Page 16 - OPE March 2021

MARKETPLACE
Chippers & Shredders
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On top of a boom in demand from domestic and lifestyle end users, contractors and the hire operators are also desperate for new chippers & shredders, finds Steve Bohling.
DURING FEBRUARY AND
early March, to find out what’s
happening in and around chippers & shredders, as usual I got busy polling a broad cross section of suppliers and dealers.
So, it is slightly disappointing but also revealing to report that many were too busy to respond, although that is perfectly understandable, faced with ongoing demand for sometimes tight product supplies and opportunities like CD Fieldays and the Rural Games.
All good, though, I gathered more than enough insights and information to be able to draw some conclusions about where we’re at in respect of chippers & shredders.
Steelfort, with its lifestyle orientated LawnMaster chippers, may not be the market leader, admits Gavin Lowndes, but its experience over the last year seems totally in keeping with that of many other outdoor power suppliers.
Demand has been up across all product lines, says Gavin, which was a welcome boost after a distinctly lacklustre start for the industry early last year.
“We went into lockdown 12 months ago on the back of a very poor December, January, February, thanks to the drought,” he says.
“But, since we came back out of lockdown really, it’s gone nuts. Really it’s been a very buoyant period.”
Keen to let Gavin return to his family and their holiday, I couldn’t let him go without addressingtheelephantinroom:“The biggest issue is, of course, like everyone, has been supply,” he admits readily.
Reasons to be cheerful
I turn to Martin Vogel and Hansa Products for whom, it tuns out, the supply chain issues touching the New Zealand market have been less dramatic than for some.
“I suppose it speaks to the relationship we have with suppliers like Honda; we’re reliant on them carrying inventory to cover the shortfall as a result of shipping delays.”
Still, he admits, “There have been some other components we have been caught short on. And sometimes it’s worth bearing in mind that it could be the smallest component that has a direct impact on the ability to sell our complete product.”
As a result, Hansa has just been “a bit more vigilant” and has increased minimum stock quantities, working with suppliers, and forecasting further out.
Just as well too, because Hansa has also been “crazy busy” thanks to the travel restrictions, especially in New Zealand and Australia.
“The results have been felt across the industry with consumers spending more money in their back yards,” says Martin. Interesting too that he confirms that Kiwis have not only definitely been fettling their homes and gardens themselves, but they have also been seeking the services
of the professionals, and in respect of chippers & shredders this means that the arboriculture industry is also pretty buoyant.
“Some contractors are a bit hesitant, just protecting their cash flow. Others have just decided,‘oh,well,let’sjustgetonwithit’.”
On top of which, Hansa has also been benefitting from a very buoyant hire
016 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT MARCH-JUNE2021
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