Page 6 - OPE July-Aug 2021

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
Recycling single-use compost bags
GREEN FINGERED BRITS can
now recycle compost packaging thanks to a trial scheme at the country’s biggest garden retailer, Dobbies.
Most of the plastic packaging used for compost bags ends up in landfill because very few local authorities in the UK collect polythene sacks as part of kerbside collections or at recycling centres.
OUTDOOR POWER AUTOMATION
Now, however, consumers can now bring any compost packaging, no matter what brand or where it was purchased, and return it to one of the recycling bins in plant areas at trial Dobbies stores.
It’s then collected for recycling before being used as part of a raw material blend to produce garden furniture for children’s hospices.
www.dobbies.com
OUTDOOR POWER DEALERS
COP recognises Stiga dealers
Husky gets deeper into robotics
KENNARDS EXPANDS IN QUEENSTOWN
HUSQVARNA HAS INCREASED its investment and ownership in robotic lawn care
specialist Robin Autopilot USA.
Says Husqvarna: “This growing strategic
partnership enables Husqvarna to increase market penetration of Automower robotic mowers by leveraging Robin Autopilot’s Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform for the professional landscaper.
“This combination will offer residential clients a solution with the measurable environmental benefits of battery-operated lawn mowing and decreased noise pollution.”
The Robin platform integrates with the leading CRM and ERP systems used by landscapers, adding RaaS capabilities like equipment selection, fleet management, job management, data analytics and on-demand training.
“We believe robotic technology will play
a rapidly growing role in the future of lawn care,” says Robert McCutcheon, President of Husqvarna North America.
“We consider this an outstanding opportunity to partner with Robin, the leader in the RaaS market for the US, to expand our presence in this expanding market.”
For its part and also part of its tie-up with Husqvarna, Robin Autopilot has acquired
a second lawn care operator in the form
of Mowbot, a robotic lawn care franchise business with 16 locations throughout the US.
As a result, Mowbot operators gain full access to Robin’s proprietary software package of fleet management, surveyor and customer acquisition tools, patented products and Robin Academy, training and e-learning tools. n
www.husqvarna.com
KENNARDS QUEENSTOWN
HAS relocated, consolidating, revamping and expanding into a 2,600m2, purpose-built equipment hire branch at 22 Glenda Drive, Frankton.
Tom Kimber, Kennards’ General Manager, New Zealand Operations, says of the move: “We are proud to be able to support the local community not only with ongoing investment into the area, but with the clear sign that Kennards Hire is here for the long term.
“Through the relocation and new build, we have used local sub-contractors, trade suppliers and logistic companies. We employ local people in what is a state- of-the-art branch, delivering on our core promise to make our customers’ job easy.”
The big new branch offers an extensive range of equipment to support local trades, residential and commercial
construction, recreational industries as well as DIYers.
Nathan Wise is the Branch Manager: “Having originally opened our Queenstown Branch in 2018, we’ve seen enormous growth in the area. Our new branch has all the gear needed to meet the increased equipment hire demand for residential, commercial and constructions projects in Queenstown and surrounds.”
www.kennardshire.co.nz
06 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT JULY/AUGUST2021
moreat www.facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
BACK IN APRIL, Chainsaw &
Outdoor Power congratulated its Stiga Top 10 Dealers for 2020. COP’s top 10 list was as follows and we include some of the photos seen on Facebook.
• Agri Centre South
• Cutting Edge Mowers 2010
• Godfreys Chainsaws & Mowers
• Kamo Mowers & Chainsaws • STIHL SHOP Invercargill
• STIHL SHOP Masterton
• STIHL SHOP Te Awamutu • STIHL SHOP Te Puke
• STIHL SHOP Winton
• Swanson Saw & Mowers 2018
www.cop.co.nz