Bill, you pose and interesting topic there for debate. Its all good and well for these guys to be developing a new tool but at this stage they seem a bit late to the party. What surprises me is the tool market on a global scale.
The way they are marketed in North America one would think this is the only market in the world.
I have had several discussions with Toni in Spain about the availability and cost of tools in Europe. You would think that some of these companies would be looking at fostering the woodworking market further afield.
I mean look at what Sawstop are selling a saw in Japan for. In a recessionary market. It was cheaper for Stu to import his on a one off basis. So if they kill the cat in that manner I have absolutely no sympathy for them.
Added to this Stanley is going to have to do a great deal of marketing to persuade me they are the tool company they used to be. They used to stand for quality. But that was back in my farthers day.
Considering the changing demographics of the US / Developed nations, there are a lot of possibilities out there to market to. But the market development needs to be done. Most of these big organizations seem unable to use their buying power to be able to develop a market in a new country. I think there are too many CFO types that dont think outside the box and see a whole world as a market.
The issue is they still have it too easy selling in their home market and are too lazy to get on a plane and take the product to new markets to ensure their survivability. Here Russia has been non communist since what 1990's and we hear of a deal now for Opel in Europe that will access the Russian car market. Why was this not considered by GM years ago. Just as Toyota and all entered the US market.
Oh i better get of my soapbox this subject really gets me going. I hate seeing good manufacturing jobs going out the door because of the execs that lack imagination and drive but want the big bucks and perks.
With the schools not teaching shop in a large number of places, these tool manufacturers need to start to think strategically to look at their long term futures. They need to put more into grass roots woodworking just as the guys who sell fishing tackle do with Dad and kids tournaments etc. Same as the sport guys do.
Sorry for the hijack ( you started the deviation though) i shut up now.