Page 2 - OPE Nov 21-Feb 22

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
A gift that keeps on giving
Auckland outdoor
power dealers will
now be back at work, albeit still with some restrictions for now, and all of them trying desperately to make up for lost time...
At least that’s the impression I have formed having called around a number of new and existing dealers of all persuasions.
Although what we have been going through will have tried the patience of saints, I believe it’s been worth it.
Anything that keeps loved ones, friends, colleagues etc healthy and safe has to be worth aiming for and a great gift to end the year with!
Our next magazine is out in March – have a great Christmas – we’ll see you then!
Steve Bohling Group Editor
steveb@mpm.nz 09 304 2705
NZ Outdoor Power Equipment
is published 4 times per year
by Marketplace Media,
PO Box 28372, Remuera, Auckland 1541 Phone: 09 375 3097
Website : www.ope.co.nz
ISSN: 1177-4215
The opinions expressed and material published in New Zealand Outdoor Power Equipment
are not necessarily those of the publisher, except where specifically stated. The content is copyright and may not be reprinted in any form without the permission of the publisher.
Group Editor Steve Bohling 021 0223 6887 steveb@mpm.nz
Account Manager Karen Condon 0275 420 338
karenc@mpm.nz
Account Manager Susan Kennedy 021 317 176
susank@mpm.nz
Studio Manager Rachel Walker 021 169 0201
rachelw@mpm.nz
Publisher Simon Little 021 507 343 simonl@mpm.nz
OUTDOOR POWER DEALERS
Niki Leishman mans the
new Browns Bay STIHL SHOP.
New STIHL SHOP working in the “Bays”
NOW IN THEIR second decade
operating STIHL SHOP Silverdale, Pete and Judy Leishman have added to their portfolio with a brand-new STIHL SHOP in Browns Bay on Auckland’s North Shore.
By way of background, Balclutha-born Pete called time on his 21-year military career in 1999 and bought a lawn mowing round.
With her own career as Practice Manager of an A&M centre on the Hibiscus Coast, East Coast Bays local Judy says: “Mowing lawns worked well with a young family, allowing flexibility for two working parents.
“But eventually, Pete started looking around for a different business and, with my business skills, we felt ready to take a bigger step into business ownership.”
The pair were beaten to a mower shop, considered a Midas franchise and a video store (and will have been pleased not to have gone down that route!), and then heard that Silverdale Mowers & Forest Equipment was on the market.
A far better prospect than the earlier mower shop opportunity as back then it sold both STIHL and Husqvarna products, Pete and Judy took over Silverdale Mowers on 1 April 2006.
It was an “old style mower repair shop”, focused on repairs and service rather than selling quality goods and with a showroom described as “small, cramped, haphazard and really not a pleasant place to display top quality items.”
Pete was in the showroom, Judy did the books after hours, a single full-time mechanic carried out servicing and their two high
school aged kids helped out when needed.
Not long after buying Silverdale Mowers, the Leishmans made a business decision to go with STIHL alone, as well as having been attracted to the then new STIHL SHOP concept.
Financially it was a big step up to become a STIHL SHOP but, looking back, Pete and Judy have no regrets about their decision.
Peter and Judy Leishman, rightly proud of STIHL SHOP Browns Bay.
What’s more, 11 years later,
the Leishmans have just opened
a completely new STIHL SHOP in the busy and growing suburb of Browns Bay.
After delays caused by the pandemic and lockdowns, STIHL SHOP Browns Bay “opened its doors” on 1 November, the difficulty being that Auckland was still working under Level 3 restrictions...
Fortunately, after just a week, customers could be admitted to the store and sales since then have been “steady and growing”.
Interestingly, the new store has no actual service workshop, just a run-up room and area for minor adjustments and chain sharpening, while servicing will be done back at Silverdale.
Manning STIHL SHOP Browns Bay is son Niki Leishman, who’s a fully trained small engines technician with MITO, Briggs & Stratton, and STIHL qualifications, ably supported by Judy and a couple of newer employees who are rostered between the two stores.
Also in the industry, by the way,
is daughter Dana Leishman, who is
an Apprentice Technician at STIHL SHOP Wanaka – clearly, helping out at Silverdale Mowers struck a chord for both kids!
The Leishmans admit the second store has added to their workload, on top of the obvious difficulties of trading with restrictions in place and supply chain issues, but they are very much looking forward to restrictions being lifted and really getting stuck in to “working in the Bays”!
For their support, Pete and Judy thank STIHL Territory Manager Anthony Mildren, product trainer Matt Hura, Key Accounts Manager Brad Cathcart and Darryl Perkins, Business Development, as well as major product suppliers, STIHL, Masport, Honda, Steelfort (Lawnmaster, Rover and Cub Cadet) and Hansa. n
www.facebook.com/stihlshopbrownsbay
02 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT NOVEMBER 2021-FEBRUARY 2022
more at www.facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine