This June 16th and 17th saw Milwaukee’s 2015 New Product Symposium, a two day media-only event for showcasing the tools that the company is launching throughout 2015 and into early 2016. The publicity leading up to #NPS15 asked “How Will Milwaukee Unlock the Future of Jobsite Technology?” After wildly divergent speculation, the answer was given on Tuesday night under the heading of “One Key”, but we are embargoed from writing about it or showing our photos until August 1st! I am free to say that it is sophisticated, exciting and far-reaching. You’ll have to wait for the rest.
The formal start to the proceedings came at the Waukesha Expo Center on Tuesday afternoon. We were ushered into a domed hall that was done up like a rock concert complete with booming music, swiveling lights and fog generators. As we entered, we were greeted by a cadre of red-shirted division heads, product managers marketing managers and assistant managers, with handshakes all around. Did I expect this? No, I did not. Did I like it? Yes, I did!
It took a bit for everyone to find their assigned seats, then the program began with the introduction of Milwaukee Group President Steve Richman. Richman’s welcoming speech touched on the company’s goals and philosophy, then he quickly turned the presentation over to a presenter who took us right into the hot stuff that we are obliged to keep under wraps! After the introduction we divided into groups for smaller, detailed presentations and hands-on time. Photos were allowed under the Non-Disclosure Agreements signed by all attendees, but we cannot show them until Milwaukee makes the news public with their August 1st public announcement. We know you’re itching to see, and we’re itching to tell, but we’ll all have to be patient…
When business was over, the media mingled with the Milwaukee folks while enjoying some good Wisconsin beer and other treats. It was a great time to give preliminary reactions to the new developments and to gain some insight, but it wasn’t all shop talk.
Later in the evening, there was a lot of tool talk at the Marriott, as a good crowd of folks who know each other well from many such events kept the conversation going until the specter of the 6:45 A.M. bus back to the Expo Center was too much to ignore. This was my first event of this kind and I enjoyed meeting many of the people I read and watch on-line.
So Get to the Tools Already!
VP of Product Management Paul Fry describes the evolution of the M18 Fuel line.
A lot of the news from this symposium is of additions and upgrades to the popular M18 Fuel line of cordless power tools, but there is much, much more. In the coming days I’ll post about lighting, heated gear, hand tools, power tools, accessories and my tour of the very impressive facilities on Lisbon Road.
Stay Tuned!
-dvl
Indeed it was! It’s going to be more fun in the coming months.
I am looking forward to hearing more, Dirck! It really looks like it was a lot of fun.