By Larry Kotars,
Regional Sales Manager, Huskie Tools, Inc.

(From an article that appeared in the October 1999 issue of Utility.)

It has been nine years since Huskie introduced the first battery-operated compression and cutting tools to the electric power industry. They have been through four generations of tool improvements and have stood firm to their commitment to provide the best and safest tools to the industry. Their tool evolution campaign has been around just as many years and there are utility companies who still use 1940s technology.

The handheld hydraulic tool was invented and used fluid power to assist muscle power to do the work. This tool was used to keep pace with the rapid development of transmission and distribution across the country. However, this tool was not designed to avoid replacement. Several utility companies don't want to believe that change is good. Why would a powerline technician want to risk muscle strain injury using manual tools when they can just pull a trigger to cut and crimp with ease?

When you think about it, there is no debate.

Huskie thinks their users just have to become better educated. Their competitive edge is that a person wants to work smarter, not harder. Dragging a heavy manual tool around all day and making 50 connections on one job is not a good idea. Justifying frequency of repair parts, cost of additional equipment required to operate the tool, cost of labor time required to complete the job, cost of meeting OSHA, National Safety Council, and union standards, cost of an accident on the job related to those tools is just not smart business.

It is the utility management's job to provide the safest and most productive tool for the job for the powerline technician. Huskie's quality workmanship and superior warranty makes this decision easy. With so many companies hiring ergonomic personnel, it only makes sense to make the "Smart Choices."