The U.S. housing market collapse isn't only pulling down its domestic economy, causing banking crisis, but also sweeping through every corner around the world. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes maintains at a record low in line with worsening economic turmoil. The precipitous decline in sales of new single-family houses is expected to be coming to an end in later 2009. Dreary economic outlook will eventually put a wet blanket on home improvement expenditures.
Global warming evokes architects and engineers to build more green buildings. They resort to ancient building techniques by using simple, natural and biodegradable materials. Meanwhile homeowners are increasingly looking for eco-conscious hand tools to organize home improvement chores and make houses comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and more valuable in an economical way.

All for Greener Earth
In recent years, the green building trend gains momentum. A latest study predicts that the green building market is expected to be worth nearly $60 billion by 2010, which will largely boost the business of green building materials emphasized in ecological compatibility both in terms of the finish and quality as well as the materials and tools applied to complete it. The hot-selling products range from non-toxic paints, more efficient heating and cooling items, organic, bamboo floorings, quarry tile and brick, chemical-free garden products. Hand tools also echo "going green" by using simple, bio-degradable materials natural materials like cork, leather, flax or cotton as handle materials, providing users with a cozy, friendly and sweat-absorbing surface with superior energy transmission and less possible formation of blisters. By the survey, Generation Y/Millennial shopper are the demographic most likely to purchase environmentally friendly products, following by Generation X consumers who are willing to go green.

Hand Tools Innovated with User Friendliness
Hand tools become more feature-laden. DIYers prefer to the ones with improved ergonomics, e.g. with cushioned grips, and in use of lightweight, durable materials such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium and chrome vanadium for more efficient, comfortable and safer jobs. Screwdrivers have high-voltage insulation on the handles for extra protection on users. A new design can truly conforms to the user's hands, largely reducing pressure points and increasing comfort by significantly boosting torque transmission capability. Adjustable wrenches are equipped with jaws to keep micrometer-like exactness. Multi-task tools enable stripping, cutting and crimping all with the same tool.
Regarding to the design trends, hand tools are constantly innovated to increase work efficiency, safety and convenience. Circular band saw replenished with attachments with ejector function and fast-change system saves more labor and time. As diamond hand-circular saw blade is used, the saw can cut even more ultra-hard materials and reduce downtimes as well as maintenance expenses. Similarly, a special sabre saw, additional with diamond-strewn cutting blade, for cast iron pipes can efficiently process the materials such as extremely resistant red bronze. An innovative fixed drill features expanded speed range, capable of performing slow operations and functions such as countersinking, rasping and thread-cutting. A new water pump pliers provide a 30% greater grip capacity, enabling gripping tubes up to 2 inches and bolts up to a spanner width of 46 mm. A two-in-1 model can be used as water pump pliers and pipe wrench all in one tool enables the same torque that traditional pipe wrenches offer yet a lighter weight and faster adjustment possibilities.

Power Tools Make Jobs Easier
Power tools focus on being easier and safer to operate, whether they are in the hands of a professional or a beginner DIYer. Cordless power tools are lightweight, compact and easier to handle thanks to the use of small lithium ion rechargeable batteries, primarily used in mobile phones and digital cameras. Higher power output is significant. For example, heavy hammer drills and chisel hammers with multistage overload clutches are designed with long-lasting power, friendly to user operation on hand. New laser technology for projecting precise cutting lines onto workpieces has turn to an indispensable feature of hand-operated saws for DIY enthusiasts to get the job done effectively, efficiently and stylishly. The up-and-coming development of rechargeable tools makes jobs easier and faster, particularly when combined with innovative lithium-ion technology. The new lithium-ion battery features minimal self-discharge, longer life cycle, eliminated "memory-effect" and faster charging times. As powered with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, either a light rechargeable staple gun or a soldering iron can provide the user a longer and fatigue-free tool-operating experience. Laser-enabled power tools enable the problem-free and precise representation of lines and angles. Novel floor-line lasers provide more user-friendly interruption-free tile setting-up and alignment. As self-leveling line lasers applied in solders, the twin-direction gears allow a synchronous solder-point transfer upwards and downwards.

Garden Tools
According to the latest survey, the lawn and garden industry makes up nearly 10% of the home improvement market, which generates over $50 billion in the US each year. Today's homeowners tend to furnish and decorate their gardens as they do to family rooms, kitchens and living rooms. They who love getting close to soil and flowers are spending more and more time and money on gardens and make them beautiful and cozy as possible.