Craftsman Wins Three 2017 Edison Awards For Innovation

Edison Awards, celebrating 30 years of honoring the best in innovation and excellence in the development of new products and services, announced that the Sear’s once and future private brand Craftsman was voted a winner of one Gold and two Bronze Edison Awards for innovation at the recent event at The Capitale in New York City.

The Craftsman^® Flex Claw™ Hammer received a Gold Edison Award while the Craftsman Sidewinder™ Flat Tape and Craftsman Smart Lawn™ Connect Kit won Bronze Edison Awards.

“I’m so proud of our product development team,” said Tom Park, president of the KCD Brands division at Sears Holdings. “They found a way to bring innovation to the most basic of tools – the hammer – by giving it more functionality with four clawing positions. Our Craftsman Sidewinder Measuring Tape makes you say ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ And the Craftsman Smart Lawn app allows you to view the tractor’s performance diagnostics, giving you peace of mind, plus money saving maintenance tips, weather tracking and more – everything you need to keep the best yard on the block.”

Edison Award Winning Products from Craftsman:

• Built for speed and convenience, the versatile Craftsman Flex Claw Hammer allows you to drive nails with precision and pry boards with excellent access and leverage thanks to a jointed head. The head locks in four different clawing positions to access difficult angles. Made of forged carbon steel with a magnetic nail starter and rubber grip, this hammer is the new twist on a classic.
• The Craftsman Sidewinder Measuring Tape features an exclusive design that allows the body to lie flat unlike traditional tape measures. Combined with a rear tang to hold the tape measure in place, it allows you to measure without the tape tipping over. It also has an auto blade lock, micro texture grip surface and a writable surface to note measurements that make it a “must-have” for the toolbox.
• The Craftsman Smart Lawn Connected Riding Mowers provide the complete care system for your mower. Take command of your lawn care with the wireless-enabled Smart Lawn app from Craftsman. Just download the free Smart Lawn app to your smart device and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your mower using wireless technology. It notifies you when it’s time to change the oil, replace the air filter, replace blades and check battery status. Access DIY maintenance videos, the owner’s manual and shop for parts and accessories.

Winning an Edison Award has become one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name of innovation and business. The awards are named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) whose inventions, new product development methods and innovative achievements literally changed the world, garnered him 1,093 U.S. patents, and made him a household name around the world.

“Our judges recognized Craftsman as a true innovator out of the many products in its category,” said Frank Bonafilia, executive director of the Edison Awards.

The ballot of nominees for the Edison Awards was judged by a panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives including past award winners, academics and leaders in the fields of product development, design, engineering, science and medical.

In addition to the Awards Gala, the annual Edison Awards program encompassed a full-day “Meet the Innovators Forum” and the “Innovators’ Showcase,” which offered guests a hands-on experience with many of the winning products.