Progressive Distributor

Safe storage

Job site boxes, trailers and truck boxes can prevent would-be thieves from snatching tools from your customers

by Paul Markgraff

Across the street from the RCA Dome in downtown Indianapolis, construction is underway on Lucas Oil Stadium, future home to the world champion Indianapolis Colts NFL football team.

The $500 million project is also home to numerous contractors working hard to finish the job before the Colts begin their 2008-2009 season. They are trying to prevent theft on the sprawling two-and-a-half-city-block job site, an issue that hits home for all contractors.

Job site theft currently tops $1 billion in the United States every year, according to 2005 reports from the Associated General Contractors and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Hagerman Construction, a contractor working on the Lucas Oil Stadium project, knows what it’s like to feel the effects of job site theft. But theirs is a success story.

One morning in December 2005, Hagerman project superintendent Mike Kesler entered his office trailer at the Lucas Oil Stadium job site and found his company’s Knaack job site box, which was bolted to the floor, bruised and battered. Thieves tried to pry open the lid on the box, but couldn’t get inside. When Kesler walked in that morning, he found his job site box was ruined, but $10,000 in surveying equipment was still safely locked inside.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to protect our equipment like we do, but we have to on such a high-profile job,” says Kesler.

Tool storage suppliers have also noticed the trend and stepped up their efforts to protect their customers’ tools. From job site boxes to truck boxes to job site trailers, suppliers have added features and benefits to help contractors keep expensive tools and equipment out of thieves’ hands.

Hagerman project superintendent Mike Kesler believes the Watchman IV Lock System on this tool chest prevented a thief from stealing more than $10,000 worth of tools.

Thinking inside the box
Job site boxes, like the one used by Hagerman, are one of the most common forms of semi-mobile tool storage on the job site.

The Knaack Model 42 job site box (shown in the picture) uses several theft deterrents to keep tools and equipment safe. The Watchman IV Lock System – which Kesler believes was the main feature that prevented the thief from breaking into his box – features a deadbolt-style locking mechanism that uses a recessed lock compartment. This eliminates the chance thieves could easily open the box with bolt cutters.

A reinforced channel in the lid prevents thieves from popping the top of the box, and its heavy gauge steel body adds to the box’s durability.

“A lot of other boxes have locks on hasps, like on any normal toolbox,” says Tom Schwalie, senior product manager for Knaack. “That allows you to cut the lock off. But the Watchman IV lock is all captive, so you can’t get to it.”

However, Knaack is not resting on its laurels. The company is in the middle of a major redesign, says Schwalie. It is being proactive about raising the bar on security, so contractors can expect news about more security features and better locking mechanisms on a new tool storage product from Knaack later this year.

“Security is what Knaack stands for,” says Schwalie. “The new product will build on the locking mechanism. It will be bigger, better, faster and stronger. In our mind, it will be the most secure job site storage available.”

From job site boxes, to truck boxes to trailers, suppliers are finding innovative ways to protect tools and equipment from would-be thieves.

Solving security with trailers
When job site boxes won’t fit the contractor’s needs because of size restrictions or mobility limitations, job site trailers can provide the right solution. The new Stahl SST Service Trailer is a commercial grade trailer built using a combination of heavy-duty cargo trailer construction and Stahl’s lock-bolt body construction.

The SST introduces side storage compartments with exterior access doors so contractors can position tools where they need them inside the trailer, then access the tools from outside. Fully adjustable, commercial grade shelving and interior storage also provide storage efficiencies.

“The problem with a cargo trailer is it’s a big open box, and it’s like your garage,” says Todd Hughes, SST product manager for Stahl. “All of your stuff will expand to fit the opening you’ve got and you end up climbing around the inside of the trailer to reach what you want. SST gives contractors the ability to keep smaller tools accessible from side compartments. You can find the right tools at the right time when you need them.”

The SST is no slouch when it comes to security, either. The trailer offers two-point latching, key-locking side doors and locking rear doors as standard features. Additional security features include bar locks for the side access and main entry doors, which are secured from the rear door.

“We also offer a power-door lock option just like your car,” says Hughes. “With this trailer, you can get two-system locking for all entry points.”

Hughes says the company is also researching new alarm and global positioning satellite (GPS) technology that would further improve security. Some of the newer technology makes GPS tracking affordable and would even alert a contractor’s cell phone if the trailer moves more than a certain distance without prior approval.

On-the-road security
Job site boxes and cargo and equipment trailers can provide ample space and security, but many workers don’t require so much space. They need simple storage solutions where they can store smaller equipment and tools and keep those items safe and secure.

To this end, Delta Consolidated Industries introduced its Delta Pro Limited Edition truck boxes. The new lid aesthetically compliments the latest in truck body styling with its smooth, curved design. It also provides several layers of security.

The Gear-Lock dual rotary locking system uses a daisy-wheel ratchet system that secures the lid as soon as the self-aligning latch pins engage the lock. This allows the lid to always close on both sides even though something may be holding up one side of the lid. The structure on top of the Gear-Lock mechanism is also shaped like a funnel, which guides the locking pin into place even if the truck and truck box are not level. The rigid structural lid is reinforced by foam injection, creating a laminate between the body of the lid and its interior components and adding to the truck box’s security.

“If you are going to provide superior security, you have to design a security system that copes with the weight and load of the content, but also compensates for the problems presented to the lock system,” says Sam Samsel, director of product development for Delta. “We approached it through exhaustive testing and R&D development to create this high-security system.”

Storage in 3-D
Outfitting service vans can be excruciating, especially when dealing with various van models, shelving and storage options and trades. Weather Guard recently updated its Vehicle Solutions software to version 2.0. The software features van models from the Big Three automakers back through 2000 and several new minivans: Ford Freestar, Chevrolet Uplander and Dodge Caravan Cargo.

Contractors can visit the Weather Guard Web site at Weatherguard.com and click on “Build Your Own Solution” to get an idea how the software works. Once inside, contractors can click on their van of choice and choose from numerous storage solutions that will render a three-dimensional model of the van complete with selected products. They can swap out various products to create the storage solution they want in a van of their choice.

Further customization is available via the new export feature – a complete parts list can be exported to Microsoft Word, Excel or CSV file.