For electricians who like their tools as organised as their wiring, the KNIPEX Modular X18 Electric Backpack is a tough, practical tool transport solution, designed to move your tools safely from job to job.

The Modular X18 Electric combines clever layout with comfortable carrying. It opens fully at the front and back, giving a clear view of your tools and includes a removable tool board to keep your essentials tidy. A padded back panel means even a full 15kg load is comfortable to carry.

The FIDLOCK connectors are a neat touch; both magnetic and mechanical, they secure your tools firmly yet open in seconds. Alongside them, MOLLE webbing stitched in durable nylon provides anchor points for clips, adapters and accessories, with one strap inside and four outside for flexibility.

Inside, the backpack has two compartments for tools, test equipment or a tablet, with 21 loops and 37 pockets, some with zips for smaller parts. The waterproof moulded base keeps it upright and stable, while the recycled synthetic fabric is splash-proof and easy to wipe clean. With a capacity of 18 litres and a tested load of up to 15kg, it’s built to take a full working kit.

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Christmas is just around the corner and KNIPEX is here to make the most wonderful time of the year even better! The KNIPEX annual Advent Calendar is back, packed with top tools that every electrician wants to get their hands on this festive season.

Open the calendar doors every day from 1^st to 24^th December and find up to three fantastic prizes to be won, from smart stripping tools to clever cutters and convenient cabinet keys.

Lucky winners will be taking home the new PV ErgoStrip, which quickly strips 4mm² and 6mm² PV cables and all common round and damp proof installation cables, even in awkward spaces. You could get your hands on the popular ComStrip automatic insulation stripper, a handy compact tool that strips solid, multi-stranded and finely stranded conductors from 0.2mm² to 6mm² with standard insulation and no manual adjustment needed. Other prizes include the Stripping Knife, with its three cutting areas for round and lengthwise cuts, and the versatile VDE Cutters, which cleanly cut soft and hard wire and fit into the tightest of spaces.

As the Christmas excitement builds, check in on the 24^th for the big one – the Modular X18, fully loaded with tools including VDE screwdrivers, VDE tested Diagonal Cutters and plenty more.

So, for your chance to win some cracking prizes, log onto the KNIPEX website this December and countdown to Christmas the KNIPEX way!

Visit https://www.knipex.com/en-uk/advent-calendar for your chance to top up your toolbox this festive season.

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A look at the latest display solutions to help increase your in-store purchases.

‘TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON!

Test Instrument Solutions (TIS) is embarking on increasing the trade counter profiles of both TIS and KNIPEX products through new up-to-date displays.

These are both slat wall and free-standing metal systems. Particularly appropriate during the forthcoming festive season, the PoS products on view are a real tempter for people looking to treat themselves for Christmas and beyond.

TIS is seeing a massive demand for its electrical safe isolation range – fuelled by the ‘#SafeforSeptember’ campaign – which originated due to the ongoing and unnecessary level of deaths and injuries caused by inadequate equipment and/or training being supplied on this topic.   TIS has award-winning equipment within this sphere and is on a mission to make sure that cost should be no excuse. All trade counter merchandising uses the opportunity to display safe isolation equipment to maximum exposure.

Other test equipment on offer includes a cutting-edge range of extremely topical solar PV commissioning and maintenance test equipment, multi-award winning MFT & EVSE instrumentation, along with multimeters, clampmeters, environment measuring equipment, certification, plus all of the accessories to suit the entire range. An ISO9001 calibration division is also part of the organisation for back to base and on-site calibrations.

TIS and Wiha

TIS has been very successful in re-envigorating the KNIPEX brand to multiple electrical wholesale outlets following a decline due to Brexit. The company was subsequently approached by Wiha to distribute its range of torque screwdrivers and accessories to the electrical wholesale channels – so from October 2025 PoS hardware is also being rolled out to help promote the range of Wiha tools being supplied and supported by TIS.

