Whatever happened to the quality?

Maintenance Matters

20 years ago I bought a pair of “Last Footwear” boots. These are still in my wardrobe, still comfortable, still intact with plenty of wear, even after hundreds of kms. I can even stand in a puddle and my socks stay dry! If I wanted a new pair of shoes, I’d have no hesitation in buying more Last Footwear shoes… but I can’t. Instead I went into town, and saw a bargain, set of dress shoes at less than half price, only 30 bucks! Being a sucker I bought them thinking if they last a year that’s still good value. Six weeks later I got wet socks... and 10 weeks later they were binned. I’ve learnt to look for higher value…but nothing beats my old “Last Footwear” friends.

What happened to this small and dynamic NZ manufacturer? They closed. We have regularly witnessed many good quality brands either disappear or change. The cheap imports have pushed them out of business. Dad had Stanley tools in his shed, excellent tools, handled all sorts of treatment. They’re still around today, but I’m not rushing to buy any. Stanley, faced with heavy competition from cheap imported tools, did the same. Problem was they left the name Stanley on the cheaper tools. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve probably got the good quality ones still, but if the price is ridiculously cheap, then don’t bargain on having it in your toolbox next year.

Equiptec manufactures value. Versatile, robust, ergonomic, everything you want in a work platform, and you can be sure it’ll still be a reliable and preferred part of your fleet in years to come. Equiptec products aim at professional industry, and haven’t fallen for making the lightest flimsiest platform to be cheaper than the next guy.

It’s nice to know one product is not changing to suit the cheapskates. The VRS and Equiptec products are built to a spec, no compromise. Industrial platforms for industrial use.

That’s Equiptecs Tagline, “A trusted platform to build on”, so if your platforms are in for repair, or replacement again, take a look at a long term-reliable solution. It’s a no brainer.

Contact 0800 84 00 00 or sales@equiptec.co.nz 

Publishing Information
Page Number:
33
Related Articles
From Tinkering to Triumph: Emerging talent shines at the Stuart Tolhurst Memorial Award dinner
 Papakura’s Amanpreet Singh has turned his childhood passion into an award-winning career, earning national recognition as the country’s top maintenance engineering apprentice for 2025. The 38-year-...
Maintenance Engineering Conference full program released
The full conference program is now live on the website, including free pre-conference workshops.   Highlights include:  •             Switching to Geothermal: A World-First in Tissue Manufacturing -...
Maintenance Engineering Society (MESNZ) Conference 2025
The 21st Annual MESNZ Maintenance Engineering Conference will be held in  Hamilton, 30th Sept – 2nd October 2025. President, James Neale, comments “If a strong engineering education and communication...