Meet Mark Earles, OPE and Contracts Manager, Makita UK

Recharging at 50

Makita UK is celebrating 50 years of trading in the UK this year. Today, the company offers more than 270 LXT and 50 XGT cordless models in its portfolio. For 27 of those years, Mark Earles, Outdoor Power Equipment and Contracts Manager at Makita UK, has worked for the Japanese manufactures and takes time out to chat with Maggie Walsh about his time with the company

Mark Earles, Outdoor Power Equipment and Contracts Manager at Makita UK

How long have you worked at Makita UK and what’s been your best achievement to date? I have been with the company for 27 years and over that time I’ve played a part in many company achievements, for which I’m really proud. Currently, I am spending time working with different industry associations and new product committees. I am representing Makita at the EGMF (European Garden Machinery Federation) and Chairing the AEA’s (Agricultural Engineers Association) marketing committee.

There are many manufacturers vying for top position in the power tool market. What keeps Makita ahead of the game? Having a constant programme of new product introductions is key. We achieve this by organising regular engineer visits. The staff, both internal and external, are highly trained to go out there and talk to end users and dealers so that we understand what the market wants. And, of course, our battery platform, which is I believe the best, certainly plays a critical role in keeping Makita at the top.

Makita is traditionally associated with providing tools for construction. When did Makita start supplying the landscaping market and what prompted the move? In 1991, Makita purchased Dolmar which was the start of outdoor power equipment (OPE) in a major way. We did have electric hedge trimmers and chainsaws before that, so going into the garden machinery side at the time was seen to be a natural progression.

What do you feel is Makita’s unique selling point? Quality, service, staff, and having the largest battery platform are all major selling points - so it is difficult to choose just one!

More power tools are battery operated than before. Do you think the next 25 years will see all tools move that way? Over the next 25 years, most OPE will be driven by batteries, except for some of the very high-power hungry machines, such as tractors, which might still be hydrogen powered. The motor, controller and battery technology are constantly developing, so it’s hard not to see it all being battery-powered.

With sustainability and climate change affecting the buying habits of end users how will Makita keep pace with changing demands? First and foremost, our engineers from around the world come to each market and listen to customer demands. Then, our sales force put in new product requests, which leads to a constant supply of machines that the market has requested.

Switching from petrol to battery power is one of the simplest ways for those using OPE to adopt more sustainable practices, as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels – plus is removes the need to transport and handle petrol and eliminates fumes omitted during operation. We will therefore continue to concentrate on extending and improving our XGT range, which offers a true alternative to petrol powered tools

How is Makita UK coping with Brexit and the current global unrest? There are no major barriers at the moment. We have just opened a new warehouse in Wigan, and we made sure to prepare for its opening by ordering the stock well in advance. This has put us in good stead during these demanding times.

What tool did Makita first launch to the UK market 50 years ago? In 1958, Makita launched its first power tool: the hand-

The chainsaw has been a mainstay of the Makita brand

operated electric planer, followed by the electric handoperated circular saw and drill machine in 1962. In 1972, Makita launched in the UK bringing these innovations with them - and six years later, the first 7.2V ‘replaceable battery’ drill entered the UK market.

What is your personal favourite Makita tool and why? Every product launch there is always something new that becomes my favourite product. But I joined Makita because I use chainsaws, so if I had to choose a product, it would be one of the new XGT UC015G chainsaws – which are both cordless and rear handle, powered by 40Vmax XGT Li-Ion batteries.

This year is a big year for Makita in the UK, celebrating 50 years. What new products will be released to celebrate? There has already been a steady supply as always. The exciting development in recent years has been XGT, which is a new cordless tool and battery platform that produces greater power for high demand applications, increased durability, and a wider range of products to offer a performance that is comparable to petrol engine or mains powered machines.

Two notable examples are the (Twin 40V Max) Power Cutter XGT CE001GZ, and the Twin 40V Max) Brush Cutter BL XGT UR012GZ04, both of which are powered by two 40Vmax XGT Li-Ion batteries in series.

Large or small, doesn’t matter. A compact that gets more jobs done.

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