Chief products aim to help techs with entire collision repair process
CHICAGO — Chief Automotive Technologies offered two new products, teased a third and pushed a rebranding at Automechanika Chicago, April 24-26.
The Chief Fume Extractor collects weld fumes at their source, protecting against breathing harmful airborne particulates. The extractors offers a ProTura Nanofiber cartridge filter that delivers a combination of high efficiency, low operating costs and longer filter life. It also features a MERV 15 rating — short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, these ratings range from 1-15 and the higher the value, the more efficient the filter in trapping airborne particles.
The extractor has an ember tray and can be equipped with a built-in light and arc deter, allowing the extractor to turn on automatically.
The new PNP90 rivet gun was also featured at Chief’s booth. The pneumatic tool is “a powerful unit and gets the job done right,” said David Fischmer, marketing manager with VSG, Chief’s parent company. The tool differs from a battery-operated gun because it delivers the same power every time, saves time and is lighter for the technician.
The extractor and rivet gun are both part of the company’s product line expansion into “fusion” products shops need to properly repair collision-damaged vehicles. A full line of spot and MIG/MAG welders, previously marketed under the Elektron brand, will now be branded Chief Elektron Fusion technologies.
“Elektron is a very well-known European brand, but in the United States, Elektron products are sold through the Chief distribution channels,” Fischmer said. The branding change will streamline the brand for the customer and help improve understanding of and exposure for the product line.
Chief also had its new immersion separator system, not yet available for purchase, on the show floor. The system removes sanding dust from the air to ensure shop safety and prevent explosions.
