Finding Global Markets for Tools
The presence of representatives from Latin America and Canada, as well as the United States, was not lost on Steve Richman, company president, who, in his opening remarks, noted that the “United States economy is at a standstill while Canada is growing and Latin America is the biggest boom around.”
He said Milwaukee Tool is in position to meet the needs in the growth regions and in the United States.
“We’ve invested heavily for where we are today. There’s been more hiring in engineering and marketing, and there’s been expansion,” Richman said.
He reinforced the company’s intention to continue to focus on its four core areas including HVAC. “We’ve made a decision on where we are not going to play and where we are going to play.”
The Tools
Much of the day-long event was turned over to hands-on demonstrations of new tools being introduced.
Here are some of the products:
The 2200-20 Voltage Detector, 2265-20 Laser TEMP-GUN™ and multiple product accessories are designed for professional residential, commercial, and industrial applications. “We continue to focus on developing tools with best-in-class performance and exceptional value,” said Jon Morrow, director of marketing, test and measurement for Milwaukee Tool. “Providing specialized features and functionality, the detector and laser gun round out the product line with competitive price points that provide professional solutions at multiple budget levels.”
The detector has a CAT IV 1000V safety rating and a 50 to 1000 volt AC range. It indicates that it is powered and working properly with a constant green light, and indicates the presence of voltage with a blinking red light and loud beeper. The laser gun features a temperature range of -22 to 662˚F (-30 to 350˚C), a 10 to 1 distance to spot ratio and high/low alarm limits. It comes with a backlight on the display.
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Jacket
Milwaukee Tool also announced the expansion of its sub-compact battery system with the introduction of the M12™ Realtree AP™ heated jacket with camouflage pattern. The addition follows the fall 2010 launch of the red M12™ heated jacket for jobsites such as rooftops in cold conditions.
“Compatible with the entire line of M12™ professional power tools, users can easily utilize the same battery they have been using all day on the jobsite for a weekend of hunting or fishing with their Realtree AP™ jacket,” said Mark Senske, senior product manager, M12™ cordless tools.
Whether used at jobs or for recreation, the company said the jacket will warm the body and stimulate blood circulation in even the coldest conditions. Hidden in a back pocket, which can now expand to hold an XC battery, the M12™ Red Lithium™ battery delivers up to six hours of continuous heat on a single battery charge. The jacket utilizes three carbon fiber heating zones, positioned in key areas, to warm the user’s core. This heating element can be adjusted.
Blades
The company expanded the wood-cutting Sawzall® blade offering with specific blades for plumbing and HVAC rough-in work. The Flush Cut Sawzall blade has been engineered to address window and door cut-out applications. The blade has a shape to protect against floor impacts and a floor guard design to shield the teeth from floor contact. Additionally, the blade features a double truss design that guides the blade for straighter window cut-out.
It features a low profile for cutting holes as small as 2-1/8 inches in diameter and an optimized 7-3/8 inch length that allows the blade to cut holes through double top plates. “Users want more options for creating through-holes,” said Erich Herman, director of product management. “This new design will easily cut small diameter holes with great control and no concern for nail impacts.”
Publication date: 09/26/2011
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