The future for garden machinery is cordless, manufacturers predicted last week at an open day for retailers at Handy Distribution’s Swindon depot.
Handy, the UK’s largest distributor of garden machinery, representing a clutch of major brands, turned over the frontage of their Murdock Road premises to a mini trade show to update visitors on the latest products and technologies from their brand suppliers, who were on hand to demonstrate and answer questions.
During a tour of the stands, it soon became clear to GTN Xtra’s reporters that, almost without exception, the major R&D focus for most manufacturers is now on the convenience and ease of ownership that rapidly advancing cordless technology can offer to end users.
Brands like Webb (owned by Handy), Ryobi, Greenworks, Bosch, Flymo and McCulloch were all demonstrating new or upgraded battery-powered machinery.
The efficiency, output, running times and shorter re-charging times of today’s state-of-the-art batteries mean that cordless appliances have become realistic alternatives to mains electric and petrol-powered machines. McCulloch were demonstrating a 40V cordless chainsaw that could slice through a 200mm log with relative ease and was deemed adequate for occasional domestic use. This would have been unheard of for a chainsaw five years ago. Several companies showed small cordless rotary mowers that could cut an average-size urban lawn two or three times on a single charge.
As yet, battery power accounts for only a tiny percentage (estimated to be still in single figures) of the UK market but there is a concensus that battery power will account for up to 80% of the market within 10 years as demand grows and prices drop accordingly. Entry level cordless machines still carry a price premium over mains electric but are beginning to close the gap on petrol.
From what we saw last week, it won’t be too long before cordless becomes affordable standard technology for home users.
For stockists and dealers, it could also mean fewer product returns – and service call-outs.
