ToolBUSINESS+HIRE A note from The Editor


Is published 10 times a year by:


Airstream Business Communications Ltd, Wiston, Coppice Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4NN, England, UK.


Annual subscription (UK): £35.00 Others on enquiry All Enquiries to the Airstream office: Tel: 01444 440188 Fax: 01444 414813 e-mail: info@airstream.co.uk www.toolbusiness.co.uk


Editor/Director Anne Hall


Advertising Manager Direct tel: 01444 450071 annehall@airstream.co.uk


Editorial/Circulation tel: 01444 440188 editorial@airstream.co.uk


Production Manager David Paddick


Design and Artwork by DEP CREATIVE LIMITED


Printing by GEMINI PRESS LIMITED


This edition of ToolBUSINESS+HIRE Magazine is a bumper one with reports on four exhibitions as well as five product reviews and other industry news. Peter and I have travelled to Silverstone for Torque Expo, Donington Park for


the THS Exhibition, the NEC in Birmingham for Construction Week and Grand Designs, and Peter also visited D&M at Kempton Park. Many photos to see, and information to read on all these visits. Peter has written reviews on some JCB workwear – two pairs of trousers,


some torches from Coleman (Campingaz), a Metabo Disc Cutter, the Leatherman Crunch from Whitby and Co, and to get you in the mood for Christmas, an Advent Calendar from Wera. Add this to news on the up and coming Ferroforma in Spain next year, change of ownership at the Executive Hire Show, and the usual company and product news and there is lots to keep you interested in the following pages. There is still a feeling of uncertainty post Brexit and we have had conversations


with many in the industry who are keeping a careful eye on the situation. Obviously with the weak pound this has caused some difficulties in those companies who rely heavily on imported goods and this is sure to have an impact on cost for the retailers and ultimately their customers. With inflation already on the rise there are challenges ahead for all of us to balance our budgets. The new National Minimum Wage increases came into force on October 1st too, which will have had an impact on many, especially in the retail sector. According to the Builders Merchants Federation, the construction industry does remain buoyant with sales of materials up


5.4% on last year’s figures. The Federation of Master Builders describes construction as a “weather vane” industry with demand for home improvement and new build homes as an important gauge of consumer confidence. At the present time there is cautious positivity demonstrated across construction and the wider housing market with workloads for construction SMEs remaining resilient. The lack of a skilled workforce continues to cause problems with nearly two-thirds of SMEs struggling to hire bricklayers and 55% reporting difficulty in sourcing carpenters and joiners. It is vital the UK attracts talented tradespeople and the FMB expressed relief that the Government reversed their decision to require companies to publish data on the number of foreign workers employed. As well as reading all the news in the magazine, do also take a look at www.toolbusiness.co.uk where you can keep up


with the latest news and contact information for many in the industry. As I write this the mornings are getting darker and I am reminded that the clocks ‘fall’ back at the end of October. Then


we are in the run up to Christmas – a very busy time for many of our readers. I do hope business is good this year and you all enjoy a break over the festive season. My next letter will arrive in January, so Happy New Year to you all too!


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Unsolicited material is accepted on the understanding that Airstream Business Communications Ltd. is not liable for its safekeeping. Although every effort is made to ensure that companies included in this magazine are reputable, Airstream can give no guarantees in this regard and readers must deal with them at their own risk. Entire contents copyright ©Airstream Business Communications Ltd 2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written consent is strictly prohibited.


telephone 01444 440188 B


Product News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Workwear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Celebrity Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 PSF Independent Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Wera Independent Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Stahlwille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Metabo Independent Review . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Coleman Independent Review . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Leatherman Independent Review. . . . . . . . . 16 THS Exhibition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18


If you wish to express any opinion on any subject covered by ToolBusiness+Hire magazine you can write to: ToolBusiness+Hire c/o the Editor, Anne Hall, or e-mail (info@airstream.co.uk)


THS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Hire News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Voice of the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Convention & Show News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 D and M Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Torque Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Charlie Luxton Interview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Construction Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Company & Charity News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ToolBusiness+Hire Directory. . . . . . . . . . . 32


Toolbusiness+Hire magazine receives editorial contributions from many different sources, we endeavor to ensure all information contained in the magazine, including claims about products’ performance and any company’s market position are accurate. However we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors in material we reproduce in good faith, either in contributions from individuals or companies, or in advertising reproduced within Toolbusiness+Hire. All information contained within this magazine is provided for general information purposes only and on the understanding that none of the content herein constitutes legal or other professional advice. The application and impact of laws can vary widely depending on the specific facts involved. We have made every attempt to ensure that all information contained within this magazine and our associated web site has been obtained from reliable sources, but all such information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy. We provide no warranty of any kind, express or implied, as regards the information herein, and disclaim all liability and responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information contained within this magazine. In the case of a specific problem or query, professional advice should be sought.


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