Steve Bullman

It’s been an incredibly busy and exciting 15 months since the formation of the wholly owned UK subsidiary of FSI Stump Cutters. The establishment and subsequent strengthening of a nationwide dealer partner network and the introduction of the higher horsepower FSI B31-980 are two of many significant developments – the latest of which is the announcement that Sales Director Lee Hatton has officially become a shareholder of FSI Stump Cutters UK Ltd. Lee has been a major part of the success of FSI in the UK and Irish stump grinding markets throughout 2024. Coming from a background as an area sales manager, this hands-on experience and sales know-how has created strong foundations for Lee to support both new and highly experienced dealers across FSI’s UK partner network. He has become the port of call for new and prospective customers across the country, reaffirming the belief that owners and operators value interaction with FSI directly, as well as with their local FSI partner – resulting in increased sales and market share. Engaging with end-users is something FSI as a manufacturer have always prioritised and is why, together with Lee, members of the Danish team have been present at all major UK shows and events. This not only demonstrates FSI’s commitment to the UK but provides a platform for end-user feedback and requests which are helping to shape future developments across the Engine, Hydraulic and Tractor-mounted range. This is something that is set to continue with FSI retaining a strong presence, in both staff and equipment, at The Arb Show this May. “Lee has worked with us since the establishment of FSI UK and has not only shown impressive results in cooperation with our FSI Partner network, but also that he shares the values of FSI – especially his willingness to go the extra mile for both our customers and our dealers” comments FSI Stump Cutters Managing Director Kim Schmidt. “At FSI we’re in it for the long run, making sure we take the right decisions from day one. Making Lee a shareholder feels like the right decision to ensure progress and long-term stability in our UK subsidiary as we continue to grow. Looking ahead, we’re in a stronger position than ever to delivering unmatched service and reliable stump grinding solutions for years to come."

The internet is rife with scams, some laughably obvious, while others manage to slip through the cracks — even for the most tech-savvy among us. The latest scam to surface has indirectly involved Arbtalk Media, with scammers creating a fake Gmail account ([email protected]) and impersonating a well-known influencer and Husqvarna ambassador, Kimberley Both. 🎯 The Scam A victim was approached on Facebook by what appeared to be Kimberley Both, but was in fact a cloned account designed to gain trust. After moving the conversation to WhatsApp, the scammer introduced a third party, claiming they could assist in relocating the victim from Australia to Europe for work. The victim was asked to provide personal details, including a CV and passport-style photos, before being informed that a $1050 fee was required to begin the necessary paperwork. The email requesting payment came from [email protected], which raised suspicion and prompted the victim to contact me directly. Thankfully, the victim reached out before parting with any money, and I was able to confirm the scam. 🛑 Kimberley Both Had No Involvement It is important to stress that Kimberley Both had no knowledge or involvement in this scam and is also a victim in this situation. The scammers used her name and reputation to gain the victim's trust. In this case, there were three victims: The individual targeted by the scam Myself, Arbtalk Media, whose name was used in the fake email address Kimberley Both, whose identity was impersonated 🔍 How to Stay Vigilant Social media scams using well-known faces are becoming increasingly common, with cloned accounts targeting even small influencers. In this case, Kimberley reported the fake account to Facebook multiple times, yet no action has been taken. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For ✅ Check for the verified blue tick on larger accounts. Scammers often place a fake blue tick in the profile picture to trick people. ✅ Carefully check email addresses in any correspondence. For Arbtalk, all official emails will come from @arbtalk.co.uk or @arbtalkmedia.co.uk. ✅ If in doubt, do what this victim did — contact the company directly. 🚫 Don't Become the Next Victim Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and their tactics are evolving. Stay alert and report any suspicious accounts or communications immediately. If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly at [email protected]. 🔔 Please share this warning to help prevent others from falling victim to this scam.