Protool to be absorbed by Festool?

[semenza]

I have posted this before but somehow it just seems fitting for this topic too .....  [big grin]

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Seth

 

[Kev]

I hope nobody is taking this too seriously ... particularly comments about Protool relative to Festool. There's possibly something I or others speculated that has been interpreted as Protool "bringing down"  Festool quality and that was never the intent of the debate - it's simply a matter of Protool tools damaging / diluting the Festool brand image if marketed under the Festool banner because of the tool's target market.

I have several Protools - one in particular, the PDC 18-4, that I chose over the T18 (and paid more for - it's much better).

I'm a DIYer, so everything I buy, I buy for my own use. I don't think the majority of Festool buyers are DIY/hobbyist buyers and would image even less of the Protool consumers percentage market share is DIY. My innocent guess would be that the overlap of trades people that buy track saws and routers to trades people that buy rotary hammers and concrete grinding machines is narrow and it is this perspective that drives my opinions and assumptions.

 

[Timtool]

Well something is going on, online stores are putting all their protool stock on sale as if they were trying to get rid of it quiclky.
absorption by Festool seems possible, the midi systainer could be part of the maneuver as it was introduced almost exclusively for Protool tools while it has been made in Festool colors and not in Protool colors to my knowing.
Protool makes quality stuff, but outside our little FOG world and Germany it is pretty much totally unknown. When i first saw it i thought it was a cheap no-name copy of Festool until i realized they were sister companies. Over here i have never ever seen a protool used by a pro, and i think the vast majority of woodworkers doesn't know it exist. Branding it Festool would change all that. Even though i hope there will be some way of keeping them apart, subtle or not.

 

[fdengel]

Personally, I think there are some sensible aspects to this idea, though I don't really expect this.

While the whole thing is obviously a pure guess at this point, I could see it as making sense for Protool to become a separate division of Festool under a name like "Festool Industrial" (as was suggested earlier) or "Festool Elite" or some such strangeness, with the merger being to assist with distribution channels and the like, thus eliminating the stigma of having "Pro" in the name of the company (agreed that does make it sound cheap), provides a degree of name recognition to those less-in-the-know, etc.

Merging the color schemes would not be needed as this could still be considered a separate line of tools.

Ryobi tools are generally blue but some of them are green to distinguish a different line (just the first example of this that comes to mind)...

So to some degree there appears to be some potential in the idea, or at least in something like it.

 

[Kev]

Personally, I think there are some sensible aspects to this idea, though I don't really expect this.

While the whole thing is obviously a pure guess at this point, I could see it as making sense for Protool to become a separate division of Festool under a name like "Festool Industrial" (as was suggested earlier) or "Festool Elite" or some such strangeness, with the merger being to assist with distribution channels and the like, thus eliminating the stigma of having "Pro" in the name of the company (agreed that does make it sound cheap), provides a degree of name recognition to those less-in-the-know, etc.

Merging the color schemes would not be needed as this could still be considered a separate line of tools.

Ryobi tools are generally blue but some of them are green to distinguish a different line (just the first example of this that comes to mind)...

So to some degree there appears to be some potential in the idea, or at least in something like it.

Good points, but here anyway (Oz) there's a bit of a stigma with a "quality" tool having a different colour sibling (that have then typically been sold in a discount chain!).

It's almost worth switching the thread to "Name the future Festool/Protool line" ... just to keep this light hearted  [wink]

To keep the German feel and also keep it short, I'm going to go with ...

FESTOOL/RAU

 

[Iwood75]

Personally I would like to see accessory packages like the Centrotec installer kit released in NA in SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES YES +1 They shouldn't be offered only on special occasions anyway. Drill sales would increase if Centrotec Sets were always available as a crucial part of the "system." Let's hear it... Centotec! Centrotec! Centrotec! 

Joel

 

[Iwood75]

Shane, are you listening?  Centrotec!  Centrotec!  Centrotec!

 

[fshanno]

Oh, Shane is listening alright.  And it does have to do with Centrotec and it is a bombshell.  And here it is!

Later this year, at the AWFS in Vegas, with much fanfare, Festool will announce two new accessories for their industry leading cordless drill line!  Every Festool drill owner in the world will immediately rush out and buy the first item and most Festool drill owners in North America will immediately rush out and buy the second item.  Already a leader in the high end professional grade cordless drill market, this development will lock Festool in as the DOMINATE PLAYER.

