2018 was the year, Phoenix was the town, and the annual STAFDA show was the gig for this roving reporter. What’s STAFDA you ask? Why it’s the Specialty Tools And Fasteners Distributors Association, the host of the most powertool-filled event in the country. In fact, it seems that some of the tool manufacturers decided to forego a media event this year in favor of showing off their latest to journalists and influencers at this very trade show.
Well, mission accomplished. Here’s a good sampling of some of the most notable brands and products I saw at the STAFDA show. Read More
Metabo HPT
Hello Metabo HPT – Goodbye Hitachi Power Tools
Earlier this year we covered new tools from Hitachi and included a mention that the Hitachi Power Tools name would be changing. Well now it’s official. There will be no more Hitachi branded power tools, nailers, or fasteners made. Instead, the products henceforth will be branded Metabo HPT in the USA and Canada. In Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the rest of the world, Hitachi switched the name to Hikoki Despite being a logical portmanteau of Hitachi Koki, the second half of the Hitachi name was not well known in our market and the name didn’t test well here. Thus the adoption of the Metabo name with the acronym HPT attached. Read More