POWER SHIFT
POWER SHIFT
operation includes five retail stores in southeast Pennsylvania . “ We ’ ve sold even more this year , people switching over from gas to electric , for overall ease and less mess . We had a slower start with STIHL , but now the customers are buying in and our salespeople have bought in . For a residential buyer , we tell people , unless you really want gas , the electric is so much easier .”
“ Ease of use is a lot of it ,” said Greg Paul of Paul ’ s Lawn & Garden in Massillon , Ohio . “ No pull starting , that ’ s big for some older customers . Quiet is a benefit for some people . No worrying about old gas . We ’ re adding Kress products to our store , and they offer an extremely fast recharge system . That adds even more convenience .”
“ Noise is a big one ,” said Powers from ECHO . “ I hear about this in Florida for sure , and other places , especially hot areas where workers like to start early in the morning and noise can be a problem . With gas-powered trimmers and blowers , right next to a building , noise is an issue .”
The battery industry does have issues to work on , including battery recycling . “ Our OEMs need to help us figure out how to recycle batteries ,” said Paul , the Ohio dealer . “ I have shelves
Like many OEMs , Husqvarna recognizes the overall value of innovating toward a sustainable product mix .
full of old batteries . It ’ s not a huge percentage but it ’ s a problem over time . This is the biggest question I have right now .” OPEI , the industry association , has a Battery and Electric Products Committee that is working , in part , on issues like battery recycling . And manufacturers are working on the recycling issue , as well as current and potential regulatory challenges facing product development .
That doesn ’ t stop the myriad forces driving the shift to electrification . Home Depot is not the only corporation aware of the growing consumer demand for “ sustainability .”
“ Our commercial customers including landscapers ,” said Jack Easterly , Global Segment Manager for Husqvarna , “ get more frequent requests from their customers for sustainable work teams and products . We are a 330-yearold company focused on innovation . That includes helping to lead this new future of sustainable landscaping .”
A Balance With customers measuring everything from productivity to noise levels to cost and more , the manufacturers face as tough a challenge as ever , to build equipment that performs and sells and meets modern environmental criteria . “ From extensive market research , the primary demand from the market for both professional and consumer users is battery technology that meets or exceeds the performance of gas , the runtime to get the job done , and durability to last as long or longer than gas comparable units . STIHL is using these market learnings to drive innovation that meets these primary users ’ needs ,” said Paul Beblowski , Product Manager , Professional Battery , STIHL .
In the meantime , the OEMs also know – and I ’ ll give Easterly from Husqvarna the final word – “ Battery is an evolution , not a revolution . And internal combustion engines still have a place .”
22 OPE Business July 2023 www . OPEBusiness . com