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Craftsman hand tools to be made in USA again - in Texas
May 17, 2019, 08:24 AM
MicropterusCraftsman hand tools to be made in USA again - in Texas
No more speculation.
https://toolguyd.com/craftsman...factory-news-052019/quote:
New Factory Means More Craftsman Hand Tools will be Made in the USA
Stanley Black & Decker has issued an investor press release, saying that they will be opening a new Craftsman factory in Fort Worth, Texas.
The new Craftsman tool plant will break ground this summer and is expected to be completed in late 2020. With the new 425,000 square foot facility, Craftsman is following through on their promise to produce more tools in the USA.
The factory will manufacture Craftsman mechanics hand tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches, and tool sets.
Stanley Black & Decker says:
The plant will also leverage some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies available to optimize productivity and sustainability, including pre-flattening steel technologies to improve material yield by almost 25 percent, as well as water and energy management technologies to reduce resource consumption.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that robots and fast-forging presses will contribute to the boosted output, with the 25% figure being in comparison to “older forging machinery” currently producing Craftsman wrenches in China. They also say that production costs will be “in line” with the tools currently being made in China.
Stanley Black & Decker says that the new Fort Worth, Texas Craftsman plant will employ around 500 people. The WSJ article reports that the plant is expected to produce 10 million Craftsman wrenches and ratchets, and 50 million sockets a year.
As an aside, the WSJ article talked about Craftsman’s current distributor arrangements, but add that the brand isn’t sold in some other chains including Home Depot, to avoid competition between Craftsman and other Stanley-owned brands sold there. This part doesn’t seem perfectly accurate to me, but maybe it’s referencing the new Stanley and FatMax partnership between Stanley Black & Decker and Home Depot? If you ask me, I’d say that Lowes and Craftsman have a very strong partnership, and that’s the reason why we won’t see Craftsman tools sold at Home Depot. Lowes wouldn’t be revamping their stores’ entire tool departments (so I’ve heard) if they didn’t have a rock-solid exclusivity agreement.
In the WSJ story, James Loree, Stanley Black & Decker’s Chief Executive, said that restoring Craftsman’s made-in-America credentials will strengthen a brand with broad appeal to customers as diverse as homeowners and professional mechanics.
The new plant is said to feature Industry 4.0 technologies:
The company has five locations that have started implementing advanced Industry 4.0 technologies across their facilities, from manufacturing execution systems (MES), to 3-D printing, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
I wonder how virtual reality and AI are being used in the production of hand tools.
Sources:
Stanley Black & Decker Investor News Release (May 15, 2019, 08:00 ET)
Wall Street Journal (May 15, 2019 07:30 ET)
Discussion
This is great news, although I do wish that Craftsman increased the flow of information outside of business news and investor relations materials and releases.
I of course have many questions.
How will the new tools be priced compared to current offerings? Will the factory be a Craftsman-only facility, or will some of the tools produced be for other Stanley Black & Decker brands, such as Stanley, Dewalt, Mac, Proto, and Blackhawk?
With the plant set to open in late 2020, how long will it be before we see the first new Craftsman mechanics hand tools made in the USA? Perhaps Father’s Day 2021?
What else does Craftsman plan to manufacture in the USA? Hammers? Screwdrivers? Pliers? Wire strippers? Hand saws?
As a big fan of the Craftsman brand, and someone who was very disappointed at what happened to Craftsman tools in the last few years under Sears management, I continue to be excited at the brand’s potential under Stanley Black & Decker ownership.
With all the news being channeled through investor relations and business news, I feel left out of the loop, both as a consumer, and from an editorial sense. Business tool news, like this, can be helpful, but where’s the tool news? C’mon, we’re eager for details!
Here’s the big question – what USA-made Craftsman hand tools would you be most interested in?
I shopped around and ultimately settled on a lot of Craftsman and Craftsman Professional tools because they offered great features and quality at affordable pricing. Before Sears eliminated their Craftsman Professional offerings, the tools matched other brands’ tools on features and quality, and beat them on pricing. In other examples, they matched other brands’ tools on pricing, but beat them on quality. I’m hoping Stanley Black & Decker eventually does the same, maybe even with a new Craftsman Professional tool lineup.
I am most eager for higher-end USA-made Craftsman tools. But, if the new factory will produce comparable or even better tools, compared to their current offerings, and with the tools being made in the USA at imported pricing, that’ll be a big deal too.
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May 17, 2019, 08:26 AM
jimmy123xThat's great news to see more things being produced in the U.S. and also hopefully the Craftsman line will pick up some quality that it has lost over the years. I saw that my local Lowe's has a full line of Craftsman tools in their store, and looks like they dropped Kobalt.
May 17, 2019, 09:16 AM
sigcrazy7quote:
How will the new tools be priced compared to current offerings?
The press release stated that production costs would be in line with the current costs in China, so you’d think pricing would follow.
Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus May 17, 2019, 09:53 AM
Lord VaalicIts a shame to see what happened to Craftsman. I used to make my living with my tools, and Craftsman were always solid for hard use.
I always used to wonder why they didn't have a Craftsman truck like Mac and Snap-On, they would have made a killing.
Don't weep for the stupid, or you will be crying all day May 17, 2019, 10:06 AM
trapper189American tools, being produced in American factories, with America materials and American employees.
A quintuple win.
Not tired yet.
