Here’s some news about ToughBuilt and Makita modular tool box systems, combined in a single post to save you some clicks.
ToughBuilt provided a major StackTech update this weekend, over social media, addressing numerous questions and concerns.
ToughBuilt StackTech Availability – contact customer service reps, who will now have access to a live inventory list, to help you “locate specific items in the nearest stores.”
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ToughBuilt Market Status – ToughBuilt announced that the company has voluntarily withdrawn from NASDAQ and moved to the OTC Exchange.”
ToughBuilt is not dependent on public markets to stay in business. Our resilience is built on our phenomenal customer base, which fuels global revenue generation. This move does not affect our dedication to disruptive thinking and future product launches.
ToughBuilt StackTech New Product Releases – “game-changing new products” – namely “rolling drawer boxes and locking drawer sets” “will be available in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe starting May 2025.”
“Many additional new items… will also also be launched throughout 2025.”
ToughBuilt Expanded Retail Partners – “ToughBuilt is negotiating with additional US retailers to expand in-store availability.” At the moment their StackTech tool box products are available exclusively at Lowe’s stores.
ToughBuilt StackTech Global Expansion – “StackTech is expanding globally and is available now in several European countries.” The UK launch is next.
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ToughBuilt StackTech Canadian Release – The tool boxes are “headed to customers now” in Canada, via Atlas Tools. ToughBuilt is also “finalizing agreements with two major Canadian partners for nationwide distribution.”
ToughBuilt Garage & Workshop Solutions – “ToughBuilt has fully developed and manufactured a comprehensive garage and workshop organization system.” They are presently:
working on producing informational content to help our Pro community better imagine this system in their workspace while we establish retail partners to launch in 2025.
Let’s turn our attention to Makita’s MakTrak system.
Makita’s third and presumably final MakTrak tool box teaser on social media says:
The Next Generation; from the left or right, it doesn’t matter. Coming October 2nd.
Their first teaser showed off a pickup truck bed with the caption “the next generation, coming soon.” Then they moved to “it fits… where most don’t,” – a claim that seems inaccurate given that competing systems can fit underneath a pickup truck bed cover – and added an October ETA.
Now, they say you can access from the left or right, and gave MakTrak an October 2nd ETA, presumably for online preoorders since Home Depot stores don’t look to have anything relevant in the top stacks. (Given the size of the main MakTrak tool box, it’d be hard to miss.)
Makita USA’s pre-launch teasers have been very limited and entirely focused on how the large chest fits in a truck bed under a cover. Hopefully there’s more to it.
We know what MakTrak looks like, but it’s hard to tell what the newest Makita teaser post is supposed to actually be showing. Does it have a split lid, similar to Craftsman’s VersaStack rolling tool chest?
Or maybe the “from the left or right” is a play on political leanings, given that the US presidential election coming up soon.
Every new post with an image of the back of a pickup truck tailgate is depleting my interest and excitement in Makita MakTrak tool boxes. This isn’t suspense.
I predict that their October 2nd reveal will feature the same pickup truck, with its tailgate being lowered open to show *wow* a tool box that completely fits under the truck bed cover, just like competing pro systems can already do.
Are these pickup truck teaser posts generating interest and excitement? From the types of comments Makita’s been getting on social media, it doesn’t seem like it. Hopefully they’re saving their best marketing efforts for next week’s official introduction.
Randyman the Handyman
Agreed on the rather underwhelming marketing investment on Makita’s part. My genuine hope, however, is that the company, in its best attempts to bounce back financially, is acting frugally in the marketing for the time being and will then invest heavily once the products are widely available.
I’ve mentioned this before, and while I accept that it is a longshot, I think it would be great to see their full line of new products marketed in tandem with excellent deals on the XGT line.
TomD
ToughBuilt sounds like a dying company, but we’ll see where it goes. Could still be a good buy if they do what you need.
Makita needs to stop teasing and start delivering; the “open from either side” trick might be great, might be kind of worthless, but maybe it means you can take the lid completely off (and lose it?).
Aram
Yeah, moving to OTC isn’t a good sign and frankly has me worried. Argh, I hope they make it because I like their stuff.
Stuart
It looks to have 4 latches, similar to how Husky totes – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/husky-tools-pro-duty-waterproof-storage-bins/%3C/a%3E – can have latches on the long side serve as hinges. I can’t tell if there are 1 or 2 hidden tool chests being accessed in the image.
Michael F
This was my guess – 4 latches like the Husky totes which means you can open from either side. That would, at the very least, be somewhat innovative compared to other modular tool box systems.
