www.bahco.com
TOOLS WITH SWEDISH
DESIGN QUALITY & FEEL GOOD FACTOR FROM BAHCO
Founded over 100 years ago, Bahco Tools
manufactures an extensive range of hand-held tools which are sold
throughout the world. With headquarters in Sweden, Bahco offers tools
including handsaws, adjustable wrenches, spanners, sockets,
screwdrivers, pliers and cutters, files, bandsaws blades, holesaws,
hacksaw blades and gardening tools. They are used by professional
craftsmen all over the world. |
|
In the early years…
In 1862, Göran Fredrik Göransson founded Högbo Stål & Jernwerks AB in
Sweden, producing high quality steel using the Bessemer process. In
1886, he began producing saw blades of the same high quality using
this method. They were marked with the "Fish & Hook"* brand as a
symbol of the highest quality and today, all Bahco tools carry this
mark.
|
|
That very same year, Johan
Petter Johansson established his company Enköpings Mekaniska Verkstad in
Enköping Sweden. J.P. Johansson was both a clever and creative craftsman,
and in 1888 he got his first patent for "The Iron Hand" - today known as
the pipe wrench. J.P. Johansson's idea was to replace fixed spanners with
a single tool which could fit different sizes of bolts and nuts.
This was the beginning of the product innovation and design that still
prevails within the company today. In 1891, his next patent was the very
first adjustable spanner. This was the basis for the adjustable wrench, as
we know it.
In 1890, Berndt August Hjorth acquired the sales and marketing rights for
products from Enköpings Mekaniska Verkstad. His entrepreneurial skills
ensured that the company became more than just a local Swedish success and
laid the basis for the international company that the Bahco Group is
today.
*The Fish and Hook…
In the 1870s, the European steel industry suffered a long depression with
low prices for general steel products. The prices for processed steel were
much better, which created an interest in processing the steel further. A
number of applications for steel wire were discovered, for instance it was
excellent for producing fishing hooks. A fishing hook must be hard and
strong but absolutely not brittle. At that time the combination "hard but
tough" was a difficult metallurgic task, but the Bessemer steel from
Göranssons steel mill was the right quality. When the production of saw
blades took place in 1886 there was a need for a brand, which could
communicate the special properties and quality for the blades, and the
choice was - quite naturally - the fish and hook.
The trademark "Fish & Hook" is still used on all of our tools, and is a
guarantee of the highest quality and performance - developed by
professionals for professionals.
Ergonomically designed…
In addition to the Fish & Hook symbol, a number of Bahco Tools carry the
ERGO® logo. Ergonomics play a major role in Bahco's tool design since long
term strain injuries, such as RSI, are minimised or eradicated by using
well-designed hand tools. The World Health Organisation has identified
over 22 muscular/nervous injuries resulting from the long-term use of hand
tools (not including accidents).
|
“Ergonomics” is the
science of optimising the interplay between people and the environment
according to the principle “adapting the work to the person”. It’s
necessary to take into account each person’s natural preconditions as
well as their limitations when designing tools. |
|
42 different muscles are
put to work each time a hand tool is used. This can potentially pose risks
of overexertion, pain or numbness in parts of the hand if exposed to this
on a regular basis, particularly when using poorly designed tools. The
constant repetition of some actions causes strain even if they don’t feel
particularly strenuous at the time.
There was a time when professionals and keen gardeners were satisfied if a
tool was well made and lasted a reasonable length of time - today they are
more demanding. Why should a tool be "either/or"? Why not both/and? Both:
powerful, durable, reliable - and: functional, ergonomic, comfortable? The
truth is, these aims are not mutually exclusive. Nowadays a growing number
of users demand tools that meet the highest standards of performance and
simultaneously reduce the risk of injury in the short- and long-term.
Bahco aims to reduce the stresses and strains through its ERGO® design
evaluation programme to make tools easier and more efficient as well as
even safer for the user. The design of ergonomic tools within Bahco is
based on a scientifically based 11-point programme which covers facts and
experiences gathered from users, ergonomists, industrial designers,
research and development departments as well as extensive testing and
trials. The procedure takes up to three years to complete. All tools that
have passed this supreme test of their ergonomic suitability, display the
ERGO® symbol.
Slicing Cut…
In addition to the extensive range of hand tools for the plumbing,
carpentry, mechanic, electrical and building trades, Bahco has recently
launched its Home and Garden range, and a number of these tools carry the
ERGO® logo. For example, the ERGO® secateurs ensure a clean, undamaged cut
and allow easy, low pressure pruning that’s fatigue-free all day, every
day.
|
All of Bahco’s ERGO®
secateurs use the unique slicing cut technology that makes cutting
live wood astonishingly easy. Just as when cutting a soft loaf of
white bread where you have to pull the blade towards you in a slicing
action to avoid squashing the loaf, the ERGO® secateurs slice as well
as cut down through the wood.
Tools available in the
Home & Garden range include secateurs, loppers, hedge shears, pruning
saws, grass shears, pruning poles, bows saws and axes. |
 |
To view Bahco's full
listing of tools, visit
www.bahco.com and click on "Browse the catalogue".
Supporting the development of the younger generation…
Bahco Tools are pleased to support the Educational Infomat campaign and
encourage the use of the Internet to maximise learning potential within
the classroom environment to benefit the students. For the second
consecutive year, Bahco has been supporting students on vocational courses
across the country through its "Cool Tools Challenge". The funky
snowboarding themed competition aims to attract fresh skills into the
industry by challenging students to test their wits and endurance in a
competition designed to promote best hand tool practice, and the benefits
of ergonomic design. Participating colleges receive a generous tool
donation from Bahco and individual students have the opportunity to win
personal toolboxes and the grand prize of a snowboard and private lessons!
|
Website…
To visit the UK home pages on the website, simply visit
www.bahco.com and
go to "Your Local Bahco", then select "United Kingdom" in the drop
down box. Here you will find the latest press releases, information on
the exhibitions Bahco is attending and the important "Where to Buy"
link which lists local stockists or allows you to purchase the tools
you require online. |
 |
Contact Bahco…
Alternatively, you can contact Bahco at:
Bahco Tools Limited
Manor Way
Halesowen
West Midlands
B62 8QZ.
Tel: 0121 504 5220
Fax: 0121 504 5252
www.bahco.com
|