First item.  A new FastFix chuck designed to work with STANDARD 1/4" BALL DETENT BITS!!!!!!  Yeh!  Yahooo!  Streamers!  Confetti!  Balloons!

Second item.  A full line of CENTROTEC SQUARE DRIVE BITS!  Again, Yeh!  Yahooo!  Streamers!  Confetti!  Balloons!

The chuck is very short adding only a few millimeters to the overall length of drill + chuck.  It also features a smooth operating one handed release and load capability.

And the square drive Centrotec bits are quite simply the finest bits of their kind on the planet.  

I'm not sure if I had the okay to make the announcement so I may be in big trouble.  I'm such a blabber mouth.  I told them not to tell me in the first place.  But there it is, what's done is done.

 

[ccarrolladams]

When did Festool USA change its mind and decide to exhibit at AWFS 2013 in Las Vegas in July?

I am registered and have my hotel room booked. The word I received from Festool was that they were skipping AWFS 2013 to concentrate of JLC 2013.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

We will not be at AWFS.

Yes, I hear you guys. The Centrotec Set were special ordered for the US market, hence the limited quantity. I have been an advocate of offering a set full time, but I'm not the guy that makes that decision.

 

[fshanno]

When did Festool USA change its mind and decide to exhibit at AWFS 2013 in Las Vegas in July?

I am registered and have my hotel room booked. The word I received from Festool was that they were skipping AWFS 2013 to concentrate of JLC 2013.

I'm just kidding around.  

But it gets one thinking.  There's a lot of potential in the FastFix system.  Shears, a reciprocating saw, a multi-tool, a spinning blade.  Any kind of tool that has a motor and a pistol grip on the end.

Say.  Could that be big new thing?  A Festool version of the Rigid JobMax system?  I don't know how "massive" that is but it would be interesting.

 

[johninthecamper]

isn't there a centrotec set being offer soon,less pieces

 

[Deansocial]

From the very beginning I had always felt this was an unfounded rumor for various reasons. Even in the "wishful thinking department" there are some logic flaws.

First off, consider how closely guarded secrets are within the organization, even for just a new product, let alone a major change such as this. A sales rep would not know about an organizational change such as this until it was already being implemented.

Then there is the wishful thinking:
If Protool is not available in the US or other countries, why would a name change be required to change that? It is the same infrastructure. If TTS wanted the product in a specific location, they would bring it there regardless what the sticker was on the side of the tool. Trademarks are not strong enough to prevent a product from being sold if the desire is there to do so. For example, simply prefixing the name with TTS-Protool would be sufficient.

If Protool is available in only 240 volts, why would a name change be required to change that? Or conversely, just because it gets a name change, why would it force other changes to go with it?

If Festool wanted any of the products branded under Protool to be available under Festool, they would have or could have already done that years ago. It wouldn't require a name merger to accomplish that.

Even though there could be legitimate business reasons for wanting a name-merger, none of them have been touched on in this discussion.

Its funny how unfounded rumours turn around to be videos and such of a high percentage of the tool in about 10 days.

I remember a rumour that festool was going to make an impact driver and that idea got shot down too....

 

[jonathan-m]

Well to further support the claim, there's a brand promotional video on youtube where you can see the protools in their new green color
I've also heard others to whom their dealers also confirmed. So it's definitely happening people.

I think it's a logical & smart move. Both brands are under the same group & already share parts internally.
And besides, most likely they'll be introduced as NEW! from Festool, not as rebranded from protool. 90% of people won't be the wiser.

 

[JoggleStick]

I reckon they will revamp the Cordless range...

Cordless Planer
Cordless Rotex
Cordless Domino
Cordless Kapex
Cordless TS55
Cordless Portaband...

The mind boggles...
Anyway that's my 'future view' through my 'beer goggles' : hic!

 

[Kev]

I reckon they will revamp the Cordless range...

Cordless Planer
Cordless Rotex
Cordless Domino
Cordless Kapex
Cordless TS55
Cordless Portaband...

The mind boggles...
Anyway that's my 'future view' through my 'beer goggles' : hic!

You forgot the compact cordless particle disintegration attachment that replaces all DC's

 

[Sean7a]

From the very beginning I had always felt this was an unfounded rumor for various reasons. Even in the "wishful thinking department" there are some logic flaws.

