On March 12, 2018, a new power tool brand that is oddly familiar and has a proven history will begin. Metabo HPT will evolve from Hitachi Power Tools in North America in 2018. Consumers will have several questions regarding this changeover, and we have listed several of them here.
Why Change from Hitachi Power Tools to Metabo HPT?
In April 2017, a leading global investment firm, KKR, partnered with Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd and purchased the Hitachi Power Tools division from Hitachi Ltd. This new partnership decided it to be best to separate themselves from the limits placed upon them by Hitachi Ltd. and to run the power tool division in a way that was now more beneficial for their customers.
Isn’t There Already a Brand Called Metabo?
There is already a Metabo brand, but both brands, Metabo and Metabo HPT, are owned by the partnership of KKR and Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
The brands will stay stand-alone and will not be interchangeable. The strategy will keep Metabo as an industry leader in Grinding, Drilling, and specialty metalworking tools. In contrast, Metabo HPT will keep the Hitachi Power Tool legacy of industry-leading pneumatics and woodworking tools alive.
We would expect the brands to share some technology that may lead to overlapping tools, but we have been informed that cordless tools are not one of those areas. So, if you currently own cordless tool batteries from either company, they will not fit each other.
How will the tools change?
The answer to this question is brief. The Name printed on the tool and the UPC Code. That is it! The factories producing the Hitachi Power Tools you know and love will manufacture the same Metabo HPT branded tools. The tools will have the same color scheme; they will be the same quality, and the same service centers can repair them. You might not like math, but this puts it all into perspective.
The Same Brand & New Name
How will my warranty be affected?
There will be no change to your warranty or where you can get the tools serviced. All tool warranties remain the same as they were before the name change.
What’s the catch?
Ok, we will level with you. There is a catch, but it is not one the consumer must worry about. The distributors must upgrade their inventory management systems to include a new numbering system.
For instance, most farmers know the model number NR83A5 as a popular pneumatic framing nailer that we can all rely on. The distributor will have to place an order for NR83A5M in the future. The tool will have the NR83A5 part number, and the box the tool comes in will have the NR83A5 part number. So, there is no charge for the consumer and some minor bookkeeping for the distributors.
Our Guarantee
We want our Metabo HPT customers to know that Acme Tools has discussed this change in detail. There is an excellent plan in place that will protect the integrity of the brand and maintain your loyalty. Our first concern is that of our customers, and we are here to protect your best interests.
5 Comments
Buck
January 17, 2019 at 9:01 pmI won’t believe it til Amazon starts carrying the tools at a reasonable price.
Acme Tools
January 18, 2019 at 7:56 amHello, Thank you for your comment. The change Hitachi is going through is just a name change. The tools will stay their same professional high quality.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
MIKE GUENTER
February 14, 2019 at 3:58 amThe new tools look totally different than what I was used to. All my Hitachi corded tools are green.
They didn’t have a catalog or a price list, but they offered free batteries with purchase.
I tried the 36V circular saw in a piece of 2×12 YP and it was sweet, cut like a hot knife through butter.
Ronnie Wyrick
May 5, 2019 at 9:40 amHave a Hitachi Drill Press Model B16RM Hitachi does not Carry replacement parts . Not worth a darn if you cant get parts can anyone tell me where to start lookig
Acme Tools
May 6, 2019 at 7:56 amHi Ronnie. The only place Hitachi references the B16RM drill press is on their Asian and European website for HiKoki products. From what we understand the B16RM drill press was not designed for the US market and to obtain parts you will have to contact a HiKoki distributor.
Thank you,
Acme Tools