February/March 2010

During January two Yamabiko executives visited Allpower Industries for a strategic planning meeting covering Australia and New Zealand.

Gripske & Sons/Powerup Lawncare Products has won an award for outstanding distribution from Japanese OPE manufacturer Maruyama.

When you approach your bank manager, other potential lender or equity partner, you firstly have to convince them that their money will be safe. Many proposals are put before them every day; they are in a position to choose those that are most convincing.

Last year PEA advised readers about the change in the way Australian Competition & Consumer Commission was interpreting the Trade Practices Act’s provisions on “pricing”.

October/November 2009

JAK Max has appointed Rob Sammons as Territory Manager for Queensland. Rob has been in the OPE Industry since 1985 at both retail and distributor levels.

President & CEO Dan Ariens flew in from America to attend this year’s Bynorm sales conference in Melbourne. Dan provided a global OPE Industry perspective and underscored his company’s core strategic imperatives.

Are you starting a new business? Or thinking about expanding your present operation? Perhaps you have just experienced the effects of a protracted drought? If that is so, you will probably find - unless you have a surplus of ready cash - that you will need to obtain some extra finance.

August 2009

Bynorm Wholegoods conducted a series of dealer meetings around Australia to launch the company’s new Ariens and Gravely products that complete the current ranges.

As spring nears, we all have had time to reflect on how the last season worked or didn’t work for us.

Are you starting a new business? Or thinking about expanding your present operation? Perhaps you have just experienced the effects of a protracted drought? If that is so, you will probably find - unless you have a surplus of ready cash - that you will need to obtain some extra finance.

June/July 2009

In an era when owners of lawnmower manufacturers frequently appear keen to divest themselves of their investments, it is something of a rarity to encounter an individual who has travelled in the diametrically opposite direction. Enter Mr Tom Sturgess.

The five minute presentation is the most challenging of all presentations to create and deliver. On the other hand from an audience perspective a five minute presentation is more engaging and less boring than a typical thirty- or sixty-minute address.

What size makes sense for your business? What are the signs that you may have grown too fast or that you have too large an operation for the circumstances? If you recognise any of the signs, it may be time for you to seriously consider reassessing whether it’s time to stop trying to grow at any cost (at least for the moment) and take control of your business. If you don’t take control of your business, it may end up controlling you.

Bynorm commences distribution of Kawasaki petrol engines in August 2009. The deal was announced following discussions between Bynorm MD John Lo Piccolo and Kawasaki US Senior OEM Sales Manager Randy Lockyear.

April-May 2009

Dr Rudiger Stihl must have a thing about Silver Anniversaries. His last visit here in 1997 was to celebrate the 25th birthday of Stihl’s Australian subsidiary and now his recent flying visit to Australia was a stop-over on the way to commemorate the same landmark with Stihl New Zealand.

You knew something was unusual when the Victorian government issued a statement telling its citizens that the following day was likely to be “The Worst Day in the History of the State”. “If you can stay at home – stay at home,” Premier Brumby pleaded.

Ntec is the manufacturing facility and program of Northland Secondary College. Daniel Knott is the Project Development Manager and it is his job to manage the ongoing development and growth of Ntec programs and facilities, and also the development of effective industry/community partnerships. “Our manufacturing and technology education model is based on partnership with the local community, schools and industry,” Daniel told PEA, “We aim to be relevant to regional community and industry needs”.

February/March 2009

To remain competitive a Contractor must be able to “work smart’. That means efficiently. Often an approach to your business that superficially looks to be more expensive, can often really work out to be a saving, and vice versa. Some brands or types of equipment are much more efficient than others are.

Dust entry is the Number One cause of premature mower engine failure. This is particularly true in the case of commercial operators who not only use their equipment more, but also continue to do so during the dry and dusty conditions that makes the Australian environment so demanding.

Long-time OPE Supplier LJR Machinery has received two prestigious awards for two of its PTO-driven viticulture products.

At the first glance this picture could have been taken anywhere in say Australia or New Zealand in January. Wrong! A closer examination shows a dusky coloured gentleman with a beard inferring it was taken in, say, India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. Wrong again!

December 2008/January 2009

Dealers alert your customers to the simple tasks that can render their properties safer. Outdoor Power Equipment has a critical role to play in both fighting and, preferably, preventing the out-break of bushfires. While some parts of Australia have had excellent winter and spring rain, Victoria and South Australia have not. Both situations can produce dangerous conditions later in the summer.

