Dewalt Collaborates with Ford Motor Company to Offer Tool Link, a Vehicle-Based RFID Tool Tracking System for Professional Contractors
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-- Tool Link Marks DeWALT's Third Security Product Offering Designed to Help Reduce Jobsite Theft and Increase Productivity for Professional Contractors --
BALTIMORE - February 6, 2008 - DeWALT, a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools, today announced its collaboration with Ford Motor Company, the leading manufacturer of pickup trucks and full-size vans, to launch Tool Link, the industry's first Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system that enables professional contractors to track detailed inventory of their tools and equipment stored in the pickup box or van. Available on the 2009 F-150, F-Series Super Duty trucks, and E-Series vans this fall, Tool Link by DeWALT is a feature of Ford Work Solutions, a collection of affordable technologies developed to offer end users better connectivity, flexibility and security in key aspects of their business.
DeWALT collaborated with Ford and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology, to create Tool Link. Tool Link allows end users to track assets and control inventory, ensuring crews arrive and leave the jobsite with the right tools and materials for their job. The system includes rugged reliable labels that allow the truck operators to tag, scan and track expensive tools, equipment and other assets. When the vehicle is running, a pair of RFID antennas, mounted in corrosion and impact-resistant housings on the inside of the pickup box, scan the box for tagged items on a pre-programmed inventory list. This data is transmitted to a reader mounted inside the cab and displayed on the in-dash computer screen, alerting the driver if any inventoried tools are not loaded on the truck.
"DeWALT is dedicated to developing new products that provide professional contractors with innovative solutions to help meet their needs," commented Chris Allen, vice president of DeWALT's Security Business Group. "Working with Ford and ThingMagic to create Tool Link further demonstrates this commitment and will enable end users to be more productive on the jobsite."
Providing functionality in an easy-to-use format, Tool Link offers industry-first features such as a pre-loaded menu with several standard tool lists that are easily edited to reflect specific types of jobs. The system uses industry standard second-generation RFID tags that can be fastened to tools or other assets and can scan and organize hundreds of tags in just seconds.
"Ford, through Ford Work Solutions, is focused on offering productivity solutions for our truck owners. Collaborating with DeWALT is an opportunity to take productivity to a new level by creating innovative solutions," said William Frykman, Ford Work Solutions product and business development manager. "Ford and DeWALT are both leaders in their industries. With DeWALT's core knowledge of its end users and expertise in developing jobsite solutions that meet the needs of professional contractors, Tool Link will ensure that professional contractors can work smarter."
Tool Link will be available this fall on the new 2009 Ford F-150 XL, STX, XLT and FX4 trucks; F-Series Super Duty XL, XLT and FX4 trucks; and all 2009 E-Series vans.
DeWALT entered the security business in 2004 after continuous user feedback and concern about the issue of jobsite theft and lack of solutions to effectively protect the jobsite. DEWALT conducted a research study and found that jobsite security was a top concern for construction industry professionals. With only 10 to 15 percent of stolen equipment being recovered, DeWALT developed SITELOCK, a patented wireless technology designed for the construction industry that monitors numerous pieces of equipment or areas simultaneously.
In 2006, DeWALT launched the MOBILELOCK(TM) GPS Locator and Anti-Theft Alarm that features state-of-the-art locating capabilities. The Global Positioning System (GPS) feature allows contractors to locate the MOBILELOCK unit in real time using the Internet.
About DeWALT (www.dewalt.com)
DeWALT is a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools with more than 300 power tool and equipment products as well as 800 power tool accessories, including corded and cordless drills, saws, hammers, grinders, routers, planers, plate joiners, sanders, lasers, generators, compressors and nailers, as well as saw blades, metal and masonry drill bits, abrasives, screw driving accessories and more. DeWALT tools can be found wherever tools are sold, nationally and internationally. With over 1,000 factory owned and authorized service locations, DeWALT has one of the most extensive repair networks in North America.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
About ThingMagic, Inc.
Founded in 2000 and based in Cambridge, MA, ThingMagic is a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Mercury5®, ThingMagic's fifth generation RFID reader platform, builds on and substantially enhances the company's original platform created for early field tests of the Electronic Product Code (EPC). Designed to meet the business needs of a future where networked objects are pervasive, the Mercury line of RFID readers also includes a DRM-certified reader, Mercury4, and the embedded reader modules, Mercury4e and Mercury5e. Mercury RFID readers are the only RFID readers that can claim to read any tag®. For more information, see www.thingmagic.com.
