Mac Tools Tool Fair 2009

Some photos today, some commentary to follow later

80's Band, "38 Special", officially kicked off the Tool Fair Thursday night with their own brand of rockin Country. The crowd LOVED IT!.

Quiet and with low vibration, this is the AW612Q in "semi-person".

Mac Tools announced they introduced over 500 new products in the 4th quarter, 2008. This is six of them - various socket sets.

the "Terracuda" rolling toolbox, with orange Barracuda behind. Very cool.

Ryan DeArment, of Channellock, shows off some of his latest made in USA tools.

More of "38 Special". Don't know if they were "holding on loosely" or just "caught up in you" - but for guys that look like they're pushing 60 - they could rock out pretty well.

Mac Tools' Tool Fair

It's mid-January, time to head to someplace warm and start the rounds of tool shows. This year, we begin with Mac Tools' Tool Fair, being held in San Antonio, TX. It won't be warm, exactly (50-60 during the day, 35-40 at night), but it will beat the single-digit temperatures here in Ohio, and the ten inches of snow awaiting me outside my doorstep.

It should be an interesting show - on many levels. We all know the parts side was hit hard in the 4th quarter, 2008 with all the OEM issues. But now, with the rumored and actual layoffs, and the rumored and actually reported sales declines we've seen come through the tool side of the industry for the past several months, some manufacturers have expressed their concerns (to me) about the number of distributors that may actually attend. And of those attending, how many will be in the mood to spend money on increasing their inventory?

I think distributors and vendors should approach the tool shows from this perspective: It is an opportunity to learn about existing and new products that should enhance the profitability of their company. In my experience, these tool shows (whether they're Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Snap-on, ISN, K-Tool, M. Eagles, Mid-States, you name it...) are the BEST place to share product knowledge and to educate the person who is closest to the end-user, about all the reasons why they should carry a certain product. Period.

Yes, I realize tool shows were probably begun for one reason - to sell more stuff. I mean that is the reason we're all in for-profit businesses. But the opportunity to sell more stuff is greatly enhanced when you educate your sales partner or your customer. People need an understanding, and a level of comfort in order to adopt new ideas (and new products, and new ways of doing old jobs).

If you are a professional marketer, you probably have education, advertising, sales materials, trade shows and packaging all wrapped into your marketing plan. What? You don't have a specific bucket for education? Probably not. Why? Because you use your advertising, sales materials, trade shows and packaging to do your consumer educating for you. You can't reach out and physically talk to every potential or actual customer of your product, so you use your marketing tools.

Consider this tool show, and all the other tool shows you'll attend this year to be a valuable tool in your plan. You are spending money to attend. Make the most of it.

These distributors come to the show looking for new products, or new ways to help their customers be more profitable. In many respects, you can help them be more successful in 2009 simply by educating them. You won't have to sell a thing.

I'll be bringing my camera and doing my best to capture the events of the Tool Fair. Look for a new post early next week or shortly thereafter. Next week, off to Walla Walla, Washington (the town so nice you have to say it twice.)

More from the Matco Show

The Matco Tool Fair was held at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, FL this year. The sun was shining hot outside and the tools were hot on the inside of the show as well.

With more than 920 distributors, 90,000 sq. ft. of expo space, 110 suppliers and 170 new products with more than 65 New & Exclusives — Matco rocked Orlando. While the Expo floor was filled with celebrities — including Top Fuel Dragsters Cory McClenathan, Tony Schumacher, “Hot” Rod Fuller and Antron Brown — the real stars of the show were the Matco distributors who came from across the country to see what the suppliers and Matco had new to offer. Matco also rewarded the Top 200 distributors with a sneak preview hour on the Tool Expo floor.
Courtney Hansen, host of Spike TV’s “Powerblock” and new spokesperson for Matco, interviewed suppliers throughout the show, including Bill Fletcher from Mayhew Tools and Jon Bielfeldt of Lisle Tools. A compilation of those interviews will be produced into a DVD that will be played on Matco distributors’ trucks.

