In conversation with Ben Hennessy from Först
With a solid reputation already rooted in the arboriculture sector, Först’s head of brand shares the vision behind its latest launch.
Can you tell us a bit about Först and what your role entails?
Först builds professional woodchippers used by arborists, landscapers and grounds teams across the UK, Europe and North America. We design and build everything in Hampshire and now supply machines into more than 25 countries.
The brand has grown quickly, it started in a barn with a small team who wanted to build a better, chipper for professionals. That mindset is still the backbone of the company today, with performance, reliability and a very hands-on customer approach at the centre of what we do.
My role focuses on the brand and the full customer experience. That includes how we present ourselves, how we communicate and how we bring people closer to the company so they can see what we’re about.
It’s about making sure every interaction feels consistent, considered and positive, and about getting it right for the customer from the first conversation through to how the machine performs on site.
Först has built a strong reputation in the arboriculture industry. What led to the decision to expand your focus to include landscaping as well?
Landscapers have been asking for this for a long time. We’ve seen more crossover between the two sectors, with landscapers handling larger volumes of green waste and looking for a dependable machine that isn’t oversized for their workload.
Rather than push an arborist machine into the space, we wanted to build something around their needs. That’s why the Cadet 6 exists. It’s the first machine we’ve designed specifically for landscapers, taking everything we know about performance and reliability and shaping it for a different working pattern.
Först is introducing its first machine developed specifically for landscapers – the Cadet 6 – can you share more about this?
The Cadet 6 takes the chipping chamber from our ST6P, which is one of the best-selling 6-inch machines in the arb sector, and pairs it with a lighter, more efficient package suited to landscaping.
Operators get the same proven chipping performance, just with a smaller engine, lower running costs and an overall specification that fits the kind of mixed materials landscapers deal with day to day.
What sets the Cadet 6 apart in the market?
It’s purpose-built, not repurposed. Landscapers often end up choosing between an underpowered shredder or a full arborist chipper that’s more than they need. The Cadet 6 sits right in the middle. It handles everything from wet hedge trimmings to larger timber up to 6 inches.
And because it’s built with our usual approach, strong construction, easy access for maintenance and simple controls, it feels like a proper professional tool rather than a compromise.
What insights have fed into the creation of the Cadet 6?
A mix of customer feedback and wider market behaviour. Landscapers told us they needed a machine that could deal with varied material without clogging, didn’t require constant use to justify the investment and wasn’t intimidating in terms of size or engine.
We also saw a shift in the industry towards handling waste more efficiently on site. Those insights shaped everything, from the shared ST6P chipping chamber to the smaller engine choice and the focus on easy servicing.
Can we expect more moves into the landscaping industry from Först, and if so, can you share any teasers?
Yes, absolutely. The Cadet 6 is our first step, not a one-off. We already have a tracked version about to hit the production line which will be available next year. This will suit teams working on uneven ground or sites where access is tight.
Beyond that, we’re developing a broader product range that will serve both landscapers and arborists, focusing on the kind of practical, durable kit that makes a real difference on site. We can’t share specifics just yet, but the goal is clear – bring the same level of performance and reliability we’re known for in arb into a wider set of applications.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Only that landscapers deserve purpose-built equipment, not hand-me-downs from other sectors. The Cadet 6 is designed to make their work easier, quicker and more professional, and we’re excited to support an industry that’s growing fast and doing brilliant work.