Products & Materials : Tools & Equipment News

Considerations for Shot Blaster Purchase

The Boeing Everett factory is the largest building in the world. The aeroplane assembling facility is located in Washington and needs constant upkeep in order to ensure that the optimal level of production is maintained. Part of this maintenance includes the 398,000 square meter floor space. To carry out such

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Makita Releases New Hammer Drills

Makita, the leading world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and work wear has recently launched two brand new heavy duty SDS+ rotary hammer drills. This new range of products are available in either 110v or 240v mains configuration in order to suit the requirements of their customers They

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FunkyHeat Release New Infrared Heater

FunkyHeat has launched their latest product last week.The award-winning company has released their Bathroom Mirror Heater, the latest product in their range of innovative line of heating products. FunkyHeat Ltd creates their products to be used for specifiers, architects, interior designers and customers to browse and select from. FunkyHeat delivers

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Makita Release Two New Cordless Jigsaws

Makita has released two new versions of their 10.8V Brushless CXT Jigsaw. The company have announced that they will be extending their cordless range, introducing new CXT jigsaws. Both of these new products have brushless motors and have a 90mm cutting capacity in wood. These newly released models are thought

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Makita Launch New Router/Timmer

Makita has announced the launch of a new unique cordless and brushless LXT Router/Trimmer. The newly released Makita range features the mains supply and trimmers although it is the new cordless product that appears to combine all of the key elements of both tools in order to offer their customers

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M.I. Supplies Reach 100,000 Orders

The Teesside-based workwear clothing and accessories supply company has completed its 100,000th order. M.I. Supplies first began as a small company that sold only a handful of units a week from the Teesside Industrial Estate in Thornaby. The company first launched in 2005 and since then has expanded, with it

Read More »

TIMco LAUNCHES SUMMER CATALOGUE WITH OVER 6,000 LINES

TIMco, one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of screws, fasteners and fixings, has released its new summer catalogue with 10% more new product lines, taking their offering to over 6,000 products for the first time.  The increased number of products offered comes as a direct response to customer demand

Read More »

New & improved solar reflective aluminium paint

Coo-Var has added a new formulation to its solar reflective aluminium paint range which now gives an even brighter sheen finish, creating considerably more dissipation of heat and reflection of sunlight. The solar reflective aluminium paint available in Coo-Var’s Specialist Paints range is a bituminous based aluminium paint that gives

Read More »

Indeglas Has Launched a New Product

Indeglas has launched a new product. The new DEKO FG Nature is said to feature the latest in glazed screen partitioning technology. The interior glazing solutions specialists has created a new product that uses the latest technology and merges high performance and natural touch. The new DEKO FG Nature allows

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 337 : Feb 2026

Products & Materials : Tools & Equipment News

Considerations for Shot Blaster Purchase

The Boeing Everett factory is the largest building in the world. The aeroplane assembling facility is located in Washington and needs constant upkeep in order to ensure that the optimal level of production is maintained. Part of this maintenance includes the 398,000 square meter floor space. To carry out such a large and constant maintenance job, the contractors working at the factory need to make sure that the right equipment is used to deliver efficient maintenance to the facility. National Flooring Equipment is a supplier of surface preparation equipment and Dave Bigham, the Director of Global Training at the company is a ware of the main factors that all contractors need to consider when carrying out maintenance work, and renting shot blasters. It is vital that any size surface preparation job, from small residential jobs to working on the Boeing factory floor, the correct equipment is essential. Shot Blasters are considered to be efficient pieces of equipment when carrying out surface preparations. Used to strip older coatings as well as clean and profile a floor, shot blasters can carry out a range of different maintenance processes in one step, making maintenance of larger spaces such as the Boeing Everett factory in Washington quicker and easier to complete. Another positive of shot blasters iis that there is very little cleanup required, which means that the contractors can immediately apply a new coating on to the freshly prepared floor. However for contractors it is important to consider the size of the blaster required for the job in order to get the best production rate without issues with access. It is also important for the purchase of a shot blaster to have a good return on investment, as those with larger sized equipment available already are more likely to be chosen for larger contracts, while smaller blasters can still be useful for moving around tight spaces and corners. It is also vital that contractors consider accessibility to the site and as well as power source accessibility and the correct tooling.