If you require any information on the entire portfolio offered by TIS, then please email sales@tis-tic.co.uk, or visit the TIS website here

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KNIPEX is giving merchants something special for the festive counter this year with the launch of its limited edition 200mm TwinGrip, a collector’s version of one of the brand’s most popular pliers.

Finished in grey atramentised steel with black slimline grips and bronze-coloured lettering, the TwinGrip limited edition combines KNIPEX precision with a distinctive look that stands out instantly on display.

Each pair is boxed in eye-catching seasonal packaging, giving merchants a ready-made gift opportunity for the trade. KNIPEX has also created a dedicated festive counter display in matching festive colours. Compact but striking, it holds up to 10 pairs and is designed to sit neatly on the trade counter where customers can see and handle the product.

The TwinGrip is one of KNIPEX’s most popular tools for a reason. Its unique front and side gripping jaws make light work of damaged screws and tricky fittings while the five-way adjustable slip joint with push-button control delivers a wide gripping range from 4 to 22mm.

A robust box joint gives long-lasting strength, a pinch stop protects fingers from slips and its narrow head design makes it easy to work in tight spaces where other pliers can’t reach. It’s a tool built for precision, strength and versatility.

With its striking packaging and proven performance, the limited edition TwinGrip is one product that won’t stay on the shelf for long.

To view the KNIPEX range visit https://www.knipex.com/en-uk/twingrip-limited-edition

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Purpose-built for solar installers, the new KNIPEX ErgoStrip PV makes stripping PV cables quicker, cleaner and more consistent.

This specialist cable stripping tool is designed specifically for the needs of the photovoltaic sector. Based on the popular ErgoStrip, the new version has been reworked with solar installations in mind, offering added features and greater efficiency when working with tough PV cables.

The ErgoStrip PV easily strips robust 4mm² and 6mm² PV cables such as H1Z2Z2-K and works just as efficiently on standard round and moisture-resistant cables, including NYM types from 3 x 1.5mm² to 5 x 2.5mm². Tapered tool ends make it easy to work in tight spots too, exactly the kind of access challenges installers face when fitting PV systems.

Users can expect consistent, reliable preparation of cables for all common solar connectors as the adjustable length stop strips PV cables to exact lengths between 6mm and 18mm. Circular and longitudinal cuts are easy too, and the tool also includes a stripping notch for PVC single cores (like H07V-K), suitable for cross-sections from 0.2mm² to 4mm².

The ErgoStrip PV is available on its own or as part of the new KNIPEX PV installation set.

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A reliable crimping tool makes all the difference when time is tight yet precision is non-negotiable. That’s why the KNIPEX self-adjusting crimping pliers are a top tool for electricians who want fast, consistent results without compromising quality.

Engineered for crimping wire ferrules up to 16 mm², including twin ferrules up to 2 x 6 mm² or 2 x AWG 12, these crimping pliers automatically adjust to the cross-section of the wire ferrule size, making crimping quicker, easier and guaranteeing a mechanically firm and electrically secure connection. A square compression ensures uniform, high-quality crimps that meet DIN 46228 parts 1 and 4 and the pliers are UL approved when used with KNIPEX ferrules.

Built with tight working conditions in mind, the pliers have lateral access, so it’s easy to reach into confined spaces like control panels and distribution boards and still crimp quickly and precisely. These pliers deliver high crimping force with minimal hand effort, thanks to an efficient lever action, and the ratchet mechanism guarantees consistent crimping pressure every time. That mechanical advantage, combined with a compact, ergonomic shape, makes the tool more comfortable to use during long shifts. Weighing in at less than 500g with a slim handle design, the Self-Adjusting Crimping Pliers are easy to manoeuvre without causing strain. Chrome plated with multi-component handles, these pliers are durable, rust resistant and comfortable to use.

