ew from Schonach Peter Brett


and certified testing ensures reliable and consistent operation of the tools – an area where Wiha has made significant contributions. In the last few years Wiha has been


completed, the packaging process could begin. There is nothing quite like seeing


things for yourself, so I felt privileged to visit the testing laboratory upstairs. German DIN standards require that VDE products in particular, are tested to withstand currents of up to 1000v to protect their users. Without giving away any trade secrets it is clear that Wiha routinely exceeds testing limits in order to ensure that the VDE products could be used in polar or tropical extremes in complete safety. Torque screwdrivers are


increasingly necessary in electrical and other applications and I was able to try


transformed into a “customer facing” company. A vital clue to Wiha’s customer oriented philosophy is painted onto the middle of the car park – the simple word “Kunden.” (customers.) From inside the building all employees can see it - the customers have been placed almost literally at the centre of things. As a result, Wiha has been keen to


research with end users and other interested parties to find new ways of designing tools for the future. I had a fascinating discussion with


Ronny Lindskog, the Managing Director for Marketing and Sales in Europe, which focused on the research that Wiha itself and other independent bodies like the University of Singen have done on the shape and uses of screwdrivers for example. The results are already being discussed within the fervent Wiha research and development environment and some innovations have made their way into production. The recently launched BiCut cutter


and the BitHolder VDE handle are two examples of how customer-focus, R and D and manufacturing have come together resulting in truly innovative products. The BiCut cutter has a levered,


Kunden means customers ~ the centre of Wiha's business philosophy.


out a number of torque applications from different manufacturers to feel for myself just what is at stake when designing ergonomic handles for tools. I learned through the blisters on my hands that the most common and obvious handle designs don’t always suit the ergonomics of the human hand. Torque settings need to be accurate and repeatable too, so product design


two-point fulcrum that transforms the cutting power available by another 100% to the user who needs to cut thick cables. This is selected by simply pressing a button on the cutters. This is a “best of both worlds” solution because the soft copper cables can be cut on the usual setting, but more demanding cutting is just a press button away. Equally good is the LiftUp bit holder


handle with a range of up to 6 VDE screwdriver blades. The product is an extension to the existing Wiha range of slimBits and VDE handles and it builds on the success of the SlimVario and SlimTorque products. The blades are stored safely in the handle and can be accessed by simply pressing the two buttons that release the bit magazine. Customer research by Wiha found that there is a significant market for users (like inspection engineers) who need to keep a flexible compact toolkit at hand – literally something that will fit into a pocket. I came away from the visit to Wiha


with the belief that it is a company that has always committed to quality, innovative products. But it is also perhaps a company that is a “best kept secret”. Since my visit I have made an effort to speak to many users of Wiha products. They all vouch for the quality, the service and the new Wiha products but they don’t really understand why


telephone 01444 440188 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE 5


the Wiha brand is not more prominent – particularly in the UK. And this is exactly what the UK


team of Wiha Tools and their partner Brian Hyde Ltd have been working on over the last few years. By introducing local point-of-sale solutions, increasing the visibility of Wiha in the market, publishing their own marketing documents made specifically for UK


A view of the production


at Wiha. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the genuinely intellectually challenging atmosphere at all levels and of exciting ideas and developments in the company. Wiha people at all levels were clearly “on- board” with the new developments and were keen to tell me about their part in the project. They had the enthusiasm that comes with the


Maxxtor bits for impact drivers


users and working closely with professional associations, the Wiha brand has received various awards and achieved a growth in sales that significantly outperformed the market. And they’re not finished, yet! It is clear that things are developing


CNC controlled machines are the key to fast and controlled production.


confidence that you know you are doing a good job, but are going forward to do an even better job. I think the tool world will welcome the innovation and competition that Wiha’s developments are bringing to the market.


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