This year the annual STAFDA (Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association) trade show will be November 7-9 in Phoenix, Arizona. In a recent Contractor Supply article it said registration was up 51% from last year at this time. There may be several reasons this news is not surprising first off because last year we saw a 38% decrease in sales for the construction supply industry. It is pretty easy to cut a trip to the less than desirable vacation spot of Atlanta when your business is taking hits like that. Also the keynote speaker in 2009 was Herman Cain, a very respected businessman in Atlanta but not a nationally recognized name who will draw a crowd.

Continue reading "STAFDA 2010 Convention Registration up 51% with Sarah Palin" »

Posted by Jay A. at 03:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We had a few more videos ready from the recent STAFDA show we thought that were pretty interesting.

The Bernzomatic Quickfire is a brand new compact soldering hand torch. It features 30% faster soldering time, on/off trigger, lockable, easy to change fuel tank and is perfect for getting into those hard to reach places.

Bosch NailKiller Ship/Spur Auger is another revolutionary development from the Bosch Accessories team. These guys love to take standard accessories we have all been using for years and find new innovative ways to improve performance and tool life.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The STAFDA trade show is traditionally where manufacturers come together and solicit current distributors to carry their products thus increasing their overall reach. This show does not have as many product launches as the larger and more end user focused show like the www.BuildersShow.com or www.WorldofConcrete.com but there were some cool new products that were launched or at least that were available to touch and feel for the first time. Many of the larger vendors also had private meetings to unveil future plans and products however those products weren’t ready to launch.

Some of the highlights (more to come):

The Senco Fusion was one of the bigger product launches of the show. They didn’t have any marketing material ready and currently nothing on their website but they did have several working models of the 15 gauge and 18 gauge finishing nailers which I got to try out. These should be available sometime in the first quarter 2010 with other finishers on the way shortly afterwards. The framing nailer they said was in the works but we would not see it anytime soon.        

The Milwaukee 2790-20 JobSite Radio for M12, M18, V18, V28 & NiCds was also at the show along with all the new Milwaukee Test & Measure tools. I have probably already had too many posts on these items already but it was nice to get chance to see them in action and answer a few questions like how can the radio take every kind of battery? Answer 3 different battery slots so probably not going to see any other universal tools coming.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just wanted to throw it out there for reps, vendors, manufacturers, PR ninjas and others we will be attending the STAFDA show, which is just a few weeks away at this point. If you are have a new tool product or represent any specific brand and would to be featured on Coptool.com please contact us and we will be happy to stop by your booth or meet with you anytime. If you would like to meet up to buy me a beer and tell me how awesome the website is I’m open to that as well.

It also looks like we will be headed to the 2010 Builders Show as well so if you are not going to be at STAFDA perhaps we can give you some coverage then.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently I had the opportunity to work with Construction Distribution Magazine and report on some of the new products that were featured at the STAFDA trade show. In total there were 6 of us “Roving Reporters” and it was interesting to see the different products that were mentioned in the article. I personally could have gone on forever with so many new products, if only I had the time and patience, there were easily 100 products which should have been mentioned.

Some of the products highlighted in the article are: Milwaukee M12 Cordless Tools, Spyder Scraper, Recipro Tools, Ridgid MicroExplorer, Malco TurboShear FC, Bosch Laser Levels, Dremel Multi-Max, CP Hydraulic Power Pack, Wright University Online Courses, Bosch Laser Range Finder, Concrete Destroyer from DiTeq Diamond, Joy Jaw saw guards, Grill-N-Chill tailgate BBQ, Gear Keeper Tethered products, Bosch PS50 Multi-X and portable CO2 tank from JacPac.  

Read the full article with pictures now on the Construction Distribution website, also the article will be in the December/January issue of the magazine which should be available this week or next.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)