In what signals a sea change for the innovative tool and machine company, Laguna Tools and Rockler Woodworking and Hardware announced a retail sales agreement with earlier this week. Both companies are household names to most woodworkers, but Laguna has most often been known as a direct-sales company. What does this mean for U.S. and North American woodworkers in general?

For one, Rockler is but one U.S. retailer to market and distribute Laguna brand power tools to woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers via online and retail channels throughout the United States. Woodcraft, another familiar woodworking retailer, has carried Laguna bandsaws at select stores since November of 2010.

Reached by phone today, Andrew Bondi, Woodcraft’s National Power Tool Sales Manager said that the Woodcraft franchise “wants to make sure that [Woodcraft’s] available products match up with customer interests and demographics. We launched this pilot program by offering Laguna’s 14 in. bandsaws and cyclone dust collectors at 15 stores around the country. By late fall 2011, Woodcraft hopes to have a full Laguna presence at all 83 stores around the country, as well as in the catalog.” The only Laguna products that Woodcraft will not carry is the tablesaw line, given their existing successful relationship with SawStop.

At Rockler, the flagship items in the Laguna series will be their LT14 SUV Bandsaw (Rockler item number 42038), the 2HP Mobile Cyclone Dust Collector (Rockler 42033), and the Laguna Platinum Series Tablesaw (Rockler 42027). Rockler’s site currently lists at least a dozen Laguna products at the moment and the list will grow, according to Ann Rockler Jackson, Rockler CEO. Rockler plans to add more Laguna items throughout 2011.

“We are thrilled to offer the legendary quality of Laguna power tools to our woodworking customers, and to help Laguna expand their presence across the country,” said Rockler Jackson in a press release. “Laguna has a solid reputation for unmatched quality and innovation, which compliments Rockler’s 56-year tradition of offering unique, high-quality products to woodworkers.”

Catherine Helshoj, Vice President of Laguna Tools stated in a PRWeb press release “our formal business association with Rockler is a win/win for woodworkers who will benefit from two companies that share similar values, history and a passion for providing exemplary customer service. For more than 25 years, the Laguna Tools brand has been synonymous with technologically-advanced equipment offered at affordable prices. We’re very selective about our business alliances, and we’re proud to be affiliated with such an outstanding organization.” In a phone interview with Fine Woodworking, Helshoj added that although Laguna has been approached by others in the retail industry for the last 25 years, they wanted to go with well-known, established companies that woodworkers trusted and whose values and communications model matched theirs. Three years ago, Laguna entered the wholesale market in Canada, with a promising return in growth; this encouraged the company to step into the U.S. market for 2011.

So for those who have only had a chance at some face-time with Laguna at the National Woodworking shows, expect to see their machines later this year at a Woodcraft or Rockler near you.

Launch Gallery