Bosch L-Boxx Contractor range preview

With a release date of early 2025 we're surely now only a few short months away from getting our hands on the hot new L-Boxx Contractor range. We're one of a lucky few who have been able to preview the system. We've had an in-depth introduction to what we can expect to see at first roll-out. So we're bringing you as much as we know about it so far.

About Bosch and their tool storage systems

We've always been a fan of Bosch, and felt there is a lot to love about the L-Boxx system. Also, and perhaps not least because of the lack of inherent customisability in the system, the foam inserts we sell for organising the cases are one of our top 10 best sellers. But whether you love it or hate it, it's clear the L-Boxx has a lot of fans. With a staggering 40 million Eurpoean L-Boxxes in the market today, the numbers back this up. So, with over 400 partners to date who have re-badged variations of the popular L-Boxx, is the time now right for Contractor? Bosch are maybe late in venturing into tougher, more configurable modular systems. Or have they shrewdly waited, learned and innovated from what's gone before?

The original L-Boxx was launched back in 2010 as a collaboration between Bosch and Sortimo. It's been subject to a series of minor improvements and additions over the ensuing years, but nothing to this scale.

The L-Boxx has always had it's place in the market. Especially for those who are already Bosch tool users so inherently integrated into Bosch's ecosystem. However, issues with bulk, lack of easy customisation, limited compatibility, lack of locking/security features, stacking stability, and weather resistance have led to frustration among users. Particularly as many other brands continue to improve and innovate in these areas.

Timing

So some may argue that the Bosch's tardiness in bringing this to the table could make things difficult. Will this timing see them lagging behind the market leaders? Of course, timing might not matter so much if they bring something new and innovative to the table. And that's where our inside scoop might help change those sceptical minds...

Introducing to the L-Boxx Contractor

Luckily for us we were invited to preview the range behind the scenes at Eissenwarenmesse 2024 in Cologne. Hidden in an invite-only secret section of their booth were the first 3D printed renditions of the cases to be seen. Plus an interactive stack-building tool to play around with. It certainly was an intriguing introduction to what we'll be seeing.

We also had the chance to discuss the features, pricing and plans for the range directly. Bosch representatives Nikki and Julio tool us through the range in detail. Nikki, in their words, is "responsible for the whole L-Boxx Universe" whilst Julio is a BSS product manager heading up transportation and storage. So we couldn't have been in better hands!

About the L-Boxx Contractor concept

The system has been in development since 2023. The concept being a way to bridge between their existing products in the L-Boxx range and a new system. But also, significantly, to make the daily work lives of tradesmen easier. And, in music to our ears, introducing lean management wherever you work takes you.

This range will be IP rated dust- and water-resistant. So that's a marked step up from the existing L-Boxx cases. Also as you'd expect they'll be stackable, and in their words "clickable". Plus talking of all things click, it will also be compatible with their ProClick system too. As alluded to earlier it will also be backwards compatible with L-Boxxes, but in a number of innovative ways. That's certainly one way to excite those already within the L-Boxx universe about the new system! 

What's in the L-Boxx Contractor range

Here's what we know so far. Introducing the first of the eight items being launched in the L-Boxx Contractor range:

• 1. Wheeled box (18.5" / 47cms deep)
  Has a fully retractable telescopic handle
  9.5" all-terrain wheels
  Two rubber bumpers on the front to prevent scratching
  
  
• 2. Standard Boxx (6" / 15.3cms deep)
  
  
• 3. Midsize Boxx (12.5" / 31.7cms deep)
  Both these options will come with a range of internal dividers and trays to help customise your cases. Though you'll of course not need those as we'll be introducing Shadow Foam inserts to go in them as soon as we get them too!

The trolley along with these two boxes is what's set to be most often sold together as the base stack.

The rest of the items...

Also from the first product roll-out, you'll be able to add:

• 4. Half Size Boxx
  Similar to an organiser, but with the same couplings as the rest of the system.
  
  
• 5. ToolCrate
  Despite being open top it has the same coupling features as every other module. So you can stack on top of this too.
  

• 6. Multishelf unit 
  We've seen the design for one which holds 2 L-Boxx units, but by all accounts there will be 3 different versions (a 3 and 4 box version) 
  These will also be lockable via use of a metal bar to prevent the contents sliding out in transit.
  
