Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 1, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 17 M A N U FA C T U R I N G F O C U S Camelot Tools innovates designs to make manual laborer easier and more effective BY MICA KANNER-MASCOLO WBJ Staff Writer C reating a better mouse- trap was Tony Cacela's goal when he founded his excavation tool company, Camelot Tools. With two products available and more in the pipe- line, he's already seeing just how popular his designs could be. Camelot Tools launched its introduc- tory product, a multi-use hoe/mattock hybrid named the SiteMaster in 2017, followed by a carbon steel adjustable rake eponymously dubbed e Rake in 2023. e SiteMaster is in its third gen- eration as the company's leaders listen to feedback when working to improve their products, said CEO Lauren Cacela. e everyday worker is at the forefront of Tony Cacela's mind when he's develop- ing tools. From firefighters to trail build- ers to farmers, he strives to find ways to make manual labor easier and more effective. He enlists these professionals to test his tools as he designs them. Massachusetts fire departments and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation tested prototypes of the Site- Master, and it was local firefighters who asked Cacela to create e Rake. Cacela was born and raised on a farm in Portugal before emigrating to Amer- ica and becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL, affording him the experience of using excavation tools before shiing gears to entrepreneurship. roughout his work, he observed a gap in the tools industry: "I noticed that most of the tools that were used up till now had been tools that were based on the science from a long time ago," he said. Many tools on the market were either heavy and tough on the bodies of work- ers or light-weight and not as efficient, he said. ese conventional tools have served workers well, but with advance- ments in technology, Tony Cacela saw an opportunity to advance them. "Traditional tools have served good duty," Lauren Cacela said. "But now in these modern times, we have available to us modern metals, modern manufac- turing methods, and the modern design from Tony as well, to make tools that are capable of heavy-duty work but are also lighter in weight. And that's something that couldn't have been done earlier." Moving forward, Camelot looks to expand its product range while teaming up with organizations benefiting from using its tools. e U.S. Forest Service's National Technology and Development Program is testing the SiteMaster for potential use, while in March Camelot secured a partnership with the New England Mountain Bike Association as its official hand tool company. Camelot works to promote the com- munities its founders came from and live in. e Massachusetts Supplier Diver- sity Office certified Camelot as a wom- an-owned business, and Camelot annually contributes to the Navy SEAL Foundation, an organization supporting veterans and families of naval special warfare. e company aims to embody "a theme of integrity, honor, [and] striving to do good," Lauren Cacela said. RISING STAR Camelot Tools Location: Holden Industry subsector: Fabricated metal products Founded: 2015 Employees: 2 full time, plus an agile, part-time support team Top executives: Founder & President Tony Cacela and CEO Lauren Cacela Primary products: SiteMaster; Camelot Fire Rake What makes a manufacturer excellent? We pursue and strive to maintain manufacturing excellence by working with the best partners, prioritizing value creation, embracing technological advancements, and minimizing waste and emissions. Our authentic, knowledgeable, personable, and agile workforce fosters collaboration, growth, and innovation, furthering our team's beneficial adaptability. W PHOTO | COURTESY OF CAMELOT TOOLS A member of the Trail Sisters from the Northwest Trail Alliance tries out the Sitemaster tool from Camelot Tools.

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