Whatever the job, the KNIPEX Self-Adjusting Crimping Pliers are built to keep up. With their automatic adjustment, ratchet action and compact design, they’re a durable, dependable addition to any electrician’s kit, saving time without cutting corners.

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The KNIPEX Stripping Knife brings precision, power and safety to sheath removal, with a unique ratchet function that cuts through even the toughest materials with ease.

This versatile stripping knife with guide shoe and ratchet function is designed for professionals who regularly work with hard plastic sheaths up to 7mm thick. Whether you’re stripping large SWA cables, industrial flex or tough insulation, the KNIPEX Stripping Knife is built to get the job done cleanly, safely and quickly.

The blade has four positions: the angled position allows for easy round cuts, straight for circumferential and longitudinal slicing and ratcheting for lengthwise work. The ratchet function means the blade moves in sync with your motion to make lengthwise cutting smoother and more controlled, even on stubborn materials. It reduces strain and, as it lessens the risk of slippage and improves accuracy, is great where space is tight. The blade can also be folded away and a three-stage blade lock, complete with safety lock and push-button release, keeps everything secure in use and during transport.

The blade is marked with depth lines, allowing you to measure the thickness of the cable sheath before cutting.

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Sustainability has shaped KNIPEX for over 140 years. But today, the challenge is bigger. From climate-friendly steel to global partnerships, David Barnes, Sales and Marketing Manager, explains how responsible toolmaking can shape a better future.

When people talk about sustainability in manufacturing, it is often reduced to carbon targets and compliance checklists. These matter of course, but at KNIPEX it goes much deeper. Sustainability has been part of who we are for over 140 years, but it’s no longer enough just to do better than yesterday. Our challenge now is to rethink how we design, source, produce and recycle across the entire supply chain, because we believe we have a responsibility – to the environment, to our communities and to the generations who will use the tools we make.

Targets backed by action

This mindset drives our approach to our operations. We have set ourselves a clear goal: to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, using 2020 as our baseline, and by 2045 we aim to be climate neutral across the board. It’s a tough target, but we are already making great progress.

Since 2020, we have cut our emissions by a third. A big part of that is thanks to switching to 100% green electricity and 100% biogas in our operations, but we are also investing in long-term change. We promote e-mobility with our company’s electric cars and our public e-charging station, which runs using the solar power we have been self-generating since 2011 (and we are continuously expanding that capacity). We have even started converting our first large power units to run on hydrogen – another step towards decarbonising production.

Over 83% of our pliers now come in packaging made entirely from recycled material and all our plastic handles are made with recycled content. Inside our factory gates, it’s about considering waste a resource, not a problem; steel, wood, cardboard and other residual materials are fully recycled.

Over half of our greenhouse gas emissions are generated in Scope 3 – indirect emissions that originate from sources outside KNIPEX’s immediate control, such as transportation of materials and emissions from externally sourced raw materials. Steel production is a carbon-intensive process and the lion’s share of these Scope 3 emissions comes from the steel used to manufacture our high quality pliers. But we are committed to achieving our climate goals.

Climate-optimised raw materials will play a big part here and we are working closely with our long-time steel supplier, the Swiss Steel Group, to reduce emissions at the source and make sustainable steel a core part of our production. We were the first tool manufacturer to purchase Green Steel Climate+, a product made using hydro-powered electric arc furnaces and 100% recycled scrap. The carbon saving is huge; compared to conventional crude steel, emissions are cut by 98% per tonne, marking a huge shift in how raw materials can support Net Zero goals.

Thinking in circles, not straight lines

Our sense of responsibility doesn’t stop at our own factory gates; it also shapes how we work beyond them and has led to our involvement in initiatives like Circular Valley. For those who haven’t come across it, Circular Valley is a regional project in Germany that brings together manufacturers, researchers and start-ups to explore real-world solutions for a circular economy.

