Press release

Bouygues Construction and FEIN join forces to develop a very high safety angle grinder for all operators on construction sites

11-02-2020

Bouygues Construction and the German company FEIN, a manufacturer of professional power tools, have signed a partnership agreement with the aim of designing an efficient angle grinder offering optimum safety conditions. The new tool, which is in line with Bouygues Construction's Zero Accident policy, will come into use on all Bouygues Construction sites in 2021.

In order to limit the incidence of accidents involving angle grinders with a diameter of 125 mm, one of the world's best-selling but all too often misused hand-held power tools, Bouygues Construction took the decision in 2019 to ban angle grinders with a diameter of less than 230 mm from all its construction sites in all the countries where it operates. The Group invited tenders from manufacturers to develop a prototype that meets its safety requirements: no starting without a disc guard and compulsory two-handed operation.

It chose FEIN's proposal, which meets the precise technical specifications and guarantees a tool that meets Bouygues Construction's health and safety standards. A prototype is currently under development and the tool will be introduced in 2021.

Philippe Bonnave, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bouygues Construction, said: “The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority wherever we operate. Because nothing justifies taking risks for our site workers, we decided to work with Fein to co-develop the first very high safety angle grinder on the market that is both efficient and completely adapted to our requirements. We are proud of this innovation which will benefit all of our sites, and we are delighted to work with a partner who will enable us to help the sector progress in its practices.”

Michael R. Bach, International Sales Director and a member of the FEIN Group management board, said: “We are very pleased to be cooperating with one of the leading construction companies in France. At FEIN we see ourselves as a premium manufacturer of power tools and accessories. We therefore feel responsible for providing end-users with the best possible solutions in terms of safety in the workplace, and the angle grinders being developed for Bouygues Construction are the best example of this.”