red Editions NESS+HIRE…


longer lasting motors in our tools and those measly 7.2volt cordless drills from 1993 will be long forgotten. In cordless, I don’t hanker for


the old days. Another thing that struck me


as I was going through the first editions was the mergers and purchases that various companies went through. Record Tools was a proud


British company based in Sheffield. By slow degrees it became part of American Tool Company and is


“… more trades people talk to me about the quality of their tools, and how good tools can improve the quality of their work.”


now a large Multi-national called Irwin Tools, where thankfully many of the original brand names like Marples and Jack are preserved. Better that, than these brands disappear. In the power tool arena the brand name ELU


became part of Black and Decker, which in turn became part of DeWalt. What does seem to be a certainty is that the international companies like Bosch, Metabo, Fein, DeWalt and Stanley will continue to change and develop, acquiring and shedding smaller companies as business decisions dictate. From the consumers’ point of view these changes may not make much difference, as long as they continue to develop and deliver the tools we want to use. One of the most major


Above: One of Fein's modern tool range, the MultiMaster.


Right: The Fein Team with the World's First Electric Hand Drill built in 1895


me how they didn’t care if a tool was poor quality and got broken – you just went and bought another. The cost of new tools was almost priced into the job. I was reminded of “Loadsamoney” the plasterer on the telly – he characterized that attitude perfectly.


Nowadays, there seems to be a balance returning


to the market. A lot of tools are still made in China, but the quality is hugely improved. I notice that more trades people talk to me about the quality of their tools, and how good tools can improve the quality of their work. Perhaps recession makes us focus more upon quality and value for money. Thinking about all of the above made me consider


all the tools I use now. No disrespect to 1993, but all of the cordless power tools I regularly use are Li-ion powered. They are simply the best. When it comes to corded


“… in the world


changes for the tool manufacturing industry has been the rapid emergence of China and other Far East manufacturing countries. For a while in the late 1990s we had a situation where the prices of all types of tools were almost magically low. I talked to many construction workers while I was doing various bits of market research and they told


telephone 01444 440188


of tools, newer is definitely better.”


tools, my choices are pretty much the same. None of these predates 2008, so they have all the modern electronic speed controls etc. Looking back on the last 200


editions of ToolBUSINESS, what I tend to see is a steady and sometimes rapid development of


new technology leading to the kinds of tools that I like using. There are inevitably casualties, and some good ideas haven’t been able to survive, and unfortunately


ToolBUSINESS+HIRE 17


some less useful ideas have survived. Sometimes the power of marketing can overcome the Darwinist power of the market. But would I want to trade some of my new tools for some of the old? I think not, in the world of tools, newer is definitely better.


So I propose a toast to the future


and hope that all kinds of tool manufacturers continue to ensure a diverse and interesting tool market with ToolBUSINESS providing a window on this great industry!


By Peter Brett


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