Page 11 - OPE Mar-Jun 22

MARKETPLACE
because we don’t currently have any shortfall with key, modern products like the MS661,” says Phil Needham.
Hard to get hands-on right now
Husqvarna’s Steve Middleton says the brand’s equally die-hard advocates love anything
new and upgraded and will pick up on any improvement in a chainsaw’s power to weight ratio.
“In testing situations, we’ve had great feedback about the new 592 XP’s power, cutting speed and ease of use.”
But the pandemic’s effect on events has stymied Husky being able to encourage a broader appreciation of the new saw.
“What’s frustrating is we’ve had a number of events, including various field days, cancelled on us, and Mystery Creek is still uncertain [and now of course postponed until end November].
“It’s disappointing because it’s important for people to be able to get out and about and see what’s new in the product range and actually touch and feel it.
“I find that in a lot of the face-to-face discussions, repeat customers often focus on the ergonomics of a chainsaw – the weight, balance, feel, and just how it rolls in the hand, which is so critical for those limbing and felling trees on a day-to-day basis.”
Otherwise, says Steve Middleton,
Chainsaws & Accessories
Husqvarna is well placed to cope with the current disruptions.
“As for the bigger picture, and despite some lost opportunities, compared with two years ago, we’re definitely in a much better space and much better equipped to handle Covid, even as Omicron really makes its presence felt.
“Our core team’s experience has been to our advantage. Internally and in the field, our policies and procedures are more steamlined and we’ve geared the business in the right direction to be able to sustain itself.”
Last word goes to straight-talking Gavin Lowndes, who feels that retail is in good shape and believes “the independent service dealer network is probably stronger than it’s ever been.”
“As a company, our promotional marketing spend is probably as big as it’s ever been, and it’s helped the retailers to enjoy a really good period.
“But trading is certainly not without its challenges, and we’ve had to work really hard during the pandemic and throughout a period in which we moved all production offshore.
“There’s a new challenge every day and things like staffing remain a constant issue. So it’s amazing that things have gone quite seamlessly and we’ve achieved such good results.” n
ANOTHER HEAVY-DUTY HUSKY
AVAILABLE NOW, THE new
Husqvarna 592 XP chainsaw
(photo above) offers an outstanding combination of low weight, great balance and high power to satisfy the demands of professional forestry and tree care workers and is equipped with an X-Tough Light bar of between 20 and 36 inches.
The AutoTune 3.0 system optimises settings for easy starting and smooth performance in all temperatures and conditions. This model also features a more advanced filtration system than previous generation chainsaws and a lightweight muffler.
And optional integrated connectivity
means it’s easy to keep up to date with Husqvarna’s digital services by plugging in for instant engine diagnosis.
Also due out this year as part of Husqvarna’s latest generation of chainsaws in the professional 90cc segment is the Husqvarna 585 which is scheduled for release in late 2022.
Whereas the 592 XP delivers best-in- class cutting capacity and an improved level of reliability thanks to a new starting technology, the new 585 is billed as “extremely durable” and “combining
the best of traditional technology with modern features.”
www.husqvarna.co.nz
Hexa – a new level of performance
STIHL HEXA IS an innovative
new saw chain development exclusively designed and manufactured by STIHL for its professional chainsaws, especially for those used by professionals in the forest or in particularly demanding applications.
STIHL Hexa promises at least 10% faster cutting, holds its edge for longer and is faster to sharpen with a unique
new six-sided file that guides itself perfectly in the chain. Plus, reduced need for sharpening promises longer chain life.
When Hexa is fitted to STIHL’s MS 661 C-M professional chainsaw, STIHL says the result is the highest performing chainsaw and cutting attachment combination in the forest, one that also offers the best possible fuel efficiency.
www.stihl.co.nz
longer runtimes, faster charging and more powerful equipment.
“Environmental factors such as no emissions and lower noise are also contributing to
the growth of battery equipment. But what
is significant is that battery and electrical component shortages will continue to impact the market while manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand.”
And at STIHL, a dominant force in forestry work, marketing lead Stace Hall was fizzing about the new Hexa chain system, which the brand considers a highly significant launch in its own right.
Combined with STIHL’s top-performing 90cc MS661 chainsaw, this robust new chain offers 10% faster cutting, resulting in a superior combination for forestry work. An innovative chain design also means it retains superior performance for longer while being easier and faster to sharpen using the new range of Hexa-specific accessories.
What is STIHL’s experience of the market in these disrupted times?
“The Omicron effect has only increased demand in our stores,” Stace explains.
“It has been very dry out there, which may have been impacting sales to a degree.
“We also have the same distribution issues as the rest of the world is experiencing but we’ve been really well protected by the ongoing investment in STIHL’s factory.
“This has ensured extra capacity, and where we’ve occasionally run short of a
particular product, we’ve had such depth in the local product range that we’ve been able to substitute a product with something very similar, so it’s meant very little disruption to the customer.”
Taking a measured approach to today’s marketplace has been important in this respect and STIHL Product Manager Phil Needham adds that the factory has had to stagger the introduction of new products into various markets, whereas it used to be more of a blanket launch.
“Part of that is due to challenges with the supply of components to the factory. And now the Ukraine situation is creating issues due to some suppliers being based in that Eastern bloc.”
Phil Needham is just as enthusiastic as Stace Hall about the potential of STIHL’s new chain system: “Hexa can be applied
to a variety of our 3/8 pitch pro saws, and whereas the diehard enthusiasts will embrace it due to the improved performance, there are also advantages for the farmer, for example, due to simplified sharpening methods.
“At this end of the market, commercial users are concerned with how quickly they can get the job done and how much effort is required to hang onto the chainsaw.”
Talking about pro users, STIHL has “a number of professional battery products in the pipeline” but they won’t be launched until late 2022 at the earliest.
No rush through: “The timing is fine
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MARCH-JUNE 2022 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 011