Contractors are no different to most businesses. There are basic business management practices that need to be appropriately fulfilled to succeed. Failure to do so will lead to failure. And failure does not necessarily mean, “going broke”. The fact is many firms are “failing” while still managing to remain going concerns despite failing to grow and failing to generate sufficient profits. Most of these problems have been discussed at length in PEA’s “Small Business Management” Series.

Standard Motor Australia has appointed Stuart McLean CEO. SMA distributes the wide range of Kymco scooters, motorcycles and ATVs. A past OPEA President, Stuart McLean is well known in the OPE Industry from his time as Stihl Dealer Development Manager and Polaris National Network Development & Marketing Manager.

October/November 2008

Ask any contractor what his biggest challenge is and you will get the answer: Labour. Ask him what his biggest problem is and he will reply: Labour Ask him what his biggest cost is and he will say: Labour.

US manufacturer Ariens celebrated its 75th anniversary on Thursday 11th September 2008. The business was born in the Great Depression. Founder Henry Ariens’ iron works had been forced to close after 40-years serving the community of Brillion, Wisconsin. It would have been easy to give up but Henry and his three sons, Steve, Leon and Francis, weren’t the quitting type.

Honda MPE celebrated the company’s 60th Anniversary at its Power Equipment Dealer Meetings. Honda began manufacturing its first motorcycle in 1948. Five years later, the H-Type engine was released, marking Honda's entry into power products.

August/September 2008

For a man well past the age when most have retired, and who has been at the helm of the family firm for approaching a fifth decade, Hans-Peter Stihl retains a firm focus on the future.

Occupational Health & Safety Workplace Health & Safety Call it what you like – it’s here to stay.

There is some debate about who actually invented the cheque. In monetary systems where hard currency was generally soft gold there were inherent problems making transactions of large amounts and/or over large distances.

June/July 2008

The spreadsheet you are referring to would relate to the European Union “Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive” regarding exposure health risks arising from vibration sources.

When you think “Honda” and “Engineer” most people think of names such as Yonekazu Uestsuji who was responsible for Honda’s groundbreaking GX OHV engines in the 1980s.

Marketing? That is only for "Big Business".

April/May 2008

Honda Power Equipment has undergone a management reshuffle following the appointment of OPE Industry stalwart, Bob Donaldson to the new role of Business Development Manager.

This year Stihl Dealers were invited to various regional centres around the country. This was in sharp contrast to the previous year when 500 Stihl Dealers criss-crossed Australasia to attend the annual events.

A new computer program for Contractors has been released in Australia. QXpress is particularly attractive to businesses currently using QuickBooks as it seamlessly integrates with the popular “cling-wrap” program.

Not many local OPE suppliers have been around for 50 years; and, of that very select group, not many have remained family businesses. Crommelins Machinery Sales has managed both. Founder Terry Crommelin began his small machinery distributorship in 1958 from the back shed of his Perth home with a “portable office” in an EH Holden Ute.

December 07/January 08

Things have been really busy at VIP Home Services - Especially amongst our Gardening franchisees!

A private investment group has bought Allpower Industries from Keith Billing. Keith has retired but will remain as a consultant for the next 12-months to assist with the transition. Greg Russell from the new owners will fill the role of CEO.

The 2008 Landscape Australia Expo & Conference program has expanded to include a new event in Brisbane. After the 2007 shows in Sydney and Melbourne, the organisers conducted an extensive attendee survey with the objective of enhancing visitor experience.

October 2007

Aftermarket Supplier Bynorm has appointed two new representatives to liase with Dealers in NSW and Queensland. Daniel Wass will take over responsibility for Southern Sydney and the tablelands while Carl Richardson will be responsible for North Queensland.

Hustler manufacturer Excel Industries and IHI Shibaura Machinery Corporation (ISM) have announced a long-term strategic relationship between their businesses.

Simplicity Imports Australia Principal Alan Wilkinson was a rep for Kubota dealership Elliots of Dandenong at that time. “People would come up to me and say: ‘What do you use them for?' And I'd tell them they were designed for use on small blocks or inside greenhouses – but they'd just go off muttering ‘Tonka Toys'.”

