Page 10 - OPE July-August 2022

MARKETPLACE
Water Blasters
Mike Roberts, Husqvarna –
“With residential homes increasing considerably
in value over recent years, home owners are also looking to invest more in cleaning machinery that can help maintain their high value residential investment”
market trends, particularly towards smaller residential dwellings which can mean demand for more compact sized water blaster units as they can have smaller yard areas to maintain.
“And with residential homes increasing considerably in value over recent years, home owners are also looking to invest more in cleaning machinery that can help maintain their high value residential investment.
“From Husqvarna’s perspective, we continue to see growth in our range of water blasters, particularly with Husqvarna customers who want to maintain their loyal Husqvarna brand association by
adding to their existing fleet of Husqvarna equipment.”
Looking overseas for a local fit
Masport is another iconic local brand which sees opportunity in water blasters but has looked to Europe rather than China for its entry into both the New Zealand and Australian markets (see below for the details).
Marketing Services Manager Leon Warner describes the comprehensive new Masport AVA Series as “top of the range premium product for the domestic market”.
Plus, it comes with some unique
patented attachments that have been designed to work equally well with other brands’ water blasters, perhaps making for an affordable introduction to a brand that’s new to owners of other brands’ blasters....
In a somewhat saturated market with an unknown brand, “People haven’t heard of AVA, but people have heard of Masport,” he says.
That said, the range comes from proven supplier AVA in Norway with its extensive experience in the water blaster industry and boasts high quality design and
components, along with some significant guarantees.
It’s certainly not “throw away” product, says Leon Warner emphatically. “It’s a product that’s built to last. We believe AVA is a real challenger.”
Getting it right first time
Also with more than one eye on this market, although admitting that water blasters aren’t massive for Steelfort right now, MD Gavin Lowndes is clear that this will change.
“We are looking to expand our water blaster range, but it just takes a bit of time to make sure we’re getting the mix right and the right quality. But it’s certainly a natural progression.
“We are not really big in this market, but it is an area that we want to develop, so
we are just working through with our key suppliers,” he says.
“We have four key suppliers in China and we want to build on our business with them, rather than just going to new places all the time.”
Gavin Lowndes is also clear about where
Steelfort wants to fit into the market. “We see ourselves being in the middle
Leon Warner, Masport – “AVA is a product that’s built to last. We believe it is a real challenger”
C M Y
MY CY CMY
So there you have it: Kiwi homeowners K are certainly happy to spend more on
pressure washers and water blasters if
there is a reason to do so. n
to high end of the domestic market,”
he says, adding that Kiwi homeowners
will pay a fair price for a high-quality CM product, but that the product has to
stack up against high expectations in an already fairly crowded market with high penetration.
Gavin Lowndes, Steelfort –
“We are looking to expand our water blaster range, but it just takes a bit of time to make sure we’re getting the mix right and the right quality”
MASPORT AIMS HIGH, BUCKS “THROW AWAY” TREND
FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE
CONSUMER and retail research, the new Masport AVA Series pressure washer range has been designed in Norway and is now on sale here, having already won several awards for design and usability in Europe and in Australia.
The Master Series (photo right) is the premium in the Masport AVA line-up. Said to be the most tilt-resistant series on the market, the Master series’ features include: “follow me” hose reel to ensure effortless winding and unwinding; high quality 4 piston metal pump for power, increased waterflow, reliability and long-lasting operation; big sturdy wheels for easy manoeuvrability and transportation; Zero-force pressure gun which reduces strain on hands; extendable zoom lance to make cleaning easier and more comfortable; and onboard accessory storage.
Available in two different models, the P70, (2400W, 540L per hour, 150 bar) is suited to bigger cleaning jobs, with the P60 (2100W, 500L per hour, 145 bar max pressure) not far behind.
several key features from the Master series but in a more compact form and without compromising performance, for example the Smart P50 offers 1800W and 420L per hour, 130 bar max pressure, a metal 3-piston pump, and as with all Masport AVA Series, a steel reinforced rubber hose.
Lastly, the compact and lightweight Go Series. Perfect for those who only have
a patio or car to clean or have limited storage space, the 1700W, 390L per hour Go P40 has a maximum pressure of 120 bar, is easy to transport in the boot or backseat of your car.
The Masport AVA Series also includes a wide range of versatile accessories that can be fitted to and stored in any AVA pressure washer, as well as universal accessory options to fit onto other existing branded pressure washers the user may already own.
On top of all this, Masport is looking
to introduce an industry-leading 20-year warranty on the Masport AVA Master Series and a 10-year warranty on the Masport AVA Smart and Go Series.
Next up is the Smart Series which boasts
www.masportavaseries.com
010 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT JULY-AUGUST2022
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