Kent & Stowe branded range of tools from Westland Horticulture has launched its new range of cutting tools with integrated RFID tags to help stamp out theft.
The Horticultural Trades Association recently reported that an estimated £16m worth of garden centre turnover was lost due to retail crime last year, and with 70% of garden centres reporting a crime, Kent & Stowe is keen to do its part to lower this figure.
The brand’s SureCut range of cutting tools, in stock this month, have been engineered to drive garden centre profit through extraordinary design. All SureCut products feature an anti-theft device that’s been developed to hide discretely into the packaging. The RF security tag alerts retailers if a model leaves the premises without being purchased. The tag can be quickly and simply deactivated at the till, offering retailers peace of mind, and securing Kent & Stowe as the right tool partner to help act on the crisis of retail crime.
The thoughtful engineering doesn’t stop there – the SureCut range, which comprises of loppers, shears and secateurs, has been developed to help gardeners achieve extraordinary results. The new Reflex Energy System aims to fundamentally shape the future of the tools market, and this innovation results in maximum comfort with minimum effort when cutting. Two thermo-elastomers with different properties are combined into a durable spring damper. This cushions the impact experienced when closing loppers and shears, then provides a calibrated rebound to reduce the effort of the next cut.
The SureCut range, which won the 2023 Tools & Machinery award at GLEE, combine the same hardened Japanese SK5 Chrome plated steel used in the Secateurs, but the strengthened blades are built into a strong, yet light, aluminium monocoque chassis.
Simon McArdle, Divisional Director, Hardware, for Westland, commented: “As manufacturers, we have a role to play in reducing the impact of crime and protecting retailer profit. We were saddened to learn about the shockingly high reports of theft in garden centres. We aim to be at the forefront of innovation to develop solutions that support our retail partners as well as the end consumer. The increased security embedded into the new SureCut range provides retailers with some added peace of mind, which we hope will be a welcome addition to stores.”
Contact your local sales representative to start stocking the Kent & Stowe SureCut range.
In common with all Westland products, Kent & Stowe can be ordered 24/7 via Westland Live, and frequent top-ups are easy as part of a Westland weekly delivery. Scan here to login in or sign up.