HMT have been building portable drilling systems for over a decade —and yet there are still things people don’t realise about us.
Here we’ll highlight 10 of the most important facts and how they’ll help you buy with confidence, spec the right tooling, and get the best performance on the job.
We’ve been doing this since 2014
HMT (Holemaker Technology) was founded in 2014 by brothers Piers and Hugh Crane, building on a family heritage in welding and industrial supplies. So while some customers are meeting us for the first time, the systems we build are tried and tested - proven, refined, and backed by years of specialist focus on one job: creating better ways to make holes in metal.
Our Mission is simple
“Speed up metalworking through cutting tool innovation”
and our vision is to become the leading brand of portable drilling systems for metalworkers. That focus shapes everything we do: tools that reduce time on task, keep the job moving, and help crews solve problems on-site without compromise.
Our Values shape every tool
Our five values are behind everything we do:
Innovate
Specialise
Optimise
Be Agile
Be Nice
In practice, that means constant product improvements, a laser-focus on holemaking systems, and a team that’s set up to respond quickly when site conditions change or a job throws up something unexpected.
Built for unexpected site problems
HMT was built around one of the most overlooked challenges in metalworking: creating & modifying connection holes during fabrication, installation, or maintenance - especially when you’re working in-situ. For years, portable drilling relied on methods that are slow, unsafe, and expensive. Our job is to change that with purpose-built systems that are designed for the reality of site work.
Faster | Safer | Modular
Our points of difference are clear:
15× faster than traditional methods,
Safer operation that helps eliminate drilling hazards, and
Modular systems that deliver more solutions from fewer tools.
The end result is less downtime, less operator fatigue, and a more predictable outcome—job after job.
Impact tooling changes drilling
Versadrive is built around a patented hex‑shank quick‑change design, and is engineered as an impact‑rated cutting tool system.
Developed as the world’s first cutting tool range specifically designed for impact wrenches— it delivers high-speed holemaking while helping eliminate dangerous kickback. And because the hex shank has three concentric lock-points, it aligns tightly in the adapter for maximum grip, reduced runout, and cleaner holes.
Complete drilling systems
HMT is structured around four product ranges:
Versadrive
Modular hex‑shank tooling
Steelbor
Mag drills and Weldon‑shank tooling
STAKIT
Heavy‑duty modular storage and custom kitting
Accessories
The essential companion range
That matters because real productivity doesn’t come from one tool - it comes from the system working together.
Trusted in over 50 countries
Over the last 12 years, we’ve grown into a market-leading brand trusted and sold in over 50 countries.
Behind the scenes, our commitment is practical: 95% stock availability and warehouse systems designed for fast dispatch - because the real cost isn’t the tool, it’s the downtime when you’re waiting for one.
A catalogue designed for daily use
Yes, it’s a product catalogue - but it’s also a technical advice tool.
There are dedicated Technical Data & User Advice sections, plus practical reference pages like the conversion charts & tapping hole / pitch size tables that you can use daily when you’re selecting drill sizes and thread specs.
Real-world support at every stage
Support is part of the system: MATLAS is our method and checklist for getting the right tools and the right outcome every time, backed by a digital training library, a field demonstration team, and specialist technical advice. We also run selected programmes to ensure you have confidence in the tooling and get the right tool for the job-like offering samples for major upcoming jobs, inviting applications to a test team for real-world reviews, and a new product request program so customers can suggest what we should build next. And if something does go wrong, our MATLAST warranty process is designed to make replacements quick and straightforward.
Want to see what “Faster. Safer. Modular.” looks like on your job?
Tell us what you’re drilling, the material, thickness, hole size, and the machine you’re using—and we’ll point you to the best setup.