MattT
ToughBuilt makes some cool stuff. It’s a shame they hitched their wagon to Lowe’s horses (though maybe they had no other choices at the time), and I hope they can find other partners and stay viable. Ace might be a good match.
fred
About availability of product Stuart says of Toughbuilt: “contact customer service reps will now have access to a live inventory list, to help you “locate specific items in the nearest stores.”
Good luck if they are relying on Lowes for this. My 2 nearest Lowes stores never seem to have a clue about what’s in stock or where it might be. If you can’t find it yourself on the racks/shelves, it’s better to walk out rather than try to find an associate and then wait for them to do various lookups, hunt around and then tell you that the stock numbers (sometimes many multiples) listed online are always unreliable. On the other side of the coin, I’ve sometimes had the issue at HD as well – or have been told that they don’t carry “this item” any more only to find remaining stock on the shelf while walking around.
TomD
All these stores are too big and inventory too widely stored to be terribly useful. Home Depot has gotten a bit better but it’s still hit or miss unless it’s in the cage.
s
agreed. this is a case where even selling on amazon would be a better option.
i stopped into a different local lowes a few weeks ago for their tool box. and as i normally do, i also checked out their storage solutions.
stacktech was all but shoved in a corner, though it looked like all the storage solutions were shoved to the side and minimally stocked. the grand klien xmod display was half bare. even checking the upper racks, i didn’t see much for stock.
checking my local stores online inventory, they show a grand total of 22 inventory pieces for stacktech. out of 19 products available on lowes.com, 12 display inventory at the local store, but only 8 show an inventory greater than ‘1’, which is home depot’s and lowes’ typical ‘we forgot we lost it’ number. if i see an inventory of 1 on any item, i look elsewhere.
8 out of 19 available products is downright shameful.
the next nearest store has 10 of 19 products with an inventory greater than 1, or 11 of 19 if i include inventory of 1. which is still really bad for any brands singular sales outlet, especially headed into the christmas season.
so far, none of the transporter series even shows available for my area to order online, which are some items that i’m definitely interested in. but i also seriously question if lowes has the retail space for such large items, given the lack of space they’ve barely committed to only carrying half the brands items.
i want to see toughbuilt succeed, given their anticipated future product releases(definitely still curious about the battery tech to be used with some of their future power tools. ie: NOT ANOTHER CHARGER, please!), but minimal stock with a retailer that’s more needy to customers than kohl’s during christmas is not a great reflection on toughbuilt as a brand.
Gavin
I thought that ‘from left and right’ means that you can open the lid in both directions
Stuart
You can, but how do you do that at the same time? That implies a split lid. If there are 2 boxes hidden in the truck bed, then that’s not really much of a feature since you can orient separate tool boxes in opposite directions to face one side or the other.
MM
They might have a split lid. That could be useful: the product images show two stacks of narrow boxes fitted side-by-side on top of a wider bottom box. If the bottom box has a normal solid lid then you’d have to remove both stacks in order to access it. But if it has a split lid then you could access half the bottom box by removing only one of the stacks on top.
Nathan
I have high hopes for toughbuilt. Love their saw horse setup. I like most of their ideas
Jager
Makita could have my interest if they’re actually designing a system catered to ease of integrating into truck beds. Like if the new teaser was about them selling a crossbox designed specifically for ease of getting their boxes in and out of without climbing in the bed,and it’s dimensioned to fit as many boxes in as possible. Maybe a slider tray for beds with mounting plates on top for boxes. Idk. That could be something new and an improvement from Van centric modular storage systems for guys in pickups. A lot of packout style boxes don’t fit in cross boxes very neatly and that’s the only way to lock them up if you can’t run a bed cover. I’m not rich enough to run around with expensive boxes not locked down screaming steal me.
In all likelihood it’s actually just going to be exactly what you predicted.
Stuart
ToughBuilt’s the only brand I know of to have something like that on the way.
Robert
May 2025 for Toughbuilt’s “rolling drawer boxes and locking drawer sets“ seems an eternity in this competitive market, half a year from now. They will have missed the two main selling windows. I was somewhat interested in their line, but I just get the feeling they won’t stay in business. Don’t want to buy into an unsupported line.
Bob
It kind of baffled me that any storage company would not release a drawer rolling box from the start. It’s one of the most requested features from everyone I know.
Stuart
I’ve spoken to a few brands about this, and it seems that a lot of engineering had to be done to put a drawer box on the bottom.
