Established in 1977, EHW Ltd – trading as Mower-Power – has grown to become one of Ireland’s largest stockists of garden, forest and construction equipment. The family-run business is also the only official Husqvarna and STIGA Centre for Limerick.
Jointly-founded by Victor Dreaper and Stanley Pasley, the company is now headed up by Victor’s sons, Brian and Gordon (Brian joined in 1995 and Gordon in 2004). Initially a hardware business, Mower-Power started importing garden machinery from MEP in Italy in 1996 and so began a new phase in the company’s life.
In 1997, Shannonside Imports was incorporated into Everything Hardware Ltd to facilitate growth in its garden machinery business. The following year, they were authorised as a Briggs & Stratton Parts & Service Centre, and was appointed Irish distributor and service centre for Wolf-Garten tools & machinery.
In 2001, Mower-Power relocated from the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle to a larger premises, comprising showroom and workshop, 3km away in Castlemungret Industrial Estate, Mungret. Two years earlier, the Dreapers had sold their retail business to a large Dublin-based hardware importer, only to re-enter the machinery retail business in 2003, having traded as a wholesale distributor in the intervening four years.
In 2005, Mower-Power began trading with Honda, John Deere and Murray & Toro direct from the USA, and was appointed as a Honda Outdoor Power Products Centre for Limerick the following year. Then, in 2009, the Limerick firm became a dedicated Husqvarna Centre. Since then, it has re-established itself as a STIGA dealer after a 10-year absence, was appointed stockist for Blaklader personal protection equipment and for MAKITA electrical garden to product range. Last year, Mower-Power became agents for Oleo-Mac and Greenworks lithium-ion powered garden machines.
“We are a long-established and ambitious company that strives to be the best machinery retailer in Munster offering the largest selection all under one roof,” managing director Brian Dreaper explains.
“Our business is growing while others are receding. Gordon and I come from both business and mechanical backgrounds and have experience from all sides of the business as a retailer, importer and distributors. We understand all sides and challenges.”
He continues: “We have a good working relationship with suppliers, protecting ourselves by ensuring that all machines are supplied fully, inspected and demonstrated to eliminate any problems that may arise upon hand over of ownership.
“We employ three qualified and experienced mechanical, electrical and agricultural engineers. Our workshop is in-house, meaning we can control the quality of our work.
“In these challenging times, we still offer the best of old values with the new and offer you value-for-money, quality and a professional after sales service. The purchase of a product from us is only the start of our relationship!”
You won’t find a larger or more comprehensive range of garden, forest and construction equipment in the Mid-West than at Mower-Power. The company stocks a huge range of garden-related
products, always offering the best quality at competitive prices. Up to 60 different lawnmowers are on the shop floor at any one time. Mower-Power’s client-base is evenly divided between private customers and state bodies such as the OPW, Coillte, ESB, National Parks and local authorities.
Customers can view the full range of products and purchase them on the company’s impressive website, www.mower-power.com and follow them on facebook.comHusqvarnaLimerick
Brian is full of praise for his father a Roscrea, Co. Tipperary native, Victor, for the huge part he has played in making Mower-Power the successful operation it is today.
“He got the business established and although he’s now retired, continues to offer guidance and advice to Gordon and I. His policy was always to offer premium services and products knowledge to our customers at competitive rates, be up-front & honest in all our dealings,” Brian says.
“That was the thinking then, as it is now and hence the reason for the company’s survival over the past 37 years. A crucial part of our business is the fact that we are able to provide a full after sales service, spares and repairs to all our products and most other manufacturers’ through our service network. We’re a one-stop shop for all your sales and service needs.”
After the worst years of the recession, the affable managing director is happy to report that there has been a significant increase in sales in the first half of 2014 & a return in consumer confidence.
“There has been a definite pick-up. There is greater consumer confidence. You can see it in the ride-on mower market. It had fallen off a cliff, but is coming back strongly now with consumers purchasing the best model to suit their needs rather than being budget driven.”
Mower-Power is proud to be the only official Husqvarna and STIGA Centre for Limerick. Both of these iconic brands are celebrating milestone birthdays this year, with Husqvarna being 325 years old and STIGA 80 years old.
Since starting out in 1689, Husqvarna, now part of Husqvarna Group, has manufactured a wide range of quality products. Excellent engineering skills, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for quality products had led to innovative solutions, successfully taking the Swedish company from weapons, via sewing machines, stoves and motorcycles, to today’s cutting-edge outdoor power products.
“For 325 years, Husqvarna has developed and manufactured quality products to help users achieve greater results. Going forward, we will continue to challenge the existing solutions and deliver high performing products with the needs of the user in mind,” Brian says.
STIGA was founded in 1934 by Stig Hjelmquis and has a long tradition of providing innovative garden machinery with excellent performance and ergonomic design. Their extensive range includes walk-behind lawnmowers, tractor mowers, 2wd & 4wd front-deck riders, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers, chainsaws and snow blowers.
STIGA continually listen to their customers’ needs and strive to develop machines which exceed their customers’ expectations. They are renowned for developing excellent quality machines which are easy to use, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective.
Mower-Power is easily accessible to customers, being just 2km from Limerick city centre and within 10 minutes’ drive of the M7, M20 and N21 via South Link Bypass. Why not call in the next time you are in the area and speak to their team of experts about their extensive range of garden equipment.
Mower-Power (EHW Ltd)
10 Castlemungret Business Park,
Dock Road,
Limerick.
Telephone: 061 302696
Website: www.mower-power.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/HusqvarnaLimerick
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 3, August 2014
