At one time, a toolbox was just a metal box. Then, plastic and composite materials came along. Whatever the material, it remained a box, perhaps with a pull-out tray to hold smaller items. But what about portable containers for accessories and supplies? Often, the best options for those were a cardboard box or the packaging items came in.


Things are different today. Electrical distributors and big-box stores carry a broad selection of portable containers, many developed by well-known tool manufacturers.


“Portable storage is a category where subtle innovation and simple improvements can have a significant impact on a product’s functionality and ease of use,” said Jason Arigoni, The Home Depot’s director of pro merchandising. “The Home Depot offers a variety of portable and steel tool-storage options—everything from pouches and boxes to 52-inch, 18-drawer tool chests. Many electrician’s tool sets come with storage cases or pouches included.”


Mobility on the job site often is the top priority, Arigoni said.


“We’re seeing smart upgrades that can save time and energy, including easy-to-grab dual handles on hard storage boxes or built-in rolling carts for portable storage systems,” he said. “The Ridgid 22-inch Pro Gear Cart includes a strong telescoping handle that eliminates the need for a separate dolly. This cart is actually the base piece in a 20-position, customizable mobile storage system.”


Milwaukee Tool and Husky have soft storage options specifically designed for electricians. Milwaukee’s 15-pocket electrician’s pouch is durable and comes with a solid base to keep it upright on flat surfaces and a puncture-
resistant back pocket to protect against cuts and jabs from sharp tools. Husky’s 10-inch electrician bag has a built-in wall for screwdriver storage and a disconnecting handle for easy access.


“Durability is also especially important for job-site tool storage,” Arigoni said. “The latest high-impact resins add strength to hard storage options without making them too heavy. In soft storage, look for high denier count fabrics and quality materials like nylon. In some cases, durability is as much about design as it is material. Weatherproofing also requires a combination of smart design with the right materials.”


Other features can improve characteristics such as accessibility and organization.


“The types of tools are changing with technology, and more storage devices are following suit—updating size, utility features, etc.—to keep on pace,” Arigoni said. “Technology is also finding its way into the design of storage devices. Smartphones and tablets are becoming just as important as the hammer and tape measure, so holding space for those devices is now being worked into the design of storage products.”


Bosch has developed the L-Boxx Click and Go portable system with top, front and side handles for easy carrying. Boxes are stackable, clicking into place. Compartment options include trays with small storage areas to separate fasteners or other items, said Dave Pizzolato, Bosch brand group manager. With foam padding, the boxes can be customized to store tools and other larger items. The L-Boxx-1 is easily customizable to carry small parts or fasteners or can be used as a storage container for smaller 12-volt (V) power tools.


Greenlee Communications’ storage product line includes durable tool boxes and tool pouches as well as portable chests and cabinets.


“We offer multiple variations from small to large with several pockets and storage compartments,” said Feras Khouri, Greenlee product manager. “We have different materials and styles fit for all kinds of uses. Many models complement fiber tools and instruments. One of our fiber tool kits includes a custom-molded, swivel-grip pack holster that moves with the end-user for extra comfort and keeps all of the end-user’s tools secure in one place.”


Klein Tools has a wide range of storage options in numerous shapes and sizes to match the diverse tools and accessories, said Linda Rolfe, senior product manager. Klein offerings include tool bags, backpacks, totes, pouches and boxes, and a rolling tool bag for heavier items.


“Nowadays tool bags have larger openings and brighter interiors to make accessing tools more convenient and visible,” Rolfe said. “We have a lighted tool bag that comes with a detachable light [to] illuminate the inside the bag or use outside the bag to see the work area.


“Open-top totes and wide-mouth tool bags with pocket organization make access easy. Inside, pockets for specific tools—pliers, screwdrivers, drill bits, tape measures, etc.—make it quicker to find the tool needed. Some bags come with almost 80 pockets to keep everything organized and accessible. Klein has a hacksaw bag that stores the hacksaw separately in a customized, protected compartment, keeping it away from other materials to prevent damage.


“There also are bags that have a hard front pocket to protect safety glasses, meters or other breakable items. Even our shoulder pads and backpack straps are more cushioned and adjustable than before. Our rolling tool bag has large, 6-inch wheels to stand up to rugged job-site conditions,” Rolfe said.


Makita has developed a container to efficiently organize and transport the ever-increasing number of power tools.


“Modular Makita interlocking cases can be conveniently stacked, linked and transported together via a collective array of key features,” said Wayne Hart, Makita communications manager. “Features include recessed side handles for convenient lifting, reinforced lid for additional strength and durability, and interlocking latches that secure lids and keep them shut and link multiple cases together.”


Makita also offers prescored foam sectional cubes to create custom inserts for tools and accessories. The dense foam holds tools firmly in place and protects them from sudden impact. Foam inserts include a 2-inch layer of prescored foam and ½-inch foam base layer.


Milwaukee has toolboxes; tool pouches, including an electrician’s pouch; zipper pouch, work belts, and job-site backpacks.


“A big trend in the industry is the integration of hard and soft storage,” said Bobby Show, Milwaukee Tool’s director of marketing. “Tool users want storage products with the flexibility of soft storage, and the durability of hard. Our new jobsite backpack is a good example. From a hard molded base that allows the bag to stand up and stay dry, to the midsection of the bag that unzips to reveal a wall of vertical tool storage, each feature of the backpack was carefully designed and manufactured to survive the job site and make the user more productive. With comfort in mind, its padded, breathable straps also make it easy to carry. In addition, the backpack includes a protective laptop pocket. The increased use of technology on the job site calls for protective options like this.


“We recently released a job-site organizer with various sizes of removable bins that can be mounted on common workplace materials,” Show said. According to Show, it features side clips that allow the units to be attached together and provide full access to each when they’re stacked.