MILWAUKEE — On June 12, 2012, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. hosted more than 75 press associates to its exclusive annual New Tool Symposium at its corporate headquarters here. The event was divided into four groups: FUEL/Battery Technology; Plumbing and Electrical; MRO, Hammers/Carbide; and Heated Jackets, plus a facility tour.
Steve Richman, president of Milwaukee Electric Tool, kicked off the event with what he outlined as the company goals, and reiterated the company message on continued innovation and the next generation of new products.
“At Milwaukee Tool, our focus is really about our core end users, and those are mechanical contractors, plumbers, electricians, remodelers and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) specialists,” said Richman. “And it is about how we deliver solutions to them in a very unique way.”
Milwaukee Electric Tool’s business philosophy surrounds its four business units —power tools, power tool accessories, hand tools, and test and measurement equipment. “Within those four units, we have the same unique philosophy: outthinking, outperforming and outpacing,” said Richman. The three Os can be described as:
• Outthinking: Milwaukee Electric Tool’s philosophy of going out to the contractor and end user and understanding what their thoughts and ideas are. What can drive success for contractors in the marketplace and how does that ties in with Milwaukee’s distribution partners at that point in time?
• Outperforming: Taking productivity, solutions and safety to the next level.
• Outpacing: Changing the game with “disruptive innovation” by delivering more new products into the market on an annual basis that drive that productivity and safety, and do it faster than any of Milwaukee’s competitors. The combination of all those facets will make Milwaukee the brand end users think of as best in class in the marketplace.
The cool in tools
Every year the tools get more innovative, more functional and more ergonomic. Some of Milwaukee’s new entries into the plumbing and mechanical market were introduced to rave reviews from the attendees. The ForceLogic Press Tool line — new copper and stainless pressing tools — raised some eyebrows. Featuring a one-handed, in-line design, the new pressing tools not only offer the most ergonomic solution for navigating around installed pipes, but also deliver a high level of press accuracy and reliability.
“We wanted to vertically integrate products to the entire install, and we want to make it simpler and faster for the contractor,” said Corey Dickert, senior product manager, cordless for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
Another plumbing and mechanical tool introduced was the M12 Sub-Compact Band Saw. At only 6.75-lbs. and 12” in length, the new tool is the lightest and most compact cordless band saw on the market with less than half the size and weight of deep cut band saws.
“The M12 Band Saw is not only ideal for one-handed cutting applications because of its size, it is the only band saw on the market with a fully integrated lower guard that covers the blade outside the active cutting area,” said David Lincoln, product manager, Cordless for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. The saw can cut through ¾-in. EMT in only three seconds, and will deliver more than 150 cuts per charge with the included M12 Redlithium XC high capacity battery.
Another tool that impressed was the Hammervac M12 Universal Dust Extractor, which will be available January 2013. This innovative new tool is 35% lighter than its competitor and it comes standard with a replaceable HEPA filter. Also, what’s nice about the Hammervac is that there are no cords or hoses with which to deal.
Finally, always the crowd pleaser, Milwaukee expands its M12 Heated Jacket line. Milwaukee will offer the M12 Heated Jacket in red, Realtree AP Camouflage and black, available in a variety of sizes. The new jackets include a new fleece inner liner and durable heating elements in not only the chest and upper back, but now in lower pockets that are controlled independently of the core heating elements to provide extra warmth to the hands. Each durable heating element is composed of sewn in carbon fiber heating zones that can be set to high, medium, or low with a simple touch of a button on the lapel.
All M12 and M18 Milwaukee Cordless Tools run on its new Redlithium battery technology, which provides up to 40% more run-time, 20% more power and 50% more recharges than standard Lithium products. The new technology will also operate in extreme temperatures as low as 0°F/-18°C and will run 20% cooler with fade free power and no memory effect.
The proof is in the product. According to Tim Brasher, director, brand management, 2011 was the best year for Milwaukee, in term of sales.