Mac Tools Show Update - 2008

Finally! I have 7 minutes to collect my thoughts and put them to, well, not to paper, but to the internet I guess. First off, let me say - there were a TON of new products, and they weren't all in the Mac Tool zones. But let's start with Mac's new products. They introduced three new grease guns: 1 - Pistol Grip Grease Gun (GG33HD). The pistol grip is easier to use than the older, lever handled style. 2 - Continuous Shot Grease Gun (GG63HD) and 3 - Single Shot Grease Gun (GG53HD). Also new at the show is their new Fuel System Tester (FST2000). It can diagnose and pinpoint common fuel system failures including a failing fuel pump, a faulty pressure regulator, blocked filters, a pinched fuel line, contaminated fule, and a fuel tank vortex. I'm not sure what a fuel tank vortex is, it sounds like a visit to another dimension is involved.

Other new Mac Tool branded products include a new lighted inspection mirror, the MHTLM2. I experimented with it in the Mac booth and the Ullman booth. It's pretty sweet. They also brought out a new pocket clip LED light, TLL3900. It's compact enough to fit in a pocket, yet it features the option of using either a 3 LED flashlight function or the 9 LED work light function. They also introduced a new line of Magswitch Magnet products, including ground clamps, MagSquares, and hanging hooks, all featuring new magnetic technology. Can't get enough out of your current MIG welder? Mac has a new Pulse MIG Welder (MW2035N), a 200 amp MIG inverter power source that offers fully automatic synergic and pulsed-synergic welding and brazing capabilities for high-strength steel, stainless, galvanized and all aluminum alloys. Wow.

RR52-KIT - a 52 piece radio removal kit to remove stereo and automobile manufacturer's systems, including Kenwood, Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, JVC, Ford, VW, Audi, BMW and more.

AC34288 - A/C Recovery Unit that recovers, recycles, evacuates, test for leaks and recharges R-134a quickly and accurately.

Mac Tools is first to market with their new heavy-duty code reader, the ET3418. This kit includes the HD reader, a 9-pin deutsch cable, 6-pin deutsch cable, operators manual, a 3 year warranty, and a nylon carrying case for all materials (except the warranty). They also launched their new HD Scan Tool (ET3417) which includes the HD scan tool 6 pin and 9 pin deutsch cables, OBD II cable, US cable and the scanmate software operations manual. Additionally, they introduced the new 2008 Mac Mentor, this year it comes with quick DTC scan and EVAP bi-directional tests! It's loaded up with Domestic and Asian 2007 information.

Wow! All this from a little tool company in Ohio. My friend, Carrie Leach, says if you want to know more about any of these tools, or if you're interested in ordering any of them, contact your local Mac Tools Distributor or call 1-800-MACTOOLs.

More to come tomorrow. I think tomorrow I'll bring you up to speed on the power tools.

Coming Soon - Info from the Mac Tool Fair

This year, Mac Tools is assembling all their dealers and suppliers in the beautiful, sleepy little town of Orlando in Florida. It is guaranteed to be warmer than Akron, Ohio, and definitely snow-free.

Some of the key tool and equipment manufacturers in attendance will be:

A & E Hand Tools, Associated Equipment Corp, Autodata Publications, Channellock, Coast Cutlery, Delmar, Electronic Specialties, Ernst Mfg., E-Z Red, Ingersoll-Rand, Innovative Products of America, Irwin (Vise-Grip), Launch Tech, Lincoln/Mityvac, Lisle, Mastercool, Mayhew, Mechanics Time Saver, SP Tools, Omitec, of course OTC, Redline Detection, Shinn Fu, Silvertronic, Sir Tools, Dent-Fix, Streamlight, Ullman, Whiteside, and Challenger Lifts.

Every year at this show, Mac Tools and their suppliers exhibit numerous new tools and equipment unveiled for the first time. Check back here early next week and I'll fill you in on all that's new. Let me know if there is any particular tool you're looking for, or if you want to know more about a certain company.

If I don't see you in Orlando next week, I'll probably see you in Orlando later this year!