In response to a recent post, a number of readers expressed an interest in cordless power tool kits being bundled with matching modular tool boxes.
“Festool does it, why not other brands?” seems to be a common argument.
I hate to break it to you, but it’s never becoming the norm in the USA.
Every so often, we’ll see promo tool kits that are bundled with modular tool boxes, such as this Dewalt 20V Max and ToughSystem bundle.
Milwaukee offered a couple of M18 cordless power tool and Packout tool box bundles a few years ago, and once or twice since then.
Certain tools are bundled with modular tool boxes, such as the Milwaukee M18 Fuel track saw, and Dewalt’s 20V Max press tool kit.
Bosch used to have different cordless power tool and L-Boxx tool box bundles, complete with molded inserts.
Back in 2020, Bosch stopped shipping many tools with L-Boxx inserts.
In my opinion, tools and modular tool box bundles won’t be popularized anytime soon.
It costs more. Bundles might force tool users to spend more for a tool box they don’t want or need, potentially driving them towards other brands’ lower cost options.
“But Festool does it!” Yes, and you’re paying for the included Systainers whether you want them or not. Festool tools are priced at a premium and typically cost much more than other brands’ tools or solutions.
Let’s say two competing tool brands both have $300 cordless power tool combo kits, but one of them throws in a tool box and raised the price to $350 accordingly. While some might be happy saving $5 to $10 on a cordless kit and tool box, the higher-priced brands will likely lose sales overall.
Don’t underestimate how price-conscious and driven consumers often are.
They take up more space. A lot of work is done to package cordless power tools and kits in as small a volume as possible. The more tools you can fit into a shipping container or pallet, the lower the cost to move them from factory to warehouse or point of sale.
A product’s footprint and packaging volume can make a difference as to how many can be stocked at retail stores, which is a very important consideration during high volume sales seasons.
There are also production volume considerations. How many more tool boxes would be needed to create cordless bundles for additional SKUs?
Tool users like choices. I want to be able to put a Dewalt tool in a Packout tool box, and vice versa.
One might argue that cordless power tool kits come with things like belt clips or chargers that a buyer might not need.
Belt clips and other such accessories can be a hassle to source separately. They have low value and are easier to bundle into a kit in case the user wants them. Only the most entry-level and budget-focused kits skip the belt clips.
As for chargers, they’re necessary to get customers going right out of the box. If you need a tool and a battery, it’s often more economical to get the complete. If you just need the tool and no battery, tool-only kits are more economical. If you get a kit, the charger probably doesn’t materially contribute to the retail price, and they don’t increase the size by a whole lot.
Some brands offer everything a la carte, but it’s not common.
Will bundling high quality tool boxes with cordless kits make anyone more money? This is what it comes down to. I’d say the answer is no.
Do you want custom-fitted inserts? A lot of brands and 3rd party companies offer customizable foam. If there was sufficient volume, I’d bet they’d produce custom inserts outside of special promotional bundles.
With Milwaukee’s M12 and Packout organizer bundles, a common complaint was that it doesn’t come with organizer bins. You can buy those bins separately, but that doesn’t stop a lot of customers from griping about it.
Milwaukee has Packout and screwdriver bit assortment bundles, and customers complained that it came with bins but no bespoke storage for the accessory set.
So now you can get Milwaukee accessory sets that take the place of the removable bins included with Packout organizers.
Most tool brands and retailers listen closely to what customers say they want, and also to what their wallets and spending habits are saying.
Let’s say you want a new cordless drill and impact driver combo kit, and you wish it came with a modular tool box. Are you going to buy all of that anyway, in the form of a combo kit and separate tool box? Then what’s the incentive for the retailer to bundle everything together?
If you’re looking to buy a Festool Domino floating tenon cutting tool, is the inclusion of a Systainer going to make or break your decision?
A $50 to $100 increase in price – or more – is absolutely going to steer users away from cordless power tool combo kits.
What size of tool box might be included with a cordless sander?
Oscillating multi-tool?
Heat gun?
At some point, tool users will end up with more tool boxes than they want – if any.
I think we could see more specialty tools in modular tool boxes, but sometimes the sizing doesn’t mesh well.
Until it is, or there’s huge demand for it, bundled modular tool boxes will remain an exception.