SOLA WINS A 2021 PRO TOOL INNOVATION AWARD

Words: Margaret Foster
Aurora, IL, September 29, 2021: This week SOLA received a Pro Tool Innovation Award for the BIG RED digital levels with Bluetooth®. A diverse panel of judges made up of contractors, construction business owners, tradesmen, and media professionals came together this year to vote on the most innovative construction and outdoor power equipment industry products in the world. As judging wrapped up for the 9th annual PTIA Awards, 2021 revealed a particularly competitive mix of tools, accessories, fasteners, and other products submitted by some of the top manufacturers from around the world. Here's what the Pro Tool Innovation Awards judges said about the BIG RED digital levels:
 
“SOLA gives you just about everything you could hope for on a digital level: a backlit screen to make sure you can always read it, automatic screen rotation based on your working angle, audio cues to help guide you, and Bluetooth connectivity to make use of SOLA’s Measures app. Since this is a SOLA BIG RED level, you can count on it being accurate and having SOLA’s easy-to-read vials as a backup to the digital readout.”
 
After pouring over several hundred power tools, hand tools, fasteners, products, and accessories, PTIA winners were judged and eventually chosen based on a combination of factors. These included innovative features, advanced power delivery, groundbreaking ergonomics, technological advancements, advancements in jobsite safety, and value. This year's PTIA winners represent the innovation leaders in the construction industry with recognition for having best-in-class products that are truly ahead of their time.
 
This year, 89 different manufacturers and brands submitted over 470 products in dozens of categories for a chance to take home a 2021 Pro Tool Innovation Award.
 
"This is our 9th year hosting the PTIA Awards and we continue to be amazed at the level of innovation revealed through manufacturers' relentless pursuit of innovation. We saw phenomenal innovation in the areas of jobsite efficiency, safety, and productivity. Bold technology and advanced features also dominated new construction technology with advances that resulted in never-before-seen products. We continue to see increases in cordless tool run-time and battery capacity as well as smarter designs that take advantage of the latest breakthroughs in material science. While average products see incremental change, Pro Tool Innovation Award winners truly distinguish themselves in the industry and deserve particular recognition," said Clint DeBoer, Executive Director of the Pro Tool Innovation Awards. "Business owners, builders, contractors, and tradespeople can look to the PTIA Awards to find new products that help them work more quickly and safely and create greater work efficiencies while reducing costs."
 
For more information about the SOLA BIG RED digital levels with Bluetooth technology please visit https://www.sola.at/en-us/news/big-red-digital-levels-with-bluetooth.

Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.