Hedge Trimmers and Chainsaws into Sharing Economy as Husqvarna Pilots Pay-per-use

PR68243

STOCKHOLM, April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    Starting this May, homeowners in Stockholm can access pay-per-use power

tools for the garden, eliminating the need to maintain and store hedge

trimmers, chainsaws and other tools that are used less frequently. The project

is a pilot, and part of Husqvarna's commitment to explore innovative and

sustainable solutions for taking care of gardens and green spaces.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

    https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8087051-husqvarna-pay-per-use-power-tools

    The Husqvarna Battery Box, is a "smart", 8x3 meter, unattended container

with 30 electronic lockers that store battery powered garden care products. Via

an iPhone app, homeowners can reserve tools, get instructions, pay, and open

the locker to pick up their pre-booked power tool. The "box" will be placed at

Bromma Blocks, a shopping center 15 min west of Stockholm city. Renting a

garden care product will cost 350 SEK a day (approx 35 Euros or 38 USD).

    "People are already sharing homes and cars. To share products that are only

used occasionally, like a hedge-trimmer, makes a lot of sense for some users.

Husqvarna Battery Box is proof of our commitment to explore new solutions that

merge innovation and sustainability, benefitting the homeowner, the community

and our distribution network," says Pavel Hajman, President of the Husqvarna

division.

    Sustainability and innovation put to the test

    This pilot project supports Husqvarna's sustainability agenda to drive the

conversion from petrol powered products to silent battery products with no

direct emissions in urban areas. Additionally, the purpose is also to test the

real-world applications of this technical solution, as well as collect insights

on market maturity, customer behaviour, and potential future revenue streams

for Husqvarna's distribution network. The test period runs from May 1 to

October 31, 2017.

    How it works

    After completing registration in the iPhone app (also called "Husqvarna

Battery Box"), the customer can reserve one of the 30 available battery powered

products (chainsaw, hedge trimmer, trimmer or blower). The app guides the user

on how to open and close the door to the particular locker where the product

they want to rent is kept. The app also includes "how-to-films" to explain how

the product works. The Box, powered by solar cells, will be serviced by

Husqvarna staff daily, ensuring that products are in good condition and that

the batteries are fully charged.

    The connection between the Husqvarna Battery Box and the customer is

enabled via Bluetooth. For identification purposes, the customer uses the

Swedish ID app "BankID". Payments are charged to the registered credit card at

the end of the month. During the pilot period, the app is only available on iOS.

    Powerful and silent products in the box

    From a performance perspective, the battery products in the box are

equivalent to the petrol versions of comparable size, but without the noise and

direct emissions. The battery series in the box is powered by a 36V Li-ion

battery, and one battery fits all products in the box (chainsaw, hedge trimmer,

blower, trimmer).

    Project partners and set-up

    Husqvarna Battery Box is the result of a partnership that includes Telenor

Connexion, Flex, Zuora and HiQ. Flex builds the connected box and reports its

status on events handled through a cloud solution with Telenor Connexion. Zuora

supplies the subscription payment solution and HiQ builds the app and the

system needed to bring everything together. The shopping center Bromma Blocks

provides the space for the test.

    "We are excited to be part of this innovative project. For us, Husqvarna

Battery Box is a perfect project to apply our partner ecosystem, catered for

businesses that want to take on the digital transformation journey," says Mats

Lundquist, CEO, Telenor Connexion.

    "HiQ's driving force is to simplify and improve people's lives through

technology. The Husqvarna Battery Box Project demonstrates how we can ease

everyday lives and take more responsibility for our planet - all with the help

of modern technology platforms," says Lars Stugemo," President and CEO of HiQ.

    "Zuora is excited to play its part in seeing the Husqvarna Battery Box come

to life. We see consumers around the world welcoming the new world of the

Subscription Economy. It's exciting to enable this 328 year-old company lead

the charge of innovation to build long-term relationships with their

customers," says Maria Johansen, Nordics Regional Director, Zuora.

    "In a period of technological transformation, when ordinary objects are

becoming connected, there is enormous opportunity for companies that embrace

the new business models. Flex is thrilled to be helping Husqvarna integrate

connectivity, creating a flexible experience for their customers," says Doug

Britt, President of Industrial and Emerging Industries at Flex.

    "Husqvarna Battery Box gives a glimpse of what shopping centers may look

like in the future. We are excited to be the first in Sweden to host this

service, as we believe it adds value to our offer and to all our customers with

a garden to care for," says Sanna Sultan, manager of Bromma Blocks.   

    Images are available at husqvarna.com/press

    About Husqvarna     

    Husqvarna is a brand within Husqvarna Group, a global leading producer of

outdoor power products and innovative solutions for forest, park and garden

care. Products include chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers and ride-on

lawn mowers. The Group is also the European leader in garden watering products

and a global leader in cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction

and stone industries. The Group's products and solutions are sold under brands

including Husqvarna, Gardena, McCulloch, Poulan Pro, Weed Eater, Flymo, Zenoah

and Diamant Boart via dealers and retailers to consumers and professionals in

more than 100 countries. Net sales in 2016 amounted to SEK 36bn and the

Group has around 13,000 employees in 40 countries.

         (Photo:

http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/491897/Husqvarna_Power_Tools.jpg )

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8087051-husqvarna-pay-per-use-power-tools

SOURCE: Husqvarna