Page 11 - OPE March 2020

the latest model being the MSA 220, which he calls “a crossover product between commercial and domestic use that is suitable for felling trees.
“It’s our first cordless to feature a 16-inch bar and normal, standard chain, as you would see on mid-range chainsaws.”
The MSA 220 is STIHL’s gruntiest cordless chainsaw so far and is being snapped up by customers Jochen describes as “a mix of commercial and lifestyle users” despite its price being at the upper end of the battery chainsaw range.
Continuing with mid-range saws for farms and lifestyle blocks, Husky’s Steve Middleton insists these buyers are very brand-orientated and quality-focused.
Professional arboriculture is another important market for Husqvarna and others, says Steve, with a growing acceptance of battery to power top end pruning saws, alongside continued interest in big petrol models.
“In the forestry industry, it’s tougher, but we’re still seeing the mid-range 50-70cc chainsaws being purchased for pruning trees that are destined for future harvesting. They’re thinking 10 or 15 years down the track and have to keep up that pruning.”
Does this longer view also apply to spare and replacement parts? Check out our sidebars on these pages! n
Don’t die of embarassment
MARKETPLACE
Chainsaws & Accessories
STEELFORT SEEKS A BIGGER SLICE OF QUALITY AFTERMARKET ACTION
WITH VAST NUMBERS of chainsaws in
general use, replacement parts is a market that Steelfort is really gearing up for, confirms Gavin Lowndes, with a new quality range of bars and chains on top of its existing oils offering.
Gavin is keen to emphasise that the new
offering is “all at the mid- to higher end of the market and, from the work we’ve put into it, we’re confident plenty of people are prepared to buy a good-quality bar and chain, and quality oils as well.”
Simon Nealie, Parts & Distribution Manager, has been telling us about the company’s aftermarket Prime parts business.
“The bottom line is there are more and more suppliers of aftermarket parts which are not necessarily their own, and it’s pretty much a case of ‘if you can’t beat them, then join them’,” he says pragmatically.
The ProKut brand, with which Steelfort aims to cover mainstream chainsaw models, is carried over from the Australian market where Simon says it’s been tried and proven by a company with rigorous quality control.
Every ProKut chain component is precisely manufactured from high-quality German
steel, and the chains are pre-stretched for an absolute minimum of stretch straight out of the box. Meanwhile, chromed cutters ensure a sharper edge and longer life, with every cutting tooth stamped to clearly identify the pitch and gauge of the chain.
ProKut Chain Bars are manufactured from high-quality Japanese steel and feature increased lubrication from specially designed
oil cavities, channels and indentations. Logical then that Steelfort sees an
opportunity for chain/bar combos. “Replacing the chainsaw bar with the chain on it is a cheaper option than buying them individually,” says Simon Nealie.
“People do damage their bars; they may not know it, but it can be the cause of wear and tear on their chain. It’s becoming big in Australia and we’re looking to push it more in New Zealand.”
Also in the new parts offering are chainsaw files from German brand Pferd, but not electric sharpeners at this stage, which may come further down the track.
Who’s the target market for this new parts offering? “You’ve always got a proportion of people who just want to buy on price. Then there are those with a STIHL or Husqvarna chainsaw who will only ever run that brand of chain.
“And there’s the group in the middle who want value for money – that’s the group we’re aiming at.
“They can get something that’s not going to be a throwaway item after they’ve done the firewood. They can sharpen it again and again and get good use out of it.”
www.steelfort.co.nz
GET CHECKED
For more information
0800 477 678 www.prostate.org.nz
more at www. facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
MARCH 2020 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 011