I spoke with John Affatati, Director of National Accounts, Coxreels, at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans last week, and we covered the need for hose reel—a product that is used for every aspect of maintenance or shop repair, onboard, work welding, fueling—really, any place where there’s hose, cable or cord.
Because of saltwater applications, Affatati said they have a complete line of stainless steel reels.
“Anything we do, we can also do in stainless, for the corrosive environment of salt. Our products are all U.S.-made, and they are heavy duty to the point where they are overbuilt in some respects,” he said. “We try to make it as seamless as possible, because the only time you ever realize you have a hose reel is when it breaks.”
While hose reels are used in every conceivable industry, he explained that industrial MRO has always been a strong marketplace for Coxreels, and it continues to be strong.
“If you see a large industrial building there’s a hose reel in there somewhere—whether it’s for air or water or hydraulics or pneumatics—they use them for everything,” he said.
For Affatati’s customers, cost is a big issue—“no one wants to pay what a good reel costs.” But the cost of a lawsuit from a trip-and-fall situation, not to mention the cost of continually replacing damaged hose, can be much higher.
“That’s why companies will spend eventually,” he said. “If they’ve had an accident that results in a lawsuit—which these things can [prevent], it’s well worth it then.”
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