ShagTools, a division of Crown Products, is a Midwest distributor of flooring tools and accessories with 19 locations. It benefits by its parent company having a 50-year history of supplying both contractors and DIY homeowners throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Shag Tools launched in 2009 as a brick and mortar distributor offering a full selection of name-brand flooring tools, installation supplies and accessories—1,600 SKUs in all. Among its leading brands are Roppe, Schönox, Traxx, Crain and Roberts.
FCNews recently caught up with John DeYoung, CEO of ShagTools, for further insight.
Talk about your company and its objectives.
Our goal is not just to distribute tools and sundries; it’s to help installers run a more efficient and profitable business. Getting supplies online is part of that since they can be quickly ordered and delivered in just a few days for upcoming projects.
But the tools and supplies are only as good as how they’re used. That’s why ShagTools partners with influencers such as the Tile Money podcast and our suppliers to provide customers with information and tips that allow them to better use their tools and run their businesses. We welcome anyone who is interested in receiving this information to go to shagtools.com to sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
What challenges are you facing today?
Right now, the labor shortage, coupled with increased demand for construction, is a huge challenge. Business owners and contractors are willing to invest in anything, whether that be a specific tool or finding a more efficient way to buy that can help them use their team’s time more efficiently.
What installation tools are in highest demand these days? Saws and cutters that eliminate dust on site—such as iQ Power Tools and D-Cut tools—that save time by eliminating the need to set up a plastic room for wet saw cuts and make it easier to do cuts right at the application site. In fact, one customer told me a story of a high-rise project where it was invaluable to do the tile cuts right in the condo versus traveling multiple stories down to the carport for every cut.
Another product that is extremely popular is the ProKnee line of knee pads. These are premium knee pads that are customizable to the wearer’s body and distribute weight throughout the lower leg rather than just the knee. That makes it easier and more comfortable when an installer needs to spend long hours on their knees in getting a job done.
Lastly, we see a great deal of demand for consumables like sealants, caulks and grouts due to an increased demand for high-quality tile work.
How has business fared since COVID-19? Have you been forced to make adjustments?
Shagtools.com launched in April 2021 with the ability to ship all of its products to a customer’s door, so we did not have a pre-pandemic business to adjust. That said, the pandemic was one of the reasons we wanted to launch shagtools.com. The pandemic drove both consumers and businesses to find ways to do things remotely, including using online ordering for everyday supplies that they might have previously purchased in-store. In fact, more than 80% of businesses now purchase at least some supplies remotely because it’s easier and saves time they can be using to make money.
Shagtools.com sells brands that contractors already use and trust, so they feel comfortable buying them online instead of in-store. That even applies to large tools since contractors already know the products and can get them—with shipping included—in just a few days.
Have you been 100% online since the start of the business?
Shagtools.com is the e-commerce platform of Crown Products, a specialty distributor of flooring sundries, hard surfaces, carpet pad and tools to residential and commercial flooring contractors and installers. Crown also includes Walcro, Cartwright Distributing and TriState Wholesale Flooring.
While shagtools.com is 100% online, being part of the Crown Products family allows us to leverage 50 years of direct industry and tool experience and central warehousing to provide great tools at a fair price to professional flooring contractors.