August/September 2007

Sixteen-year old Juan “Johnny” Cocks joined established NSW South-Coast dealership, Edwards Mowers as a first-year apprentice in January 2007. OPE apprentices are few-and-far between. At the end of last year there were only eighteen apprentices in the whole of Australia (about half in Queensland).

The US class action against engine and lawnmower manufacturers (Phillips et al v Sears Roebuck & Co et al) that began in 2004 is continuing. The plaintiffs claim that the defendant companies were reporting one horsepower rating to the EPA but labelling machines by as much as 88% higher in their marketing to customers. The list of plaintiffs has grown to nearly one hundred, and the number of defendants now includes many US mower and engine Suppliers.

TMA is proposing to stage an industry trade exhibition, called AUSAG09, in Brisbane in June 2009. With everything under one roof, it is expected AUSAG09 will be the largest showcase of rural machinery and equipment, technology, products and services available in the Asia Pacific region.

June 2007

Drought Assistance Available for Rural Businesses - Apply NOW

Kohler Chinese Engine Joint Venture Kohler has created a joint venture for the development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of general-purpose petrol engines.

This May, aftermarket supplier Bynorm, celebrated its 50th anniversary.

April 2007

Five Hundred Stihl Dealers criss-crossed Australasia during the company's Autumn conference series. Two groups (NSW & WA and Qld & SA) of two hundred travelled to picturesque Queenstown in New Zealand while a third group of Dealers from Victoria and Tasmania traversed the continent in the opposite direction to Perth.

In February we introduced PEA Readers to sixteen-year old Juan “Johnny” Cocks who joined established NSW South-Coast dealership, Edwards Mowers as a first-year apprentice on January 2nd, 2007. OPE apprentices have been few-and-far between.

Victa has acquired distribution and branding rights for Enviromower battery powered mowers and trimmers. Victa took over the agency from Melbourne-based Enviromower Pty Ltd.

February/March 2007

On March 5th Deutscher Mowers commenced direct Dealer distribution of its equipment and spare parts. This is a major change for Deutscher. While the Ballarat company has been manufacturing commercial mowers for over 50-years, the company goes back to 1906 when Harry Deutscher began making farm machinery, stationary engines and tractors in Hamilton, western Victoria.

Honda MPE manufactured its 400,000th Australian-made lawnmower on 6th December 2006. The company has achieved this milestone in the 18-years since it developed its "Buffalo" specifically to suit Australia's demanding conditions. Honda PE Director Robert Toscano was on hand as the Buffalo Classic rolled down the production line.

Honda MPE manufactured its 400,000th Australian-made lawnmower on 6th December 2006. The company has achieved this milestone in the 18-years since it developed its "Buffalo" specifically to suit Australia's demanding conditions. Honda PE Director Robert Toscano was on hand as the Buffalo Classic rolled down the production line.

At the end of last year there were but eighteen apprentices studying to obtain a National Trade Qualification in Outdoor Power Equipment (AUR30705 Cert III) in the whole of Australia (about half in Queensland). Well, now we can say with some authority that the figure has leaped 5.5% to nineteen!

December/January 2006/2007

Has CAMS been take over by Mitre 10 or Bunnings, or has Wal-Mart taken the over and is using them as a pre-emptive strike against our industry? I was appalled to read the last part of the CAMS editorial that told our industry it MUST accept grovelling for crumbs from the mass-merchants and manufacturers.

Aside from droughts, Chinese-made products are the biggest international industry issue. China has quickly established itself as a viable manufacturing power. Chinese manufacturers are offering the industry everything from components to finished products – all at very low prices. Quality remains an issue especially in areas that demand the most stringent manufacturing tolerances. However, most accept that Chinese manufacturing quality is improving. The products often appear very similar to existing OPE lines, causing established manufacturers to complain strongly about alleged “piracy”. Established manufacturers are making attempts to protect their intellectual property, where possible, but the “if-you-can't-beat-‘em-join-‘em” philosophy has seen many establish their own manufacturing bases in Asia.

The Tax Office is urging businesses that use fuel in their operations to check their eligibility for fuel tax credits introduced on 1 July 2006. Assistant Commissioner Beth Barry said Fuel Tax Credits help cut fuel costs by providing a credit for the fuel tax (excise duty) included in the price of fuel.

