Walls & Ceilings associate editor Tom Watts attended the Bosch Global Leadership Tour held in April at the North American headquarters of Bosch Power Tools & Accessories in Mount Prospect, Ill.

The show was an eye-opening event that introduced the media to a wide range of new cordless products and ideas from the people at Bosch.

Each tool introduced during the three-day event was further aided by a hands-on experience. For example, I used the Edge, a metal cutting saw blade, and it cut through everything from cement to metal pipes. According to Bosch representatives, this blade is made up of cutting edge treatment combined with a new blade material to help optimize longer lifetime in metal cutting applications.

In introducing Full Force Technology, Bosch representatives explained how a patented air chamber design enables nailers to utilize 100 percent of the air coming from the compressor to drive the fastener, rather than saving air in reserve to return the driver to the “ready” position. The result is a family of nailers that are 20 percent smaller and 10 percent more powerful than other tools.

Overall, I learned that Bosch’s seven new nailers and five new compressors is just a start. Bosch reps told me segment-specific innovations will help make its pneumatic fastening line-up the best on the market, including framing, roofing, finish, and compressors.

Bosch reps called the modern pneumatic nailer a “reinvention of the category” and noted its fastening tools have the “most advanced pneumatic tools on the planet.”

Of note, Bosch also has developed Full Force Technology, a patented air chamber design that enables nailers to utlilze 100 percent of the air coming from the compressor to drive the fastener. It drives nails flush and Bosch said it is the “best power-to-size ratio on the market.”

I was also introduced to the DareDevil Spade Bits, the GPL5 C 5 Beam dot laser measuring tool, and other amazing tools from chisels to mason drill bits to circular saws to sabre saw blades to cordless screwdrivers (all sizes) to woodworking routers, planers and jigsaws.

I was later introduced to a dozen new products that are sure to shape the market. For example, the talk on future battery technology was very interesting with Bosch’s drive train development from Super Duty 36 volt to standard 14.4 and 18 volt packs. Bosch reps say they have the “best built battery and best built lithium-ion.”

President of Bosch Power Tools Division Frank Carroll, opened the show with an introductory speech that provided the media with an overview of what to expect for the three days, but I was most impressed by a who’s who of Bosch managers who took the time to talk with me individually, including Chad Reynolds, group marketing manager for Bosch Accessories; Linear Edge and Abrasives’ Steve Angus; Director of Measuring Tools Jack Wolfe; John Ronn, group product manager for Fastening Systems; and Tony Pauly, market development director, to name a few.

We were also fortunate to have Bosch representatives like Ralph Dammertz explaining engineering; Edwin Bender talking about cordless tools; Jim Stevens who knew all about routers; and Mitch Burdick who provided insight on hammers and grinders.

North American Bosch Group manufacturers and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs about 23,000 associates in the U.S. with reported sales of $8.4 billion in 2005. For more information, visit www.boschtools.com.