Fit for purpose

Hamilton says its recently launched ‘For The Trade’ range is successfully grabbing the attention of a wider audience of non-specialist professional users. PBM reports.

Following its own extensive research, Hamilton discovered that a large sector of multi-skilled trades were looking for a range of high-quality decorating tools to be more readily available to them. And although previously devoted to the professional, full-time painter & decorator, that insight led to the brand’s decision to launch a range of decorating tools specifically developed for the multiskilled tradesperson.

at was back in September 2021, and the manufacturer reports that the move has been a positive one. Brand Manager Sarah Coussens explains the ethos behind the range: “We’re certainly not stepping outside of our heartland of professionals, but we are instead embracing those multi-skilled trades and welcoming them into the fold.”

Indeed, Sarah reasserts that Hamilton will always be dedicated to the professional painter and decorator — the core for the company’s product development since 1746 — but with many more trade professionals now also offering skilled decorating services, it is only right that this well-known brand offers a simple, comprehensive and quality range of products tailored to these needs.

Sarah continues: “e multi-skilled trades also need access to products that offer innovation, quality and confidence — we’re generating even more decorating champions.”

Specific ranges for specific needs

With the majority of such trade users purchasing from their local builders’ merchant or trade counter, the development of the Hamilton For the Trade range is intended to fulfil this need in terms of increased availability.

“Speed and efficiency are proving to be key drivers for trade users, where a smaller selection of tools to cover a wider variety of applications and paint types is vital,” says Sarah. And whilst a more specialist selection of tools for specific applications is more in-line with the needs of the professional painter and decorator, the ease of selection and requirement for a handy set of multi-purpose tools is essential for a tradesperson who is multi-skilled, and not just decorating 100% of their time. And this conclusion led to the development of the ‘For the Trade’ range.

“A key point from our research was that speed is key for multi-skilled trades people,” continues Sarah. “As they undertake a variety of jobs, getting a great finish fast is crucial. And our For the Trade brushes and sleeves have proven to be streets ahead in the speed stakes too!”

Tested against competitor products for speed of application, and the resulting coverage, the For the Trade 2” flat brush completed a panel door in a time said to be 25% faster than a leading competitor, “with a more even coverage and no tramlines” and the manufacturer argues that this totals a time-saving of approx. 30 minutes in the average house.

The 9” medium pile sleeve, meanwhile, is reported to have completed a similarly sized area just over 30% faster than a leading competitor. Sarah added: “Not only was it faster, it took less dips in the paint kettle. This means that you’re using less paint, getting better coverage, and finishing the job quicker.” n For more information, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mas014

Available for merchants nationwide, Hamilton’s For e Trade range includes brushes, sleeves, frames, roller sets, tools and accessories.