Depot merchant sees power shift

Technology and the changing landscape of the building industry have put power tool retailers on the cusp of major changes in buying habits, according to a Home Depot merchant.

As the Atlanta-based retailer is introducing new lines of cordless and pneumatic nailers -- from well-known names like DeWalt and Makita -- the category’s merchant for pneumatic fastening Steve Lieberman said a shift is coming. And it’s coming soon.

“I’m going to say within 18 to 24 months, we’re going to see a shift to battery power in framing and roofing,” he said.

Currently, the air-powered tools dominate the job site for framing and roofing because of the power and performance. But advances in battery power continue to march forward.

“They’re getting more powerful,” Lieberman said. “The lithium ion battery is packing a bigger punch, brushless motors are enabling power -- the performance of those tools are getting to the point where they will meet and exceed the expectations of that end user.”

While a battery would add about 8 to 16 ounces to a nailer’s overall weight, it also untethers the end user from a tank, a hose and a power source. “You’re no longer lugging around a compressor,” he said.

To promote the company’s new relationship with Makita and DeWalt, Lieberman says about 500 Home Depot stores will advertise the new Makita and DeWalt nailers with banners over the stores’ pro entrance, plus sandwich-board signs around the stores, as well as other promotions.

“This is a pro-dominant category,” he said.