Stihl Range Branches Out

Following the successful introduction of the Stihl product range to our Orange Branch, we have now rolled out the range to Forbes, Finley and Coleambally, with a firm ‘watch this space’ on other branches into the future.

John Deere offers best-on-market equipment across small to large ag applications, so when H&P was seeking a premium partner to meet our lifestyle product gap, Stihl was the perfect fit.

For Group Aftermarket Manager Tom Hensgen, bringing Stihl to the Forbes, Finley and Coleambally branches was a natural extension of an already strong partnership.

“Stihl is a very well-known brand name and the Stihl product complements the John Deere offering extremely well. John Deere produces ride on lawnmowers through to the full range of large agricultural equipment and having that quality Stihl product range from your whipper snippers and line trimmers to chainsaws and push powers really fills that lifestyle product range not offered by John Deere.

“Having established the initial relationship in Orange, and seeing it working so well, we wanted to look for other opportunities to further that relationship. Forbes, Finley and Colly were identified as a good fit, with Forbes in particular having a large showroom to support the full product offering. While they won’t stock the full range, we’ll have a comprehensive selection of products to suit the Finley and Colly markets in those branches.

“At Hutcheon & Pearce, we limit the number of suppliers we deal with to ensure we build quality relationships and product knowledge within our team. The Stihl team has provided extensive systems, technical and sales training to our staff at each branch to ensure they know the new product range inside and out and are ready to answer customer product, parts and service enquiries.”

Forbes Branch Manager Barry Reidy anticipates existing farming customers as well as homeowners will be interested in the Stihl range.

“Stihl and John Deere are the leading product in their respective markets. Because the two tie together so well, it really will create a one-stop shop for our customers.

“The install process itself was seamless. The crew from Stihl turned up and did the full fitout for the shop plus trained 14 staff members here in the branch, so from my perspective, it is extremely good to be working in a partnership with a company like Stihl knowing that we can pass that quality and expertise onto our customers.

“The thing that excites me most is Stihl’s battery range. The technology that’s gone into the battery range over the last few years is very exciting and it gives people more choice – they can choose between battery and petrol technology – and also better interaction between their machines, with the ability to take the battery from the chainsaw to the whipper snipper to the lawn mower.”

For Finley Branch Manager Brendan Prentice, one of the bonuses of the new Stihl range is keeping people shopping in Finley.

“We don’t have a Stihl dealer here, the closest one is in Cobram. That’s nearly a 40 minute drive, so having Stihl products here keeps Finley locals and people across the district shopping local. It also means people will be able to get their chainsaw serviced here or be able to grab parts here, which makes it more convenient for our farmers but also grounds care, SES, fire fighting and local government customers. Anyone who needs these products, parts and accessories.

“There’s already been a lot of interest. We actually sold some Stihl products here in Finley before the shot fitout was complete! So, we’re really excited about it. I’d love to see Stihl and John Deere products all over our area, in everyone’s shed, because they are two well-known, high standard products and they will be well serviced and represented by Hutcheon & Pearce in Finley and Colleambally.”

Tom said H&P remains open to growing the number of branches that stock Stihl products.

“We’re open to further growth as it gives us more opportunity to serve our customers, a bigger network so we can swap products and parts between branches as needed and develop and deliver internal expertise across multiple outlets, which is an approach we know works for well for our John Deere customers.

“Watch this space!”

For information on the Stihl product range, just head into the Forbes, Finley, Colleambally or Orange branches today.