Page 11 - OPE July-Aug 2021

steady throughout.
“Overall, it was highly successful for us,
with very good enquiry levels, and lots of different enquiry across our range, with generators shining through along with water pumps, log splitters and heaters.”
Another Fieldays regular, Honda was also busy fielding a high level of enquiries for portable generators to add to the already strong demand for the product, despite relatively modest weather events.
Blue Wing Honda GM, Damien Smyth, suggests that Kiwis looking to take time out locally and off the grid has added to demand for portable generators, along with farmers and businesses that have been looking to ensure their power supplies.
Just as well then, that Damien is happy to state that the company has “a good pipeline for generators and plenty of stock, so local Honda dealers can support customers who need the product now.”
Although feeling slightly agoraphobic after a year largely coloured by being told to stay indoors, it was great to get out and about and have a yarn with outdoor power people.
Here’s to being out and about in 2022! n
INDUSTRY
Fieldays 2021
Simple solution takes 2021 Innovation Award
WE ALWAYS LIKE to look in on the
Fieldays Innovation Hub. Despite that fact that some of the ideas on show are way too technical for many of our readers, one of the winners this year was something that many may be interested in.
This year’s Innovation Awards attracted a total of 64 entries including Prototype Award-winning Springarm Products whose ballcock arm flexes but won’t break, saving farmers water, time, money, and stress.
Co-founder and inventor of Springarm, Ric Awburn, says he’s been “overwhelmed” by the high levels of interest and support received since the Innovation Award win.
“We’ve gone from exhibiting at Fieldays with
a few ballcock arms and a bit of signage, to lots
of emails and calls from people wanting to buy our product, news articles, and conversations with manufacturers. It’s a lot to take in!”
Ric manages a 500-cow farm in Te Kawa by day and by night makes ballcock arms (also known as the “farmer’s little saviour”) which you can purchase on the Springarm website.
Such has been the interest in Springarm that Ric says he and his wife, Marianne, are working hard to keep up with the demand.
Marianne says they were “totally gobsmacked, and completely
The Springarm team, rightly chuffed to be recognised for their simple innovation.
floored” to have been announced as a winner and that they have received non-stop positive feedback from farmers sick of water supply issues.
“We’ve just watched all of these people come in and seeing the relief on their faces because there’s a solution to their problem that they’ve been facing for so long.
“Some of the older generations of dairy farmers have come in and said, ‘Why didn’t you invent this when I still had my farm?’”
www.springarm.co.nz
INTERESTED IN
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• Full Husqvarna servicing dealer
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JULY/AUGUST 2021 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 011