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Local tool merchant Tool Central hit by New Year thieves

West Yorkshire independent merchant Tool Central suffered a substantial break in before it reopened for business in the new year. At 9pm on 2 January, three men broke into Tool Central and took a large selection of stock. The entrance and office to the Bingley shop was also damaged, according to the merchant’s Facebook page. […]

Plan your fastener, tool & related coverage in 2018 with Torque Magazine

Are you looking to showcase your range or shout about a new product to the industry? Then you may be interested in Torque Magazine’s 2018 Forward Features list, which is now live. Fastener, tool and related industry-focused Torque Magazine has 10 issues spread over the year, making the most of print and digital media; We […]

Heller Tools confirms new Board of Directors following Dr Frank Schubert’s retirement

Former Director Dr Frank Schubert is retiring from the company at the end of the year, after almost 20 years with Heller Tools GmbH. On 1 October 2017, Dr Robert Untiedt succeeded Dr Schubert (pictured left) as spokesman of the Board of Directors. Dr Untiedt will be responsible for the fields of Sales, Marketing, Product Development and […]

Tools & joinery products top Builders Merchants sales in October

Total Builders’ merchant value sales were up 10% in October, compared with October 2016, assisted by one extra trading day, according to the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI). Tools sales values rose 12.3% year-on-year, and compared with September 2017, tool sales rose 7.9%. Timber and joinery products saw their highest monthly sales to date, year-on-year, […]

Stanley to open Industry 4.0 focused Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Connecticut

Stanley Black + Decker is to open an Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in downtown Hartford, Connecticut to accelerate its global Industry 4.0 “smart factory” initiative. Called “Manufactory 4.0,” named after the original Stanley Bolt Manufactory founded in 1843, the 23,000-square-foot Centre will employ approximately 50 Industry 4.0 professionals. Sudhi Bangalore, most recently WIPRO’s Global Head of Smart Manufacturing […]

INTERVIEW: Simon Bicknell, Toolbank

With £80m in stock, 500,000ft² warehouse capacity and 250 global and specialist tool brands, Toolbank is one of the sector’s most significant players. Torque speaks with Marketing Development Director Simon Bicknell on the state of the market and supporting tool stockists… Toolbank’s huge £80 million stock holding is enough to give your average distributor sleepless nights, however the company […]

IRWIN targets Christmas market with soft-sided tool storage bags

IRWIN Tools is hoping to tap into the Christmas gift market with a range of soft-sided tool storage bags. Pitched at those looking for gifts for tradespersons, the range consists of three series: Foundation, Defender and Commander, including: Irwin Pro Tech Centre (TC16M) With 34 pockets and slots for tech and tool organisation, the Pro Tech […]

Wiha wins again with bit magazine screwdriver LiftUp 26one

Wiha’s magazine bit holder LiftUp 26one has now garnered four design awards, including a German Brand Award, the Focus Open Silver Award, the iF Design Award and the red dot Award. The Black Forest hand tool manufacturer has cleverly combined thirteen easy-to-remove double bits in its handle and bit holder, so there’s a total of 26 […]

Hilti rolls out store revamps

Tool, fixing and fastener brand Hilti is renovating and refreshing its stores, with new layouts and features to reflect Hilti’s new brand style. The firm is completely renovating the look and feel of the old stores with new furniture and lighting, grab-and-go product displays and a dedicated product demo area so customers can try before […]

CK Tools’ VDE Stubby Screwdriver named a Top Product of 2017

CK Tools’ VDE Stubby Screwdriver range has been named one of the best products of 2017 by the readers of Professional Electrician & Installer Magazine. In a 70,000-plus reader poll conducted by the publication, The VDE Stubby Screwdriver was named among the year’s Top Product awards, celebrating innovative excellent ideas that help electrical installers and […]