MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Above: “On a BiT of a Roll”. The TurnX Tools Team. Las Vegas, NV, 2024
CANADIAN INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST TurnX Tools
A BIT OF HISTORY Canada—British Columbia, in particular—has a legacy for multi-bit screwdriver innovation. In the mid 60s, Cluthe Manufacturing in Ontario with its Uni-Driver started it all. While Cluthe is long gone, one company in Ontario and five in BC currently manufacture & distribute multi-bit screwdrivers to the world-wide market.
A BIT LUCKY
Above: “This ain’t my first rodeo”—Adam, Showcasing PHLiPBiT and ULT. San Antonio, TX, 2023
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Fast forward to now supported by a growing North American dealer network, TurnX Tools has become the world’s leading seller of double-ended impact bits with more than 30 combinations and lengths of square, Phillips, Star/Torx®, slot, hex and Pozi-Drive. In April 2024, TurnX Tools launched “ULT”, the world’s first impact bit and screwdriver system. Combined with PHLiPBiT, it’s an unbeatable one-two punch providing independent building and specialty tool stores a connected power tool accessory brand generating repeat sales and end-user loyalty. YARDSTICK MAGAZINE
Fall 2024
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BY TURNX TOOLS
Above: The PHLiPBiT Guys, Their First WRLA Show. Calgary, AB, 2020
Spring 2017, Shuswap region, BC—A lot of great inventions have humble beginnings. As fate would have it, Rolf Effertz was asked to remove a sunshade from the front of his in-law’s home. With a power driver and #2 Square bit ready to go, perched high on a ladder, the process of removing screws began. Hanging on to the sunshade in one hand, he was about to complete the job when he realized the last few screws were Phillips! Frustrated by the experience of having to re-install screws, search for a Phillips bit and re-start the process, he thought to himself… wouldn’t it be better to have a square and Phillips tip on a single bit? Wouldn’t it be better if the tips were uniquely colour-coded for quick identification? Wouldn’t it be better if it worked in an impact driver? And most importantly, wouldn’t it be great to bring this problem-solving solution to others? After all, he couldn’t be the only one that faced this dilemma.