Tool Box Buzz

UK/Ireland’s Ultimate Tradesman Challenge Champion Defeats Five Competitors From Around the World and Takes Home a Cash Prize of $10,000

Bristol, Tenn., March 20, 2011 — England’s Daniel Shepherd, of Halifax, became the World’s Ultimate Tradesman today, and the winner of $10,000 during the IRWIN® Tools Ultimate Tradesman Challenge World Finals, held at Bristol Motor Speedway.

IRWIN® Tools, a world-class manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, named Shepherd the World’s Ultimate Tradesman after he beat five competitors from around the world by performing a series of precise tasks, such as gripping, sawing, marking, clamping and drilling, in a race against the clock. Shepherd completed the final round of the competition in 25.07 seconds, out-distancing North America’s Delwyn Thornton, of Mississippi, by a mere 8.51 seconds. After Shepherd claimed the top time spot, he randomly selected one out of 25 IRWIN tool bags to win $10,000.

“This competiton has opened so many doors for me thanks to IRWIN Tools,” said Shepherd. “I thought being the UK/Ireland Ultimate Tradesman Challenge Champion was out of this world. The world competition has surpassed all my wildest dreams.”

IRWIN Tools, a company serious about celebrating the contributions of professional tradesmen, hosted over 250 competitions in nine countries, with over 16,000 tradesmen competing throughout the world. During this World Finals event, only the top six global champions competed to see who could Grip It, Rip It, and Drive It faster than any other tradesman in the world.

Shepherd, a carpenter/joiner who enjoys building custom cars and driving the Aston Martin that he won in the UK/Ireland Ultimate Tradesman Challenge championship, defeated North America’s Delwyn Thornton from Brandon, Mississippi; Poland’s Krystof Doroziński from Stawka Wielka; Australia’s Matthew Francis from Townsville, Queensland; Brazil’s Helmut Radke Neto from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul; and Denmark’s Bjørn Ravn Kühlmeier from Erritsø, Fredericia.

“IRWIN’s Ultimate Tradesman Challenge was designed to recognize skilled tradesmen from around the world,” said Curt Rahilly, vice president of marketing for IRWIN Tools. “We’ve been impressed by the skill and passion tradesmen bring to this competition. We congratulate Daniel for his big win, and we thank all the competitors for participating in this exciting competition of skill. IRWIN is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of professional tradesmen around the world. IRWIN Tools looks forward to continuing the celebration of professional tradesmen on National Tradesmen Day, Friday, Sept. 16, 2011.”

For more information about the Ultimate Tradesman Challenge World Finals and National Tradesmen Day, visit www.irwin.com.

2 Comments

1. Ron Yatteau

   March 25, 2011 at 7:03 pm

   I remember when Irwin had that killer booth at the House Hasson Wholesale hardware show. It was the best contest I had ever seen at a Hardware Wholesale Show. Congratulations Daniel Shepherd and Irwin for a great booth and competition at the House Hasson Wholesale Hardware Dealer Show. Here is a picture of the booth.

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/house_hasson_wholesale_hardware/5559498678/

   Reply
2. Greg

   March 27, 2011 at 2:37 pm

   $10k! Nice work!! Lucky buzzard!

   Reply

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