Innovative Product Awards: Makinex Mobile Charging Pod

June 8, 2022
Makinex's Mobile Charge Pod is this year's Innovative Product Awards winner in the "Power Tools" category.

Makinex Mobile Charging Pod Saves Jobsites 

Product: Makinex Mobile Charging Pod

Manufacturer: Makinex

Product Category: Power Tools  

Key Innovation: This innovative, secure storage pod provides a safe way to store power tools, chargers, battery banks, and more. In addition to providing secure storage preventing theft, each of the six lockers has its own GFCI compliant outlets, providing power to safely charge batteries while storing them.

Manufacturer's Description: We all know what a job box is. Don’t you wish it could do more? Introducing the latest innovation from Makinex: The Mobile Charging Pod (MCP). This innovative, secure storage pod provides a safe way to store power tools, chargers, battery banks, and more. In addition to providing secure storage preventing theft, each of the six lockers has its own GFCI compliant outlets, providing power to safely charge batteries while storing them. It’s hard enough to keep up with growing cost of labor, let alone noncompliance fines. Utilizing the Mobile Charge Pod on a jobsite effectively eradicates possible fines that can be related to electrical installation standards, an over-loaded switch board, and of course, trip hazards with cords. Since the pod was designed with functionality, durability, and aesthetics, it can be used at more than just a rugged jobsite. The pod has successfully been used in rental shops, automotive shops, and general tool repair workshops. The MCP is compatible with a multitude of locks. From the newest thumbprint readers or Bluetooth readers to the standard key or combination cut resistant locks. No matter the user, they will be confident and comfortable utilizing their lock of choice. The MCP is now available in the Americas. Keep productivity high by never having a dead battery. Keep money in your pocket by reducing theft. Keep liability low by eliminating cord tripping hazards. Keep fines a thing of the past by being compliant.

RER Commentary:

The Makinex Mobile Charge Pod got its creation from a contractor partner in Australia, according to Jim Wilson, vice president of sales and marketing at Makinex.

Wilson said the partner came to Makinex with an idea and needed a manufacturer to create the unit for them to support their job and construction site.

“They came to us and said, ‘Hey can you help us build this and bring it to market’ and we said, ‘Absolutely’,” Wilson says. “From there it caught the attention of some other manufacturers who have a growing battery line and it’s just really taken to the market and through social media.”

The mobile charge pod is primarily for construction and rental markets to bring to jobsites, but also for internal use and any storage solutions such as warehouses that use them to facilitate internal tools for security.

The pod has aided jobsites in creating a safer environment from fire, electrical, and trip hazards and even theft.

“If anyone has ever been to a job site, there are a ton of electrical cords that could have water in them and create an electrical shock, fire hazard, and even a tripping hazard,” Wilson says. “There’s equipment that can also run over the cords and create that electrical hazard. So, the pod has created a way to secure all those cords by being a raised fixture that protects the cords and smaller tools.”

Jobsites are covered with tools, ranging from cordless handheld tools to large equipment, which can be stolen with ease if not properly stored away after the day’s work.

“The smaller the object is the easier it can get stolen. So, if you think about the plumbing, electrical, heating and HVAC guys, they all have to use those cordless tools. The pod gives them one convenient safe place to store and charge their tools,” Wilson says.

Wilson explains that the pod works as a master cord that would plug into the wall, and on the front of the pod there are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter safety outlets, and those outlets can be tucked into each bay so that they’re secure. The bays also have charging stations for batteries.

The lockers also have personalized individual locks on them to prevent sub-contractors making a call that no jobsite manager wants at 5 a.m. on the weekend.

“When the subs want to come in and work, they all have their own lock to use on the pod so jobsite managers don’t have to facilitate keys like a landlord would. You really don’t want that call on the weekend so the personalized locks help prevent that,” Wilson explains.

Wilson and the Makinex team have been happy with the turnout of the Makinex Mobile Charging Pod and its helpfulness it has brought the market.

“It’s a lightweight, portable solution that can be easily moved from jobsite to jobsite, within any warehouse or work zone and it provides instant, secure access while maintaining safety and reducing electrical hazards,” Wilson says.