It’s TOOLBANK Spring Show Season –
The Great Southern Show at Newbury Racecourse was the venue for kicking off the first Toolbank Spring Show and it was clear that all concerned meant business. The Toolbank sales team were keen to welcome customers with lists and lists of ‘Showstopper Deals’ while suppliers fronted stands with some new products, some old favourites – but all with deals to tempt buyers to stock up for the spring retailing season. I must admit I don’t usually take
the time to troll through brochures of deals but it was clear that the booklet I studied over lunch must have put some dealers in the way of serious temptation. One example will be enough – Forgefast screws at 60% less list on box quantities? There must be a margin in there, even for the most ambitious dealer! As usual I am always looking for
the new stuff and sometimes innovation happens in unexpected quarters. I was fascinated by the wheel design of a barrow by the Walsall Wheelbarrow Company. Pneumatic tyres are increasingly unwelcome on building sites because of punctures and slow leaks – and the unwillingness of users to have a pump handy. Solid foams and other types of wheels have been tried, but they do lack the feel of slight ‘give’ that an air-filled tyre has. Walsall Wheelbarrows have a hardwearing foam tyre that fits onto a wheel with built-in ‘give’ around the rim that has the feel of a normal tyre. I wonder if it will find its niche with demanding builders? Work wipes are increasingly important for most
trades these days and there is a wide selection available to suit apparently every need – including removing expanding foam – almost a miracle product in my view. How I hate using expanding foam! I counted at least half a dozen companies offering good deals on wipes and being that they are consumables, the possibility of repeat and spur of the moment purchases is considerable. Dealers were taking note – but in my experience not all wipes are aimed at the same trades, so you need to choose the right ones for your client base. Increasingly, clients are asking me about wipes when they see me using them, so even high street DIY outlets could potentially take them on board. With an enlarging range of cordless tools German
company, Flex, is having increasing success in breaking into a very competitive market but without neglecting its Giraffe Range of wall sanders for which it is most well-known. Grinders and polishers are also tools for which Flex has a reputation – cars, metals or stone all have Flex tools for polishing them. I am sure that one of the reasons why Toolbank
shows tempt a fair share of dealers away from their shop floors is because of the hearty lunches, not to mention tea, coffee and cake on tap all day. Sitting around the lunch tables is a great way to meet people in the same business and exchange notes – I noticed very many intense conversations taking place. Never underestimate a networking opportunity! Toolbank Spring Shows have been running
throughout March at Cwmbran, Halesowen and Exeter, and there is still an opportunity to bag some bargains at the Great North Show at the Macron Stadium in Bolton on April 27th.
20 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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