Last Chance To Search For Oldest Power Tool

Media release
October 2008

Last Chance For New Zealanders To Search For Oldest Power Tool

Black & Decker is asking New Zealanders to search their sheds, garages, back rooms and baches in a competition to find the region’s oldest, still functioning Black & Decker power tool. The deadline for entries is close of business, Friday 31 October 2008.

The competition was launched to celebrate Black & Decker’s 50th anniversary in New Zealand.

Black & Decker New Zealand opened in Auckland in 1958, and the company’s products have been essentials in the toolkits of Kiwi home handymen and women ever since.

Since launching in New Zealand, Black & Decker has developed and launched a number of innovative products including: the world’s first cordless drill and cordless hedge trimmer (1960s); the famous held-held vacuum Dustbuster and the classic Workmate Workbench (1970s); cordless professional jig saws and screwdrivers (1980s); the Sandstorm 3 in 1 sander (1990s); and the Smart-Select range of products which gives amateur DIYers the confidence to tackle household projects (2000s).

Clayton Roberts, Black & Decker’s Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand, says the competition is a fun way to celebrate a major milestone.

“With an international reputation for ‘number 8 wire mentality’ Kiwis have always embraced the do it yourself attitude, so we are looking forward to seeing what old gems can be rediscovered through this competition.

"Black & Decker is celebrating 50 years in New Zealand this year but has been around for almost a century internationally, so I wouldn't be surprised if this competition unearths tools more than 50 years old."

The Black & Decker Oldest Power Tool Competition is being run nationwide from 23 September to 31 October 2008.

The overall national winner will receive the ultimate Black & Decker tool kit including; a Smart-Select drill; a Cyclonic 4 in 1 MultiSander; a cordless Alligator lopper, a Workmate Workbench; a Smart-Select Jigsaw and a Bulls Eye3 - Auto Leveling Laser & Stud Finder.

Entrants must take a photo of their contender for the oldest power tool and email it, along with a short description of the tool’s history to: Aleisha.Coote@ppr.co.nz.

Entries can also be posted to: Black & Decker Competition, C/O PO Box 37-116, Parnell, Auckland.

The deadline for entries is close of business, Friday 31 October 2008.

ENDS

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