Page 2 - OPE MARCH 2019

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
Four seasons in one day...
As Autumn kicks in,
we’ve been talking
to a cross section of contractors.
Word is they’ve had another super busy year. Too many lawns and not enough contractors to mow them, say the franchises.
That’s par for the course.
What’s changed is we’re hearing of experienced franchisees and regional masters reportedly chucking in their uniforms and going independent or even leaving the sector altogether.
There are also moves afoot to address ad hoc, on-demand work with unfranchised day-to-day operators.
What’s happening? Find out more on page 16.
We’ve also been talking with influential departing STIHL CEO, Jim Bibby.
Look out for the next issue when we’ll hear his views on 20 years in a changing industry.
In parting, our thoughts and best wishes go out to everyone affected by the hideous events in Christchurch.
Steve Bohling, Group Editor
steveb@mpm.nz, 09 304 2705
NZ Outdoor Power Equipment
is published 4 times per year
by Marketplace Media,
Lower Ground Level, 83 Mt Eden Road Grafton, Auckland 1023
PO Box 28372, Remuera, Auckland 1541 Phone: 09 375 3097, Fax: 09 309 0583 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 09 304 2705 and 021 0223 6887 steveb@mpm.nz
Staff Writer Jess Brunette 09 304 2704, jessb@mpm.nz
Group Sales Manager Martin Griffiths 09 304 2708 and 021 662 228 marting@mpm.nz
Account Manager Susan Kennedy 09 304 2706 and 021 317 176 susank@mpm.nz
Creative Director Scott Copeland 09 304 2700, scottc@mpm.nz
Studio Manager Rachel Walker 09 304 2709, rachelw@mpm.nz
Publisher Simon Little
021 507 343, simonl@mpm.nz
SERVICING DEALERS
STIHL SHOP Levin
looks set to motor on...
02 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT MARCH2019
moreat facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
IN A MEETING of two related yet different motor-driven industries, STIHL SHOP Levin’s grand
opening took place in early March. The Oxford Road event was by all
accounts “a spectacular success” with some 600 locals turning out to be met with staff drawn from City Honda Manawatu, Bisset Honda Pahiatua, along with supplier reps and the soon to be General Manager of STIHL NZ, Jochen Speer.
The sparkling new outfit is literally
built on Ken and Lee McCormick’s long- established business KC Motors, which had operated on the same site since the 1960s.
KC Motors was bought by Bevan Bisset, Ingrid de Graaf and Scott and Rachel Newton in September last year and was promptly rebranded as a full-blown STIHL SHOP.
Both sets of owners have skin in their game and, with Bevan and Ingrid having run STIHL SHOP Pahiatua for nearly 11 years, there was “no doubt” about choosing STIHL as the key supplier partner in Levin.
Co-owners Scott and Rachel brought to the party their ownership of City Honda Horowhenua (formerly Scott Newton Motorcycles in Shannon), which was merged with the outdoor power business after KC Motors had been bought.
STIHL SHOP Pahiatua, by the way, also accommodates Bevan and Ingrid’s Bisset Honda business so it makes perfect sense that the new Levin operation would also be half STIHL SHOP, half City Honda Horowhenua.
The dual-sector business is led by Wayne McKinlay, who comes armed with an impressive track record in both the outdoor power and motorcycle sectors.
Business owner, Bevan, who is also hands-on with the store, says: “The response to our Grand Opening was phenomenal – we were prepared for crowds but the line for the treasure almost went out of the door!
“We hope that the people of the Horowhenua district have had a chance to check out our fantastic new store, we’re very
L-R: Scott Newton, Ingrid de Graaf and Bevan Bisset, co-owners of recently opened STIHL SHOP Levin.
proud of it and we are hoping to become an integral and longstanding part of the community going forward”.
The substantial joint team of 13 – including no less than four guys in and around the important outdoor power workshop – serves a real mixture of customers, from domestic and lifestyle to
farming, local body and horticulture in what is clearly a very diverse area.
“About the only sector we don’t see much of is forestry. There are also a lot of retirement villages!” says Ingrid.
Contact STIHL SHOP Levin using the details at the shortened URL:
https://bit.ly/2W6XGsi
OUTDOOR POWER & HIRE MOVERS & SHAKERS
Phil Nesbit is
Husqvarna’s new South Island
Commercial Sales rep.
Living in Cust, North
Canterbury, with his
wife and two children
his early career was in
automotive engineering and, after his OE, sales for a North Canterbury dairy supply company. Phil says he is looking forward to further developing Husqvarna’s professional and commercial customer sector as he settles into his new role.
Nicki Page has
joined Kennards
Hire’s board as
a Non-Executive
Director. Armed
with 20+ years’
experience in the IT
industry in both the
UK and Australia, Nicki is currently a Non-Executive Director for Gymnastics Australia as well as continuing to do advisory work with founders, investors and boards of tech scale-ups to assist with innovation, digital transformation and growth strategies.