TOOLFAIR, SANDOWN - REPORT BY PETER BRETT
Toolfair attracts big crowds as exhibition season draws to a close
SANDOWN Park’s venue has been hosting the annual October-November Toolfair show for a few years and it always proves popular. The easy-to-access venue has ample parking and lots of indoor and outdoor space for exhibitors. After the D&M Tools Show ‘18 took place in mid-October, in London, I wondered if there would be less demand for another show. However, at Toolfair Sandown, the constant stream of visitors lining up to register, and claiming the f ree Professional Builder t-shirts, was impressive. Some raised the point that one of the show days should have been on a weekend, so tradespeople who can’t always take a weekday off can attend – but perhaps the show deals and information gathering opportunities are worth the loss of wages?
Some trends
For some of the exhibitors, it is clear they are gearing-up for more of a ‘road show’ marketing approach, with huge trucks not only stuff ed with stock, but with the latest video and display technology. Incentives like prize draws and hands-on demos are also a very popular part of the mix. I watched a dense crowd gathered around the Milwaukee trailer in the Outside Area for a major prize draw. I never thought I’d hear a bunch of burly builders join in the countdown, but it was clear that the audience had been drawn in. This indicates tool shows must move with the times; all very well for large companies but I would be interested to see what smaller companies can do with lesser budgets, and a marketing team consisting of one hard-pressed person. Twitter and other social media platforms help, but in my view they can serve to annoy rather than help if not used wisely.
and Draper has a big presence in independent tool shops. It might be a refl ection of the trades at the show but I saw literally dozens of Fein MultiMaster boxes clutched in the hands of punters. While oscillating tools are still closely associated with Fein – and to my mind they still make the best ones – there are lots of new Fein tools hitting the shelves. These products include the compact 18v combi drill that is the same size as a 12v, but with 18v ‘oomph’. Increasing use of steel fabrication is opening a bigger market for another of Fein’s specialities – magdrills, both corded and cordless. Look too at the cordless compact SDS drill/hammer – it’s a great tool.
devices and security must be a good trade niche if my observations about show visitors are true.
More power tools
It seems power tools are the lifeblood of tool shows because almost every trade uses them most of the time. Fierce brand loyalty is enforced by battery platforms, but there’s still competition in the margins because not every manufacturer has a complete range to keep all customers happy. I was pleased to see some of the new Dewalt circular saws which I had spotted at the Macron Stadium in April, and are now stocked on shop shelves. The balance of the American-style saw feels good to me. Sticking with circular saws for a minute – the HiKOKI 36v 165mm and 185mm saws are great performers that are very compact and well designed for tough trade use.
With over 70 exhibitors covering a range of trades from plumbing to smart- home technology, there is always a lot to see at Sandown’s Toolfair. I think the newer electronic smart devices, and home control technology, are better represented at this show because of the proximity of highly-desired homes in the Surrey commuter belt. For many of its wealthier inhabitants, the use of ‘smart tech’ for security and home management must be a no-brainer. Also, judging from Toolfair Sandown’s exhibitor list, smart
28 TBH November, 2018
every week. Saws seems to be a good theme with HiKOKI at the moment, so we will wait and see what arrives in the new year – and hopefully some of them will grace these pages.
HiKOKI has now successfully rebranded, and new tools seem to be arriving almost
The HiKOKI Formula 1 Challenge, which involves changing a wheel on a mock-up Formula 1 car using HiKOKI’s new Impact wrench, is still proving a big draw. I hovered at around the three-second mark which is impressive. Draper is regularly adding to its Storm Force range of 20v cordless tools. Competent tools at good prices will always find a market position
Hand tools are still needed too I don’t know why the hand tool market is still so lively. Who is making these chisels in their thousands each day and where do they end up? I may have a bit of a clue having lost two quality hammers down a cavity wall in the last 18 months. OX Group tools are hard to miss with their bright blue and black colours. They are well sourced, well made and well-priced – in short, ideal for trades who want tough tools for everyday site conditions. Established brands such as Estwing, Irwin, Stabila, and
L.S.Starrett are still trade favourites and a welcome presence at the Toolfair simply because you can’t argue with high quality and a long-established reputation for being at the top.
PPE and clothing
Barely a tradesperson worth their salt turns up on-site wearing trainers and jeans. Hi-vis jackets, work boots, eye, ear, and hand protection are a minimum, and thankfully, have meant fewer injuries in the building sector. Snickers is at the cutting edge of work clothing design with practical and fashionable garments, but the competition is very stiff from the likes of JCB, Mascot, Dexters, and own-branded stock. For example, Screwfi x. Trend’s new P3 half-face dust mask seems to be catching on quickly because it provides fl exibility and its strong outer mask eases breathing ability through easy-to-replace fi lters. Now we need to see them used more regularly on site. Once the visitors are through the door the suppliers don’t seem to mind if it rains because apparently the wet inspires some spending behaviour. The 2018 Sandown Toolfair didn’t disappoint in that regard either.
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