Thunderbolt Industries Ltd. produces, markets, distributes, services and supports a patented, multi-head, slide-hammer tool under the trademarks "Thunderbolt" and " Lightningbolt". The product is targeted to commercial contractors and "Do-It-Yourself" consumers who prefer a safer, more versatile, easier to use impact tool for many common landscaping and construction jobs.

In June of 1996 Ian Mac Phee and Roger Lamoureaux identified a need for the use of a tool that would be easy, safe and efficient for people who are not adept with an axe. Thunderbolt Industries Ltd. was formed and over a period of 4 years the two inventors worked on the design, creating prototypes and test marketing the product they named The Thunderbolt.

Many Applications

During the design and test marketing phase it became apparent there were many uses for the tool. Based on many years of working in the landscape and construction industries, the founders began to explore the design of different tool head attachments that would make many jobs less labor intensive and more efficient. Floor scrapers, ice chippers, stake drivers, earth tampers and more were tested and refined. Once the tool and the tool heads were perfected they had it patented and proceeded to introduce the Thunderbolt to the general public.

In March of 2000 they were awarded a contract with the Home Depot rental division. After a year and a half of successful rentals Thunderbolt was offered a retail contract with Home Depot Canada western division. Starting with 4 locations the products soon were selling in over 30 stores.

Two Markets, Two Tools

It became obvious that there were two separate markets for the Thunderbolt -the residential/ do-it-yourselfers and the commercial contractors. A new, lighter version called The Lightningbolt was developed for the home market.

The Lightningbolt was ready for market in June of 2003. This lighter product was accepted immediately and opened doors to other major Canadian retail markets. Currently we are starting our new program with Canadian Tire to distribute to all of their stores across Canada and Peavey Marts throughout Western Canada.

While they were developing the residential market another opportunity opened up on the commercial side. Acklands -Granger Inc and Midfield Supplies, two large commercial tool supply companies, started distributing the Thunderbolt industrial model. Also the international commercial market opened up through the surveying industry. Butler Surveying Supply (a large Canadian distributor), Chrisnik Inc. and Berntsen International Inc. two specialty survey supply companies in the United States, and Ripro Company Ltd. a major Japanese survey supply company, carry Thunderbolt products.

The Future

The company continues to test and refine it's product line while planning to expand distribution.