle the challenge. What that really required was a specialist in the field of education.
He learned that Drew Easton, head of construction and engineering at Dumfries and Galloway College â was planning to leave the role. So he approached him and asked if he would be interested in coming to Wilsons. It turned out to be a phenomenally good move.
Unveiled last year, Husqvarna's ActSafe ICX allows climbers to quickly ascend or descend trees. Tools and gear can be sent up or brought down at a speed of up to 24 metres per minute.
We spoke to Jo Hedger and Tim Bendle to learn more about it.
Do you like these newsletters? We'd welcome any comments to jack.haugh@forestryjournal.co.uk
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