May 17, 2019, 10:25 AM
95flhrquote:
Originally posted by jimmy123x:
That's great news to see more things being produced in the U.S. and also hopefully the Craftsman line will pick up some quality that it has lost over the years. I saw that my local Lowe's has a full line of Craftsman tools in their store, and looks like they dropped Kobalt.
I sure hope moving the manufacturing back to the US will help with the quality issues.
I've seen the Lowes stores around here dropping Kobalt and having nothing but Craftsman stuff. Based on the poor reputation after Sears running it in to the ground, not sure that is the wisest of decisions on the part of Lowes Management.
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”
― Ronald Reagan
Retired old fart
May 17, 2019, 10:47 AM
architectYes, it is to be hoped that their quality will return to traditionally-expected levels. "MCGA == Make Craftsman Great Again!" On a more personal note, will this mean reactivation of their lifetime warranty? Will I be able to replace my Craftsman torque wrench that no longer works with another Craftsman?
May 17, 2019, 11:37 AM
Jimbo54quote:
Originally posted by 95flhr:
quote:
Originally posted by jimmy123x:
That's great news to see more things being produced in the U.S. and also hopefully the Craftsman line will pick up some quality that it has lost over the years. I saw that my local Lowe's has a full line of Craftsman tools in their store, and looks like they dropped Kobalt.
I sure hope moving the manufacturing back to the US will help with the quality issues.
I've seen the Lowes stores around here dropping Kobalt and having nothing but Craftsman stuff. Based on the poor reputation after Sears running it in to the ground, not sure that is the wisest of decisions on the part of Lowes Management.
I agree with this. I have a number of Kobalt tools and they are a great compromise between quality and price. They certainly are better than Craftsman has been lately.
Jim
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"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird
May 17, 2019, 11:58 AM
az4783054I've still got CRAFTSMAN tools I bought in high school when I got into cars. Never had an issue with them except for one 3/8" ratchet. SEAR'S replaced it rather than fix it.
I'm retired and owe no one an apology for my personal opinions.
May 17, 2019, 12:23 PM
sjtillIt’s important to note that—using more advanced manufacturing techniques—they will be able to produce tools at a cost similar to production costs in China.
We will be seeing more and more manufacturing return to the USA. However, these will be highly automated factories, with far fewer employees than were used in the past.
Apple is going to be manufacturing some products in the US again, I understand.
Despite the fewer jobs, it will be good to be able to buy USA-made products—assuming of course that the quality is there.
Now if only we could bring drug manufacturing back home....
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“Remember, remember the fifth of November!"
May 17, 2019, 01:47 PM
apprenticeStill have craftsman tools that were bought two or three decades ago. Not used everyday, but never had to return any either.
As a former manufacturing worker, this sort of news is always heart warming.
May 17, 2019, 01:58 PM
AirmanJeffThis is good news for my wallet. I don't always need MAC or Snap-on quality but I refuse to buy chinese junk tools so I will fork over the extra money. Now I can go back to Craftsman for light duty use.
*Side note: am I the only one who thought Ridgid tools were made in the US? They are running a good deal on a 1/2" 18v impact so I bought it without looking at the box. Sure as hell - Made in China. Back it went.
May 17, 2019, 03:07 PM
cudameatquote:
Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
This is good news for my wallet. I don't always need MAC or Snap-on quality but I refuse to buy chinese junk tools so I will fork over the extra money. Now I can go back to Craftsman for light duty use.
*Side note: am I the only one who thought Ridgid tools were made in the US? They are running a good deal on a 1/2" 18v impact so I bought it without looking at the box. Sure as hell - Made in China. Back it went.
Ridgid power tools and Ridgid hand/plumbing tools are essentially different companies. Techtronic Industries makes the power tools under the Ridgid name...they're based out of Hong Kong.
May 17, 2019, 03:58 PM
smschulzIt would be really nice to see them survive the eventual Sears demise.
Like many others I have used many Craftsman tools.
Nice to see them around more.

May 17, 2019, 04:00 PM
reloader-1quote:
Originally posted by smschulz:
It would be really nice to see them survive the eventual Sears demise.
They already have. Craftsman is not owned by Sears, not for several years.
May 17, 2019, 04:14 PM
.38supersigQuick! Shut the barn doors!
Wait. What? All of the horses got out already?
Never mind.
May 17, 2019, 04:39 PM
wrightdThat's very good news. I have some craftsman hand tools that are older and made in the USA. I will be comparing the new Craftsman tools to Stanley Proto quality, my new go-to brand. But for tools that don't need to be Proto quality, I would like to go back to Craftsman. I grew up with Craftsman by my father's side in the house and under the hood, so the force is strong with me.
Lover of the US Constitution
Wile E. Coyote School of DIY Disaster May 17, 2019, 04:44 PM
ewillsIt will be interesting to see what is produced from now on....I have many vintage craftsman tools along with snap-on, matco etc. Craftsman used to make some nice stuff. Most of my tool chests are 20 year old Craftsman griplatch ball bearing sliding drawer models. Bought each one for less than 50% of retail by purchasing closeout demo models and haggling with the manager for another 50 or $100 off. They are still great tool chests that get used everyday. Still have lots of the old plastic handle screwdrivers that smell like barf when you open the drawer....
EW
May 17, 2019, 07:35 PM
P220 Smudge
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Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
May 17, 2019, 07:40 PM
Anushquote:
Still have lots of the old plastic handle screwdrivers that smell like barf when you open the drawer...
I thought that was my Craftsman cork liners soaked with WD-40, now I know!
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