Page 15 - OPE Sep-Oct 2021

to the tool kit over time.”
On top of which, compared with an early-
generation trimmer or brushcutter that someone may have bought some years ago, Steve Middleton reckons a new Husqvarna model clearly delivers superior ergonomics, performance and operator comfort, so there are many good reasons to upgrade.
Cordless “customised to your needs”
STIHL also has runs on the board when it comes to cordless products.
“Battery has been in the market over 10 years now,” notes Stace Hall, “and STIHL’s range expansion means you can now find a battery tool that is really customised to your needs.
“Probably the biggest overall advancement is how the latest tools deliver more power at the point of use and will typically deliver longer use before requiring charging.
“For example, there’s quite a wide range now of telescopic hedge and pole pruners and the tech has advanced so the power at the head 3m away is exceptional in a battery tool.”
Reflecting on earlier generation
brushcutters, Stace suggests they were high- performing tools to start with, but more professional products that domestic users could also use.
“However these days,” he adds, “as the batteries and tool tech have developed, the range has expanded in both directions.
“There are entry-level tools that are lighter and more convenient and don’t
products or attachments is via the product experts in store.
“The last thing you want is to put together cutting heads that aren’t suitable for user needs.
“We want to supply the equipment
that is suitable for the job rather than a combination that might see customers using only one or two out of four anyway.”
Trimmers & Brushcutters
is going to happen any time soon,” he concludes.
“Things can change quickly but I think we’ve got a few years of petrol left yet.”
Likewise, STIHL hasn’t pulled back in petrol, reports Stace Hall.
“Instead, we’ve continued to invest and gain market strength as others lose focus on it. There are still domestic petrol product users and possibly always will be.
“There will certainly still be a market for petrol in the medium term and we won’t turn our backs on customers who prefer those products.”
Last but not least, Steve Middleton at Husqvarna agrees that there’s still a clear requirement for certain petrol products: “The diehard petrol fans are still around, and sales have not declined as some people thought they might have done.
“But more people continue to embrace change and are striving to be cleaner and greener.
“With a lot of the contractors who
are tendering for jobs, there’s almost a prerequisite for them to be clean and green with noise and emissions, so that’s where we’re seeing a pronounced shift as well.” n
MARKETPLACE
“More people continue to embrace change and are striving to be cleaner and greener. With a lot of the contractors there’s almost a prerequisite for them to be clean and green with noise and emissions”
require big power, just as there are even more powerful, longer-lasting tools at the upper end.
“And as we’ve expanded the battery range of tools, they’ve become more affordable once people have already invested in batteries and chargers.”
As for multi-product offers, however, Stace Hall has found that many STIHL customers like to add specific tools incrementally.
“By far the best way to acquire multiple
Petrol products power on
Petrol power continues to hold its own in the face of battery advances with key market players continuing to cater to customer demand.
While companies like Steelfort have seen big – even exponential – sales growth in
its battery products in the past couple of years, GM Gavin Lowndes says Steelfort
is yet to see any falling away of its petrol sales.
“And it doesn’t feel as though the drop-off
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