Celebrating a Century of Craftsmanship and Innovation
As 2025 unfolds, the industrial and professional tools sector raises a toast to one of its most revered pioneers: Festool. It marks a significant milestone as Festool 100 years of craftsmanship evolution, innovation, and unwavering dedication to quality. A century of leadership in professional trades, Festool has consistently redefined the potential of tools. This centennial celebration highlights Festool’s significant and enduring impact on the professional tools industry.
A Journey Through Time: From Chainsaws to Exoskeletons
In 1925, Albert Fezer and Gottlieb Stoll founded a small company in Germany dedicated to repairing stationary wood processing machines. Initially named “Fezer & Stoll,” the company soon developed into “Festo.” Its power tools division ultimately became what we now know as Festool.
From a humble beginning with their first portable chainsaw in 1927, they advanced to create the ExoActive exoskeleton in 2024. This remarkable transformation epitomizes Festool’s commitment to solving real-world challenges tradespeople face with innovative solutions.
Festool’s Evolution of Craftsmanship
Festool has spearheaded the development of tools that revolutionize trade work. In 1927, the company introduced the first portable chainsaw, which enabled loggers and carpenters to gain greater mobility and efficiency. Festool continued with the SB126 in the 1930s, with the first portable circular saw for carpenters.
In the 1960s, Festool revolutionized sanding by introducing the world’s first orbital sander. This invention contributed to smoother finishes and more precise work. It was also pivotal in developing the first dust extraction system, marking Festool’s unwavering focus on health and safety—a tradition that continues today.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Festool launched the ROTEX sander. The first geared random orbit sander combined coarse sanding, fine sanding and polishing into one tool. In 1993, Festool introduced Systainer, an innovative storage organization and transportation system now available in over 185 different versions.
Festool continued to push boundaries entering the new millennium. In 2008, the company developed products like the DOMINO wood joining system and the PLANEX LHS 225 drywall sander with adjustable vacuum suction. The CSC SYS 50 table saw in a Systainer format became another game-changer, offering carpenters unprecedented portability and convenience.
Most recently, the ExoActive exoskeleton, launched in 2024, showcased Festool’s continued commitment to ergonomic innovation. It supports tradespeople during strenuous tasks and reduces fatigue.
How Festool Revolutionized Trade Work Over 100 Years
Festool’s impact on the professional tools industry is immeasurable. With each new product, Festool has addressed specific challenges tradespeople face, blending performance, safety, and ergonomics into every design.
From its early days of chain saw innovation to the sophisticated exoskeletons of today, every Festool tool comes from a legacy of solving real-world problems. Tools like the cordless CSC SYS 50 table saw and the innovative DOMINO wood joining system reflects its philosophy of building tools that make work more efficient, precise and safer.
Festool has steadily pioneered advancements in health and safety. Technologies such as KickbackStop and the Vibration Control System demonstrate its commitment to reducing the risk of injury, enhancing the overall well-being of workers, and setting safety standards within the industry.
Iconic Products Throughout History
Celebrating Festool’s impact on the professional tools industry also means looking back at the iconic products that have shaped its legacy. For instance:
- 1927 Portable Chainsaw: Revolutionized logging and carpentry work by offering unprecedented mobility
- SB126 Circular Saw (1930): The first portable circular saw explicitly designed for carpenters, setting the stage for further advancements
- First Orbital Sander (1966): Changed the game in surface finishing, leading to cleaner, smoother results
- ROTEX Sander (1979): Combined coarse sanding, fine sanding, and polishing in a single tool, increasing efficiency on the job
- Systainer (1993): A versatile storage and transportation solution that’s now available in multiple versions, enhancing organization and productivity
- DOMINO Wood Joining System (2000s): Simplified and strengthened woodworking joints, becoming a favorite among woodworkers
- PLANEX LHS 225 Drywall Sander (2008): Improved ergonomics and efficiency in drywall sanding
- ExoActive Exoskeleton (2024): Represented the cutting edge of ergonomic innovation, supporting and reducing fatigue in strenuous tasks
Join the Celebration and Gear Up with ACME Tools!
Festool starts a year-long celebration by inviting tradespeople everywhere to participate in the anniversary. Throughout 2025, Festool will release limited-edition versions of some of its most iconic products and introduce new tools that continue to push the boundaries of innovation and craftsmanship.
At ACME Tools, we’re thrilled to join in celebrating Festool’s 100th anniversary. We have a wide range of Festool products available so you can experience firsthand the quality and innovation that have defined Festool for a century.
Discover the tools that have revolutionized trade work for the past century and power up your toolkit with Festool’s innovative solutions. Visit ACME Tools today to shop our Festool collection and join us in celebrating this milestone.
Let’s look forward to another 100 years of innovation, quality, and revolutionary craftsmanship together.
