Metabo
Metabo has a reputation for manufacturing superbly engineered power tools for professional use across a wide range of industrial applications. Based in Nürtingen, South Germany, the company has subsidiaries throughout the world including the UK. The Group as a whole employs around 2400 people and enjoys sales in over 100 countries worldwide.
Cosalt is Metabo's main distributor in Scotland and the two companies benefit from a particularly strong working relationship. Metabo supplies Cosalt with cordless and rotary drills, grinders and saws. Regular weekly meetings have helped both sides build an in-depth understanding of the specific tool requirements of Cosalt's customer base.
Metabo encourages Cosalt to attend product training sessions and have an input into how products might be improved. Working closely with Metabo means Cosalt is able to supply its customers with power tools matched precisely to their specific needs.
A recent example was the improvement of a basic angle grinder used extensively in the Clyde shipyards by Cosalt's long-standing customer BAE Systems Surface Ships. While attending a product training day at Metabo's UK offices in Southampton, Cosalt suggested the product could be improved by building in the latest vibration reduction auto-balancing technology to deliver much lower levels of vibration.
Measurements taken on the new model in accordance with EN60745 showed the vibration level was reduced to just 3.6m/s2. This is well below the exposure limit to hand-arm vibration (HAVS) of 5 m/s2 set out in EU directive 2002/44/EC.
For Cosalt's customers this type of HAVS performance is critical. Under normal working conditions the new Metabo Mini Angle Grinders can be used for the majority of the working day resulting in less downtime and higher worker productivity. Metabo's advanced technology system also helps to increase accessory life and improve surface finish.
Further suggestions by Cosalt mean this product will soon be improved further with the addition of a lever start to ensure the tool stops automatically if it is dropped. Again this is critical in the shipyards and the offshore industry where power tools are used at height.
Commented Paul Lipsett, Metabo's Regional Manager for Scotland: "Listening to our dealers and getting to understand the needs of their customers is very important to us. We can only supply the right tool for the job if we know the application it is being used for. We have an excellent working relationship with Cosalt and we value their expertise and input into our product development."
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