Milwaukee Tool has been supplying tools and equipment to the construction, plumbing and drain cleaning industries for nearly 100 years.
Since its founding, Milwaukee has invested in taking the time to listen to real users of its equipment, in order to understand the demands and challenges of the industry and provide solutions for a safer and more efficient job site for all its customers. From its very first portable drill to the Sawzall to a full line of cordless tools, the company continually seeks to go beyond the basic requirements of the user and deliver new levels of productivity to its customers.
For the past seven years, Kathleen Keegan has served as a group product manager for Milwaukee, leading the drain and inspection category of the business. Prior to this role, she was a territory manager for Milwaukee’s parent company, Techtronic Industries.
Cleaner recently spoke with Keegan about Milwaukee Tool’s history, its game-changing innovation of drain cleaning tools, and its continuing dedication to serving those in the trades.
Cleaner: Tell us a little about the history of Milwaukee Tool.
Keegan: Since Milwaukee began in 1924, we have led the industry in developing innovative solutions that deliver increased productivity and unmatched durability for professional construction users. Whether it is through our M12 and M18 cordless systems, the groundbreaking performance of our M12 and M18 FUEL products, time-saving accessories, or innovative hand tool and storage products, we are dedicated to delivering a continuous flow of advanced, trade-specific solutions.
We achieved a major step forward in the industry when we invented the technology that enabled the use of lithium-ion in power tools. It was an achievement that marked a turning point for every trade in the industry and spurred the question, “Are battery-powered tools the future of the job site?” At the time no one believed in this technology more than our team. We knew that the cordless job site wasn’t just a fad — it was the future.
Cleaner: What differentiates your tools and equipment from the competition?
Keegan: We committed ourselves to developing solutions that improve the ability to clear and inspect from the fixture to the sewer line for drain cleaning professionals. We listened to users’ frustrations and ideas and started to consider not only how the equipment was used in an application, but also how it gets to and from a site. This dedication has made us the only manufacturer to offer a full range of battery-powered cable machines and inspection equipment.
Small innovations can make a job easier or more efficient. For example, our M18 FUEL Drain Snake with CABLE DRIVE has a fully enclosed drum. This ensures the best protection but also helps contain the mess to make it easier to get onto the next job. This Drain Snake also was the first time brushless motor technology was brought to the drain cleaning industry. Cordless snakes eliminated the cords for easy setup.
Cleaner: What’s the philosophy behind the development and innovation of your equipment?
Keegan: Our philosophy is to understand all aspects of the job, beyond the application. Through a thorough evaluation, we understand what our users need their equipment to do, what frustrations they have, and how we can provide meaningful innovations to help increase their productivity. We set out to completely rethink a solution, delivering game-changing innovation. We are committed to developing solutions that improve the ability to clear and inspect from the fixture to the sewer line for drain cleaning professionals to service more calls with less hassle.
Cleaner: What sort of needs does your drain equipment lineup address? Tell us about the equipment and what applications they best serve.
Keegan: We realized there were many needs going unmet in the drain cleaning industry and in 2016 we decided to deliver on these needs and provide drain cleaning professionals with the most portable and versatile solutions. Those needs were not just about being able to get a job done, but also providing a solution that met the power and runtime needs for our users while making them safer and more productive.
Our complete line of cordless cable machines gives the freedom from the outlet. This not only means no tripping hazards but also no cords over standing water and eliminates shock hazards. Transporting the equipment is a common frustration. All our drain cleaning solutions are focused on simplifying the transportation of the machine and containing the mess to and from the job. A cordless cable machine can be set up instantly, saving time. In some instances, we’ve completely changed how equipment is transported. For example, our M18 FUEL SWITCH PACK Sectional Drum Machine has a modular design with backpack straps that make transporting to a roof, drain or crawl space easy. It also has a fully enclosed drum for protection against spinning components and job site mess.
Cleaner: How does the MX FUEL line of cordless equipment change the game for drain cleaners?
Keegan: While power tools have received the benefits from cordless technology, the same cannot be said about light equipment. Our MX FUEL System of cordless equipment are the first battery-powered solutions of their kind and deliver the performance and durability demanded by the trades without the hazards associated with emissions, noise, vibration and the frustrations of gas maintenance.
While doing product research for this system, we continued to hear stories of drain cleaners throwing their backs out while transporting this equipment. It is not easy to haul a 200-pound machine up and down stairs or in and out of a service vehicle. It was not uncommon to need a second person on the service call just to help load and unload equipment. Harnessing our MX FUEL battery technology allowed us to power parts of the job that others can’t because they are tethered to the cord. Our MX FUEL Sewer Drum Machine with POWERTREDZ is the first solution that allows for one-person transportation through our POWERTREDZ Lift Assist technology. This technology takes the heavy lifting off the user by reducing the strain of lifting a 200-pound machine and improves overall productivity and safety.
Our MX FUEL System has other solutions that drain cleaners can benefit from. Our MX FUEL Handheld Core Drill and MX FUEL Breaker allow users to cut and break up concrete if they need to access damaged lines. Additionally, our MX FUEL CARRY-ON 3600W/1800W Power Supply provides on-demand, portable power anywhere if needing to power other corded equipment.
Cleaner: What are some recommendations for customers shopping for sewer and drain equipment?
Keegan: There is no one-size-fits-all solution for drain cleaners. Because each application is unique, they need different equipment to service different line sizes to be successful in their business. For example, a drain cleaner will need a different tool for small fixture lines, another for large sewer lateral lines, and others for all the line sizes in between.
Drain cleaners also need to think about which solutions will make them more productive. They need equipment that gives them clearing power, performance, mobility and safety to work their job efficiently and effectively. Additionally, it’s important to figure in battery compatibility. Only needing one battery platform to run other solutions they need on the job adds to their efficiency.
We know a lot of research goes into determining which tool or machine a user needs before deciding which to purchase. We’ve created multiple resources to help find the right machine for the job, whether that be grabbing a handout at your local plumbing wholesaler, watching videos to see the tools in action, or even requesting a demonstration through our website. You can find out more by visiting www.milwaukeetool.com/products/sewer-and-drain-maintenance.
Cleaner: What’s new for Milwaukee Tool in 2022? What can customers expect out of Milwaukee Tool in the future?
Keegan: We recently announced our TRAPSNAKE 25’ Auger with CABLE DRIVE, the newest addition to our Porcelain Auger System. We introduced the TRAPSNAKE system in 2017, and it showcased a number of industry firsts including a telescoping cable lock, a fixed rubber boot to protect porcelain fixtures, and replaceable cables to increase the longevity of the tools. We saw an opportunity to further utilize our M12 TRAPSNAKE Driver to power a traditionally manual application. The driver gives users the ability to maneuver traps faster, while delivering the right amount of speed and torque for the application. With its inline, compact design, the TRAPSNAKE 25’ Auger with CABLE DRIVE gives users the first line of defense for sinks, bathtubs and showers.
Customers can expect to see our continued commitment to providing drain cleaning professionals with the most portable and versatile sewer and drain maintenance solutions. They can also expect to see our investment in technology to build solutions that provide them an easier way to get on and off the job with less hassle, so they can service more calls.
Cleaner: What do you want your customers to think of when they hear the name Milwaukee Tool?
Keegan: We are recognized as a manufacturer of solutions that lead to safer, more efficient job sites. Our dedication is always to our user and the professional trades. We will not be complacent. And we will not stop disruptively innovating to make professionals more productive.
