Bouygues and Fein cooperate on angle grinder

Contractor Bouygues has partnered with German power tool manufacturer Fein to create a “very high safety” angle grinder in response to accident concerns.

The cooperation follows Bouygues’s decision in 2019 to ban from its sites angle grinders with a diameter of less than 230mm. The contractor said 125mm diameter angle grinders - a very popular size - were often misused.

Following a tender process, Bouygues has chosen Fein to develop a 125mm grinder with additional safety features, including compulsory two-handed operation and a ‘no start without a disc guard’ feature.

The new grinder, to be in production in 2021, will be used on all Bouygues’ construction sites.

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.”

Michael R. Bach, Fein’s International Sales Director and a member of its management board, said, “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”.