Accuracy & precision

Officially declared a pandemic in the middle of 2020, COVID-19 resulted in lockdowns that put a historic restraint on construction activities all over the world. Market reports predicted that this sudden halt in the sector would cause a decline in construction's global market value. For instance, Research and Markets' September 2020 report expected a market size decline from $11,217.4 billion in 2019 to $10,566.8 billion in 2020, citing the shutting down of manufacturing facilities and disruptions to supply chain and logistics as major factors.

However, more recent reports show a promising recovery in the construction sector due to vaccine rollouts in various regions. Data and analytics company GlobalData reports a 5.2 percent growth in the industry in 2021. GlobalData's lead economist Danny Richards says, "In markets where the construction industry has managed to return to relatively normal level of operations since the crisis engulfed the world in Q2 2020, activity has rebounded positively, with signs that in some markets there has been a marked effort to get projects back on track quickly."

This forecast growth in mind, sourcing professionals in the industry can expect positive turnover for imported construction tools and equipment. Sourcing assets for construction is often envisioned as focusing on big-ticket items such as multifunction power tools and heavy machinery. But interestingly enough, Global Sources' online marketplace often finds that small-ticket items such as measuring tapes often make it to the weekly list of the most popularly sourced products in the general hardware section. Simply put, construction professionals always need to measure things.

IP54-rated

Maxspeed Group Co. Ltd's Electronic Tape Measure-014R is equipped with a steel tape and a laser distance measurer. It has a <1mW laser output power and 620 to 670nm wavelength, 0.03 to 30m range and ±3mm accuracy. The IP54-rated device has a power-saving feature, turning off after 45 seconds of inactivity. A 1,000-unit minimum order is required. Lead time is 15 to 25 days.

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Measures in 0.5 second

The H-5060 offered by Zhuhai Jida Huapu Instrument Co. Ltd is a laser distance measurer with a speed of 0.5 second. Its 635 to 650nm, <1mW laser has 0.001m resolution, ±1.5mm accuracy and 0.3 to 60m range. Power comes from two AAA batteries, which last for more than 5,000 measurements.

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Digital display

Tianyi Electronics Technology Co. Ltd's LINL-8890 is an IP54-rated digital caliper with a range of 0 to 300mm or about 12in, resolution of 0.1mm or 0.01in and accuracy of ±0.02mm or ±0.001in. It is made of stainless steel and has a digital display and a plastic case. No minimum order quantity is required. Lead time is 10 to 20 days

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Fiberglass tape

Microsun Innovation Inc. offers the MS8722, an open-reel tape measure available in lengths of 20, 30, 50 and 100m. Its fiberglass tape has prints on both sides. The reel and rolling crank are made of plastic. Minimum order requirement is 900 pieces and lead time is 40 to 60 days.

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360rpm

The MW017 from Qingdao Tlead International Co. Ltd is a 190mm-diameter measuring wheel with maximum counting speed and range of 360rpm and 999,999.9m and precision of 99 percent. When not in use, it turns off automatically after five minutes. This IP45-rated tool runs on three AAA batteries, which ensure up to 30 hours of continuous use. An order of one unit is accepted. Lead time is one to five days.

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3-in-1

Extending up to 1.5m, the model 285D1632 measuring tape from Peace Target Ltd features a locking mechanism and a carabiner hook. The soft plastic tape measure has an ABS housing available in various colors. Body and tape dimensions are 6.6x4.6x1.5cm and 1.5x7mm.

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