Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/765117
30 JANUARY 2017 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com COVER STORY | Industry Forecasts 4) What will be the OPE industry's hottest trends in 2017? BF: I expect we will continue to see expanded growth in the battery-powered segment across the industry. We also see an overall continued trend in products designed that leverage advanced technology for increased user effi ciencies. Manufacturers are focused on making products that are lighter with increased fuel effi ciency, lower vibration, longer run times and extended service intervals. These features enable users to save time and money whether it's on the job or working in their own backyards. For professionals, these features save time and money, thereby allowing them to maximize profi ts as they are able to get more done in a day's work. We're also seeing additional technologies aimed toward increasing effi ciencies and improving analysis. Stihl is investing in new software platforms to support end users and professionals with product data analysis. For example, the new professional platform of Stihl products are compatible with the Stihl MDG 1 tool, which permits review and analysis of operating data memory including operating hours and speed duty cycle. This provides great value to maintenance managers as it allows quick and easy analysis of total cost of operation. There has also been a continued trend of independent dealers taking market share from big box stores. Customers are growing tired of the warehouse experience, and are looking for more personal service. Dealers continue to be focused on being more consumer friendly as they offer solution-based services and product offerings, like Stihl, that can't be found in the mass merchants. Stihl dealers service what they sell, offering them an edge over the big box stores. And dealers are becoming more sophisticated as well. They are taking advantage of the latest technologies in online training and new software to run their business more effi ciently, as well as the latest in marketing and communication channels like mobile and social communication. 5) What is your overall outlook for the OPE industry in 2017? BF: The outdoor power equipment landscape is changing. We are all adjusting to new forms of media and discovering new ways to connect to our target audience. That audience is growing and becoming more diverse with more millennials and women than ever. This creates new challenges as we look to communicate not only with our traditional OPE customer, but the new generations that are reaching life milestones like purchasing a house later in life, and don't look at activities like landscape maintenance the same way as previous generations. We will need to take into account new lifestyle priorities and respond to the changing marketplace across the entire communications spectrum, not just the traditional TV and print media. This is an adjustment for most industries, not just ours. We do expect spending on home improvements to grow and that OPE dealers will continue to make gains in market share against the big box stores as customers recognize the advantages of buying local and the benefi ts of shopping with a knowledgeable dealer that also provides service. As mentioned earlier, battery is the fastest-growing segment. With our expanded product launch, specifi cally the consumer-friendly additions, Stihl will enable dealers to compete with big box stores more than ever by offering quality products with the Stihl name at a competitive price point. We are confi dent that our ever-growing product lineup will be a signifi cant contributor to market share growth for independently owned businesses. * Number one selling claim based on 2007-2016 Irwin Broh Research syndicated research of the U.S. professional landscaper market. OPE Continued from page 21 EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY FOCUS E N G I N E S & F U E L A D D I T I V E S Yamaha MXV-EFI series engines Yamaha Motor Corp., USA's Outdoor Power Equipment division recently unveiled an all-new line of vertical V-twin engines for the lawn and garden market. Yamaha's new MX775V-EFI, MX800V-EFI and MX825V-EFI engines are purpose built for commercial landscape zero- turn radius (ZTR) mowers. The MXV-EFI series engines combine Yamaha's historic quality, high performance and durability standards with landscape ZTR-specific design and development, resulting in outstanding performance and higher fuel efficiency than competitive models on the market. "With the all-new MXV-EFI Vertical V-twin series, Yamaha enters the popular lawn and garden industry, opening up an entire new business opportunity for our Outdoor Power Equipment division," said Jim McPherson, Yamaha's Outdoor Power Equipment division manager. "Yamaha's commercial V-twin ZTR engines deliver a superior level of powerful performance, reliability and efficiency." The vertical V-twin engines deliver more power and torque — ranging from 29 certified gross horsepower to 33 certified gross horsepower — than competitive models. The result is a smooth, even cut with consistent speeds even in difficult high-grass conditions. Three valve hemispherical heads, closed-loop electronic fuel injection (EFI) with variable ignition timing, and low-friction design result in highly fuel-efficient engines, saving users both time and money. Unique features include easily accessible hatches that make for quick and simple maintenance, a protective rotating grass screen that protects against debris clogging, and a specially designed stainless-steel muffler that will fit a wide variety of ZTR mower frames. Yamaha Motor Corp., USA