Rick Schwolsky

The Road To Recovery - 2010 Site Commander Tour Rolls Out

rschwolsky — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:17:00 GMT

Contractors looking for new opportunities to emerge from the strengthening economy and anticipated industry recovery will find plenty of ideas, information, and resources to work with through this year's Site Commander national tour and sweepstakes. The tour's focus on the improving economy and its tie-in with improving construction markets is why we're calling it the Road To Recovery Tour. And this year's Site Commander website (www.thesitecommander.com ) includes tons of information about the Stimulus Package, tax credits, and other economic recovery programs that will help contractors position their businesses to take advantage new opportunities that will continue to develop.

Once again we've partnered with industry leader LENOX Industrial Tools in launching the three Site Commander work trucks that will visit Lowe's locations coast-to-coast. LENOX, along with this year's sponsoring companies Reading Body, Werner Ladder, Georgia-Pacific, AdvanTech, and Liquid Nails have loaded the Site Commander with innovative products that will help contractors bring their projects to the next level, in terms of quality, efficiency, safety, and productivity.

These powerful Dodge trucks are also loaded with the latest wireless computer technologies; each truck has three computer work stations, as well as an incredible array of storage options, and a 6500 watt diesel generator.

Check out the newest Site Commanders on the website, learn about how you can position your business for the recovery, and be sure to enter the Site Commander Sweepstakes for your chance to win one of these incredible work trucks.

Rick Schwolsky

Clarifying Our Tool 'Standard' Story

rschwolsky — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:20:00 GMT

The Summer 2009 issue of Tools of the Trade included a feature article called "The Trouble With Torque" covering industry progress towards adopting and implementing new testing methods developed and approved by The Power Tool Institute's members last year. As you know by now, we've been pushing for industry standards for years now, and we're pleased by the PTI program and continue to support its efforts in this area. Apparently though our use of the word "standard" as it applies to the PTI initiative is not quite accurate and needs some clarification on our part.

When we've referred to tool testing "standards" (small "s"), including in this article, we've used the term to describe a "standardized" approach to testing tools and reporting test results that manufacturers could agree on, so that tool buyers could compare product performance specs side-by-side. And in fact, a number of the tool company executives interviewed for this story, including PTI members, use the word in the same manner. But there is a difference between a true Standard (capital "S") and what PTI developed which is called a Voluntary Procedure, which we want you to know about.

True industry standards, whether for performance, quality, or safety, are developed by standards organizations devoted specifically to creating them, like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), or ASTM. This level of standardization is the result of a consensus process that includes broad constituencies, and where each step, including public review and comment, follows a strict sequence of events leading over time to approval as a Standard, and its subsequent adoption.

The PTI test procedures were developed and approved by the organization's membership to be voluntary procedures only, that, if used would encourage a uniform measurement protocol. For this reason, and because PTI has no authority to mandate standards or procedures with which its members must comply, their initiative is not a true standard in the strict sense.

Whatever you call it, as our story points out, tool companies are still far from unity when it comes to accepting, adopting, and implementing uniform test procedures and are sparring over marketing performance claims. So even with the PTI's focus and voluntary procedures – tool buyers will have to wait even longer for a reliable reference point to come from manufacturers. We still hope this will come.

– Rick Schwolsky

For more information on the PTI Voluntary Procedures go to www.powertoolinstitute.com.

Site Commander Makes JLC Northeast Appearance

rschwolsky — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:24:00 GMT

Photo: Glen A. Modson/Studio M

I'm just heading off to attend the JLC Live Show running this week from March 18 - 21 in Providence, RI (www.jlclive.com), where the Site Commander will appear. JLC Live, produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions, is one of the strongest hands-on trade shows you'll ever see, and the only one where you can buy what you try right on the show floor. It's filled with expert construction demonstrations on everything framing tips to tile, and from building science to green building techniques. LENOX Tools is also bringing the Site Commander on to the show floor, giving attendees a chance to check out the incredible collection of custom features we've included in the truck, and new products on display, including LENOX's new T2 recip saw blades that'll blow you away. We're only 45 days from picking a winner - so if you haven't entered to win the Site Commander yet, go to www.thesitecommander.com and enter today. The winner will travel to the LENOX 301 NASCAR Race in Loudon, NH in June to claim the prize.