I think it also has to do with cost. A lot of people say they want rolling drawers, but are they going to pay $200 to $250 for it?
William Adams
For want of one, I am saving up for a Festool MW 1000, which is closer to $1K than $200.
Bonnie
The latter is also an example that what people say they want may not have any relation to what they’ll actually buy.
CMF
Very often the case
CMF
Forgot to mention before posting. Also like the large volume of people that are constantly griping they want “made in America”, but very few will pay what it cost to be MIA.
Farkleberry
Every update just leaves me more confused and annoyed, not excited.
This drip drip of “features” which are either not unique (fits under tonneau) or indecipherable and possibly refer to just orienting boxes differently in truck beds is counterproductive. If they’re adding bizarre political/power tool messages to the vague promises of “Next Generation” solutions, then the marketing has sunk to new levels of ineptitude.
If your product is boring and breaks no ground, but is well made and useful, just focus on made in USA and its hopefully high quality. We already suspect they won’t be competing for price, let alone value vs the other systems’ features. Greasing this thing up with snake oil, lest I realize it’s just a box (when the competition is so much more), just erodes my trust in the brand, or at least in Makita USA.
Are there, as you’re suggesting, latches on each side, which can function as hinges if only one side is unlatched?
This seems like a challenge to make them robust, open smoothly and still seal well. Especially if they’re (naively) suggesting we should be constantly opening the bottom unit with full boxes, etc. still stacked on top.
From the flyer, it doesn’t look like the organizers’ angled latches would be able to function as hinges.
I’m curious just how little information we’ll get in a few days, and how many more nonsensical marketing claims we’ll be subjected to.
Until someone finally receives an online order and can review whatever this turns out to be in person, who knows what this first gen will offer?
I just don’t understand what the intent with all this was. A 5 second clip of a pickup truck’s overly complicated tailgate performing multiple questionable functions at least communicates the point of the product. This marketing campaign feels like they think their target audience are idiots.
Rog
I had thought the left or right comment meant the lid could open from either side and thought that could be intriguing. Now I’m hoping it’s not just a play to the upcoming election.
Stuart
Yep, but the social media teaser shows both sides being accessed at the same time. So is that 2 separate boxes, or 1 box with an additional feature beyond dual-purpose latches? It’s far less interesting if it’s just 2 separate boxes.
Michael F
I think that’s just how they captured the feature in a single image. I doubt it has a split lid, personally.
Frank
I’ve been waiting for the stacktech dolly mount/carrier to invest in them, and I’ve wasted all year at this point. Debating going with Dewalt now, as they are at least available with a heavy duty wheeled option.
Bawmbah
Same. Really liked what Stacktech was promising but confidence has run out. Think I’m going to get the new DeWalt 30 inch roller + 2.0 drawers next month.
Julio quiles
Just a thought but could Makita be teasing about a actual truck bed tool box?
Stuart
No, it’s a new modular tool box system.
Harrison
Checked out some ToughBuilt stuff in person for the first time at Atlas yesterday.
It is nice. The price is decent. I like that the boxes are lighter than Packout, and seem more space efficient- other than the parts organizers. The yellow plastic parts bins have chamfered corners for no reason which wastes space, and means you couldn’t fill the whole bit with certain fasteners.
The stacking is definitely much more convenient than Packout or ToughSystem, it was way easier to throw them around and lock them back into each other. It’s legitimately fun and easy, I think this is the standout feature, for better or worse.
The locking mechanism is comparatively elaborate, and while I see no reason to be suspicious, it will definitely need periodic maintenance if you let them get dirty. Sand and grit will definitely ruin the ‘feel’ of the mechanism.
The lighter weight is a trade off. I don’t hesitate to stand on Packout (in a pinch, I know it’s not recommended) but I would avoid it with StackTech. The spot to lock the lid also just plastic, not metal reinforced. These are definitely not as tough as Packout, but that’s very subjective as a pro or a con.
Overall the vibe is a bit too ‘tacti-cool’ for me, and still overbuilt for the actual durability. But if you’re into EDC and fussing with little metal rail accessories you’ll probably be all over it.
I’m still optimistic for the Makita launch. They don’t need to rock the world to find their place in the market. A competent and space efficient plastic box that strikes the right balance between weight and durability will find customers.
It’s easy to talk about Makita as if they have one foot in the grave, but they’re still a huge company with access to good distribution. We’ll see how it goes.
JJ
I’m scratching my head about what other store ToughBuilt could be stocked. Home Depot is too full. Menards? Sure. Ace? Okay. TSC? Hmm.
