While other industries have undergone tremendous changes over time, owing to innovation and technology, the construction industry has lagged behind, says power tools and hardware wholesaler Matus South Africa marketing manager Candice Knipe-Tlhotlhalemajoe.

“What we are seeing now is a shift in building methods locally, where there has been a notable decline in traditional building projects, particularly in South Africa. However, there has been an increase in the demand for innovative building systems encompasses modular buildings, container conversions and ‘greener’ building solutions,” she adds.

These new technologies, she highlights, require power tools in the assembly or manufacturing processes.

Subsequently some of the company’s leading brands for power tools within the construction sector are Hikoki, Fox and Euroboor.

The products comprise the supply of impact drills, angle grinders, impact wrenches, rotary hammers, breakers and chippers, hand tools and power tool accessories, all of which are crucial to the success of a project.

As such, Knipe-Tlhotlhalemajoe notes that the construction industry has “vast potential” because of innovative tool technologies and new construction techniques.

Matus Hikoki, Fox and Euroboor category manager Dylan Thomas advances that Hikoki comprises tools such as breakers and chippers, rotary hammer drills and angle grinders.

Fox’s power tool accessories comprise drill bits, cutting and grinding discs, and abrasives, while Euroboor‘s ECO.36 machine is versatile, lightweight and designed for drilling precision holes in I-beams.

“Hikoki has been very successful in taking up this opportunity, as we have noticed the increased demand for cordless power tools with similar performance of a corded tool. We have introduced the Multivolt 36 V range of cordless brushless technology tools,” Thomas says.

Added to that, the company has introduced the ET36A, an adapter which changes the cordless tools into a corded tool using 220 V power for continuous operation.

“Another one of our leading tools for the construction sector is the Groz indestructible hammer which is used for heavy demolition work, fracturing stone and concrete,” Matus Groz category manager Kevin Steele tells Engineering News.

The hammer has an indestructible handle which comprises six spring steel bars locked with the steel hammer head using steel locking plates, ensuring that the head never gets dislodged. An ergonomic rubber grip handle absorbs vibration and reduces fatigue, he adds.

Further, the company understands that as the world is fast-changing, the way things have been done traditionally is shifting accordingly.

“To keep up with these new trends as an organisation, we constantly need to evolve,” Knipe-Tlhotlhalemajoe concludes.