HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC today announced eight 2026 Pro Tool Innovation Award (PTIA) wins across WORKPRO Tools, HAUSHOF Home Essentials and Shop-Vac. The honors cover hand tools, storage, cordless tools and household products and follow prior PTIA success, including three WORKPRO wins in 2025.

The winning products address familiar challenges: switching between tools, working in tight spaces, moving bulky equipment and managing power cords. Across the lineup, innovation takes a practical form—combining functions, improving portability and making tools and cleaning equipment more convenient to use and store.

These designs reflect GreatStar's ongoing investment in research and development. GreatStar has five global R&D bases and an innovation center with more than 200 engineers, develops more than 400 new products a year and holds more than 700 international patents.

Lily Chi, CEO of parent company GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd., said the wins show GreatStar is "building the tools people actually reach for—smarter combinations and real convenience."

2026 GreatStar PTIA Winners

• WORKPRO 2-in-1 Folding Utility Knife with Ratcheting Screwdriver —WINNER Hand Tools–Knives, Utility. Judges: "It's a utility knife. It's a small driver. Nope, it's both!"—a pocketable 1/4-inch ratchet with a 10-bit set and quick blade change.
• WORKPRO 4-Inch Smooth Jaw Mini Pliers Wrench — WINNER Hand Tools–Pliers. Judges said small pliers "don't need to be weak," citing parallel non-marring jaws and high-leverage grip for tight spaces.
• WORKPRO 2-Piece 12-in-1 Universal Adjustable Wrench Set — WINNER Hand Tools–Wrenches, Adjustable. Two dual-head wrenches replace 24 tools. Judges liked the push-and-rotate selector and color-coded SAE/metric markings.
• WORKPRO 62" x 20" 7-Drawer & 2-Door Rolling Tool Chest — WINNER Storage–Rolling Chests & Cabinets. Judges highlighted flat-pack assembly that eases shipping and access, plus a hardwood top and 1,000-lb capacity.
• WORKPRO Heavy-Duty Folding Saw Horses — WINNER Storage–Sawhorses/Supports. Judges cited 1,800-lb pair capacity, steel braces and a Lock & Carry system that folds compact for transport.
• WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Mini Heat Gun — WINNER Cordless–Heat Guns. Judges said it "fits in where a full-size corded tool is impractical," heating in 1.5 seconds with USB-C charging.
• HAUSHOF 24V Cordless Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner — WINNER Household–Cleaning. Judges praised cordless spray, vacuum and extraction with up to 13 kPa suction and about 30 minutes of runtime.
• Shop-Vac Wet/Dry Handheld Cordless Vacuum — Household–Vacuums, Handheld. Judges noted wet/dry pickup in a 1.43-lb, wall-mounted, USB-C unit with up to 14 minutes of runtime.

About the Pro Tool Innovation Awards

Now in its 14th year, PTIA honors innovative tools and products for the trades and DIY. Nearly 400 entries from more than 100 manufacturers were judged by industry experts.

"Each year, the Pro Tool Innovation Awards honor those products that shake up the industry," said Clint DeBoer, General Manager for the PTIA.

About GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC

GreatStar Industrial USA markets WORKPRO, HAUSHOF and Shop-Vac. Available at Amazon and workprotools.store.

Media Contact:
Sue Ronis
Marketing & Media Specialist
GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC.
service@greatstartools.com

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SOURCE GreatStar Industrial USA, LLC