December 2023

Viewpoints & Predictions
“CORDLESS IS FAST BECOMING THE PREFERRED
PLATFORM FOR MANY IN THE INDUSTRY”
Simon Miller, Managing Director, HiKOKI Power Tools
When it comes to which tools are going
to be a hit in 2024 with roofing and
cladding installers, it will almost
certainly be cordless nailers.
Advances in cordless nailer performance,
enhanced by Lithium-ion battery technology and
highly efficient brushless motors, means that
cordless is fast becoming the preferred platform
for many in the industry. There are no trailing
power cords that pose trip hazards, no keeping
gas cells warm in pockets on cold winter days –
just consistent, awesome performance.
In 2023 we launched the NT1850DFJXZ 18V
Compact 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer, which
allows users to easily move around the jobsite
without hoses or compressors, and can get a
whopping 1,650 nails per charge with the
included 3.0Ah compact battery. The
Two words may be even more prevalent in
the roofing contracting industry in 2024;
safety and sustainability.
NT1850DFJXZ employs a unique Air Spring
Drive system that uses compressed air to
drive each nail, resulting in zero ramp up
time, increased driving speed and recoil
that feels like a pneumatic nailer.
So, expect cordless power tools to keep
transforming the way we work on construction sites.
By 2027 it is estimated that 90 per cent of all power
tools sold will be cordless – if you haven’t done so
already, maybe it’s time to make that switch!
www.hikoki-powertools.co.uk
“Expect cordless power
tools to keep
transforming the way
we work”
“RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS SOLAR
PANELS ARE STILL BEING INSTALLED IN NUMBER”
James Robinson, Sales and Marketing Director, Samac Fixings
1st Fix collated nails continue to be a
popular choice amongst roofers who want
safety and quality in their nailers.
“2023 SAW ALARMING
THEFT STATS”
Devin Chawda CEO ARMD
As we edge into 2024, it’s the
perfect time for hard-working
roofing and cladding contractors
to take control and get their kit insured, their
vans protected against tool thefts and keep
their livelihood safe.
2023 saw some alarming stats on theft. There is
one tool theft every 23 minutes which is over
around 23,000 a year – and that’s only those
that are reported. Settlement of these claims can
take weeks or sometimes months, so something
had to change. And it has. With ARMD, in just a
few clicks you can have the peace of mind that
should the worst happen, you will be back on the
tools in days or even hours, rather than weeks.
You can you register your tool inventory for free
within the ARMD app, and the ARMD Guard
Smart Van Alarm and Tracker is engineered to
safeguard your tools and equipment. The “Plug
and Play” alarm can be set up within a few
minutes, with no technical knowledge required.
You simply plug it into the OBD port in your van.
The alarm is powered via your vehicle’s OBD
port, ensuring that it remains operational without
draining your van’s battery and the passive
infrared sensor goes in the back and watches
over your tools looking for movement.
From 1st October 2023, the Building Safety
Act has been in force and places strict
requirements on the roofing contractor to comply
with the Act. Similarly, although much was made
in the news headlines around Net Zero in
September 2023, renewable technologies such as
solar panels are still being installed in number.
The industry also has to ensure it is installing
sustainable materials – often at the demand of
environmentally conscious clients.
For Samac Fixings, 2023 saw these trends
reflected in our product range. Our Performance
Range of wood screws was expanded to meet the
demands of more applications, while our Viper
Recognising the amount of solar panelling in
the UK today, we launched the SolarGuard Pro,
which you can retrofit to protect the panels from
the build-up of debris under the panels, which
can compromise the structure of the roof itself.
We also launched Coloured Slate Hooks, the
simple solution for fixing natural slate to pitched
roofs and they are an alternative to copper clout
nails. They come in light grey, dark grey and
green, and provide an unobtrusive fixing solution,
matching the colours against the colour of the
slate itself, allowing the beauty of the roofing
material to take centre stage.
www.samacfixings.co.uk
One of ARMD Guard’s standout features is its
silent alert system. In the unfortunate event of a
break-in, where your van is out of sight or is
masked in darkness, the ARMD Guard discreetly
calls you while the criminals are in action,
without them knowing. This allows you to take
swift action and call the police, potentially
leading to the capture of the culprits in the act
and the recovery of your stolen tools.
In just a few clicks you can have the peace of
mind that should the worst happen, you will be
back on the tools in days or even hours.
www.armd.uk
20 TC DECEMBER 2023