A few word's about and with TSO's Hans Friedebach

[Bob Marino]

A few hours ago, I had a long phone conversation with Han Friedebach - da boss -  though he would eschew that term, about some TSO (naturally) business.

If anyone has had the pleasure of meeting Hans in person - as I did at last year's Connect Event in Indy or even conversing with him by phone, you would notice a sense of quiet integrity. If you would speak to him at length you would also notice a man who is filled with both confidence and pride - though would never gloat or shout, about his TSO products.

And he has much to be proud of - that they are manufactured of the best materials to the highest possible tolerances, made in the USA, etc. But he said something that really stuck with me and I  wanted to share - of course paraphrasing, since this was a conversation with Hans, not a lecture.

Basically, he mentioned that he would never make a product that would place his dealers in the awkward position of selling a product that wasn't as good as it gets and thus being on the receiving end of customer complaints. Of course TSO also sells directly to their end customers, so the same sense of responsibility resides there.
This is a man who is just will not compromise on product quality to get that better margin.

And BTW, as an aside, I had a product question over the weekend, shot him an email and got a response within minutes.

Color me impressed and glad to be one of TSO's dealers.

 

[tjbnwi]

I also have had the immense pleasure and privilege of meeting Hans. Again for the record I test TSO products.

I hope someday to be the person that Hans is.

Tom

 

[Bigdaddy65]

Couldn’t agree with you more. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Hans and Eric last year in Sanibel while on vacation.

 

[gunnyr]

I have had the opportunity to speak with both Bob and Hans at [member=59331]TSO Products[/member].  As I spoke with each of them I knew that they were men of great integrity and passion.  The FOG is a better place with the involvement of these two men.

 

[gsdvorak]

I too had the pleasure of meeting Hans at last year's Connect event.  Very nice and smart individual, and dedicated to making/offering the finest products in their class.  I have the GRS track square and am saving up for the triangle with the additional kit.  It's important to me to support companies with integrity (even if it costs more) as there will be always be benefits afterward for all.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[peter halle]

I remember talking to Hans for the first time prior to TSO launching their guiderail square.  What struck me the most beyond his knowledgeable and professional words was the feeling I got that this was a guy who had his vision together and “got it.”

“Got it” was about bringing new products to market that weren’t clones of something else. Products that were quality made.  Customer satisfaction driven.  Designed with end-user input.  Not only available when it worked into a manufacturing schedule.  Not advertised with catchy slogans.

He and Eric have worked to put together a team that embodies and celebrates the same passion and commitment to the end-user they had from day one.

Disclaimer:  I have been involved in discussions during the development phases of some TSO products and have received products for testing and evaluation.  I continue to do so.

Peter

 

[RDMuller]

I too met Hans at Festool Connect and agree with all of the above comments.  Simply stated Hans has a presence I wish I could acquire!

Thank you Bob Merino for initiating this thread.

By the way at the time of Festool Connect, both Hans and Eric were "refugees" as they had to leave their homes business because of the massive hurricane in South Florida.  They decided to just keep on driving to Indiana. They were extremely calm about the whole ordeal.  Neither was looking forward to opening the refrigerator!

 

[Bob Marino]

I have had the opportunity to speak with both Bob and Hans at [member=59331]TSO Products[/member].  As I spoke with each of them I knew that they were men of great integrity and passion.  The FOG is a better place with the involvement of these two men.

Jeff,

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[Bob Marino]

I too had the pleasure of meeting Hans at last year's Connect event.  Very nice and smart individual, and dedicated to making/offering the finest products in their class.  I have the GRS track square and am saving up for the triangle with the additional kit.  It's important to me to support companies with integrity (even if it costs more) as there will be always be benefits afterward for all.

Regards,
Gerald

  Agree both about Hans and the products, as well as supporting such companies.

 

[Bob Marino]

I remember talking to Hans for the first time prior to TSO launching their guiderail square.  What struck me the most beyond his knowledgeable and professional words was the feeling I got that this was a guy who had his vision together and “got it.”

“Got it” was about bringing new products to market that weren’t clones of something else. Products that were quality made.  Customer satisfaction driven.  Designed with end-user input.  Not only available when it worked into a manufacturing schedule.  Not advertised with catchy slogans.

He and Eric have worked to put together a team that embodies and celebrates the same passion and commitment to the end-user they had from day one.

Disclaimer:  I have been involved in discussions during the development phases of some TSO products and have received products for testing and evaluation.  I continue to do so.

Peter

Well said, Pete.

 

[Bob Marino]

I too met Hans at Festool Connect and agree with all of the above comments.  Simply stated Hans has a presence I wish I could acquire!

Thank you Bob Merino for initiating this thread.

By the way at the time of Festool Connect, both Hans and Eric were "refugees" as they had to leave their homes business because of the massive hurricane in South Florida.  They decided to just keep on driving to Indiana. They were extremely calm about the whole ordeal.  Neither was looking forward to opening the refrigerator!

  Yeah, nothing wrong with a loud shout out for a soft spoken guy and his company.  BTW, it's Marino, not Merino

I forgot about that drive up from the hurricane - thanks for sparking that memory.

 

[Klemm]

- what can I say? - I'm humbled - not only by the expressions on this thread. What I read in these posts is a pretty good reflection of our customers opinion generally. We would not be where we are - worldwide - if it were not for the extraordinary customer support.

We, Eric and myself along with the rest of our team, appreciate these messages of moral support. They tell us we're on the right track when we might sometimes not be so sure.

So, Bob Marino: thank you for voicing your opinion and bringing other voices to join in. I am far from doing all this myself. We have a team of kindred spirits who are motivated to live up to the way you all describe us.

thank you
Hans and Eric

 

[Bob Marino]

- what can I say? - I'm humbled - not only by the expressions on this thread. What I read in these posts is a pretty good reflection of our customers opinion generally. We would not be where we are - worldwide - if it were not for the extraordinary customer support.

We, Eric and myself along with the rest of our team, appreciate these messages of moral support. They tell us we're on the right track when we might sometimes not be so sure.

So, Bob Marino: thank you for voicing your opinion and bringing other voices to join in. I am far from doing all this myself. We have a team of kindred spirits who are motivated to live up to the way you all describe us.

thank you
Hans and Eric

Oh, I know it's a group effort and your support group is a pleasure to deal with. You have put together a winning team that I'm sure you are proud of. Way to go, TSO.

 

[Billy D]

I have only interacted with him on the phone and via email - Totally top notch! Just like Bob M!
Quick responses and efficient as well as insanely knowledgeable. TSO has some fantastic tools/tooling!
I would not be as broke as I am today without the help of fine gentlemen like Hans and Bob
Thank you both,
Billy D

 

[jroth33139]

Great response to a shipping question I had. First class service and innovative tools.

 

[Klemm]

With everyone on this thread raising our customer’s expectations with these positive comments I feel obligated to share with you what my mother-in-law** said to my wife when she was enthusing over me when we were dating ”Linda, remember he puts his pants on one leg at a time”  and more recently: I have not walked on water since leaving Minnesota in February

Hans
PS: ** my mother law (rest her soul) became known in our family as the “President of the Hans Fan Club” – I was so blessed to have her all these years,

 

[gsdvorak]

[big grin] Hans,I can relate to the walking on water...there’s just about 3-4 months I find it impossible for some reason.  [big grin]. My wife keeps me grounded though!

Y’all have a great Fathers Day Weekend!

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Hans has been very patient and helpful while trying to help me troubleshoot a problem over the phone.  That is very much appreciated!