Bad News About Hafele...

[jonny round boy]

Following complaints from our Canadian brothers about the abysmal handling of the Festool franchise by Hafele Canada, I was very disappointed to recieve a mailshot from Hafele UK this morning...

Seems that, following the decision by TTS to abandon plans to rool Protool out in the UK through Festool dealers, Hafele is now distributing them over here.  I really hope this isn't an exclusive agreement...

Also, Hafele are now selling Hafele branded systainers - at a 30% premium over the cost of Festool branded ones! I'm sure they'll sell well....

 

[Frank Pellow]

My commiserations!  And, you are bang -on in your hope that Hafele does not exclusive rights in the UK

There is a very strong rumour that Hafele is going to lose their exclusive rights in Canad very soon.  The day that happens will be a great day for Canadian woodworkers -and for Festool.

 

[pmkierst]

There is a very strong rumour that Hafele is going to lose their exclusive rights in Canad very soon.  The day that happens will be a great day for Canadian woodworkers -and for Festool.

I know nothing and this isn't even speculation, but I have come to believe that Lee Valley and Festool would be a great match, from the quality to the innovation to the country of origin.  Plus, of course, LV has a well developed retail and mail order business in Canada.

 

[Frank Pellow]

There is a very strong rumour that Hafele is going to lose their exclusive rights in Canad very soon.  The day that happens will be a great day for Canadian woodworkers -and for Festool.

I know nothing and this isn't even speculation, but I have come to believe that Lee Valley and Festool would be a great match, from the quality to the innovation to the country of origin.  Plus, of course, LV has a well developed retail and mail order business in Canada.

I agree that, for Canadian woodworkers, that would be a perfect match.  But Lee Valley has (mostly) stayed away fron selling power tools, so this would be a big change for them. 

 

[pmkierst]

They used to sell Inca..... so it would not be unprecedented. The "regular" power tool market has largely become who can out-market the other guy, or who can trim the margins on offshore goods to undercut the other guy. Neither is an LV expertise, so it is no wonder they have avoided it like the plague. Festool has better margins and is a little more niche, making it a good match. It does look like the competition might be heating up, though.

 

[Ned]

There is a very strong rumour that Hafele is going to lose their exclusive rights in Canad very soon.  The day that happens will be a great day for Canadian woodworkers -and for Festool.

I know nothing and this isn't even speculation, but I have come to believe that Lee Valley and Festool would be a great match, from the quality to the innovation to the country of origin.  Plus, of course, LV has a well developed retail and mail order business in Canada.

I agree.  I can't think of a North American retailer who'd be a better fit than Lee Valley.  Even if they could not ship Festool to the States, we'd benefit.  I'd like to see what the people at Veritas (Lee Valley product development) come up with for Festool.

Lee Valley also has qute a business in the US.  Superb company, excellent products.  Bit slow getting orders out of the warehouse, but every other aspect of their business is exemplary.  Next time I'm in Canada, a Lee Valley store is on my must-visit list.

Ned