FLEX Tools’ Next Move: What Joe Galli Told Me
By Vince, VCG Construction | Updated October 13, 2026
FLEX tools owners have questions, and I took them straight to Chervon CEO Joe Galli.
We discussed motor technology, AI, store availability, and the Founders Warranty. I also asked how SKILSAW’s experience could shape future tools.
Now I’m separating his plans from confirmed announcements. Here’s what stood out, what has changed since our conversation, and what tool buyers should watch before making their next purchase.
Who Makes FLEX Tools—and Why Did Joe Galli Join Chervon?
FLEX belongs to Chervon’s brand portfolio alongside EGO, SKIL, and DEVON. For the background, I’ve previously explained who makes FLEX power tools.
Chervon’s appointment of Joe Galli as CEO took effect September 10, 2026. Founder Peter Pan remained chairman. Galli brought experience building Milwaukee and Ryobi at TTI, and DEWALT earlier in his career.
But I wanted to know why he returned now. His answer centered on Peter’s vision, Chervon’s engineers, and its manufacturing capabilities. He described a business with the technical foundation already in place and an opportunity to expand globally.
That distinction matters. He is not starting with an empty workshop. He is betting that Chervon can turn existing strengths into a much larger professional-tool business.
Joe Galli’s Cordless-First Strategy for FLEX Tools
One message came through repeatedly: Galli wants development focused on battery-powered tools and outdoor equipment.
“We are going to be the battery leaders.” — Joe Galli
He argued against dividing engineering attention between cordless development and new corded, pneumatic, or gasoline-powered products. That is his strategic position—not an announced cancellation schedule for every existing product.
Building the team around the technology
Galli also described recruiting graduates and creating a global end-user research and marketing group. His aim is to combine engineering with people who understand where the work happens.
I liked that connection. A compelling motor is only the beginning. Someone still has to identify the task, develop the complete tool, explain its advantages, and support the buyer afterward.
His proposed end-user network would reach beyond residential trades into industrial workplaces. I want that research to uncover overlooked tasks, rather than simply expand the catalog’s size.
His repeated emphasis on teamwork also made the interview more revealing than a simple product announcement. He traced some of his thinking to wrestling: sharing credit, doing the work when nobody is watching, and developing the grit to handle setbacks. That personal history helped explain his approach.
FLEX Tools Motor Technology: Segmented Brushless and Outer-Rotor Designs
What are segmented brushless motors?
Galli described building motors in segments to fit more copper into the available space. He linked that approach to smaller, lighter motors with improved power and runtime.
Those are his development claims, not results from a VCG comparison. Still, the practical goal interests me: getting useful performance without making the tool harder to carry or control.
Our earlier look at compact FLEX tools explored that same buying concern. Power matters, but so does the package delivering it.
How outer-rotor motors work
An outer-rotor motor places the rotating assembly around the stationary stator. Galli discussed its potential for lower-speed, higher-torque direct-drive applications in larger tools and equipment.
For context beyond the interview, maxon’s external-rotor motor examples show that this architecture already exists. The story is how Chervon intends to apply it—not that Chervon invented the basic layout.
I’ll judge the finished tools by their performance, handling, and runtime. The interview did not establish model-specific gains, prices, or release dates.
A lighter motor alone would not settle the buying decision. I would want to evaluate the complete tool with the battery and accessory required for the job. That is where an engineering idea has to earn its place in a contractor’s kit.
How AI Could Change FLEX Tools Development
Galli’s AI discussion was more specific than putting an “AI-powered” label on a drill.
He described using simulations to compare design configurations, alongside prototyping and engineering work. He also discussed applying AI to manufacturing and inventory planning.
His expectation is faster development and better decisions about production and demand. The interview did not establish that AI tools would replace skilled contractors, nor did it reveal an autonomous jobsite product.
For me, better engineering would be a useful result even without an AI feature on the tool itself. Software supporting product development is different from software controlling your work.
A new supply-chain appointment
After our conversation, Chervon announced Randy Durkan as VP of Supply Chain, North America, effective October 12. The release specifically highlighted AI integration and inventory management.
That connects the interview to a concrete personnel decision. For buyers, the potential benefit is straightforward: finding the product or part when it is needed. It is not yet a promise of faster fulfillment.
Will FLEX Tools Expand—and How Could SKILSAW Help?
I brought Galli a viewer question about taking SKILSAW’s experience and applying it to FLEX.
He said Chervon would build on the strengths of its brands. He also described adding 150 engineers to accelerate development. That was his statement about hiring, not an independently audited headcount.
What he did not announce was a specific SKILSAW-to-FLEX model transfer or shared battery system.
Our previous FLEX table saw coverage provides background on existing saw development. It should not be confused with a newly revealed Galli-era product.
He sees expansion opportunities across FLEX, EGO, and SKIL, but withheld a detailed rollout. My takeaway is to watch for named tools, intended users, and regional availability—not assume every promising idea is arriving next month.
FLEX Tools in Stores: Distribution, Canada, and Customer Support
What Galli said about availability
Viewers wanted to know where they could handle FLEX tools before buying. Galli answered with an end-user-first business model: better products, field representatives, marketing, parts, and repair support.
He did not give me a list of new stores or a Canadian FLEX 24V launch date. That leaves an important question open for existing owners and prospective buyers.
