For the first few years, Milwaukee stayed in business repairing tools that were already on the market. As employees repaired and reconditioned tools, they maintained constant control of customer research: they discovered what the market wanted, learned how it could be supplied to them at a reasonable cost, and at the same time, they continued to make profits along the way. The company's engineers spent hundreds of hours studying and analyzing competitors' portable power tools: what made them work, what differentiated them from the competition, what components could be combined to improve them. Continuing to look for ways to improve its product line, a series of changes and improvements were made to the Hole-Shooter, making it stronger and more durable.
Inefficient bronze spur gear bushings and transmissions, poorly grounded cables and switches were replaced. By listening and responding to what the market wanted, the new Hole-Shooter quickly gained acceptance in the heavier automotive and metallurgical industries. In addition to improving its tools, Milwaukee also expanded its facilities to allow the company's own fractional power motors to be manufactured to meet specific speed and power requirements. The results of this custom motor were greater overload capacity, higher performance, lower maintenance and longer tool life.
World War II and the tremendous use of portable power tools in the armed forces marked the real turning point for the tool business and Milwaukee. Hole pullers were widely used in aircraft manufacturing and during that period many new product ideas were developed. Milwaukee overcame the challenge by manufacturing more powerful motors, mounting axles on ball and roller bearings and by rolling more dynamically. Every person who helped build Milwaukee Hole-Shooters during World War II played a vital role in the victory of the war.
The Navy liked the idea that their approved standard specifications were followed and they were generously commissioned to Milwaukee. Atlas Copco “persevered” in the professional power tool market for two more years, but in 2004 it announced its intention to sell its power tool business, citing a lack of synergy with its other business interests and being “far away” from the desired position of number one or two in its markets around the world. Techtronic Industries (TTI) acquired the Milwaukee and AEG brands, together with its global manufacturing facilities, a fledgling company with great aspirations. The facility is designed to train Milwaukee employees, distribution partners and professional end users around the world.
As a key Milwaukee distributor, I was fortunate to be invited to their facility in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where I witnessed an army of incredibly talented engineers working around an open workshop the size of a soccer field, researching and developing the next ideas that no one else even has considerate. The brand did not reach the United Kingdom until 1972 and, the following year, DIPT Protrade became the official distributor of Makita power tools. The Milwaukee cable range is excellent, especially the large hammers, which were undoubtedly inherited when Kango was leaked to the Milwaukee range in the Atlas Copco days. Milwaukee tools were officially introduced to Europe in 2002, at the International Hardware Show in Cologne, Germany.
Previous models of two-hand drills were heavy and cumbersome tools, only the strongest mechanics could operate productively. By contrast, Makita's XGT series still included “portable” power tools, similar types of machines that were already available in its 18V portfolio. Milwaukee has been a success when it comes to wireless solutions, which is not surprising, since the original TTI company, founded in 1985, was created essentially to produce rechargeable battery packs for use in tools and appliances, it is its culture and its legacy. Based in Wendlingen (Germany), TTS or Tooltechnic Systems owns Festool (electric and pneumatic tools), Tanos (not to be confused with the guy that destroyed half the universe), Narex, Sawstop and now Shaper Tools.
News of the new improvements spread quickly and, soon, the specifications of the tools produced by Milwaukee rivaled the equipment standards of the United States Government. The Milwaukee M12 range has featured the same style of 12 V red lithium-ion “attachable” battery since its creation, meaning that all tools are compatible with older and advanced versions, i. The idea behind the new platform was to allow wireless tools to penetrate areas that were previously reserved for wired machines. Whether you're in Milwaukee, Miami, or Mercer Island (or anywhere in between), Lane and Milwaukee Tool are a great combination for getting your big jobs done.
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