general DIY
Hand tool quality
Hand tools have been around for as long as the mountains and in this time
we have seen many innovations, however, things have slowed down over
the last couple of years.
“There has not been much that is
his weight to this statement, “Customers are
need to be vigilant and creative. “By
completely new and innovative, with
wanting better quality products that simply
being innovative and establishing your
regards to new product development as
won’t disappoint.” However, it would seem that
company as an innovative brand you
such; however, the manufacturer’s focus is
customers are being left disappointed often
can lead the way and not be a follower
based more on innovation of the packaging,
with inferior being passed off as the original in
needing to copy tools,” says he and Webco
the materials used and the look, feel,
South Africa. “We have noticed many brands
Tools is in agreement. “The key concept
features and benefits of the product itself.
entering the South African market, but sadly
is to stay ahead and in touch with the
In other words, always striving to improve the
these products are of poor quality at a very low
market; following actual product quality
existing product and make it as user-friendly as
price point and floods the market,” says Garry
and pricing closely. Having creative,
possible,” says Sharon Swart from Webco Tools.
Lumpe, adding, “Passing off is a big problem,
innovative and proactive staff is extremely
especially since the majority of the products
important, so that the organisations is
are manufactured in the Far East.”
always informed and kept on their toes.
Ryan Broughton from Topline Tools adds
Passing off according to Webco is a big
problem in the industry, especially for
local manufacturers. “A substantial
amount of time and money
is spent developing new
products, improving
Brand consistency and protection is vital,”
explains Swart.
Lumpe and Dowson are in agreement that
education might be a solution. Another key
factor to consider is the availability of spares.
“We often indicate to our customers that spare
existing products and
parts are readily available and we find that this
keeping the look of the
does give us a competitive advantage over
brand and its packaging
inferior quality imported products,” says he.
uniform. These products
Acting quickly is just as important. “First
are then just poorly copied
Cut gets to the source as quickly as possible
and sold at a much cheaper
price, usually passed off as an
established brand, which hurts
strong leading brands in the
market,” explains she.
And the problem will keep
and takes the necessary actions. We can
immediately see the difference between our
products and copied products as we have
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