Dealers and distributors needing timely deliveries of knapsack and hand sprayers post-Brexit can rest easy.
As the sprayer season kicks off across the turf sector this month, specialist wholesaler Spindrift Sprayers is reassuring customers that they have plenty of stock and accessories across the Cooper Pegler and Berthoud ranges.
At the Helme, Trevor and daughter Lily checking sprayer stocks
Trevor Helme runs the business with his wife, Cleone, and their daughter Lily and admits that sprayers certainly float his boat.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with the knapsack market,” he says. “The complexities of spraying a liquid on to turf, or crops, intrigue me.”
Spindrift sells thousands of sprayers annually so potential supply uncertainties surrounding Brexit, then the impact of covid sparked some serious forward planning to ensure continuity for customers.
“Nobody knew what was going to happen,” Trevor recalls. “I travelled to the manufacturer Hozelock-Exel’s headquarters in France, and stressed that we wanted to stock up well before Brexit.
“We ended up with a warehouse chock full of product - and sprayers have been flying out of the door ever since. I like to get our distributors nicely stocked up ready for the new season and we incentivise them with an early spring offer that this year includes extra discount, extended credit and a free Cooper Pegler CP5 when they buy ten of the knapsacks.”
Operator health and safety weigh heavily with Trevor. “Knapsacks usually come with very narrow straps but Hozelock-Exel’s are strong and sturdy and come with waistbands that help shift the weight of the sprayer and its contents from the shoulders to the hips.”
With product users as diverse as councils, contractors, gardeners and sportsgrounds people to consider, securing a solid supply chain is critical, Trevor explains.
“Major product users such as Greensleeves depend on reliable service and back-up so we ensure our distributors have ready access to any of the Cooper Pegler and Berthoud ranges, knapsack or hand sprayers, as well as the full stock of accessories, such as nozzles, trigger assemblies, seals and lances. We aim to supply them within 24 hours.
“Actually, covid and furlough have increased business," Trevor continues, "because during lockdown more homeowners have called in garden care companies to treat their lawns and when an operator is making 15-20 calls a day typically, sprayers and spare parts are in greater demand.”
Spindrift already has many distributors across the UK, but Trevor is eager to expand the network. “I aim to be the biggest sprayer wholesaler in the UK and taking on more distributors can help us achieve that ambition.”
He's also expanded the range of professional sprayers Spindrift wholesales by stocking Hozelock-Exel's Laser Industrie products, which operators use for applying liquids right across the pH range in the construction, automotive, food and hygiene, cleaning and agriculture sectors.
Contact Lily or Trevor on 01995 600001 or email sales@spindriftsprayers.co.uk to find out more.