Hitachi Koki purchases Metabo!

[neeleman]

On 13 November Hitachi Koki declares that it will take over Metabo Germany!
Read the news (sorry it's German): Werkzeug-news
Don't know if it's good or bad news.
Metabo was on it's way back to become a serious machine producer.
And Hitachi Koki is part of Hitachi which is one of the largest companies in the world.
Makita in 2014 also took over Dolmar which produces professional garden tools.
So which European company will follow?

 

[Kev]

I hope this doesn't become a trend with green tools [huh] [sad]

A looong time ago I really liked Hitachi power tools, but I feel they've dropped off in quality/durability. Metabo too seems to be on the cusp of a major swing to Asian manufacture, with what also seems to be some local Chinese designs.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hitabo or Metachi? 

I find it hard to see any "good" with the merger/take over. Metabo has an established relationship with other German manufacturers (Mafell being one of them) and I wonder what happens to the joint technology when Hitachi steps in?

Hitachi and Metabo are too different for a successful brand merger - the best thing would be to let them coexist rather than melt them into... ...whatever green color that would turn out.  Two different battery platforms to start out with.

I think Hitachi makes pretty decent machines and they have some nice drills but as a whole they are lagging behind the times and could do with a make over.

 

[demographic]

I have quite a lot of Hitachi gear and so far just one Metabo jigsaw.
I'm fine with this, seems that Hitachi wants to upgrade its line somewhat with some Metabo designs and no doubt higher numbers being produced will lower cost.

 

[sae]

Article mentions that they're letting Metabo operate independently, and possibly share knowledgebases. Hitachi has a good amount of brushless motor development to draw from (Metabo currently only has a drill, impact wrench, and a grinder), Metabo has their LiHD batteries as a good starting platform to push into lots of tools.

Hopefully Mafell doesn't drop them though; the KSS 40 18M bl looks really tempting and I'm already heavily invested in the Metabo battery platform.

 

[DB10]

I recently saw some Hitachi drills being sold in Costco and they also have a deal with another big box store down here called Masters, where as Metabo only sell through established tool stores. It will be interesting to see if there are any notable changes because of this buy out.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I like Metabo tools but went mostly with Festool. I think Metabo is (slightly) a cut above Hitachi, which is no slouch either, though I'm not fond of the asian "raygun" styling..

 

[ali]

I reckon hitachi might just drop all their power tools and run metabo as it is.

I have a couple of hitachi products and they are really good.. but lack image and aren't updated regularly enough.

 

[Kev]

I like Metabo tools but went mostly with Festool. I think Metabo is slightly a cut above Hitachi is no slouch either though I'm not found of the asien "raygun" styling..

I'm with you on that ... I remember when they introduced that "new look" ages ago and I thought I shouldn't buy them simply because they looked stupid!

 

[hemdale]

Did Protool ever built angle grinders? I can't see any angle grinders in Festool lineup.

 

[neeleman]

Yes they did and the regular ones went to Narex.
The renovating ones like the DSC and DSG models went to Festool.
There are 125 and 230 mm versions and can be disconnected and used as normal grinders.

 

[Kev]

The variable speed 125mm AG's are particularly nice little units (mine are Protool branded).

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I got the DSC-AG 125 grinder and bought the new "open sided" cutter base and a grinder base with dust shroud.
Very pleased with it.

On topic: yeah, the Hitachi tools look like Transformer Toys with a mix of 80´s Sneakers.  [big grin]  Styling is a little "over the top".
Some of the Hitachi drills I have tried (had an impact and a 14,4V) were great machines though. I had the older Hitachi M8(?) router which got stolen and when I saw the new version I switched brands and bought a Bosch router instead.  [blink]

After reading the article with my German glasses on I think it is not too bad. I think they might successfully merge. Hitachi tools need to refresh and give them two years to consolidate and I think we can expect some really nice cross over tools.