New Zealand – August 5 -- A potentially dangerous knock-off chainsaw sold on a local auction website has triggered calls to only buy from reputable distributers.
John Hudson, a correspondent for TV ONE's Sunday programme, found a counterfeit Stihl chainsaw being sold as the legitimate product on Trade Me.
Hudson traced the fake Stihl chainsaw all the way back to a sweatshop in regional China where he quizzed staff about the potentially dangerous fakes.
Winifried Mickely of Stihl in China says "you could consider this organised crime".
"There are many provincial, or lower level authorities which do not really take high efforts to stop this business," Mickely said.
Further investigation by TV ONE's Sunday programme has found that extraordinary numbers of counterfeit products are regularly being seized at New Zealand borders.
New Zealand Customs spokesman Shane Panetiere said nearly all the counterfeit products they seize have originated in China.
While a large number come from Hong Kong, "probably 80% to 85% of counterfeits are sourced from China", Panetiere said.
Fake iPhones, MAC makeup and Gucci sunglasses are among the counterfeit items which have been collected by Customs.
China has anti-counterfeit laws but the fines are just three times the value of the goods seized, with the rewards for such counterfeits usually exceeding such punishment.
http://www.tvnz.co.nz
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Monday, August 6, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Generac Announces Expansion into Australian Market
WAUKESHA, Wis., Jul 30 -- Generac Holdings Inc. ("Generac"), a leading designer and manufacturer of generators and other engine powered products, announced that it has signed an exclusive contract with Allpower Industries of Victoria, Australia to sell and service Generac automatic home backup power systems and other products throughout Australia and New Zealand.
"Expanding into new geographies is a key part of our Powering Ahead strategy," said Aaron Jagdfeld, CEO of Generac. "Power outages occur in Australia for many of the same reasons they occur in the U.S.--extreme weather, equipment failures, and construction accidents. It's not a matter of if a power outage will occur; it's when it will occur. Generac leads the market for home backup power in the U.S., and we're excited to partner with such a well-known and reputable company as Allpower and bring our expertise in emergency power generation to homeowners throughout Australia and New Zealand."
Currently, the penetration of home standby generators in Australia and New Zealand is minimal, with no manufacturer having any meaningful level of market penetration. Total single-family households are estimated to be 9.5 million by 2017.
"This partnership is an excellent way to provide additional value to consumers throughout Australia and New Zealand," said John Sinclair, CEO of Allpower. "Allpower prides itself on offering premium power equipment brands to our customers. Generac's reputation in the U.S. is second to none, and we're excited to help them expand their presence here."
Allpower will also sell Generac portable generators, which can be used for emergency power as well as DIY projects, and Generac power washers for homeowners who want to clean everything from outdoor furniture to brick and stone.
Started in 1977 in a small warehouse in Burwood, Victoria with two equipment suppliers and only five product lines, Allpower Industries has grown to offer six premium brands of outdoor power equipment with industry leading warranties and service support. Allpower products are available to consumers and contractors through more than 400 dealers Australia-wide and a 150-strong dealer network across New Zealand, as well as online.
Generac products are targeted for availability in the fourth quarter of this year through existing Allpower dealers. These channels will expand to include major retailers and electrical wholesalers throughout 2013.
About Generac
Since 1959, Generac has been a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of generators and engine powered products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial, industrial and construction markets, Generac's power products are available through a broad network of independent dealers, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies. The company markets and distributes its products primarily under its Generac and Magnum brand names.
"Expanding into new geographies is a key part of our Powering Ahead strategy," said Aaron Jagdfeld, CEO of Generac. "Power outages occur in Australia for many of the same reasons they occur in the U.S.--extreme weather, equipment failures, and construction accidents. It's not a matter of if a power outage will occur; it's when it will occur. Generac leads the market for home backup power in the U.S., and we're excited to partner with such a well-known and reputable company as Allpower and bring our expertise in emergency power generation to homeowners throughout Australia and New Zealand."
