Page 14 - OPE JULY 2020

MARKETPLACE
Generators & Water Blasters
what they are wanting to do so the right product is supplied. Quite often, they buy a cheap genset then try and power half the neighbourhood!”
And while generators are generally considered low-maintenance units, commentators agree that it still pays to have them serviced regularly, even if the unit has
done only a few hours each year.
As Bruce Wooding explains: “As long as
they’ve got clean air filters and you change the oil every hundred hours – or every year if it’s not getting a lot of use – then it’s just a matter of giving it fresh fuel. And that’s key; you cannot leave stale fuel sitting in them.”
Demand for inverters
continues to surge
For Briggs & Stratton, Steve Melhuish reports “phenomenal demand” for generators: “We sold every generator we had pre-Covid as people thought they were going to run out of power. The last time we experienced such a rush on
generators was the Auckland storm of about three years ago.”
BE Pressure Supply has also experienced increased demand for both domestic and commercial generators over the past 12 months, says Alex King.
“The new BE Commercial Series was launched in February, just prior to the Covid lockdown, and since the launch, we have enjoyed record sales within
the category. In fact, there are now 25 new models in this series with more variations due to be released for specific applications.” (See page 016 for more detail on this range.)
Bruce Wooding at Honda Power Equipment says the brand’s inverter range continues to be the big seller and that demand has been consistently strong this year.
“Very big storms or widespread power outages generate a peak in demand, but otherwise it’s consistent sales all the time.”
And in terms of disruptions to Honda’s supply chain? “Our product supply is currently unaffected, and we carry a lot of safety stock in case there is a hiccup along the line,” he says.
Bruce Wooding says Honda’s three biggest-selling inverters are the eu22i, eu30is
014 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT JULY2020
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GT Power open-frame, electric-start inverters
THE LATEST GT Power inverter generator models
are on their way. Featuring the convenience of push- button electric starting technology and a compact design, these machines offer two USB outlets, two 15A outlets and 12V charging capability, making them ideal for home, work or play.
With a Powerdyne four-stroke, air-cooled, OHV industrial engine, digital control panel for simplified engine management, and smart throttle for fuel savings and quiet operation, these generators promise to reliably power a range of sensitive electronics.
www.euroquip.co.nz