Another highlight for me at this year's JLC Live will be presenting our first Lifetime Achievement Award to tool industry legend Marshall Burns, who even at 90 years old heads to Burns Power Tools in Fall River, MA to work alongside his sons and grandson. Congratulations Marshall! Thanks for all you've done for professional tool users - especially with your innovations to saw blades. Marshall is a TOOLS Hall of Fame member, and a great friend. If you're at the show be sure to say hi to Marshall when we give him the award at Friday's reception. See you in Providence later this week.

Site Commander At International Builders Show

rschwolsky — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:56:00 GMT

The 2009 International Builders Show (IBS) starts next week at the Las Vegas Convention Center (January 20 – 23) and will feature this year’s Dodge Ram 5500 Site Commander Ultimate Work Truck appearing in Dodge’s exhibit in the North Hall (booth #N1901). This is the premier event in the home building industry drawing tens of thousands of builders and contractors to attend a broad range of educational sessions as well as to check out new products from 1,700 companies.

Of course thousands of contractors across the country have already seen the three LENOX-sponsored Site Commanders touring their regions, and have entered to win the grand prize in the Site Commander Sweepstakes. This year’s tour includes stops at more than 400 Lowe’s locations and jobsites nationwide, but the International Builders Show puts the Site Commander on center stage within the industry. If you’re going to the IBS make sure to stop by for your own personal tour, check out all the great products and features we’ve included, and say hi to driver Kevin Burnett who is navigating the Western region on behalf of LENOX.

Find out where the Site Commander will appear near you, and enter to win the Site Commander Sweepstakes at www.thesitecommander.com. For information about the International Builders Show and online registration go to www.internationalbuildersshow.com.

Optimistic Road Trip

rschwolsky — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:20:00 GMT

No doubt, these are strange times in our industry. From manufacturers to suppliers to contractors--even magazine editors--we're all adjusting to changing conditions and the latest reports on the worsening economy. It isn't easy to find good news these days, that's for sure, and optimists are few and far between.

But they do exist. I've just had the pleasure of working with an incredible team of optimists representing companies in the tool, truck, computer, communications, building products, and work-wear industries. This team came together to create and launch this year's Site Commander national work truck tour. These are the people I would choose if ever I find myself on a "Survivor" TV team.

Beyond their optimism, these brand leaders have all the traits of survivors, which bode well for their brands and are at the core of the Site Commander's success: hard-earned experience and highly developed instincts; low-ego, forward-thinking focus; open-minded, collaborative problem solving; mission-oriented determination; fearless response to setbacks and inevitable changes; willingness and wisdom to share solutions that prevent gaps in communication and advance real progress; and crucial abilities to work hard yet have fun doing it.

These traits can help any team survive, whether facing the challenges of a project like the Site Commander or the test of these times. As LENOX's Rich Mathews, one of the program's strongest champions, said at the September unveiling of the three Site Commanders in Detroit: "Launching an ambitious national program like this might seem counterintuitive in the face of current market conditions, but we feel it's important for leading companies to move forward, and we aren't going to shrink back from challenging times."

The same can be said for our other fully engaged sponsors: Carhartt, Dell, Dodge, Georgia-Pacific, Reading Body, Segway, Sprint, Therma-Tru Doors, and Werner Ladder. Together, these companies have created the most innovative, technology-packed, fun-filled Site Commander features ever combined into a concept work truck.

The national tour, which began in late October, will bring the Site Commanders to more than 400 Lowe's locations as well as jobsites and trade shows from coast to coast. Not only can you see how mobile computer and communications gear can change how you run your jobs and companies, but you'll also get a first-hand look at brand new products and jobsite solutions that will save you real time--time you can use with your team to map out a path for surviving today's challenges.

Go see the Site Commander when it appears near you. Check out its features, try out the new tools and technologies, and get a good dose of optimism while you're at it.

