Posted by Wall Tools
If you work with drywall or sheetrock, then you probably recognize the striking black-and-chrome ensemble of Columbia Taping Tools from around the jobsite. Some of you may even own some of these masterpieces yourself. We wanted to know why Columbia is dedicated to making high-quality taping tools, so we decided to investigate.
The Cradle of Columbia Taping Tools
In 1979, Bernie St. James began his career as a wall taper and board hanger in Canada. After working in the industry for a few years and running his own business, he started to look for innovative ways to make his job better through efficiency and consistency. Over time, he experimented with tool modifications and designs, which eventually resulted in producing some of the best tools in the industry today.
Getting the Job Done
Since then, Columbia Taping Tools has continued innovating tools for wall finishers. Columbia has developed a full line of automatic and semi-automatic taping tools that are built to last. But, the St. James family also expects their tools to be used – a lot. So, they made tools that can be easily and affordably repaired, allowing wall hangers and finishers to get the most from their investments in their tools.
Bernie didn’t just want good tools, though. He was based in Canada, and he wanted everything to be sourced and made as close to home as possible. He managed to find all the raw materials he needed – closer than he expected. This resulted in the only complete line of drywall tools made of raw materials sourced exclusively from North America.
Setting Industry Standards
Bernie’s journey to create strong, reliable tools for wall finishers has also inspired his sons, Elliot and Aaron, to become deeply engrained into the family business. Today, the St. James sons lead the operations of Columbia Taping Tools. While Bernie says he is retired, he can occasionally be spotted checking in with the product design team to see their new ideas and innovations, and he continues to share his passion as an ambassador within the wall finishing tools industry.
Columbia strives to innovate and produce the highest-quality taping tools on the market, and it continues to be an industry leader in wall taping and finishing tools. Their products can be found in many tool stores across the world, and online.
