will ridgid still be here in 10 years?

[oldslowchevy]

what i mean is will they still be making wood working tools.i for one feel that they will soon become one of the top tool makers in the usa with in the next 5 years. but what do you all think? will ridgid still be making these tools 10 years from now???

[imported_CWSmith]

It's hard to say in this world of mergers and takeovers. But I would bet that the Ridgid name is simply too valuable to disappear. Emerson appears to be a strong company (although I haven't checked their financial statements) and they certainly show some innovative thinking. While I don't particularly care for it's manufacturing strategy of subbing out to China, it does indicate that that they are tuned to world resources and have some "global" strategic thinking. Certainly their domestic (USA) products for the plumbing trades is very reputable as are their shop vac products.

Similarly, their licensing to Techtronics International, though somewhat controversial with regard to China-based manufacturing, seems to be very successful. In spite of some problems with defects and parts shortages, their products are still very reputable for the large part and certainly they have the best warranty in the business while still staying price competitive.

Bottom line opinion from me is that Emerson, Techtronics, and certainly the Ridgid name will still be around ten years from now. Who will own who, is anybody's guess; but the names will still be major players.

CWS

[ 10-26-2005, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: CWSmith ]

[oldslowchevy]

lol cws you are right in every thing you said(as far as i can tell anyways)but the questoin was will they still be making wood working tools in the next 10 years

[BadgerDave]

OK, I'll go out on the limb first. :D There is absolutely no doubt that they will be around making WW tools in ten years. By that time, they will also be recognized as one of the premium lines as well. History will also bookmark them as the first to offer, but by then the industry standard, Limited Lifetime Service Agreement!

So, all those who think I'm wrong will have to wait 10 years to say so. tongue.gif Just my 02¢ worth but then again, I could be wrong. smile.gif

[michael stephen]

i believe they would still be.. ;)

[plumber]

I can agree that the name Ridgid will be around in ten years. I would expect that the name Ridgid will be around long efter anyone here has passed on. Like CW wrote who owns who or when and where is anyones guess.

Also whether or not that name is on certain types of tools or if they merge another brand onto a particular line is up for grabs. 10 years ago if someone had told me that the makers of the Mercedes Benz and the Dodge Truck would be one and the same company I would have laughed very hard at the speaker, and I would have been wrong.

[Lorax]

Originally posted by BadgerDave:
There is absolutely no doubt that they will be around making WW tools in ten years. There is absolutely no doubt that they will NOT be around making WW tools in ten years.

Now one of us has got to be right! tongue.gif

[BadgerDave]

:D :D :D :D :D ;) ;)

[PhilG.]

Originally posted by Lorax:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by BadgerDave:
There is absolutely no doubt that they will be around making WW tools in ten years. There is absolutely no doubt that they will NOT be around making WW tools in ten years.

Now one of us has got to be right! tongue.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. :D

[plumbdog10]

Originally posted by BadgerDave:
OK, I'll go out on the limb first. :D There is absolutely no doubt that they will be around making WW tools in ten years. By that time, they will also be recognized as one of the premium lines as well. History will also bookmark them as the first to offer, but by then the industry standard, Limited Lifetime Service Agreement!

So, all those who think I'm wrong will have to wait 10 years to say so. tongue.gif Just my 02¢ worth but then again, I could be wrong. smile.gif Their electric tools are junk sold to people who have no idea how a quality tool functions. This is probably a good stratagy when you realize that the knowledge of the American public has slipped.

If they continue to make defective tools, however, I don't see them lasting for ten years.

the dog :cool:

[BadgerDave]

Originally posted by plumbdog10:
Their electric tools are junk sold to people who have no idea how a quality tool functions. This is probably a good stratagy when you realize that the knowledge of the American public has slipped.So basically what you're saying is the anyone who has ever bought or ever will buy a Ridgid electric tool is ignorant and that only you possess sufficient knowledge to properly judge what is and isn't quality.

Interesting approach to life. Does anyone besides your mother like you? tongue.gif

[Pipestone Kid]

Originally posted by plumbdog:
"Their electric tools are junk sold to people who have no idea how a quality tool functions. This is probably a good stratagy when you realize that the knowledge of the American public has slipped."

Must have slipped--can't even spell "strategy" anymore.:)
By the way, are a badger and a dog natural enemies? smile.gif http://www.ridgidforum.com/ubb/icons/icon7.gif

[Hector B]

The Ramblers gone:D :D :D
but not forgotten

[DSSOKHEY]

I agree with Plumbdog to the extent that in the long run its only the product quality and after sales service that matters. If you have only one of the two, yu cant survive. The two together lead to customer satisfaction and a satisfied customer will happily make you realize your business objective and that is Profit.
Right now, Ridgid is lacking in both.IMHO. Just having a lifetime waranty in place is not enough. It has to be convenient enough to be usable.

