Durability is an important factor in specifying power tools, as tools must operate in extreme weather conditions and meet the demands of technicians who use them on a regular basis.
“Maintenance guys are probably the best at taking care of their tools,” Smith says. But even the most careful technician fumbles a tool, and manufacturers must assure managers that their products can withstand such abuse.
“Tools drop from a ladder or higher elevation onto most likely a concrete floor or metal, and it’s a hard hit,” Smith says. “We do a lot of internal testing with regards to durability and drop testing. We have certain internal specs that everything has to be designed safe and functional from certain drops.”
As managers look to understand the amount of time they can expect a tool to last before replacement, another question that comes up often is, “How long do tools last?”
“Most of the time we spend is out in the field understanding what users are doing with their tools,” Simeone says. “We draw upon this knowledge in the design and development of any new product we are working on to bring to market. We understand what the users are doing, what their expectations will be, and we specify this into the design of our products to ensure that the product meets and exceeds our needs.”
One common durability question that managers ask is, “How are you going to back your product up?”
“A lot of guys look for (manufacturers) that have a strong history of standing behind those products and things they do very well,” Feldner says. “Durability is something you see for the long run, and it’s hard for users to get that when they’re trying to buy something.
“Everyone wants to talk speed or how many holes per charge in a cordless tool, but that durability story comes over the long run. Looking at how companies stand behind those products, that’s one of the biggest (questions) we get.”
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Managers Desire Durability When Specifying Power Tools
