Polski
Robots Fill the Welder Gap, While Makita Adds a New Arsenal to the Workshop
This week in the tools industry shows two sides of the same coin: on one hand, a pressing shortage of skilled hands; on the other, technology trying to work around that shortage. On top of that, a handful of fresh equipment launches worth keeping an eye on ahead of the trade show. Let's start with a topic that touches nearly every manufacturer in the country.
01 · Welding
Welders Are in Short Supply in 304 Counties – A Laser Cobot to the Rescue
The latest Barometr Zawodów report leaves no room for illusions: a shortage of welders is a problem in as many as 304 out of Poland's 380 counties [1]. In practice, this means manufacturing companies are either turning down orders for lack of hands on deck, or losing tenders to foreign competitors who can deliver on time.
Some manufacturers have decided not to wait for the labor market to improve and are turning to robotic welding stations instead. One example is the FANUC Cobot Laser Welding System, which combines a cobot, a laser welder, and dedicated software into a single workstation. The key difference from classic welding automation: such a station is operated by a trained operator rather than a certified welder, which genuinely relieves pressure on the most understaffed role in the plant [1]. Importantly for companies weighing this kind of investment, implementation — from placing the order to launching production — takes about 8 weeks, which is faster than recruiting and training a new welder under current market conditions [1].
It's a topic bound to come up in the hallway conversations at every welding trade show sooner or later — because the question is no longer "whether to automate," but "when and to what extent."
02 · Power Tools
Makita Loads Up Three New Releases: From Concrete to Hedges
On a completely different note, but just as timely — in September 2026 Makita unveiled three new cordless tools that expand its lineup across three different fronts of construction and landscaping work [2].
The first new addition is the 40V max XGT Vibratory Screed Power Head (VL001GZ) — a vibrator for finishing concrete surfaces. The unit delivers 11,000 vibrations per minute and runs for more than 2 hours on a single battery charge, which should appeal to crews pouring larger slabs and floors [2].
The second launch is the 1-inch 40V max XGT impact wrench (GWT09), boasting an impressive 2,950 ft-lbs of breakaway torque — a tool built for heavy-duty assembly and service work, right where classic cordless wrenches throw in the towel [2].
The third tool marks a complete change of industry — the 18V LXT cordless pruning shears (XPU01), which can cut branches up to nearly 3 cm thick and deliver up to 2,400 cuts on a single charge [2]. It's a reminder that today's trade-show "tools" lineup covers the construction site just as well as the green spaces around it.
Summary
Summary
This week shows an industry at the crossroads of two trends: automation that saves companies from a shortage of skilled labor, and the never-ending race among power-tool makers for more watt-hours, newton-meters, and runtime minutes per charge. Both threads — robotic welding and the latest cordless tools — can be seen live at the Międzynarodowe Targi Narzędziowe i Prac Wykończeniowych – Warsaw Tools & Hardware Show 2026. We invite you to visit exhibitor booths, try out the equipment firsthand, and talk about how these technologies are changing everyday work on the job site and in the workshop.
Invitation
Want to see robotic welding stations and Makita's latest cordless tools in person? Visit the Międzynarodowe Targi Narzędziowe i Prac Wykończeniowych – Warsaw Tools & Hardware Show 2026, where exhibitors will showcase solutions addressing the welder shortage along with the newest power-tool releases. It's a chance to try out the equipment yourself and talk to experts about implementing these solutions in your company.
Warsaw Tools & Hardware Show 2026