Site Commander Rolls!

rschwolsky — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:15:00 GMT

Sponsors of this year's Site Commander gathered in Detroit last week for the unveiling of the three Dodge HD 5500 custom work trucks that begin their national tour next week. The three Site Commander drivers rolled into the ceremony on their Segway X2 Adventure personal transporters that are featured on the trucks. Then LENOX's Rich Mathews led the countdown after Lee "Hackman" Breton used LENOX's new T2 recip saw blade to cut through the red galvanized pipe "ribbon" used to officially open the tour.

This marks the sixth national tour for this concept work truck program that includes more than 400 appearances at Lowe's stores, jobsites, and industry trade shows over the next year. Next June, at the 2009 LENOX 301 NASCAR Race in Louden, N.H. we'll name the lucky winner of the Site Commander Sweepstakes grand prize - worth $121,990 - so be sure to enter for your chance to win one of the Site Commanders at www.thesitecommander.com by 11:59 on May 1, 2009. And check out the Website to see when one of the trucks will visit a Lowe's location near you.

The Site Commander is produced by Hanley Wood and Tools of the Trade magazine and is sponsored by LENOX Industrial Tools and Dodge, along with Dell, Sprint, Reading Body, Werner Ladder, Georgia-Pacific, Therma-Tru Doors, Carhartt, and Segway.

2008 Site Commander: Innovation and Leadership

rschwolsky — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:44:00 GMT

Two weeks from today leaders from the ten sponsoring companies of this year’s Site Commander National Work Truck Tour will meet in a Detroit custom auto shop to kick off the construction phase of this year’s tour, set to launch in late September. This group includes marketing and product specialists from LENOX Industrial Tools and Dodge Trucks, this year’s Sponsoring Partners, along with Premier Sponsors Dell, Sprint, Reading Body, Werner Ladder, Therma-Tru Doors, Georgia-Pacific, and Segway.

I’m not sure what excites me more -- the innovative features we’ve created for the 2008 Site Commander, or the dedication, passion, and commitment of this year’s team of sponsors. For sure, the two go hand in hand. Because without the innovation and leadership these ten companies bring to the program – we’d never have come up with the kinds of details you’re going to see in the Site Commander when it hits the road.

Innovation and leadership are what drive our industry forward – even in tough times – especially in tough times. This is true for your own businesses, as much as it is for major brands like the ones behind the Site Commander program this year. But we look to companies like these to help us innovate on our own jobsites and lead in our own markets – because their products and services help us compete and succeed.

Over the past six years the Site Commander has come to represent innovation and leadership in construction technologies, tools, and concepts for millions of contractors across the country. But I know I speak for everyone involved in designing this year’s trucks when I say, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

If there is one thing that ties our sponsors to the Site Commander mission – and to each other – it is the innovation and leadership each company brings to its own products and services. And for this reason we have selected Innovation and Leadership as the theme for this year’s tour.

Starting with this issue of the TOOLS Update I’ll be reporting regularly on the Site Commander trucks, team, and tour, all leading up to the start of our 2008 tour and sweepstakes. – Rick

Site Commander Returns!

rschwolsky — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:19:00 GMT

I am really happy to announce the return of our award-winning Site Commander national work truck tour later this year, in partnership with LENOX Industrial Tools. We're knee-deep in details working on the design and preparing for the build-out, and we need your help.

I know for sure that you've got some great ideas for what, given the chance, you'd put into your ultimate work truck. Every day you try to run your business from the cab, or dig around to find something in the back, you're thinking about some way to get more organized, less frustrated, and more productive.

Here's your chance! We're looking for the best ideas, most creative features, and most innovative improvements that we can build into the 2008 Site Commander for this year's tour. Weigh in with your choices by taking our survey. Practicality rules - but crazy counts! We'll keep you posted on our progress.

- Rick

Nail Prices Jump

rschwolsky — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Last September we reported on an expected ruling by the U.S Commerce Department on possible tariffs that might be placed against imported nails. Well, the Commerce Department made that ruling last January 16th and you are probably already feeling the effects, because within days nail prices jumped an average of almost 30%.

The ruling against the People's Republic of China and United Arab Emirates for selling nails here "at less than fair value"-as much as 118.04 percent less, in China's case had two immediate effects: it imposed duties and requires the identified countries to pay cash deposits or bonds on the affected goods exported here; and it will empower the International Trade Commission to investigate "whether industry is being damaged" by the unfair practice, according to a DOC spokesperson. The Commerce Department is expected to issue a final ruling in June 2008, but that would only adjust individual tariffs for specific companies.

