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Tool trends and changes in South Africa.

It's hard to imagine a world without tools as part of our daily lives. They are essential items that humanity has relied on for centuries.

In ancient times, humans created tools out of rocks. The first ever power tool is said to be a hand-powered lathe that was created by the ancient Egyptians. The humble screwdriver can be traced to the 1400s, and in 1859 an electric motor was combined with a manual drill - revolutionising the tools industry. Tools have continued to evolve and our modern tools are carefully designed and technologically advanced - with advancements taking place frequently.

 Orlando Luis, CEO of Brights Hardware, offers some insights into current tool trends and developments that are shaping product development and consumer buying behaviour.

1. Tools get smarter

"There is an app for everything tools included! Dewalt and Metabo have developed Blue tooth batteries and power tools that can be tracked and monitored remotely through an app. This app allows you to see how often the machine is working in a day and lets you activate and deactivate the tool - such as in a case of theft."

 "The market in South Africa has been slow so far in the uptake of these new developments, however, Brights predicts that they will grow in popularity as they offer great benefits for contractors who, for example, can monitor the number of manhours being put in by their workforce."

2. User-friendly tools

"In response to a growing trend towards DIY home maintenance and repairs, tool manufacturers are making power tools more and more user-friendly so that they are accessible for the average person to operate," advises Luis.