DEER PARK, N.Y.—In these tough economic times, making sure a job is installed properly is more important than ever. In addition to getting it done right the first time, being able to do it in an efficient manner, thus saving valuable time, is also a major consideration nowadays. Lately, there has been a rash of installation tools and products that have hit the market designed to meet both these objectives.

Recognizing the need to get installers, dealers, contractors and distributors exposed to these innovations, the Long Island Floor Covering Association (LIFCA) brought back Tool Time, a popular event it originally ran in the 1990s.

Since Tool Time had not been held in a number of years, Christopher Capobianco, LIFCA’s executive director, said the association kept this one small in terms of the number of companies that exhibited. But, in doing so, “the quality of the vendors was very high and we are grateful for all of their participation.”

The six companies that participated included Bona Kemi, SeamMaster Industries (Kool-Glide), Orcon Corp., Roberts/Q.E.P., Taylor Tools and Water-Jets Unlimited.

“It really was a great event,” Capobianco noted, “and all who attended were very enthusiastic about what they saw. The installers, dealers and inspectors who came out spent a lot of time learning about the latest innovations, including radio wave carpet seaming, wood refinishing, water jet cutting for hard surface, concrete moisture testing equipment, new innovations in knives and a wide variety of tools.”

Held in the American Carpet East warehouse here, Adam Greenberg, general manager, said the retailer was “happy to host the event. We’re delighted to help out anything that helps the industry be more professional.”

One of the newer items being showcased was the Carpet Tearor by Taylor. Ian Kornbeck, Eastern region technical sales manager, explained it incorporates the Archimedean principle of first-class leverage to help installers quickly and easily take-up and remove carpet in places where noisy machines are not allowed. “It turns a large, back-breaking, glue-down tear-up into a fast, easy, one-man operation.” Weighing in at under 40 pounds the patented unit costs $525.

Due to the success of Tool Time’s return, Capobianco is “hopeful that we will run it again next year and grow this back to the major event it was in the past.”

For more information on LIFCA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary later this year, please call 631.275.6494.