  
• 7. Multi-shelf drawer unit (4 shallow drawer unit)
  
  
• 8. Bag. This soft-case L-Boxx contractor bag / backpack option shares it's footprint with the half-box so is again compatible with stacking on the system. It's going to have a capacity over 50L and there's a protective section in the front for electronics and documents.

And also for the USA... L-Boxx US

It's also worth mentioning that the L-Boxx US will be another new addition which is, as the name suggests, a version of the L-Boxx for the US market. Which will also be compatible with the system in the same way as the European L-Boxx. The construction of these cases is Polypropylene though, rather than their usual high-impact ABS. They will be manufactured in the USA too. As well as having been US designed specifically for the American market. 

The closest comparable EU counterpart would be the LV162 (ie the height of the box is 162mm). But the footprint of both the US and  EU variants will be the same.

Other features and specifications

They're playing their cards quite close to their chest at the moment in terms of many of the specific design features. However here's what we know and what we can surmise so far from what we've seen:

Portability

It's said to be truck bed compatible, and this comes as no surprise given that the USA will be a big market opportunity for them. With a low profile 22" / 59cm clearance height, this also indicates that the trolley's telescopic handle will either be removable or will be fully retractable down within that height for easy stowing which some of the other brands have been lacking.

Coupling

A very exciting feature is the coupling mechanism. They're teasing that you can uncouple cases by simply lifting the tool box handle which unlocks the coupling and lets you release the case from the stack. This will be a very special feature if it works as well as it sounds.

On / Off functionality

Another exciting concept (and it's very likely we may have mis-spelled or mis-translated the name of this) will be their Clicks-de-Crunch functionality. Whatever the name is, it means you can either click the boxes together on top of one another, or you can switch off that function with a small slider which will turn the magnetism off. That then allows you to stack the cases without clicking them together. Handy!

That feature will bring other benefits too. It's said you will still be able to open the bottom box even when cases are added on top. So you'll be able to open the latch to open the lid of the box you want to access without removing the rest of the stack above it. 

Customisation

The range is set to be customisable too. So you can change the base box colour, or add coloured latches and module locking clips, plus add logos in at least two positions to the cases.

Security

The boxes will be lockable, and there's a suggestion of an optional sealing ring which sits inside of the lid

What we're less sure about...

The date isn't yet totally known, but we do know it will be early 2025, all being well.

Also we don't yet know the exact pricing but we have a good idea. As explained to us by the BSS team it will be "very similar to Milwaukee" pricing. 

Initial indications are that this 3-box stack would come in at around $310 (£239 / 285EUR) Which is about right as the 3-case stack from Milawaukee is presently around £239-£269 depending where you shop. The drawers are expected to come in around $160 (£124.00 / 147EUR).

he wheels on the trolley unit are set to be pretty big at 9.5". It remains to be seen, though, whether they opt for quality rubber tyres like the Milwaukee Packout or ToughSystem 2.0. Or they may go with slightly less durable molded plastic type wheels like you might see on Hikoki Cruiser and the like. They've already stated they'll be "all-terrain". So given that the wheels on the L-Boxx Carts are plastic and relatively light-duty, it's a fair expectation that there will be a level of improvement on the wheels for this system.

We're most excited to see the handle-release mechanism on the tool box. Quite how their "one touch" type latch will work otherwise remains to be seen. On the face of it, it seems it might compete with the ease of use of the likes of StackTech with it's auto engagement, so the exact functionality of the mechanisms will be one to watch for sure.

In summary...

It remains to be see if they take Jonathan's suggestion of a wheeled deep drawer unit for the bottom of the trolley. But sounds like there should be a wheeled cart option being introduced at some point in the future too. Albeit maybe not in this first product roll-out. But the team told us "our product roadmap is full, we have a lot of ideas for new products and accessories" so it's very likely we'll see that initial range of eight products expanding very quickly.

We'll of course be keeping a close ear to the ground in terms of more news on the L-Boxx Contractor system as and when it comes available. You can be assured that as soon as we can lay our hands on we'll share our findings with you. Of course we'll be bringing you our trademark custom-fit foam inserts for the range. But you can also expect our customary full and impartial low-down on the good and bad of the system's features.