First off, consider how closely guarded secrets are within the organization, even for just a new product, let alone a major change such as this. A sales rep would not know about an organizational change such as this until it was already being implemented.

Then there is the wishful thinking:
If Protool is not available in the US or other countries, why would a name change be required to change that? It is the same infrastructure. If TTS wanted the product in a specific location, they would bring it there regardless what the sticker was on the side of the tool. Trademarks are not strong enough to prevent a product from being sold if the desire is there to do so. For example, simply prefixing the name with TTS-Protool would be sufficient.

If Protool is available in only 240 volts, why would a name change be required to change that? Or conversely, just because it gets a name change, why would it force other changes to go with it?

If Festool wanted any of the products branded under Protool to be available under Festool, they would have or could have already done that years ago. It wouldn't require a name merger to accomplish that.

Even though there could be legitimate business reasons for wanting a name-merger, none of them have been touched on in this discussion.

Its funny how unfounded rumours turn around to be videos and such of a high percentage of the tool in about 10 days.

I remember a rumour that festool was going to make an impact driver and that idea got shot down too....

Rick, I personally believe there are more barriers and hurdles than you pointed out here that present themselves as significant roadblocks when considering bringing a line of product into any country, particularly the US.  It's not as simple as shipping the stuff over "regardless what the sticker was on the side of the tool."  I wish it was.

 

[Bob Marino]

Hilti used to be sold at Home Depot.  In my area they had a Hilti salesman there during normal work hours.  If Festool did something like that it could be huge for sales.  
 
Above written by Brice Burrell.

 Brice,

We had the same situation here in NJ, but for whatever reason/reasons it has not worked out. HD sells Hilti, but there is no support other than store salespeople. As a dealer, I know there will come a day when we will see Festool/Protool in HD, BUT Festool takes a very, slooooooooooooooooooow and long term view of their USA market. They won't do that until they feel the time is right - the support must be there, or else the tools will collect dust as there won't be anyone to explain why they should buy  a 500.00 + router rather than the 150.00 one. Now, that would hurt Festool's image!
My opinion...and it is only my opinion - with nothing from Festool USA to support it is that we will see PROTOOL being sold in the Home Depots, not Festool.

Bob

 

[skids]

Hilti used to be sold at Home Depot.  In my area they had a Hilti salesman there during normal work hours.  If Festool did something like that it could be huge for sales. 
 
Above written by Brice Burrell.

  Brice,

We had the same situation here in NJ, but for whatever reason/reasons it has not worked out. HD sells Hilti, but there is no support other than store salespeople. As a dealer, I know there will come a day when we will see Festool/Protool in HD, BUT Festool takes a very, slooooooooooooooooooow and long term view of their USA market. They won't do that until they feel the time is right - the support must be there, or else the tools will collect dust as there won't be anyone to explain why they should buy  a 500.00 + router rather than the 150.00 one. Now, that would hurt Festool's image!
My opinion...and it is only my opinion - with nothing from Festool USA to support it is that we will see PROTOOL being sold in the Home Depots, not Festool.

Bob

I really don't think that model will work for Festool. Hilti tools don't require the level of support Festool does. The system approach is going require alot more than some retired plumber working part time at HD to understand how to sell and support. Hilti has done well through HD's rental area as well, I don't see Festool fitting in there. Maybe some of the Protool tools could go head-to-head with Hilti, but going the homecenter route for Festool would be downgrading their customer, and less aligned with a the slow, more organic growth approach they seem to have adopted for the US. Also, a quick scan of the vast majority of the demographic of folks shopping at Homecenters aren't exactly quality oriented to the level a Festool buyer is.

Over the years, before I ever knew of Festool, I did what I could to shop at suppliers who specialized in the material I needed. Lumber yards, plumbing supply, electrical etc..It's always worked well for me, and I have generally recevied great advice/support from knowledable people who typically aren't generalists. Home Depot, as it is for alot of shoppers, tends to be a place I go for bulk items, and quick in-and-out transactions. I have never gone there to learn anything about what I am buying, mostly just go for cheap prices.

My opinion, I just don't see it happening at all, or like you stated, anytime soon. If/when it does, because I am not saying it's not possible, my perception of the brand would certainly change.

 

[Paul G]

I could see Festool at White Cap before Home Depot. My nearest dealer is Woodcraft, while they have a substantial Festool display the inventory of the store overall is tailored for hobbyists (whats with all the wood pen kits LOL) as opposed to builders/contractors.