October/November 06

People Issues & Industry Issues at Melbourne Forum [80w] Occupational Health and Training Issues have dominated the Equipment/Machinery Industry for several years. Their significance can be seen in the amount of time dedicated to the subject in TMA's biennial Industry Forums and within the pages of PEA. It is not for want of something more interesting to discuss (we'd far prefer to talk about the cricket – at least for another month….). However, it could, no it does mean the fate of your business. If you are in any doubt, just ask Gary Lyons of Victorian manufacturer Lyco who reiterated his ongoing experiences with NSW WorkCover first addressed six months earlier at the Perth Forum..

The devastation caused by bushfires in eastern Australia as early as September this year have again highlighted the critical role of outdoor power equipment in both fighting and, preferably, preventing the out-break of bushfires. With firefighting bodies asserting large area of Australia are in a more dangerous stuation than prior to the “Ash Wednesday” bushfires over twenty eyars ago, Dealers in rural, semi-rural and other bushfire-prone environments should be alerting vulnerable householders of the simple tasks necessary to protect their properties from the risk of serious bushfire losses this summer.

However the Brushcutter was developed (whether a flash of inspiration, or years of building on existing technology), the product is now one of the mainstays of the Outdoor Power Equipment Industry. VIP founder Bill Vis attributes a large part of his success to the humble brushcutter. In the late 1970s Bill had just gone back into professional mowing when he saw his first brushcutter. Not that he knew what it was.

August/September 2006

by Victorian Coalition for Sustainable Water Use (VicSWU)

"Bynorm is a great little business," Stens President Peter Ariens said six months ago immediately after buying the aftermarket supplier.

The amount of air in the tyres of a mower can be just as important as the amount of oil in its engine. Incorrect tyre pressure can affect six important areas:

June/July 2006

Winter is a time when the power of a franchise behind your business comes to the fore.

Small businesses are usually characterised by good relations between the owner (“boss”) and his staff.

April/May 2006

Small businesses are usually characterised by good relations between the owner ("boss") and his staff. This is one of the advantages of smaller firms. However, as the business grows staff...

Ethanol, the centre of much controversy, is back on sale at petrol stations around Australia. High Ethanol blend fuel was allegedly responsible for motor vehicle and OPE engine damage around the Y2k period.

February/March 2006

A record field of eighty-three players from the industry gathered with the combined objective of remembering the late Ron Frost, enjoying a pleasant day's golf and raising over $12,000 to support the children in the Cleveland “Lighthouse”.

However the Brushcutter was developed (whether a flash of inspiration, or years of building on existing technology), the product is now one of the mainstays of the Outdoor Power Equipment Industry.

December 2005/January 2006

A group of committed contractors has established a new Australian Internet Forum for members of the Lawn & Garden Maintenance Industry.

This month, Jeremy Cape discusses the need for audits of irrigation systems and Jos Mensink reports on the recommendations that have come out of the WA Irrigation Review…

October/November 2005

Lawn contractors and others within this industry will continue to be affected by on-going drought and Australia's diminishing water resources.

There is some controversy surrounding the invention of what we know today as the “brushcutter” or “Line trimmer”. The classic, romantic tale runs along these lines:

The Necessary provision of information by Suppliers to Dealers and Dealers to End-users.

August/September 2005

“The hardest part has been trying to get ‘Risk Assessment/Hazard Identification' documents from Suppliers,” sighed a New South Wales Municipal Council's Occupational Health & Safety Practitioner, “They just look at you as if you're mad!”

Watering: Remember that a good soaking of water every few days is more useful than frequent light sprinkling.

Twelve Months ago PEA reported on the Airds High School Years 9 & 10 OPE technical training initiative. The school's Metal & Engineering teacher Frank Christensen developed the course as a strand of a “Power Technics” elective.

June/July 2005

Nothing so sends tremors throughout this Industry as does the “D” Word. The Outdoor Power Equipment Industry is not alone in this regard.

Small businesses are usually characterised by good relations between the owner ("boss") and his staff. This is one of the advantages of smaller firms. In any buisness...

Despite it being obvious (or perhaps because of that) there is a general misunderstanding of the importance of Petrol and Oil to the function of any engine.

April/May 2005

Autumn is by definition, a period of transition. It is the time to begin preparations for the following growing season

Cash is the money kept in your pocket, your cash register or more frequently these days, your bank account.