Currently, the penetration of home standby generators in Australia and New Zealand is minimal, with no manufacturer having any meaningful level of market penetration. Total single-family households are estimated to be 9.5 million by 2017.
"This partnership is an excellent way to provide additional value to consumers throughout Australia and New Zealand," said John Sinclair, CEO of Allpower. "Allpower prides itself on offering premium power equipment brands to our customers. Generac's reputation in the U.S. is second to none, and we're excited to help them expand their presence here."
Allpower will also sell Generac portable generators, which can be used for emergency power as well as DIY projects, and Generac power washers for homeowners who want to clean everything from outdoor furniture to brick and stone.
Started in 1977 in a small warehouse in Burwood, Victoria with two equipment suppliers and only five product lines, Allpower Industries has grown to offer six premium brands of outdoor power equipment with industry leading warranties and service support. Allpower products are available to consumers and contractors through more than 400 dealers Australia-wide and a 150-strong dealer network across New Zealand, as well as online.
Generac products are targeted for availability in the fourth quarter of this year through existing Allpower dealers. These channels will expand to include major retailers and electrical wholesalers throughout 2013.
About Generac
Since 1959, Generac has been a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of generators and engine powered products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial, industrial and construction markets, Generac's power products are available through a broad network of independent dealers, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies. The company markets and distributes its products primarily under its Generac and Magnum brand names.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Stihl Shop Program Grows Successfully in New Zealand
August 5 -- In partnership with local Kiwi business owners, leading outdoor power equipment brand STIHL has created its own retail category. Undaunted by the recession, the company added 13 more stores to their STIHL SHOP' retail group in 2009. The latest three store openings in Hawera, Masterton and Cambridge takes the group to a total of 56 stores nationwide (generating $80 million in annual revenues) - within reach of its goal of 65 stores by 2011.
Before 2002 the outdoor power equipment market was merely embryonic. This changed when STIHL decided to develop a retail chain of locally owned stores under its own brand; called STIHL SHOP'. The outcome for STIHL after years of groundwork is improved store branding and infrastructure, investment into human capital through training, a focus on customer service and top position in the now highly competitive retail category.
The steady growth of the STIHL SHOP' retail brand follows a tough decision made by STIHL CEO Jim Bibby seven years ago. Faced with a choice between attempting a risky new distribution strategy (through big-box stores) or investing in their own loyal Dealer channel, Mr Bibby opted for the latter, creating the STIHL SHOP' retail concept as a hub for quality, technical know-how and customer service in both urban and provincial areas.
In his mind, the case for change was clear - STIHL's brand visibility and shop appeal urgently required modernising. It had an inconsistent and low-profile image and needed to keep pace with retail trends, match the store experience to customer expectations in order to withstand increasing pressure from mass merchants while improving service and providing better options (including exit strategies) for owners.
Kiwi STIHL SHOP' owners' approach to marketing and selling their products is based on extensive groundwork, including customer research. In developing the concept, Mr Bibby and his team worked with consumers in key STIHL markets (forestry, farming and landscaping) to learn what they wanted, and the result has since been seized upon by home and property owners who liked the combination of quality product, know-how and service.
Based on the idea of delivering on the needs of the market, he wagered that the STIHL SHOP' concept would achieve store owners' aims, and since that turning point, 56 STIHL SHOP' stores have opened, and revenues have increased by 30 percent in a declining market.
The STIHL SHOP' retail model is unique in the STIHL brand's global presence. Its success has been such that visiting senior managers from STIHL's international head office have been inspired to explore the formula in the rest of STIHL's markets, where products are sold through conventional retail channels. In New Zealand, STIHL SHOP' is the only national retail brand specialising in outdoor power equipment.
Phil Weedon, STIHL SHOP' Group Manager, says, "Eighty percent of the stores are family-owned small businesses run by baby-boomers; the remainder are operated by an increasing complement of younger entrepreneurs who find the business proposition appealing."
