Page 2 - OPE July-Aug 2021

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
Up the Creek again...
Mystery Creek
that is – it was great
to be out and about at Fieldays again last month, after a year’s break from the crowds, the mud, the traffic queues...
Well, it was great to be there – to catch up with our peers and partners in the outdoor partner industry.
Business was brisk by all accounts, across a range of products and buyers.
But it wasn’t strictly business as usual, having noted some key suppliers who didn’t attend for the first time in some years.
Visitor numbers however were up on 2019 and, despite ongoing comments about Fieldays becoming a more general show – not a bad thing in itself in the current climate – most reports have it that 2019 simply wasn’t the same without Fieldays.
The next magazine is out in September – see you then!
Steve Bohling Group Editor
steveb@mpm.nz 021 0223 6887
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 INDUSTRY
New Auckland home for Steelfort
02 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT JULY/AUGUST2021
moreat www.facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
DUE TO FORMALLY open in September, Steelfort is already rightly pleased with its brand new,
state-of-the-art Auckland premises comprisingaspaciousshowroomanda 1,900m2 Distribution Centre for the company’s brands.
Located at 880 Great South Road in Auckland’s Penrose, Steelfort Auckland will of course feature outdoor power and garden equipment by LawnMaster, Cub Cadet, MTD, Rover and Countax, as well as the firm’s commercial ice machines and refrigeratedsystems.
Run by Melanie McOviney, Steelfort Auckland is also home to the new outlet store and parts supply for Miele appliances, a class brand with whom Steelfort has had a close relationship for some 20+ years.
Having seen the company outgrow its Great South Road premises of the early 1990s, Steelfort MD, John McOviney, has spent much of his time in the last few years getting the new Auckland premises together.
“We wanted to make a statement,” says John. “But it took me a long time to find a site that was suitable and then put a building up.
“It’s taken over three years, I suppose – and dealing with councils and getting consents and all that sort of stuff, it’s not been an easy programme,” he admits.
“There’s a lot of effort, time and money involved in putting a building like this up, but it’s going to be good for us for the next 25 years. It’s a really nice building and I’m very proud of it!”
Although the new Auckland site features a substantial modern DC, distribution will also remain a key function of the firm’s Palmerston North site.
Talking of which, asked about plans for Palmy North, John talks candidly of the difficult decision to move lawn mower manufacturing offshore, to China: “That changewasabigstep.AndIprobably pontificated for a couple, two or three years. But sometimes, you have to make hard decisions.”
Has this move come back to haunt Steelfort, give the current troubles with freight and supply chain?
Apparently not: “We’ve had a good association with the company we deal with inShanghaiforprobably10yearsnow.And they’re a good company. They’re honest and
reliable,” says the Steelfort MD.
Having encouraged National Sales &
Marketing Manager, Gavin Lowndes, and daughter Melanie to “put their stamp on the business”,farfromtakingabackseat,the almost 75-year-old John McOviney says he still very much enjoys his involvement in the direction of the company.
Happy to be part of what he believes is the only remaining New Zealand-owned lawn mower maker, John says firmly that he has “no intention of changing that position.”
“We are a family-based company. And that’sthewayIlikeit.” n
https://steelfort.co.nz/
Husqvarna’s “big” chainsaw news
THAT’S “BIG” NEWS,
as in “big chainsaw” by the way...
Although not on show during Fieldays, Husqvarna’s eagerly anticipated new 90cc 592 XP professional chainsaw has been launched online globally and we understand will arrive in New Zealand in early 2022.
Headlined “We are more”
on the local website, the Husqvarna
592 XP promises “best in class” cutting capacity thanks to low weight, a powerful X-Torq engine and razor-sharp C85 or C83 X-CUTTM chain.
The new 592 XP offers low weight and high power, optimised balance and, with the X-Tough Light bar, easier manoeuvring.
Husqvarna’s 592 XP also features
new starting technology that makes the chainsaw more reliable and provides easier starts, no matter the weather conditions or engine temp.
Plus, AutoTune 3.0 keeps the engine settings optimised while a heavy-duty air filter with rubber sealing and a robust crankcase that handles bars of up to 36”.
www.husqvarna.com/nz/products/ chainsaws/90cc/