"This is a big issue for our industry," Chris Dutra, VP of Product and Channel Management for Stanley Bostitch told me last week. "We've already started writing checks at the ports." Nails covered by the ruling include collated and bulk framing nails along with a wide variety of other types, sizes, and finishes. Collated finish nails and staples, and roofing nails were excluded.

A number of U.S. tool and fastener manufacturers, some of which import nails made overseas, opposed the dumping petition because they feared it would only limit supply and further increase the steadily rising prices of steel nails and other fasteners.

It looks like they were right on target. Rising steel rod prices added into the troubling mix have affected domestic manufacturing to the point that imported nails are pulling even with prices for domestic-made nails, that just four of five months ago were separated by 10% to 15%, according to Mike Mahler of Orco Supply. Rod prices alone might add another 10% to prices already raised by the new duties.

And the bad news doesn't stop there. "Anti-dumping duties, rod prices, and freight shipping costs are like a perfect storm," Senco's William Roberts, Director of International Sales and Marketing told me. "I've never seen it as dramatic as it has been the last 12 months."

What does this all mean for contractors? Well say goodbye to a $20 box of nails for one thing, those prices have already jumped $8 to $9 per box, says Mahler, who points out that steel prices are also affecting rebar costs.

"Contractors should build escalation clauses into their contracts because they're going to see $30 boxes of sinkers," Mahler says. Orco worked since last September to alert its customers about the impending increases, but according to Mahler many didn't listen and are now "panic buying." Senco's Roberts adds, "No manufacturer wants to raise prices, and we try to absorb as much as we can. The good news for us is we never quit making products in the U.S.

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Talkin' Tools

dmoran — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:08:00 GMT

As hard as it might be to imagine, when I'm not testing tools, writing about tools, reading about tools, or seeing how tools are made, I seem to be talking about them–all the time.

I'm not complaining. I love talkin' tools, which I guess you'd expect from the editor of a magazine called Tools of the Trade. It comes naturally to me; I've been talking about them since I was a boy sneaking my dad's Yankee screwdriver out of his toolbox. (In fact, my mother told me recently that my first word was "Amp," but that's another story.)

When I was finally in the trades and on the job, I used to have to cram my peanut butter and jelly sandwich into my mouth during the last five minutes of my lunch break–because I'd spent the first 25 minutes jawboning about tools with my buddies. Then, of course, it would take me another hour to get the peanut butter off the roof of my mouth and nobody could understand a word I said.

Things haven't changed since then. Tools follow me everywhere, even when I'm off the clock. Just last weekend, while dangling on a chairlift 75 feet above the soft spring snow in the back bowls of Vail during a fantastic last day of the ski season, I found myself locked in with a total stranger debating the pros and cons of lithium-ion batteries. I have no idea how this happens. It wasn't like I was wearing a Tools of the Trade ski hat or anything. It's as if someone had planted a sign on my back that said, "Talk to me about tools." I guess it's just my fate.

Or it could just be my nature. I'll run into our local McGuckin's Hardware store here in Boulder, Colo.–where they have a killer tool department–and even though I went in for some glue, two hours later I'm standing there with one of their customers describing how the tool he was considering performed in one of our tool tests. I'm thinking about asking for one of the famous green vests McGuckin's service experts wear so I can go on the clock when I'm in their store.

But my experience earlier this spring takes the cake. I was sitting in a tiny Costa Rican rain forest restaurant, on vacation about 2,400 miles from home and a zillion miles away from even thinking about tools. But just 4 feet away, at the next table, was this great guy from Montana who was not only a builder but also a Tools of the Trade reader (Hi Jason). So there I was in the middle of nowhere and once again I was talkin' tools (and setting up an old reader as a new tool tester). I'm back to thinking about fate here.

But often I bring it on myself, even at home, with my fiancée who was New Mexico's first licensed female general contractor and almost has more tools than I do. Who else do you know would give the woman he was courting an 18-volt cordless drill kit on their second date? Don't laugh. It worked.

Talk to you later.