"All our owners are experienced businesspeople, many of whom have worked in other industries," Mr Weedon says. "The attraction to STIHL SHOP' has been the facility for Kiwi businesspeople to live in their hometown while benefiting from a strong international brand and systemised approach as their business foundation."
"Comparing the margins of the new business model with the old way of doing business demonstrates why it's such an appealing model. Two examples are stores in Christchurch and Auckland, where margins have improved by 25% and 22% respectively since the conversion to the STIHL SHOP' programme."
Mr Weedon says, "New Zealand has a lot of great businesspeople who live here because they want a particular lifestyle, whether urban or more rural, but often they have to compromise on where they live if they want to run a successful business. STIHL SHOP' is a great example of what a thriving Kiwi business can look like, and it's an example of how a global brand like STIHL can be given a true local feel, if you adjust it to suit your market."
Would-be STIHL SHOP' owners operate under a license and are required to undertake a rigorous training programme - another unique point of practice in the global STIHL market.
Before 2002 the outdoor power equipment market was merely embryonic. This changed when STIHL decided to develop a retail chain of locally owned stores under its own brand; called STIHL SHOP'. The outcome for STIHL after years of groundwork is improved store branding and infrastructure, investment into human capital through training, a focus on customer service and top position in the now highly competitive retail category.
The steady growth of the STIHL SHOP' retail brand follows a tough decision made by STIHL CEO Jim Bibby seven years ago. Faced with a choice between attempting a risky new distribution strategy (through big-box stores) or investing in their own loyal Dealer channel, Mr Bibby opted for the latter, creating the STIHL SHOP' retail concept as a hub for quality, technical know-how and customer service in both urban and provincial areas.
In his mind, the case for change was clear - STIHL's brand visibility and shop appeal urgently required modernising. It had an inconsistent and low-profile image and needed to keep pace with retail trends, match the store experience to customer expectations in order to withstand increasing pressure from mass merchants while improving service and providing better options (including exit strategies) for owners.
Kiwi STIHL SHOP' owners' approach to marketing and selling their products is based on extensive groundwork, including customer research. In developing the concept, Mr Bibby and his team worked with consumers in key STIHL markets (forestry, farming and landscaping) to learn what they wanted, and the result has since been seized upon by home and property owners who liked the combination of quality product, know-how and service.
Based on the idea of delivering on the needs of the market, he wagered that the STIHL SHOP' concept would achieve store owners' aims, and since that turning point, 56 STIHL SHOP' stores have opened, and revenues have increased by 30 percent in a declining market.
The STIHL SHOP' retail model is unique in the STIHL brand's global presence. Its success has been such that visiting senior managers from STIHL's international head office have been inspired to explore the formula in the rest of STIHL's markets, where products are sold through conventional retail channels. In New Zealand, STIHL SHOP' is the only national retail brand specialising in outdoor power equipment.
Phil Weedon, STIHL SHOP' Group Manager, says, "Eighty percent of the stores are family-owned small businesses run by baby-boomers; the remainder are operated by an increasing complement of younger entrepreneurs who find the business proposition appealing."
"All our owners are experienced businesspeople, many of whom have worked in other industries," Mr Weedon says. "The attraction to STIHL SHOP' has been the facility for Kiwi businesspeople to live in their hometown while benefiting from a strong international brand and systemised approach as their business foundation."
"Comparing the margins of the new business model with the old way of doing business demonstrates why it's such an appealing model. Two examples are stores in Christchurch and Auckland, where margins have improved by 25% and 22% respectively since the conversion to the STIHL SHOP' programme."
Mr Weedon says, "New Zealand has a lot of great businesspeople who live here because they want a particular lifestyle, whether urban or more rural, but often they have to compromise on where they live if they want to run a successful business. STIHL SHOP' is a great example of what a thriving Kiwi business can look like, and it's an example of how a global brand like STIHL can be given a true local feel, if you adjust it to suit your market."
Would-be STIHL SHOP' owners operate under a license and are required to undertake a rigorous training programme - another unique point of practice in the global STIHL market.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)