Meyer Distributing adds FLEX
Separately, Meyer Distributing’s FLEX announcement confirms tools, accessories, and storage in its Industrial Supply lineup. It also mentions additional automotive-focused products planned for the coming months, without naming models.
That is a distribution development, not confirmation that every nearby retail store will stock FLEX. Buyers still need to check local availability.
New field-sales leadership
On October 12, Chervon announced Thomas Kentouris as VP of Field Sales and Charlie Harte as Director of Field Sales and Recruiting in Canada. Both appointments took effect that day.
My interpretation: Chervon is building the organization needed to improve access. The next test is what customers actually encounter—available tools, useful demonstrations, and dependable support.
For anyone already invested in FLEX, that ownership experience deserves as much attention as the next headline specification.
Is the FLEX Tools Founders Warranty Coming Back?
This question came from viewers repeatedly, so I asked it directly.
Galli said the company was looking at it. He did not announce that the Founders Warranty was returning.
He emphasized engineering tools durable enough that warranty claims become less of a concern. I welcome that ambition, but durability and written coverage are different things.
Current coverage versus the earlier promotion
The current FLEX tools warranty terms list three-year limited coverage for 24V tools, batteries, and chargers in the United States and Canada. The table lists a five-year option with registration completed within 30 days, subject to its terms.
That is not lifetime coverage. Other product categories have different terms.
Our 2024 FLEX Founders Warranty coverage explains the earlier promotion. It is historical—not a current offer. Owners of earlier purchases should check their applicable documents and contact FLEX about coverage rather than infer a change from this interview.
FLEX Tools Ergonomics, Quality, and Safety
During our conversation, Galli used a FLEX drywall sander to illustrate his interest in materials and ergonomics. He pointed to its carbon-fiber shaft and grip design.
For me, that made the discussion tangible. How a tool handles deserves attention alongside how much power it produces. The demonstration was not an endurance test or proof of injury prevention.
An October 13 safety update
Chervon subsequently highlighted its work on chain beam saw safety standards, specifically IEC 62841-2-25.
The company announcement is dated October 13, but the IEC lists publication on August 28, 2026. Chervon says drafting began in 2019.
This is relevant evidence of the engineering foundation Galli inherited, not a project completed during his first month or a new FLEX product launch.
Chervon Stock: Keep the FLEX Parent Company’s Rally in Perspective
Chervon’s published closing-price history shows HK$20.00 on September 10 and HK$30.74 on October 9: a 53.7% increase. The October 13 close was HK$31.54, or 57.7% above that same baseline.
These are price changes, excluding dividends, and timing does not prove Galli caused the full rise. Investor enthusiasm is not a substitute for delivered products or service improvements.
Galli described a rolling three-year plan covering technology, manufacturing, new products, and geographic expansion. He paired that with quarterly operating reviews. I found that discussion more useful than a share-price prediction: it gives us business decisions to revisit.
This is business context, not an investment recommendation.
My Take: What FLEX Tools Owners Should Watch Next
I left with a clearer picture of Galli’s priorities: cordless technology, people, and the entire ownership experience.
Now I want to see those plans become useful products. That means evaluating tools through actual work, like my cutting demonstrations with a FLEX reciprocating saw, rather than treating an interview as a performance test.
Watch the full conversation, explore more VCG Construction tool news, and tell me: what should FLEX deliver next?
FLEX Tools FAQ
Who makes FLEX tools?
FLEX is part of Chervon’s brand portfolio, which also includes EGO, SKIL, and DEVON. Chervon is the parent company; FLEX is a tool brand. Our ownership article above explains the background. Manufacturing-location questions should be checked against the exact product, rather than answered from the parent company’s name alone.
Who is Joe Galli?
Joseph Galli Jr. became Chervon CEO on September 10, 2026. He previously led TTI and helped develop major tool brands. His current role covers Chervon, not just FLEX. Peter Pan continues as chairman, and Galli emphasized their shared direction during our conversation.
Are FLEX tools being discontinued?
The interview discussed growth and future development, not discontinuing the entire FLEX brand. That does not guarantee every individual model will remain available. Check the specific product and region before making a purchase decision.
Does FLEX offer a lifetime warranty?
The current published 24V warranty table lists three years, extendable to five with qualifying registration. Galli did not announce a renewed lifetime promotion. Earlier Founders purchases should be checked against their applicable terms.
Where can I buy FLEX tools in physical stores?
Start with FLEX’s official buying resources, then confirm local stock. Distribution announcements do not guarantee a particular tool is on a nearby shelf or available for demonstration. Confirm the model before making a trip.
Will FLEX 24V tools expand in Canada?
Galli discussed global growth but withheld specific rollout details. Chervon’s Canadian leadership appointments show investment in that organization; they do not establish a launch date for particular FLEX 24V products. U.S. product news should not automatically be treated as Canadian availability.
Will FLEX, EGO, and SKIL share batteries?
No cross-brand battery system was announced in this interview. Shared ownership alone does not establish compatibility. Use the approved batteries and chargers identified for your exact tool, and check its documentation before buying.
What is an outer-rotor motor?
Its rotor surrounds the stationary stator. Galli discussed potential uses in higher-torque, direct-drive applications. The architecture already exists; the unanswered question is how future Chervon products will implement it and perform. Benefits need to be evaluated in the complete application.