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Bosch has announced that the AmpShare cordless power tool alliance is coming to North America.
The AmpShare system is built on top of Bosch’s existing 18V platform, and was founded by Bosch, Fein, and Rothenberger with the goal of “simplify the jobsite.” AmpShare will power multiple brands’ cordless power tools with the same 18V batteries.
In addition to these 3 founding brands, 12 partner brands will be launching AmpShare-compatible products in 2023 and 2024. These brands are Honsel, Ledlenser, Mato, Medmix Cox, MK, Orgapack, Signode, PerfectPro, Steinel, Bosch Rexroth Corp, Titan, and Wagner.
AmpShare was announced several months ago in Europe, and so this news has not come as a complete surprise.
For Bosch users, nothing is changing to their existing 18V tool and battery compatibility. AmpShare tools and batteries will work with all of your existing Bosch 18V gear.
Fein has said that they are sunsetting their existing tools and moving to AmpShare-compatibility exclusively; all new Fein cordless power tools will be AmpShare-compatible. They will support their existing 18V platform such as with replacement batteries for the next 5-7 years.
Rothenberger will be releasing AmpShare-compatible cordless power tools in the USA, and will be offering both AmpShare and CAS-compatible tools in Europe. CAS is a competing battery alliance based on Metabo’s 18V battery system.
The first new products will be launching soon, with an ETA of June/July 2023. Rothenberger has said that they will be launching 10-15 items with the first arriving in Spring 2023.
Bosch is an all-around cordless power tool brand, Fein specializes in their MultiMaster oscillating multi-tool, and Rothenberger specializes in pipe joining, installation, and maintenance tools. The 12 other partnering brands bring their own specialties to the group.
This has the potential to be a highly impactful move.
Fein, for example, is well-known for their metalworking tools and wet/dry dust extractors. Hypothetically, powered-by-Bosch AmpShare 18V cordless versions of the Fein Turbo vacuums and Slugger metal-cutting saws could especially boost both brands’ competitiveness.
AmpShare looks to be a great move for Bosch 18V tool users, Bosch, Fein, Rothenberger, and the other participating brands.
A common battery is a great move, and I’d say that AmpShare holds even greater potential if partnering brands combine and share know-how.
In my opinion, the key to AmpShare’s success in the USA and North America will rely on its visibility.
