THS Exhibition 2016 at Donington Park New Products, Brexit and Confidence are the Talking Points
From conversations I had, I think it is generally agreed that the Donington Park venue for the annual THS Tool Show is favoured not only because it is spacious, light and airy but also because it is easy to get there – being well served by motorways and the East Midlands Airport. The parking is plentiful and nearby, with access for visitors and exhibitors making for easy set up and quick getaway. With nearly a hundred suppliers taking stands to display their products it was
quite a busy day to cover all of the ground and see what show offers were current. While the tool trade (and every other business) likes nothing better than a
good gossip and a moan, this time there really was something to talk about since Prime Minister Theresa May was actually at a European Summit that day. Hopefully she had something substantive to say that might ease the pressure of uncertainty that seems to be the main complaint from businesses at the moment. Of course there are no easy answers, but
the general gut response from both suppliers and visitors is that we will do whatever we have to do to ensure arrival at a workable outcome, and for the moment that is all we can do. Nevertheless, there were no shortages of
deals nor innovations. Power tool manufacturers were well represented as usual. I lost the challenge to see if I could get the new Flex site radio to work to its potential, although apparently all it needed was a closer scrutiny of the instructions – I blame the fact that I didn’t have my glasses with me!! There are a couple of other Flex tools that
I liked the look of – the new 12v drill driver and impact driver look very compact and have a good balance in the hand. Metabo’s display seemed to be focusing
on a few new corded and cordless tools – hammers and breakers and the 36v disc cutter/grinder (reviewed this month) that are key tools for builders and several other trades. But with Metabo, there is always something on the blocks so to speak, so keep an eye out in quarters 1 and 2 next year. Hitachi are still making hay with the 6Ah
18v battery system introduced earlier this year and the range of dedicated tools to go with it. I particularly like the 18v circular saw that has had a lot of use in my workshop recently – it is a small monster. At the opposite end of the scale Hitachi is famous for big hammers/breakers – hire company favourites that can not only take a battering but give one too. The Fein Starlock System seems to be
have taken off smoothly too, and Fein is giving Winners of the Driving challenge, Toby, Andy and Dan
dealers many offers to assist them to make the transition. Having used the Fein Starlock system quite intensively recently I am convinced of its applicability. Meanwhile keep an eye out for new M class extractor and a couple of very capable 12v drill drivers. Panasonic are in a steady position with two major launches this year now
bedding in. It seems as though there is quite a lot of interest in the cordless Panasonic impact wrenches – used to drive sockets in a variety of applications. When it comes to screws, fixings and the tools to drive them, the market has suddenly been hit with a series of new products as well as some innovations with much promise. Forgefix’s new range of fixings is innovative and well priced – with enough different kinds of fixings in it to suit demanding users who actually know what they are looking for. There is no such thing as the “one screw fits all” scenario any more and expert users know the difference. The Wera “Tool Rebels” are never far
away from a potential fixing and the company continues to build on its reputation for quality and innovation and of course its brilliant range of products. DART was celebrating an Innovation
Award for its angle driver – retro fitted to a drill or driver, it is a good solution to “driving round corners” and is becoming very popular with many trades. Stahlwille and Abingdon King Dick were
present to supply all the spanners we might need for bigger fixings – although a “traditional” fixing method, it seems as if we will continue to need them as long as there are nuts and bolts to tighten. Engineering suppliers are well
represented in the THS mix with Porta, G and J Hall, Dormer Pramet, and Presto International having ranges of cutters on offer as well as some machines with which to use them. With steel construction becoming more widespread, even in in the domestic house building arena, these products will surely become even more necessary. Delta Adhesives showed a range of
problem-solving adhesives and putties, many of them designed to be “get out of trouble” solutions that can save money and time while a rethink takes place. Cutting of all kinds of materials is a key area
and diamond discs, diamond drills and their associated machines were well represented. Marcrist and Klingspor compete to supply the innovative cutting and grinding discs that we rely on for clean cutting, while the likes of Master Abrasives and Saint Gobain Abrasives are needed for the clean up and polish.
18 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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