Page 15 - OPE March 2021

MARKETPLACE
You need that regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure the longevity of the product. Whether they’re petrol or battery- powered, there’s a hefty requirement to maintain the units
Chainsaws & accessories
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
“Potentially, for me, there’s no real differentiation between the two types of tools, other than one is for garden and one is for other projects.”
Mathew Lawton acknowledges it’s not just the DIY brands that have done this, but also power tool brands that are strong with the trades, which have really driven their power garden ranges.
“It’s good from a sustainability perspective in that you’re not using as much petrol, while the battery technology has also advanced to the point where adequate power is now there.”
Skins make for easy category crossover
Stanley Black&Decker is another supplier that’s happy to exploit this crossover, with outdoor power equipment a major part of SBD’s portfolio with product ranges available across the Black&Decker, Stanley Fatmax and DeWalt brands.
SBD Marketing Lead, James Brooker, says with most products now available as a kit, including batteries and charger, and also
“In our Spring promotion last year, we had our ‘buy one, get one skin half price’ offer.
“That was very successful and has been a catalyst for more sales, sometimes for other family members and, once they’re into that kit, they tend to want the next product.”
“We also enjoy excellent brand loyalty; we know from dealers that the people who have the Husqvarna ride-on, for example, like to ‘keep it orange’ through further equipment purchases!”
Servicing remains a key
OPE advantage
Also still very firmly in the outdoor power channel’s favour in all of this is the fact that outdoor power products require fettling to remain serviceable and effective.
From the power tool perspective, Accent Tools’ Andrew Way laments that the mechanical appreciation of what power equipment needs to do to complete a task is probably declining in the market in general but says HiKOKI is doing all it can to maintain awareness.
“For example, chain and bar replacement is best practice, but whether people actually do that is another story,” he says, adding
STIHL expands professional petrol range
SET TO ARRIVE shortly are STIHL’s
new MS 400 and MS 881 professional petrol chainsaws. The MS 400 C-M (top photo) is built off the well- proven MS 362 model and boasts significant increases in capacitance and power, giving the MS 400 the best power- to-weight ratio in the +60cc class. It features new magnesium piston technology, M-Tronic starting, and simplified starting, and weighs less than 6kg.
Meanwhile, the MS 881 (above, a direct replacement for the MS 880) is set to become the most powerful production chainsaw on the market with 6.4kW from its 121.6cc, making it ideal for the largest and most demanding jobs. Key improvements include captive bar nuts, one-touch stop-start, a new diagnostic plug and an advanced oil pump for optimal oil flow.
www.stihl.co.nz
as bare tools without batteries, it’s an easy transition for existing power tool users to add outdoor power without having to buy into a new battery platform.
James identifies two advantages here: (1) cost is lower with batteries often one of the most expensive components in a tool; and (2) convenience with many users seeing a benefit in being able to grab a couple of batteries from their power tool kit knowing they are fully charged and ready to go rather than spending time charging up a separate battery, or batteries, when they tackle outdoor tasks.
Returning to more specialised outdoor power suppliers, with today’s pan-category battery platforms is there a danger of losingespeciallydomesticcustomersto the arguably more ubiquitous power tool brands?
Not at all, indeed, Husqvarna’s Steve Middleton for one has observed a pronounced lift in sales of batteries and chainsaw skins.
“We see users who already have the blower or the hedgetrimmer or the chainsaw kit at home and can now just buy a skin.
that some consumers moving from petrol equipment to cordless believe they won’t have to service their chainsaw, which is not the case.
“That’s a general area of focus for us across our entire range – an education message that tools, equipment, machinery always need to be regularly serviced to extract maximum longevity from the product and that of course extends to wear and tear on chains and bars.”
Steve Middleton says the fact that Husqvarna customers still collect their chainsaws from the dealer, results in an important point of difference with aftersales service and “the satisfaction they’re getting theadvicearoundhowtofuel,oil,start,run and adhere to a service plan.
“Customers appreciate the extra wraparound benefit of an extended warranty, product knowledge and safety gear.
“With chainsaws, we like our dealers
to show them the inertia brakes, safety switches and so on, because you’re dealing with a dangerous tool and that in-store contact is very valuable.
“We’re also seeing a lot of purchases of additional batteries and carry cases, nylon accessories, and file guide kits.
“And when it comes to buying higher- qualityproducts,”Stevecontinues,“Ithink we’re seeing people wanting the most bang for buck they can get and we’re seeing them step up into a saw that’s more than adequate for the job they’re doing.”
In this respect, he adds: “The bottom end, ‘bargain basement price’ products are still ticking over but we’re seeing people spending a bit more to get something that will last longer and there’s a swing back to
the premium brand as a choice – especially if they’ve previously been let down by a budget saw.
“But regardless, you need that regular maintenanceandcleaningtoensurethe longevity of the product. Whether they’re petrol or battery-powered, there’s a hefty requirement to maintain the units.”
Which is why servicing dealers appear to be maintaining an advantage over the big barn DIY retailers – see the separate story on page 10 for more on what gives servicing dealers a distinct advantage over the big barns. n
more at www. facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
MARCH-JUNE 2021 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 015