BEST EVER OCTO POST
In the early 2000s, it was becoming apparent that posts were failing prematurely.
Fences that had been recently erected were not standing the test of time with the inevitable frustrations, additional costs and, in some cases, legal ramifications.
New legislation had brought about changes in treatment and the increasingly generic nature of posts was driving down price and, consequently, quality. People would phone around for the best price for one thousand 3-to-4-inch cundies and, if a supplier was charging 88p but their competitor was charging 87p, they could lose the deal for a difference of only £10. That was the market at the time and margins were being squeezed.
Given this backdrop, the prospect of dealing with fencing posts was not necessarily an attractive proposition. However, having seen the reassuring quality of the Swedish produced creosoted Octo Post, sisters Heulwen and Sharon Davies saw an opportunity to offer customers a great and timely solution.
An agricultural machinery business had been started by their grandfather, Tom Davies, in west Wales in the 1930s. Joined by his son, Gareth, Davies Implements Limited was incorporated in 1958 and it remains a family company with the traditional values of offering customers a personal service. But, with the advent of BSE, Foot and Mouth, Milk Quotas and other challenges, it was clear that the long-term security of the company was in jeopardy without diversification. Having successfully ventured into wood processing, forestry, hire etc., they were keen to explore additional markets. With backgrounds in marketing and graphic design, the sisters set about raising awareness of Octo Post by creating a strong brand identity for this easily identifiable, 8-sided fencing post. With a life expectancy of over 40 years, and a 25-year guarantee, the good reputation of the product quickly gained momentum and Davies Implements are now responsible for the distribution of the Octo Post throughout the southern half of the UK. Customers did the math and could see that, despite being more expensive, Octo Post were much more economical in the long-term, offering great value for money. However, with increasing concerns surrounding the use of creosote, finding a credible but equally good successor product had been the goal of manufacturer, Octowood, for years. In collaboration with a world leading biocide company, Arxada, based in Manchester, and with extensive accelerated testing, a Tanasote treated Octo Post has been produced as a replacement. It has a life expectancy of at least as long plus the continued reassurance of the 25- year guarantee. Furthermore, this hot oil-based copper wood preservative offers opportunities to be used in amenity areas, along watercourses and other applications where the creosoted Octo Post may not be an option. For the installer, it is a much friendlier product to use. The Octo Post has become even better!