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Makita Releases New Hammer Drills

Makita, the leading world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and work wear has recently launched two brand new heavy duty SDS+ rotary hammer drills. This new range of products are available in either 110v or 240v mains configuration in order to suit the requirements of their customers They are consistently in lists of reviews on hammer drills from Occupy the Farm. According to tool expert Bill Allen of OccupyTheFarm, Makita hammer drills “are the premium options of being able to select between three types of impact, including hammering, rotation, and a combination of the two.”. Makita has released two new rotary hammer drills that both feature an 800-watt motor that delivers 2.4 joules of impact energy, leading to 4,600 blows per minute. This power and force means that the rotary hammer drills are able to punch a 26mm hole into concrete with the use of a normal TCT bit. This powerful HR2650 and the HR2651 is able to drive a 68mm TCT core or an 8-0mm Diamond core easily through concrete. The tool, accessory and work wear manufacturer has been in operation for around 45 years, with their main offices located in Milton Keynes. The business has a range of distribution centres located across the UK allowing the efficient delivery of their products to customers. Makita is known for being the number one professional tool manufacturer in Britain and offers an inventory of more than 620 products and accessories used by professionals in the construction industry. Both of the models of hammer drill have torque limiter drives as well as a 3-mode operation rotary switch which is located on the transmission and offers a rotary only mode so that the tools can be used for drilling as well as the rotary with hammer action support as well as hammer only mode which can be used for chiseling The new tools have easy to clean transparent dust case as well as a highly efficient dust collection system and a telescopic slide guide that can range up to 190mm and a drill through port that can be used to reduce dust on the site as well as protecting operators.

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FunkyHeat Release New Infrared Heater

FunkyHeat has launched their latest product last week.The award-winning company has released their Bathroom Mirror Heater, the latest product in their range of innovative line of heating products. FunkyHeat Ltd creates their products to be used for specifiers, architects, interior designers and customers to browse and select from. FunkyHeat delivers a wide range of smart efficient and style led FAR infrared heating solutions for homes. The company is known for their award winning heaters that look great and are also available for customers to personalise with photos and logos if desired. The company’s high quality infrared heaters are manufactured in Italy using a premium quality of venetian glass. The heaters manufactured by the company were first produced in order to create a heating solution that merged functional and economical heating systems with exceptional aesthetics. The FunkyHeat heaters are considered to be an economical way to heat any space. Their latest product, the Bathroom Mirror Heater is made by hand and offers their customers a guarantee of quality by being made by hand and with the highest possible quality of components throughout. The controls of the mirror have been designed with the customer and end user in mind, a programmable wireless controller as well as a touchscreen pad on the mirror. The crystal clear mirror is also fitted with an integrated Bluetooth® speaker. The heated mirror will reduce heating costs, condensation and black spot mould in the bathroom as well as removing the necessity for constant mirror cleaning. The amazingly designed infrared heater not only functions to demist the mirror can also be used to heat up the entire bathroom in a design that combines style with functionality. FunkyHeat is a Yorkshire-based company that have won the Innovations in Sustainability award at the Designer Kitchen and Bathroom awards 2016. The company has developed their infrared heaters from a large amount of experience in heating and interior design. The company aims to combine the latest technology with modern design trends.

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Makita Release Two New Cordless Jigsaws

Makita has released two new versions of their 10.8V Brushless CXT Jigsaw. The company have announced that they will be extending their cordless range, introducing new CXT jigsaws. Both of these new products have brushless motors and have a 90mm cutting capacity in wood. These newly released models are thought to challenge the higher voltage cordless products that are available to the in the market at the moment. The new Makita JV102D has a barrel grip and a raised front pommel, offering two-handed control of the machine. The other Makita cordless product is a JV103D and is a top handle model that is used most often for single hand operation. Makita is a world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and work wear. The company has a reputation for delivering products that are a high quality, offer high performance and are durable even against the most rigorous industrial use. Makita has been in operation for 45 years in the UK, with offices located in Milton Keynes. The company have an extensive catalogue of more than 620 products and accessories including a range of corded drill/drivers, cordless combination drills, percussion drills, angle grinders, jigsaws and sanders. Both of the new Makita 10.8V jigsaws can run up to 3,000 strokes per minute and has a 23mm stroke length as well as a tool-less blade change to be used for the B-type bayonet blades. The cordless jigsaws have been fitted with integral dust extraction as standard as well as a range of other features that makes these new tools compact and lightweight.  The tools have a variable speed dial and an electric brake as well as constant speed control. There is a LED job light and has a bevel capacity of 0° – 45° left and right. Both of these new models released by Makita are available as body only machines or with two 10.8V 2.0Ah batteries, a fast charger and a Makpac case.

