Page 4 - OPE November 2020

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
TREE CLIMBERS BATTLE IT OUT IN QUEENSTOWN
This year’s NZ Arb Husqvarna
National Tree Climbing Championship took place over 7–8 November, hosted by the beautiful Queenstown Gardens.
Some 27 competitors (seven women, 20 men) competed in the 2020 NTCC, organised by the NZ Arboricultural Association.
World runner-up in 2019, Tauranga’s Steph Dryfhout retained her title as New Zealand’s best female tree climber and will now compete in the world champs.
The men’s winner, Dom Ritter, from Dunedin, took the 2020 crown after all three of his rivals were disqualified thanks to “a combination of bad luck and poor decision making” in what turned out to be “a day of broken branches and broken dreams”.
Dom and Steph will now join multiple International Tree Climbing Champion, Kiwi Scott Forrest, to compete at the World Championships in Copenhagen next September.
www.nzarb.org.nz
ZERO TURN MOWERS BUILT TO LAST
OUTDOOR POWER PEOPLE
Methven outdoor power icon retires
04 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT NOVEMBER2020
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USUALLY IN THESE pages, we’re acknowledging new outdoor power dealer owners and
operators and/or their new premises. This time however we’re recognising
someone who’s long been a stalwart of the industry but is now looking at life after outdoor power and small engines.
Mid-Canterbury’s Dixon Machinery has been owned and operated by Paul Dixon since 1979 and now, after 41 years, Paul has decided to retire and pursue other interests.
Typical of the region, Dixon Machinery offers a wide range of products and services, including servicing and repairing farm machinery, hire equipment, hydraulic and vehicle repairs and servicing and the supply of back-up diesel generators mainly for the dairy industry.
With Husqvarna having established a longstanding relationship with the Methven business over the years, Steve Middleton, Husqvarna Regional Sales Manager, says: “It has been really fantastic dealing with Paul as a key member of the Husqvarna team.
“His commitment and support to Husqvarna will be missed dearly. Husqvarna wishes Paul all the success with future endeavours.”
began 37 years ago when the then Husky rep, Reg Hyde, popped into the Mid-Canterbury premises.
He tried to convince Paul that becoming a Husqvarna dealer and selling chainsaws was a good idea.
But Paul only gave in when Reg suggested that he leave a couple of chainsaws at the store for a month to see how he got on selling them.
Needless to say, with over a thousand chainsaws sold since then, Paul Dixon is still a Husqvarna dealer and says he will miss dealing with the team at Husqvarna: “It has been a great journey with Husqvarna.
“When I started, Husqvarna only sold chainsaws, but now have a full range of forest and garden products.
“The Automowers and battery products are some of the standout products in the now large range.”
Paul says a couple of the most memorable things are the two Husqvarna dealer trips he went on, one to Louisville in the United States and the other to the Husqvarna factory in Sweden.
Paul is planning to spend his retirement with family, friends, engage in some community involvement and travel – once the borders open again.
www.dixonmachinery.co.nz
Paul Dixon’s journey with Husqvarna