Innovators dominate Hardware Show '99

Discount Store News, Sept 6, 1999 by Debbie Howell, Mike Duff

CHICAGO -- From features that satisfy the macho drive for power to ones that play off the feminine touch in home decorating trends, new products dominated last month's National Hardware Show in Chicago.

More than 70,000 people attended the show to check out the newest merchandise in hardware. With 3,000-plus exhibitors, the show gave retail buyers the opportunity to search for hot new products in the bustling $171.6 billion retail home improvement industry; which enjoyed 9% growth in sales in 1998.

In tools, the overriding trend was anything that makes work easier and faster--gadgets with multiple uses, quick-change systems, ergonomic design and more power or flexibility. Cordless power tools with longer run times continued to come on strong, moving into large items such as benchtop saws.

Skil Power Tools raised the notch in power with a new line of high-performance cordless tools in 12, 14.4 and 18 volts, including drill/drivers and a circular saw. The company also introduced a series of cordless products called Dual Source that feature a corded backup module.

Black & Decker launched a 14.4-volt cordless circular saw in its Firestorm line, plus a unique two-position pivot driver that permits drilling at an angle for hard-to-reach spots.

B&D's pro-oriented DeWalt and Skil's counterpart Bosch both added 24-volt cordless products. DeWalt's line featured tools with AC/DC converters for continuous power.

For the hobbyist, Dremel added a variable-speed scroll saw with such features as an adjustable light and 45-degree angle table.

A new line of circular saws from Milwaukee Electric featured a patented user-friendly element--an 8-position adjustable handle for better comfort and control. New contractor power tools were in 14.4 and 18 volts, not 24, although they did feature the company's reversible battery for user arm comfort. Makita, which also did not move beyond 18 volts, launched a variety of new power tools such as circular saws with dust collectors and an extremely lightweight, portable cordless slide compound miter saw.

In power tool accessories, longer-lasting and more efficient blades and drill bits were touted by Vermont American, plus a one-piece product for quickly exchanging drill and drive systems. Jore Corporation, which already had a reversible drill/driver accessory, became one of 20 licensing partners to market its products under the Stanley brand.

The new foray into licensing for Stanley gave the company known for its hand tools and doors entry into such new areas as home design software, garden tools, lifestyle products and work accessories. A sampling of the branded products included playing cards, footwear, knives and electrical supplies.

"Our new licensing program is an extension of Stanley's commitment to the professional. It allows Stanley to work with high-quality manufacturers in order to offer related products to Stanley's primary customers," said Bobbie Hunnicutt, director of global licensing for Stanley.

Stanley launched more than 100 new products at the show, from the Fat Max tape ruler that has an 11-foot standout to its new Intellitools digital stud sensor that detects wood, metal and live wire. User-friendly and ergonomic elements were key in other new products such as the MaxGrip group of self-adjusting pliers, locking adjustable wrench and needle nose pliers.

Oxo International, known for products such as kitchen tools, introduced a 25-item Good Grips hand tool line that stressed ergonomic features. In a similar vein, Alltrade debuted its Feel Good series of hand tools.

American Tool boasted more than 400 new products, including 300 it gained in the acquisition of Record brand vises, bolt cutters, clamps and pipe tools. Other new items were the Quick-Change bar clamp that doubles as a spreader and the Face-Off disk power tool accessory for removing paint, rust and graffiti.

Just about every company had its variation of the multiple-function tool that dates back to the first Swiss Army knife, from Coast Cutlery's 10in-i miniature folding tool to the Leatherman Crunch, a tool featuring a set of locking pliers. Fiskars' Gerber Legendary Blades brand added colors in its multi-tool product as well as a 3/4 size for men with smaller hands and for women. A move toward specialization in multifunction tools was apparent, such as Cooper Tools' ToolZall Electrician tool.

"The trend really is toward smaller tools with more gadgets on them," said David Brands, president of Coast Cutlery.

Cooper Tools also introduced the Nicholson SandShark, a hand-held sanding tool touted as working 25 times faster than sandpaper, screwdrivers with multiple bits and a butane gas-powered glue gun.

As for measuring tools, Ercon launched a folding framing/speed square; Zircon debuted a self-leveling plumb line laser; and a new company called On the Level International launched the Level Loc, a multi-dimensional hands-free level.

Storage and organization appeared to be a big category at the show. New products ranged from Lehigh Group's hollow wall hangers to Plano's Roll 'N Go Tool Tote. Fiskars has developed variations on its Bucket Boss tool box concept with new elements, including a tray with an electrical hookup, new multitray packs and a gift box containing all the elements of a full Bucket Boss tool storage system, as well as a spin-off system, the Crate Boss.