ForConstructionPros.com

It started with blades, but it seems that low price has now become the key factor in the walk-behind saw market as well.

“Saws are getting to the point now where it’s becoming a commodity market,” says Jeff Durgin, sales and marketing manager for Multiquip’s Concrete and Masonry Technologies division. “It seems price now is the most important feature we can offer.”

Imports are driving costs down, with many machines coming in from overseas. Those companies are usually saving money on both materials and labor.

“It’s definitely cost-driven,” says Ed Varel, engineering project manager at Stone Construction Equipment. “People are looking for a basic machine to cut a straight line with more emphasis being placed on the blade.”

For domestic manufacturers, the challenge has become getting contractors to look beyond the initial cost of a machine and think about things like quality and customer service.