Despite it being obvious (or perhaps because of that) there is a general misunderstanding of the importance of Petrol and Oil to the function of any engine.

February/March 2005

The 2004 Industry Golf Day was held at 13th Beach Links on Friday 3rd December.

View the top 5 products for 2004!

Power Equipment Australasia is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Read event's of the first year - 1979.

December 2004/January 2005

There are many opportunities to earn extra income by pointing out to your clients that now is the time to attend to shrub maintenance.

Cash is the money kept in your pocket, your cash register or more frequently these days, your bank account. It is the money that you use to pay your bills, wages, taxes and other expenses when they accrue.

October/November 2004

Cash is the money kept in your pocket, your cash register or more frequently these days, your bank account.

For information on maintaining your lawns during the November/December months.

August/September 2004

How good is your knowledge? Test yourself with this Year 10 exam.

To find out how well you did, click here for the answers.

I'd like to share some thoughts with you about what Briggs & Stratton has recently seen and anticipates happening in the global Lawn & Garden Industry.

June/July 2004

Read about Masport and Greenfield in court and also, B&S Buys Simplicity.

The high cost of maintaining parks & gardens has reduced the use of roses in landscapes, and the one major factor in rose maintenance is pruning. To reduce the time in pruning...

April/May 2004

Read the answers to the Mower Licensing - First Draft questions.

Looks at managing your turf grass through weed control and other methods for the months of May and June.

Finding the right dealer, if you are a contractor, is clearly as important as finding the right equipment. The best equipment in the world will fall short of expectations if...

Your business might be profitable – very profitable, even - but without a positive cash-flow you will still go broke.

February/March 2004

Read about the products PEA has voted the best for 2003.

Looks at turf and weed control in the March and April months.

The amount of air in the tyres of a mower can be just as important as the amount of oil in its engine. Incorrect tyre pressure can affect six important areas:

December/January 2003/04

Learn how to control weeds, pests and diseases while looking at extra income opportunities for Summer.

Can You Afford to Have One or Can You Afford Not to Have One?

Looks at innovating, diversifying, inventing and marketing to help you survive and grow!

October/November 2003

John Braddy from Automotive Training Australia informed members of recent developments in small engine training.

For information on maintaining lawns and other issues concerning contractors during the November and December months.

Ideally the response to a decline in available work should be to...

August/September 2003

In the biggest supplier event in two decades, over 420 dealers attended the first national Gold Dealer Conference...

Read information about watering, pests & diseases, lawn maintenance and weed control for the September and October months.

Thatch is a layer of plant litter resulting from the build-up of undecayed organic material such as dead roots, crowns...

June/July 2003

So, in a perfect world there is no need for Product Liability or Occupational Health & Safety Legislation.

Includes information on Citrus, Weed Control and Lawns.

Tucked away at the end of a dirt road on the Mornington Peninsula, about 45km from Melbourne's CBD, lies a...

Running a business successfully doesn't necessarily mean having more resources than your competitors.

April/May 2003

For the Autumn period.

After the worst drought in a Century, many domestic lawns are in a very poor state...

Cash is the lifeblood of a business. Lack of cash can mean death to a business, even if it is running profitably...

February/March 2003

Late Summer-Early Autumn March and April

During his recent visit to Australia, Ake Straberg, Senior Vice-President Marketing and Sales for Swedish-based Husqvarna, spoke about the OPE Industry and the role of the Servicing Dealer. His observations make interesting reading for all Australian Dealers.

Probably the most important form of advertising for a small repair service is the repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations of satisfied customers.

December 2002/January 2003

Once upon a time it seemed that everybody wanted to have a piece of our shop fronts.

Every person carrying on a business in Australia must keep sufficient records in the English language to account for whatever Income Tax and Goods & Services Tax, may be payable.

October/November 2002

The Dawson Committee Review of the Trade Practices Act should hand down its report by the end of November 2002.

August/September 2002

A good soaking of water every few days is more useful than frequent light sprinkling.

Bill Vis has certainly succeeded in the competitive world of lawn mowing and home services.

The Concord (Al-Ko Powerline) ride-on range has been increased to 4 models.

June/July 2002

April/May 2002

February/March 2002

December 2001/January 2002

October/November 2001

August/September 2001

June/July 2001

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