At the 2014 CEDIA Expo, Southwire unveiled their new line of over 40 voice-data-video (VDV) tools. These tools complement the full line of Southwire’s Low-Voltage cable products and broaden Southwire’s innovative Tools & Equipment line that was introduced in 2013.

“Installers are passionate about the tools in their tool bag,” said John Payne, Southwire’s Product Director for VDV, Test & Measurement. “Our objective is to build professional tools that exceed our customers’ expectations for quality, performance and features – tools that make a difference on the real-world jobsite.”

One product that exceeds expectations is the T100PK Professional Tone & Probe Kit. Market research demonstrated that installers find the test leads on most tone generators to be frustrating because they hang loose and get tangled easily with other tools in the tool bag. With an innovative tone generator design, Southwire has found a way to easily store the test leads in the tester body, completely eliminating the problem.

“It’s an installer-focused product development approach – the same approach Southwire has successfully used to maintain leadership in the wire & cable market for years. And each VDV product has its own innovation story,” Payne said. “Our goal is to improve installer jobsite productivity by creating a set of quality tools that take advantage of our knowledge of wire & cable.”

Southwire’s VDV tools include cable cutters, strippers, crimpers and punchdown tools, as well as cable tracers and testers. The Southwire Tools & Equipment product line offers a robust selection of hand tools and a professional array of meters and test equipment, as well as larger contractor equipment serving areas such as cable pulling, hole making, conduit bending and accessories used in both commercial and residential installations.

Southwire’s Tools & Equipment and the new VDV line are available nationwide at retail outlets, electronic wholesalers and tool supply houses. For more information, visit www.southwiretools.com.

- Whitney Agan