[BadgerDave]

Delta, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita, Jet, Powermatic, Grizzly, Skil, Hitachi, Ryobi and none of the manufacturers that badge Craftsman tools offer a program similar to Ridgids' Limited Lifetime Service Agreement and they all seem to have survived quite well. In addition to that, none of the above mfgs. offer in home warranty repair either.

You seem to be on an unwarranted tangent against Ridgid in almost all of your posts since you joined this group.

To criticize Ridgid for not having a service that no other manufacturer offers says more about you than it does about Ridgid. It makes about as much sense as me jumping to an immediate conclusion that there is not a problem with your band saw but that the problem solely rest on your shoulders due to operator error during the assembly process.

[DSSOKHEY]

Badger Dave,
If you dont get your money's worth and instead get this kind of after sales service, I wonder what other tangent you will have.
I came across this forum basically when I started looking for a table saw to replace my craftsman. And now I know what they mean by their lifetime agreement and I think it has a very limited use. They think it is another portable tool that you can carry around in your car and guys like you make them feel great for just giving out that agreement. You need to step into the shoes of the customer and look at it from that point of view.
Maybe for some its a good alternative to regular exercise to keep jumping to conclusions. But tell yu what, my BS shakes because the lower wheel is out of balance, out of round and has runout. And so does the pulley attached to it. You can see them wobbling as they turn. And for your info, they came preassembled to the saw. So dont jump to conclusion that I assembled it incorrectly. It is a manufacturing defect and I expect Ridgid to take care of it without me having to carry it anywhere. I dont care what their warranty says.Yes I agree its my fault that(due to some personal reasons) I did not return it within the 90 day period.
This particular discussion thread was whether Ridgid will be here in 10 years or not making WW tools. We are not discussing other manufacturers or what warranties they are giving. I expressed my views for Ridgid based on my experience with Ridgid product and their customer service. If my views can save all this aggravation for anyone,(Ridgid included) I think its worth it. Its better to have no customer than to have a dissatisfied one. I dont expect them to give me a gold medal for praising their tail. Maybe you do.

[Ken R]

DSSOKHEY, You are continually complaining about Ridgid's service agreement yet you continue to ignore the fact that numerous posters here have informed you that no major tool manufacturer or dealer will provide on site service. You continue to slam Ridgid for some percieved wrong done to you real or imagined. Rigid will warranty the problem with your bandsaw, yet rather than work with the company to fix the issues you would rather whine and snivel and complain about how poorly you have been treated. Ridgid's requirement that you return the defective tool to them is in line with Industry standards. Numerous people on this forum have pointed this out to you yet you continue the whining and complaining. Grow up, suck it up princess and work with Ridgid to correct the issues with the bandsaw. If you are not part of the solution you are very definately part of the problem. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[oldslowchevy]

sad part is he more than likly doesnt even own the saw. and never did. i know if i had it and i had the "problem" that he has been having i would have one. make sure i did every thing right then two. taken the saw back either to get a new saw or to get my money backwith in the 90 days. but my guess is either he doesn't own the saw or he bought one second hand and that saw may have a problem.

[CWSmith]

DSSOKHEY,

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, as you sound very frustrated with the bandsaw. Surely you are entitled to your opinion, even if we all think you are wrong (Isn't America great!).

However, don't let your frustration get in the way of having Ridgid fix this problem. You no doubt paid good money for this tool and your misunderstanding/frustration is getting in the way of your getting the problem resolved. Ridgid will fix the problem I'm sure, but you really need to recognize the warranty and the service agreement as it is stated. Nobody is trying to blindside you or lead you astray.

Sears is the only company that I'm aware of that offers "in-home" service on some limited products; but, even they, charge you extra for it. A case in point is the compressor I purchased last year need some service, still under the warranty... but I had to take it in, they sure don't service it in my home!!

So, look up the nearest Ridgid service center, talk to the folks and try to reason things out with them, and get your band saw taken care of. Life is much to short to spend a lot of time fuming over what you "think" should be right.

CWS

[pinedust]

If Ridgid is around in 10 years, maybe Black & Decker will own them ;-)

Why not! They already own DeWalt, Delta and Porter Cable. LOL!!!

[Disaster]

If Ridgid is around in 10 years, maybe Black & Decker will own them ;-)

Why not! They already own DeWalt, Delta and Porter Cable. LOL!!!

...and TTI owns Ryobi, Ridgid and Milwaukee.

It is a good bet to say you will see more tool manufacturer consolidation in the coming years.

Not sure about Black and Decker...TTI just hired their old President, Joseph Galli. TTI's Ryobi brand is probably the biggest competitor to Black and Decker. These guys are huge rivals and I suspect Galli is going to "come after" Black and Decker and DeWalt with new offerings in those lineups.

[BadgerDave]

Just to set the record straight, TTI doe NOT own RIDGID/Ridge Tool.