Stanley and Homag make big plans for the future

Stanley Black & Decker recently completed its purchase of the Craftsman brand from Sears Holdings Corporation.

The company says it plans to bring innovation and investment back to the Craftsman brand. “We will invest in the brand with a focus on quality, innovation and U.S. manufacturing, with the goal of rapidly increasing sales through new channels,” Stanley Black & Decker president and CEO James M. Loree said in a statement. “We also understand the Craftsman warranty is important to existing customers and intend to honor existing and offer similar warrantees going forward.”

The purchase agreement allows Sears to continue sourcing, marketing and selling Craftsman-branded products at its stores.

* * *

The Homag Group is merging its existing machinery brands — Weeke, Holzma, Brandt, Friz, Bütfering and Homag Automation — into one brand. And that brand is Homag.

“Any company seeking success in today’s economy must keep an eye on the market, listen to customers and be open to change,” the company said in a statement. “The Homag Group has taken this to heart and has realigned the company for its customers, suppliers and business partners. This emergence of the new Hoag Group is signaled by a change in brand strategy, a new claim of ‘your solution’ and a new brand presence.”

Stiles Machinery, a member of the Homag Group since 2014, is the distribution and service partner of Homag in the United States and Mexico. The Stiles Machinery brand and name will not be affected by this change.

“Stiles Machinery is proud to support Homag as it unifies its brands into one,” according to a statement. “Stiles customers can expect to experience the newly branded Homag machinery across all product lines in the near future.”

* * *

The Cabinet Makers Association is accepting entries for its 2017 Wood Diamond Awards program, which honors the most outstanding entries in dozens of categories, including residential and commercial projects.

“The CMA was founded on the principles of sharing one’s experiences and ideas with other members in an effort to promote success and professionalism in the woodworking business,” CMA executive director Amanda Conger said in statement. “The Wood Diamond Award program allows yet another outlet for that purpose to be fulfilled.”

The entry fee is $50 for each submission received by April 30. No entries will be accepted after May 15. Winners will be announced July 20 at the AWFS fair in Las Vegas.

For more, visit www.cabinetmakers.org.

* * *

Woodshop News will begin publication of The Exchange, the official e-newsletter of the AWFS, in April. We will be working directly with the AWFS to generate content in support of the show. Content will include show updates and new product announcements. Exhibitors can send press materials to editorial@woodshopnews.com for consideration.

This article originally appeared in the April 2017 issue.