New Year, New Gear: Start the Year with a Setup To Rely On
The start of a new year is a natural time to sit back and reset. Fresh calendar, fresh start at work, and for many workers, it’s a chance to take note of what’s really needed, whats not needed and what needs refilling in the van, workshop, or shed.
Tools take a beating over the year. Adverse weather, jobs rushed and all those minor fixes compound. January is the perfect, and often best time to look at what needs replaced or upgraded. New Year, New Gear is not about buying things just
‘because’, but stuff that improves your work. It is about working smarter, safer, and with kit you trust and enjoy.
Leave Last Year’s Problems Behind
If a tool slowed you down in 2025, it will not magically improve in January 2026. Worn batteries, damaged wires, blunt blades, and unstable heaters all cost you precious time, when work is already under pressure to be done.
Make sure to check power tools for faults, overheating, or inconsistent performance when using them. Look over hand tools for worn grips or corrosion anywhere. Even small nuances like a torch being dimmer than expected add up in wasted time over a year.
Replacing these tools early in the year avoids breakdowns in the busiest times and helps you start jobs with confidence, rather than worrying about the next break.
Upgrade the Tools You Use Every Day
Not every upgrade needs to be something noticeable. Often, the smallest tweaks in setup can be the ones that pay off the most.
Reliable equipment is the backbone of almost any workplace. If equipment goes down, it can cause very costly delays that cost much more than the savings you get in delaying. That £50 replacement? It just cost you £400 due to
downtime. This situation happens all the time, across many different industries.
Winter Comfort Still Matters
Cold hands are the worst… especially in the workplace when it causes everything to slow down, whether you are on site, in a garage, or working from home.
Portable heaters remain a fantastic solution for targeted warmth without running full heating systems all day costing you money. Choosing the right type for your space makes a big difference, whether that is oil-filled heaters for steady
ongoing warmth, fan heaters for some quick heat, or halogen heaters for direct, focused heating.
Heating is vital, especially somewhere like the Highlands of Scotland. Don’t wait until you need them to get them.
Organisation is key – don’t overlook it
The new year is a good excuse to get things organised. Proper storage protects your belongings and saves you time every single day, saving you that run round the house when you can’t find something in the morning.
Toolboxes and Storage Containers keep gear secure and easy to find. Damp and clutter are two of the biggest causes of damage, particularly over winter. Investing in decent storage now can extend the life of everything you own and
increase security, time efficiency and save your stress levels.
Organisation is not about being tidy because it looks nice. It is about finishing jobs faster and knowing exactly where something is, when you need it.
Refresh Workwear and Safety Gear
Workwear takes just as much wear, if not more, than tools. Jackets lose insulation, gloves start to wear thing, and boots eventually stop offering the support they once did and lose grip.
Starting the year with reliable workwear improves comfort and safety straight away. Warm, weather suitable clothing keeps you focused on the job rather than stressing about the conditions on site.
Proper PPE, including gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection, should also be replaced where needed – it is always better safe than sorry.
Set Yourself Up for a Better Year
New Year, New Gear is about preparing. It is about removing wasted time and energy from your working day and giving yourself equipment you can rely on without second thought, or costly delays.
Whether you are a business owner looking to replace some gear, a tradesmean or a home owner tackling a passion project, starting the year with reliable kit pays off in the long term. Fewer breakdowns, and much better results.
At HIS, we stock everything you need to get the job done properly. If you are unsure what you need or just want some general advice, our team is always happy to assist.
Shop in-store or online today!
