DEWALT TOUGHSERIES CLAMPS
A professional-grade clamp system engineered for strength, durability, and ergonomic performance. Developed through extensive user testing and launched globally across multiple brands, the ToughSeries Clamp was designed to compete in a crowded $81.2M product category within a $353M global market—ultimately earning industry recognition for its high-impact design.
COMPANY: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER
Year
2020
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Tasked with creating the toughest one-handed bar clamp on the market, the design needed to meet the demands of professional users while aligning with multiple global brand identities. The challenge was to deliver strength, comfort, and adaptability without compromise.
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The development process centered on real-world testing with professional tradespeople and tool users. Insights from ergonomic evaluations and hands-on feedback informed key refinements to the grip, trigger, and material choices—resulting in a tool that feels intuitive and performs reliably in high-pressure environments.
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The final clamp system launched successfully under three distinct brands, tailored for regional markets and manufacturing needs. It was recognized with a Pro Tool Innovation Award for its standout performance, delivering a durable, ergonomic, and versatile product platform.
Understanding the challenge
DEWALT approached this project with a clear but ambitious goal: develop the toughest, most ergonomic one-handed bar clamp on the market—something that could withstand the realities of jobsite use while also standing out at retail. The product would need to deliver on both durability and comfort, and be flexible enough to launch under multiple brand identities across global markets. From the outset, the stakes were high. Getting it right meant not just refining a design—but creating a versatile, professional-grade tool platform.
Laying the foundation for success
From early conversations through to technical discovery, the focus remained on aligning performance expectations with user needs and manufacturing realities. That meant digging deep into competitive analysis, identifying market gaps, and defining clear success criteria. At the same time, practical constraints like tooling requirements and multi-brand adaptability had to be addressed up front. By establishing these parameters early, the project team was able to move forward with clarity and purpose—setting the stage for effective, targeted design development.
Designing through iteration and insight
Rather than rushing to a solution, the design process prioritized exploration, validation, and refinement. Sketching and visual ideation opened up a wide range of possibilities, which were then translated into CAD models and tested through working prototypes. Multiple rounds of user testing—spanning professional tradespeople to general tool users—delivered critical insights. Those hands-on sessions shaped key decisions around ergonomics, grip comfort, trigger performance, and material finishes. Each detail was carefully considered to ensure the product would perform under pressure and feel intuitive in hand.
Bringing it to MArket — and earning recognition
Rather than rushing to a solution, the design process prioritized exploration, validation, and refinement. Sketching and visual ideation opened up a wide range of possibilities, which were translated into CAD models and tested through functional prototypes. Multiple rounds of user testing—spanning professional tradespeople to everyday tool users—provided critical insight into grip comfort, trigger responsiveness, and material feel. These iterative refinements led to a durable, ergonomic clamp system that not only performed reliably on the jobsite but also adapted seamlessly across global markets. The final product launched under three major brand identities and was recognized with a Pro Tool Innovation Award, affirming its standout performance and thoughtful design execution.