Power tool accessories are playing a bigger role at the trade counter. James Robinson, Sales & Marketing Director at Samac, explains how clearer labelling, smart POS and ranges like the new Viper line are helping merchants give the trades what they need.
Fixings and power tool accessories might serve different purposes on site, but they’re used side by side on most jobs. Drill, fix, repeat. That practical overlap is now being reflected more in-branch, with many merchants bringing the two categories together, both on display and at the trade counter.
It’s a shift that makes a lot of sense. Accessories are high-volume lines that naturally complement core fixings and hardware. When stocked and merchandised effectively, they help boost basket spend and reduce the risk of missed sales. Importantly, they also meet an obvious need — tradespeople want to be able to grab the right bit for the job while they’re picking up fixings, without having to go elsewhere.
It’s this opportunity that prompted Samac to expand its long-established Viper brand into power tool accessories. Known for collated nails, Viper is now fronting a full range of drill bits and holesaws covering wood, metal, tile, masonry and more. And crucially for merchants, it’s been designed not just with the user in mind but with practical POS and in-store display options to match.
“With margins tighter in many core lines, power tool accessories represent a fast-moving, profitable space. The key is in how they’re positioned.”
Familiar brand, new direction
Adding a new product category can be a tough sell without brand recognition. But in Viper, Samac already had a name that tradespeople trusted. With plenty of customers already asking for power tool accessories, the company saw a chance to build on that trust — offering something that made sense alongside fixings, without having to start from scratch.
That familiarity means the new range feels like a natural extension, and not just for builders and roofers. Electricians, plumbers and heating engineers — sectors already well represented in Samac’s customer base — have all been considered in the product selection.
The range
The Viper line includes all the staples you’d expect, as well as some standout options that have tested well against market leaders. The V-Tooth Hard Tile Bit is a good example; engineered to cut — not hammer — through tiles and masonry, it reduces vibration and cracking risk and thanks to the sharp teeth you get impressive speed too using just a standard electric drill or impact driver. In factory trials, it drilled up to 20 times faster than competing products.
There’s also a new line of Bi-Metal Holesaws made from M42 alloy with 8% cobalt. They have variable pitch teeth for fast chip removal, quieter cutting and less vibration and are designed to deliver smooth, long-lasting performance. These holesaws also come in sets tailored for specific trades like electricians and plumbers, complete with arbors and pilot drills packed into rugged cases.
The 4-Flute Auger Bit is another highlight, ideal for repetitive wood drilling through joists or studwork. These bits are up to five times faster than standard ones with four cutting edges that speed through timber while the design clears chips fast, preventing clogs, so they’re perfect for fast, repetitive tasks.
Built for branch success
Samac hasn’t just thought about what goes in the box, but how it reaches the customer. For merchants, particularly independents with limited space, the company has developed flexible POS options. There’s a full-size, Power Tool Accessories Stand — already trialled in merchant branches — for dedicated areas, plus a smaller version in development for trade counters. Both are backed by a tailored A5 product guide that explains what each accessory does, what it’s made from and which materials it suits.
It’s a user-friendly, sales-friendly approach designed to take the guesswork out of accessory buying. Clearer classification also helps: the range is split into Trade, Pro and Expert levels, making it easy for staff and customers to understand the difference between price points and performance.
In short, the range is set up to sell. It’s competitively priced with a quality benchmark that holds up well against top names, but without premium mark-ups. And because it ties in so naturally with fixings, it allows merchants to bundle more lines together and deliver more value with every sale.
Samac’s entry into the power tool accessories market reflects broader changes in the way merchants are thinking about add-on categories. With margins tighter in many core lines, accessories represent a fast-moving, profitable space. The key is in how they’re positioned.
By linking them to familiar brands, grouping them logically and backing them with clear, confidence-building information, merchants can offer a better customer experience and increase their own bottom line in the process. For merchants looking to strengthen their accessory offering without taking a leap into the unknown, the Viper range offers a strong, trusted route in.
It’s supported, it’s practical, and it’s ready to earn its keep on the trade counter.
Click or tap the link for more on the new Viper range of power tool accessories from Samac Fixings.
