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Executive Report: Anniversary additions Makita UK has marked its 35th birthday with an array of new product introductions. Phil Mist attended the launch in Milton Keynes. Makita Corporation first came to the UK 35 years ago, when it launched a limited line-up of portable electric tools. It was already supplying the old Wolf Electric Tools company based at Ealing with a small range of woodworking tools and the first ever 100mm-diameter mini grinder. In the early years, many thought the products were not appropriate for the European market, in terms of quality and styling, but the situation soon changed. Indeed, Makita’s brand is one of the best known industrial power tool names in the UK, with annual turnover now reported to be nearing £90m. Not only do the products look good, they also perform well, and besides power tools, the current range includes petrol powered products and accessories, personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear. Some years ago, the Japanese parent company purchased Sachs Dolmar, the German manufacturer of petrol powered lawn and garden tools, and earlier this year it acquired Fuji Robin Engines, based in Japan. The availability of both German and Japanese small two and four cycle engines for its garden tools gives the company a significant advantage and, to accommodate the increased product range, Makita UK has expanded storage space by 50% at its Milton Keynes headquarters. Latest tranche of tools The company has just launched a second tranche of tools for 2007, including woodworking machines, electric powered screwdrivers, a heavy-duty rotary demolition hammer, new Lithium-Ion battery powered tools, and lawn and garden machines, as well as a range of Deltagon SDS Plus drill bits and a circular saw blade range. The latest launches include three jigsaws, two of which are particularly likely to appeal to hirers, having a 720watt motor and offering a maximum cutting capacity of 135mm. One of them has a loop handle, which is more popular with UK users, whereas the other has a top knob handle that takes a little getting used to, but it does improve control if cutting out shapes rather straight lines. Both models have a tool-free blade change system, electronic speed control and weigh only 2.4kg. A new small hand-held planer with 82mm-wide carbide reversible blades looks a serious piece of kit. It is many years since the Wolf 8614 and Makita’s 1923B were launched, and the KP0810 could be a worthy successor. A dust collection hose can be connected to either side of the machine, which has a maximum cutting depth of 4mm. A constant speed version, the KP0810C is also offered. A new small rotary drill with a 10mm capacity and a keyless chuck is probably more of a sales item, but Makita’s latest automatic screwdrivers have hire potential. Two are scheduled to be launched by the end of this month, and these have a 470watt motor and maximum screwdriving lengths of 55mm and 75mm respectively. A screw auto-feed mechanism to prevent the collated screws from twisting and turning looks clever, and freeing jammed screws takes literally seconds. The ability to quickly service such tools is essential, and these machines seem to fit the bill in this respect. Cordless tool introductions The Lithium-Ion cordless introductions are powered by either 14.4V or 18V batteries. They include four drill/drivers, two 18V auto-feed screwdrivers with the same screw capacities as their mains powered counterparts, one 14.4V auto-feed screwdriver, a 115mm-diameter mini grinder, a pin nailer and two 136mm-diameter circular saws. The HR5211C SDS Max 11.6kg rotary demolition hammer, with a 1,500watt motor and a drilling capacity of 52mm in concrete, is also targeted at hire fleets. The claimed vibration levels for the machine are 12.5m/s2 in the rotary setting and 11m/s2 in hammer-only mode, while the single blow energy rating is 19.7J. The tool incorporates Makita’s AVT (anti-vibration technology) air pressure system to negate vibration emissions and its rear grip section is isolated from the rest of the machine by a hinge and spring system. Completing the new introductions are a 125mm-diameter stone polisher resembling a mini grinder, a low-vibration backpack blower with a 75.6cc four-cycle engine, a highly innovative four-cycle chainsaw (available later this year), and a two-cycle pressure washer. The four-cycle machines, designed for economy and low emissions, are of particular importance and could indicate a move away from small two-stroke engines. EHN will monitor this trend. It should be remembered that power tool manufacturers are not just involved in producing machines and accessories. They also have to address Health & Safety issues such as HAV. Makita recently launched its Toolminder monitoring programme, which is designed to inform users, hirers and employers exactly how long a tool, or a selection of tools, should be used during the working day. With the management and control of dust becoming another serious Health & Safety matter for the hire industry, it will be interesting to see how power tool manufacturers like Makita continue to develop tools and initiatives to reduce the risks and educate users. • T
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211678 Executive Hire News › Archives › September 2007 › Executive Report › Anniversary additions
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