Now Walmart, that’d be interesting. Or Harbor Freight, that’d be amazing. There was speculation after HF started stocking some TB products (knee pads) and they currently “only” have one line of modular toolboxes (Bauer)
PW
Harbor Freight basically doesn’t carry 3rd party brands. They have a few random chemicals and lubes that aren’t house brands, and random closeout items on occasion, but essentially everything that’s a tool or tool adjacent is a house brand. That’s their primary business model – slap a name on white label Chinese goods and use some coupons or fake comparisons to sell it.
Lately they’ve been trying to move upmarket, but it’s still with house brands, usually provisioned from Chinese/Taiwanese ODMs.
There’s just absolutely no way they’re going to sell TB boxes, HF wants to own the middle of the supply chain so they can get the margin from being the ‘brand’, importer and retailer.
I do find their lack of interest in this space puzzling. It’s clear there must be margin in these plastic boxes, since everyone is piling into the space. And there’s Chinese ODMs happy to whip up some ‘Bauer’ moldings. And HF has become an almost default place to start when looking at shop tool storage.
I don’t get it, they must have misread the market in some way.
Bawmbah
As has been said elsewhere, apparently drawers are the only modular part that takes effort to design and produce. And it’s the only core piece HF doesn’t offer. I suspect that’s not a coincidence.
Stuart
Drawers take *more* effort.
HF’s plastic tool boxes are a light duty grade, similar to TStak. Sag is more of an issue with lighter tool boxes than construction-targeted systems such as ToughSystem and Packout.
Jimmie
Delisting from NASDAQ to OTC is a bad sign no matter how upbeat the PR announcement tries to sound. If they were truly not dependent on the public investors it seems they’d simply take the company private.
Anybody remember the TV commercial made by Saturn (the GM brand) during the financial crisis back in 2009 where they tried to quell concern about the company’s health? In the commercial, their spokesperson insisted “We’re not going anywhere” but a few months later the company was disbanded.
LK
I don’t really buy it from TB.
Not sure how they can be simultaneously launching all over the world right now (recent launches in japan/nz/aus/uk) while not addressing inventory shortages in the US in a timely manner.
Seems to me like they’re offloading inventory internationally bc of their very serious domestic legal issues.
ElectroAtletico
I’m going to have to call BULLShirt on the Toughbuilt claim. Been trying for over 1-year to purchase their “Quickset Work Bench” (Product TB-WB700). The only answer I’ve received from ToughBuilt Customer Service is pretty much stand-by to stand-by.
Unsat. If this is the Toughbuilt approach I don’t expect them to stay in business.
Stuart
Products like that tend to be seasonal – the same has occasionally been true for the Dewalt model at Home Depot.
JG
I’m hoping Makita comes out with much larger modular boxes that can store the bigger tools and is easier to move around on job sites. Looks like in one of the pictures you can also stack boxes on the handle. I also would like for them to include the modular boxes with their tools.
For Toughbuilt, didn’t like all the plastic for the locking mechanism, including the drawers that lock with only 2 plastic tabs that could easily break. The handle on the rolling box is kinda cheap when compared to other options. Toughbuilt was also an inch or so narrower than other brands making it harder to store larger tools, guess it could be good for working in tighter areas. I think toughbuilt overall makes some great products and I have a lot of their tools that get used everyday. Wish they’d really push and expand on the cliptech options and quick setup stuff like they did with the work table. Maybe if they do come out with battery powered stuff maybe they will include adapters to use with batteries we already have.
CMF
Stuart, good updates. No revelations, but good to know what’s happening.
chip hershberger
Thanks for the updates!
Re; hinge/latches my https://www.academy.com/p/magellan-outdoors-pro-explore-icebox-45-qt-hard-cooler has these …and they work great.
Without drawers a new system is useless to a tradesman.
People will pay for performance when they use it daily or find it convenient at home….enter systainers and Snap-on toolboxes.
For ST I don’t care for the latching system ,it’s complex and hard to adapt/3d print.
Would be interesting to see what colors of boxes are stolen by genre.
A tweaker doesn’t discern between colors,but simple opportunity.
Color wars are bizarre for me personally, and it’s funny to see people talk about steal me colors.
More white Kia’s are stolen then red Porsche’s,there are more Kia’s…and much easier to bypass security.
Lincoln
It looks like acme has the MakTrak boxes for preorder now: https://www.acmetools.com/makita-maktrak.html
Lincoln
Current estimated ship date is Oct 31