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Makita Launch New Router/Timmer

Makita has announced the launch of a new unique cordless and brushless LXT Router/Trimmer. The newly released Makita range features the mains supply and trimmers although it is the new cordless product that appears to combine all of the key elements of both tools in order to offer their customers the best solution. This new tool is completely unique in the marketplace and has a variety of different options. Such as trimmer, plunge, tilt and offset bases. The low energy and high performance brushless motor can operate between 10,000 rpm and 30,000 rpm. The speed can be altered using a control dial and it is also possible to use a constant speed feature. The new DRT50 is also incredibly versatile and is available to purchase in two different collet sizes, a ⅜” and a ¼”. The alternative bases that have been released for the new combination tool offers the user a 0-40mm plunge capacity with use of the trimmer base and a 0-35mm capacity with a plunge base fitted onto the new cordless Router and trimmer. This new Makita product can be fitted into the alternative bases and then retained with an easy and efficient base lock system. The product comes with an aluminum trimmer base as well as an enlarged opening section that has been designed to offer the user better visibility. The Makita DRT50 has been fitted with a 18v Lithium-ion battery, located at the top of the tool in order to give for perfect balance and control of the machine. The new, lightweight tool developed by the world class professional power tools, accessories and work wear company. Makita create products that have been tested for extensive industrial use and is Britain’s number one tool manufacturer, with more than 620 products and accessories on offer including drill/drivers, cordless combination drills, percussion drills, angle grinders, jigsaws and sanders as well as a wide range of outdoor power equipment.

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GAP Hire Solutions strengthen their hire fleet with more LED lighting sets from Trime UK Ltd

The national equipment hire group, GAP Hire Solutions, care about the impact they have on the environment. Their Green Action Plan sets out the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint and the support they provide to their customers to help them increase their own sustainability. In support of this action plan, GAP have committed to a further sixty X-ECO tower lights from the expanding lighting tower manufacturer, Trime. This brand new order follows the £3m investment made by GAP in Trime lighting products in 2016. GAP’s Green Action Plan document states, “The X-ECO LED 6 from TRIME is the most innovative lighting product on the market. Thanks to its LED lamps and automated start/ stop technology, the X-ECO uses less than a third of the fuel required to run a standard lighting tower, producing 888kg less CO2 per month as a result”. GAP now has nearly 500 X-ECO LED lighting sets, making it the largest LED powered hire fleet in the UK. Commenting on this latest order, Ken Stewart, GAP’s Head of Procurement added, “The sustainable elements of the X-ECO are very apparent. But equally as important is the favourable reception we get from our customers when we supply them with these units. We are seeing an increasing number of contractors specifying the X-ECO when they are planning their site layouts.” The GAP Group now employs 1,633 staff, an increase from 1,503 a year earlier, and has grown to 137 locations throughout the UK. The Trime manufacturing plant is based in Cassinetta di Lugagnano, near Milan and the UK operation is situated in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The company is highly experienced in developing and marketing environmentally biased lighting sets for the construction and event rental markets.

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M.I. Supplies Reach 100,000 Orders

The Teesside-based workwear clothing and accessories supply company has completed its 100,000th order. M.I. Supplies first began as a small company that sold only a handful of units a week from the Teesside Industrial Estate in Thornaby. The company first launched in 2005 and since then has expanded, with it recently reaching this new landmark figure. The company is now able to process 25,000 orders, consisting of well over 600,000 individual products each year. This expansion is brilliant for the workwear supplier. On top of this new milestone reached, the company has also been benefiting from a 240% surge in online sales which have come as the result of M.I. Supplies launching their new website. This good news for the company has come as a result of hard work and expansion over the course of 12 years. However, the company is now processing a significantly larger amount of orders than before, which means that this number of transactions is expected to increase quickly. After the launch of their new website the company saw a surge in sales from £16,000 a month to over £55,000 a month which is a reflection of the quality of service and the products supplied by the company. The target for the company is to eventually reach £2 million a year in online sales, which would be a truly astonishing growth for the company. M.I. Supplies have managed to keep performing well even in these more uncertain times, and the business has still been able to stick to their growth plans. The plan for the company is to expand so that they are able to hit the £2 million in sales at some point next year. The company hope that by the end of their financial year in November, they will have made £600,000 in online sales. In comparison, competitors are reducing their staff levels and closing local site, so it is great news for M.I. Supplies that they continue to thrive.

