I went to a Festool event today and was told a few things by the company reps there:
• TBX batteries will be released in the US in mid-June at the same price point as existing batteries of the same capacity. The current unavailability of batteries isn't because of this, it's fallout from the new software disaster that has kept them and Festool Europe from shipping product to retailers for the last few months.
• From now on, tools will only be available in the "Basic" configuration - no more "Plus" kits with batteries and a charger, though the Systainer trays will still have cutouts for them. Instead, they will offer battery "starter kits" of a battery or batteries and charger (like other tool vendors) if you don't want to get a whole Energy Set. They are purposefully keeping battery and charger prices significantly lower than other tool companies like DᴇWALT and Milwaukee.
• The HKC 55 KEB will be coming to the US in mid to late Fall, 2026.
• The reason they laid off Sedge and other marketing folks is they want to downplay the homeowner/hobbyist market and target the pro carpentry/contractor/installer market. Think custom kitchens and custom homes, not D.R Horton/Lennar/Pulte. They pivoted to home owners/hobbyists during COVID but want to return to more a pro craftsman focus.
• The new undercutting of prices at the US Systainer Store is deliberate, Festool wants to be the source for Systainers in the US unless you need the custom colors or configurations the Systainer Store offers.
If you have other questions I can try to answer them if I didn't cover it above.
• TBX batteries will be released in the US in mid-June at the same price point as existing batteries of the same capacity. The current unavailability of batteries isn't because of this, it's fallout from the new software disaster that has kept them and Festool Europe from shipping product to retailers for the last few months.
• From now on, tools will only be available in the "Basic" configuration - no more "Plus" kits with batteries and a charger, though the Systainer trays will still have cutouts for them. Instead, they will offer battery "starter kits" of a battery or batteries and charger (like other tool vendors) if you don't want to get a whole Energy Set. They are purposefully keeping battery and charger prices significantly lower than other tool companies like DᴇWALT and Milwaukee.
• The HKC 55 KEB will be coming to the US in mid to late Fall, 2026.
• The reason they laid off Sedge and other marketing folks is they want to downplay the homeowner/hobbyist market and target the pro carpentry/contractor/installer market. Think custom kitchens and custom homes, not D.R Horton/Lennar/Pulte. They pivoted to home owners/hobbyists during COVID but want to return to more a pro craftsman focus.
• The new undercutting of prices at the US Systainer Store is deliberate, Festool wants to be the source for Systainers in the US unless you need the custom colors or configurations the Systainer Store offers.
If you have other questions I can try to answer them if I didn't cover it above.
