Professional Distributor - 26

Capitalize on the
convenience of cordless

Cordless power tools continue to gain momentum in shops.

A
BY KAYLA OSCHMANN,
ASSISTANT EDITOR

800-547-7377 x1764
Kayla@VehicleServicePros.com

lthough cordless power tools have been
around for decades, the advancements in
technology, size, and capabilities just within
the last couple of years have come a long way.
Even tools that have not been traditionally thought
of as being battery operated (think grinders) are
now going cordless.
Cordless power tools put the power in the technician's hands - literally. Without sacrificing on
power, technicians can move around the vehicle
and the shop without being tethered by a cord
or air hose.
Whether technicians are making the switch to
cordless for the purpose of enhanced features or
convenience, cordless power tools continue to gain
momentum in shops. Find out how technology has
been moving forward, what technicians are looking for, and what the future looks like for cordless
power tools.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
When cordless power tools were first introduced
in the 1960s, all motors were brushed. In the past
few years alone, more tool manufacturers have been
making the switch to brushless motors.
"The brushless motor is probably the latest
trend working its way into the automotive space,"
says Cole Conrad, vice president of product management at Milwaukee Tool. "Just five to six years
ago, brushless motors were only used in things like
computers and remote control cars."
It has been a slower process in the automotive industry for brushless because pneumatic has
held a strong footprint for so long before cordless
tools were introduced. Now brushless motors are
on the scene.
"You're starting to see more innovation in the
types of products," says Matt Rivera, national
account manager at Makita. "[Brushed motors]
would wear over time and they weren't the most
efficient, so now what you have is a lot of [tool
manufacturers] converting to brushless motors.
They run more efficiently and can get more power."
Smart technology is also making its way into the
26 Professional Distributor I December 2019 I VehicleServicePros.com

automotive repair industry, especially for cordless
tools. Digital connectivity allows technicians to track
and manage their tools using Bluetooth technology,
while web and mobile apps can provide users with
the location of their tools, as well as information
on things like a tool's usage, temperature, and the
battery's state of charge. The technology can also
disable the tool when they go out of range, helping
to prevent theft.
Some systems offer additional features, such as
Milwaukee Tool's ONE-KEY, which allows users to
customize their tools by pre-determining setups like
speed output and torque for a specific application.
"Bluetooth-enabled tools let mechanics basically tell the tool that they are installing lug nuts on
a passenger car or a pickup truck or diesel equipment," Conrad says. "You're seeing the tools become
a lot smarter and making the job a little bit easier
and faster for the [technician], and also reducing
the possibility of mistakes."
Let's not forget the battery. From battery duration, to charging time, to power output, cordless
tool batteries within the last few years have also
advanced thanks to the newest technology, lithiumion (Li-ion) batteries.
Li-ion batteries are lighter in weight, higher in
energy density, rechargeable more quickly, and able
hold their charge longer. A technician can now charge
a drained or almost drained battery within an hour
or two, or even less. And, Li-ion batteries are smaller
in size than previous battery technologies. Compared
with some pneumatic tools, the battery still makes
the tool larger, but power output is not sacrificed.

TIPS FOR SELLING
Even though cordless power tools have been around
for some time, that doesn't mean the sales pitch
remains the same. Technicians and shop owners
are not only looking for what's new and beneficial
for everyday tasks; they also want to know what
makes the tool worth their investment. In addition
to the notable features in advancements and technology mentioned above, there are several additional
highlights and techniques for selling cordless power

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