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TIMco LAUNCHES SUMMER CATALOGUE WITH OVER 6,000 LINES

TIMco, one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of screws, fasteners and fixings, has released its new summer catalogue with 10% more new product lines, taking their offering to over 6,000 products for the first time.  The increased number of products offered comes as a direct response to customer demand for a broader range of high quality products from TIMco. The new catalogue, which is now available, details the full range of TIMco products, guides on how to get the most out of the products, environmental and corrosion ratings as well as ordering and delivery information. TIMco’s product range has grown to include more than 6,000 products, including brand new product lines such as Addax X6 impact driver bits, chucks, adaptors, sockets and drill bits.  There are also new products from the newly extended SHIELD protection range as well as the usual comprehensive selection of high quality fixing and fastening products under the TIMco brand. Simon Midwood, Managing Director of TIMco comments: “We aim to be the wholesale supplier that supports independents, and this brochure helps merchants extend the range they offer to their customers which makes the end user’s shopping experience quicker and easier. This catalogue includes many new products outside of our core fixings and fastener lines and was launched as a direct result of the research conducted by our marketing team, who found merchants wanted a better choice from their supplier.” Merchants interested in the new product catalogue are being advised to contact their regional sales manager or visit www.timco.co.uk/contacts to download the latest version.   TIMco is head quartered in Nantwich, Cheshire and is one of the UK’s largest and most experienced importers and wholesalers of screws, fixings, fasteners, nails and power tools accessories.  A family company, TIMco was founded in 1972, starting off in a small unit in Chester city Centre.  Now the company has up to 110 members of staff from offices in the UK, Ireland and Taiwan.  For more information, visit www.TIMco.co.uk.

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New & improved solar reflective aluminium paint

Coo-Var has added a new formulation to its solar reflective aluminium paint range which now gives an even brighter sheen finish, creating considerably more dissipation of heat and reflection of sunlight. The solar reflective aluminium paint available in Coo-Var’s Specialist Paints range is a bituminous based aluminium paint that gives a highly reflective metallic finish. It is designed to reflect and dissipate heat and sunlight on roofs resulting in a reduction of heat build-up. You can apply direct to roofs including flat roofs. Available in 5 litres and 25 litres, it is suitable for felt, asphalt, wood, brick & concrete. Ideal for large commercial contract work as well as for residential property. The new formulation helps to to decrease the need for air conditioning, fuel consumption, emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. About Coo-Var Coo-Var started manufacturing paints in 1908, initially supplying marine and industrial finishes to the industrial and shipbuilding markets. Since then the company has diversified into specialist and functional coatings; not only do they protect and decorate but also perform a specific function. For example our new Anti-condensation Paint, Antigraffiti coatings preventing permanent marking by graffiti: Anticlimb Paint, Antislip Paint, Antifouling Paint are all included in a large product range. Specific colours can be matched; specialist paints to meet a requirement can be make; Coo-Var supply problem solving products for walls, roofs and floors to enhance safety and security as well as the appearance.

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Indeglas Has Launched a New Product

Indeglas has launched a new product. The new DEKO FG Nature is said to feature the latest in glazed screen partitioning technology. The interior glazing solutions specialists has created a new product that uses the latest technology and merges high performance and natural touch. The new DEKO FG Nature allows for the transfer of light and also offers customers a high degree of acoustic performance in order to blend well with the most up to date and state of the art interior design. The new glazing product is an expansion of the existing DEKO range. Indeglass has recently rebranded and as part of this change is now looking to develop their long term business relationship with DEKO of Denmark, the leading system manufacturing company. Indeglas first started operating as DEKO Scotland, but has recently been rebranded. Under its old name, the company has been operating for 17 years, before rebranding in June this year. The company was founded by Jeanette MacIntyre who is now the Managing Director. Jeanette has said that the new DEKO FG Nature is a great addition to the company’s product portfolio. The new DEKO FG Nature range is a development of the minimal design found in Indeglas’s more classic DEKO FG partition. The interior glazing solutions is available in a range of different thicknesses and is also easy to maintain. The partition is also fully demountable which means that the solutions is completely flexible to the client’s needs. The product ranges and services that are on offer with Indeglas allow architects and designers who are using them to focus on bringing natural light into the centre of a built environment. The glazing solutions allows for more aesthetically divided interior spaces. The use of natural light in built environments has also been found to be beneficial to occupants, whether the building is used for education, healthcare, the local government or anything in between.

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