At this year's 2010 Global Leadership Tour, Don Briner, who works in Bosch's Tool Organization and Storage department, gave us a nice preview of their upcoming adaptation of Sortimo's L-Boxx tool storage system. The new products seem to compete directly with Festool's Systainers (though Bosch was delicate when addressing this in their presentation). The L-Boxx obviously targets mobile work, but its simplification of the transport and storage of power tools, accessories and consumables makes it appealing to just about everyone. Sortimo is a market leader for in-vehicle equipment systems, and Bosch was brilliant in  working directly with a company that seems to really understand transport and storage systems.

Bosch intends to, as an option, ship many of its tools in custom-fit L-Boxx containers. The first tools to ship with L-Boxx as an option will be the Bosch 12V 3/8" Drill/Driver (PS31-2AL), 12V Max Multi-X Oscillating Tool Kit (PS50-2BL), and the corded 6.4-amp jigsaw (1590EVSKL). Here's how it breaks down:

Across the pond, Bosch is already shipping or readying even more tools in these boxes, though the design seems to be evolving somewhat and we'll have to wait to see the final incarnation. The company will also make available tool inserts for your existing products, making it easy to stack and protect your arsenal of power tools.

Bosch seems to have taken everything about the Systainers and improved it. The L-Boxx system stacks easier, opens easier, and is less expensive. They have both side and top handles so you can move your tools about as needed, however you desire. The stacking mechanism is different than the Festool Systainers in that it uses a patented one-click system that exists on the sides of the boxes. This means that there is no need to manually latch four separate fastening points in order to attach and detach them from each other (like the Festool Systainer). Also, since the one-click mechanism is independent of the two lid latches, the L-Boxx won't open on you accidentally while you are stacking them up or taking them apart. The L-Boxx units can even be independently locked thanks to integrated holes along the front which will accept any number of locking systems. What they don't have is any method for locking an entire stack of boxes together - something I'm sure would be nice for those using a lot of these in work vans or shops.

Bosch will initially release 4 models/sizes, ranging in price from $49-$79 each (with $10 increments in between) and there will be options and accessories to customize the boxes as needed to fit your needs. Each box features a decal on the front informing the user as to the contents, making it easier to differentiate one L-Boxx from another. Bosch hasn't released an exact schedule of when the various inserts and configurations will be made available, but we expect a steady roll-out once the products hit the market in force.

Conclusion

The L-Boxx system from Bosch looks to be a winner and it's going to be even better if the company offers it as an option for all of its power tools. When I consider the Bosch Multi-X MultiTool, for example, which is slated to ship with an L-Boxx option, it already ships in a plastic, hinged case. It would be relatively simple to offer that tool in an L-Boxx configuration with blow mold insert. Multiplied across the entire Bosch line of cordless and corded products, you can have efficient and convenient storage for all your drills, saws and measurement tools. I'm on board, bring it on.

About Bosch Power Tools and Accessories
Bosch Power Tools and Accessories is one of the divisions within the $1 billion, 4,000 employee strong Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, which is the North American branch of the largest power tool and accessory manufacturer in the world, Robert Bosch GmbH. Bosch provides a complete line of corded and cordless power tools and accessories engineered to survive any jobsite and allow professionals to take control of their work. For more information, call toll free 877-BOSCH-99 (877-267-2499) or visit www.boschtools.com.