Let's Hear It For Really Old Stuff

Aug. 11, 2010

A few years ago I received a press kit from Klein Tools. The company was celebrating its 150th anniversary. Usually this sort of "news" gets pushed to the back of my desk, but the press kit came with a T-Shirt that said "My tool is 150 years old . . . and still works!"

I gave the shirt to my husband (a carpenter) and every time he wears it he gets a laugh from co-workers and other folks in the trades.

A few years ago I received a press kit from Klein Tools. The company was celebrating its 150th anniversary. Usually this sort of "news" gets pushed to the back of my desk, but the press kit came with a T-Shirt that said "My tool is 150 years old . . . and still works!"

I gave the shirt to my husband (a carpenter) and every time he wears it he gets a laugh from co-workers and other folks in the trades.

If I am in earshot of any sort of marketing or PR person, I relay the story of the great Klein Tool promo.

Looks like another company understands the power of a good marketing campaign to drive home the point that its wares stand the test of time.

Nash is touting that its NASH Hytor #6 pump -- a liquid ring vacuum pump -- worked for 82 years before being removed for repair.

According to the press release, "The NASH #6 pump worked on the pulp dryer machine, on a top felt Uhle box, at Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company. The plant was built in 1928 by the Union Bag Company, and the #6 was there from the start. During its 82 years, the #6 pump has seen the company change hands a number of times, but it kept on doing its job.

"Retirement comes eventually of course, and the NASH #6 pump has gracefully given way to a NASH Vectra XL. The former could have kept on working with bearings replacement, but the Vectra will give the same reliability with more efficiency."

Now Nash wants to know: Do you have an old Nash pump that is still running?

Nash is running a contest to see what other pumps have been working hard for many years. The person who submits the oldest pump will WIN A GPS NAVIGATOR! Your pump doesn’t have to be 82 years old, it just has to be older than the other contest entries.

For contest details, go to www.GDNash.com/oldestpump.aspx. Entry forms will be accepted until Nov. 1, 2010.

And if you're interested in owning your own Klein Tool shirt, you can order one here – and no, I do not have any affiliation with Klein Tools.

Traci Purdum
Senior Digital Editor

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