Through Circular Valley, we have supported efforts like Plastic Fischer, a start-up company that is the first in the world to tackle river plastic, working to intercept it before it reaches the ocean. With our backing, it has removed over 70 tonnes of plastic from the Ganges’ tributaries and created local employment in the process. It’s a clear example of how partnerships can make a global impact, even if they start small.

We are committed to climate protection on an international basis. Since 2016, for example, we have been involved in a project aiming to regreen areas of the Libyan desert with our local cooperation partner SEKEM. So far, 49,366 trees have been planted, which annually offset 1.804 tonnes of CO2.

The truth is, we live and work thanks to the world around us. The conditions and resources we rely on, air, water, raw materials, aren’t infinite. At KNIPEX, we believe that acknowledging this is essential for business. We want to be a good employer, a reliable partner and a positive presence in society. Success matters to us, but not at any cost. We are guided by long-term thinking and a belief that you can run a responsible, profitable business without cutting corners.

The demand for sustainably made tools is also growing. Whether it’s working on public sector sites with procurement requirements or just doing their bit for the planet, tradespeople increasingly want to know that the products they are using have been made responsibly.

At KNIPEX, we don’t claim to have all the answers, but we are taking action. From cleaner steel and recycled packaging to solar energy and international reforestation, we are proving that toolmaking can be both high quality and low impact. It’s not about ticking sustainability boxes, it’s about doing what’s right, now and for the future, and we are proud to play our part.

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KNIPEX has become an Associate Supporter of Band of Builders, the national construction charity that carries out practical projects to help tradespeople facing life-changing or limiting circumstances.

Band of Builders brings together skilled volunteers from across the UK construction industry to complete projects that make a lasting difference to the lives of tradespeople and their families. From installing accessible bathrooms and building home extensions, to creating fully adapted outdoor spaces and delivering wellbeing support, the charity harnesses the skills and generosity of the trade to help those in need. As an Associate Supporter, KNIPEX will contribute to the success of these projects through a variety of fundraising activities, raising awareness across its UK customer base.

Founded in 2016, Band of Builders has delivered more than 35 projects across the UK, with a growing community of volunteers and supporters drawn from every corner of the industry. Each project is tailored to the specific needs of the beneficiary – often a tradesperson who has suffered injury, illness or bereavement – and delivered at no cost to the recipient.

The charity recently launched its Supporter Programme to provide structured ways for individuals and businesses to get behind its mission. Associate Supporters like KNIPEX play a key role in helping fund and facilitate the practical work that sits at the heart of Band of Builders’ impact.

“We know that being a tradesperson is about more than just the job – it’s a way of life, and one that comes with its share of risks and challenges. That’s why we believe in supporting organisations like Band of Builders, who are there for the trade when it needs it most. Together, we can make a real difference,” said David Barnes, Sales and Marketing Manager for KNIPEX UK.

For more information about Band of Builders and how to get involved, visit bandofbuilders.org.

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Electricians working with steel wire armoured (SWA) cables need tools that offer precision, power and simplicity. KNIPEX has answered this demand with its VDE tested cable cutter, designed to cut through SWA cables up to Ø45mm/380mm² with minimal effort.

With a robust yet lightweight design, weighing just 800g and measuring 315mm in length, this ratchet action cutter is built for efficiency and control. Its compact size makes it ideal for use in confined spaces, allowing electricians to make clean, precise cuts with one or two-handed operation. The precision-ground blades and induction-hardened cutting edges ensure smooth, crush-free cutting, making it an essential tool for professionals who require accuracy and reliability.

Equipped with a high-leverage three-stage ratchet drive, the cable cutter maximises cutting force while reducing strain on the user. A support area for resting the tool while cutting adds to its ergonomic design, ensuring stability and comfort in demanding work environments.

This VDE-tested tool is insulated with multi-component grips, providing electricians with the safety and confidence needed for live electrical work. It complies with IEC 60900 standard, ensuring it meets the highest safety requirements for professional use. This cable cutter is sturdy, easy to use and stable – a must for every toolbox.

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