Who owns which tool brands?

[Stuey]

I put together a guide discussing tool brands and their corporate families over at ToolGuyd - http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/ .

So far it includes Stanley Black & Decker, TTI, Danaher, Apex Tool Group, Bosch, Emerson, Werner, ITW, JPW (Wilton), Snap-on, Ideal, Rubbermaid, Textron, and Delta PEC.

Did I leave out any other big ones?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

No help here, but that is Awesome! Thank you.

 

[cotjocky]

Very Nice! Very informative in a simple and quickly read article. Nice logo pics too!

I was going to mention Cornwell not being on the list, but they are a single company to my knowledge and your list is about conglomerates, not individual companies.

 

[Fastbird]

Very nice! I was admittedly surprised to learn that Bosch was the parent company of Freud. Makes me feel better about buying those Bosch router bits now!

Did NOT know that Snap On owned Williams either.

 

[Stuey]

Very nice! I was admittedly surprised to learn that Bosch was the parent company of Freud. Makes me feel better about buying those Bosch router bits now!

Did NOT know that Snap On owned Williams either.

Thanks!

It was only recently that I discovered Bosch owned Freud. Technically, Bosch only purchased "parts" of the Freud group a few years ago - their power tool accessories division, but I could not find any Freud companies or products that exist outside of Bosch.

 

[smiffy]

I think britool is also owned by the stanley group

 

[JDon99]

I didn't see Matco in there, aren't they owned my Apex or Danaher?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Bookmarked!

 

[Super Sport]

I didn't see Matco in there, aren't they owned my Apex or Danaher?

Stuey appears to have added them under the Danaher umbrella. I still find it strange that Danaher spun off their other hand tools brands but hung onto Matco.

 

[carcajou]

Under Apex i think you can bold KD tools.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

What is the relationship between Apex & Danaher at this point?

I know there's some GW stuff listed as Apex and some as Danaher. Same with Matco, almost their entire catalog is a mix of some variation of Armstrong, Gearwrench, Lisle, and KD...

 

[Stuey]

I think britool is also owned by the stanley group

You're right, thanks!

I didn't see Matco in there, aren't they owned my Apex or Danaher?

My understanding is that it is still in the Danaher umbrella, although Danaher doesn't seem to acknowledge them on their corporate site.

Stuey appears to have added them under the Danaher umbrella. I still find it strange that Danaher spun off their other hand tools brands but hung onto Matco.

Yup, I added it in last night.

I don't think Matco was ever inside the Apex Tool Group umbrella, and so when Bain bought ATG, Matco remained with Danaher as before.

Under Apex i think you can bold KD tools.

KD tools are still around, but they're not really being actively promoted.

Apex Tool Group doesn't even acknowledge the brand on their branding site - www.apextoolgroup.com/brands-faceting.

What is the relationship between Apex & Danaher at this point?

I know there's some GW stuff listed as Apex and some as Danaher. Same with Matco, almost their entire catalog is a mix of some variation of Armstrong, Gearwrench, Lisle, and KD...

There's no corporate relationship anymore. All of Danaher's businesses that were a part of Apex Tool Group are now part of the independent Apex Tool Group under Bain Capital.

There are still going to be OEM and manufacturing agreements between Matco and Apex Tool Group brands such as Armstrong and Gearwrench.

Lisle is not a part of Danaher or Apex Tool Group. Any arrangement would be in the context of an OEM/supplier relationship.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not big, but Fluke bought Pomona, a test lead/clip manufacturer, a few years ago.

 

[Wangstang]

Where's Ingersoll Rand fit into that matrix?

Wes

 

[oldtools]

Snap On also owns Wanda.

 

[purplezr2]

Where's Ingersoll Rand fit into that matrix?

Wes

THey were owned by Textron at one point.

 

[retDAC]

...

My understanding is that it is still in the Danaher umbrella, although Danaher doesn't seem to acknowledge them on their corporate site.

...

I don't think Matco was ever inside the Apex Tool Group umbrella, and so when Bain bought ATG, Matco remained with Danaher as before.

...

There's no corporate relationship anymore. All of Danaher's businesses that were a part of Apex Tool Group are now part of the independent Apex Tool Group under Bain Capital.


There are still going to be OEM and manufacturing agreements between Matco and Apex Tool Group brands such as Armstrong and Gearwrench. ...

"© 2014 Matco Tools, A Division of Danaher Corp. All Rights Reserved"

found at very bottom of page here: http://www.matcotools.com/

 

[Stuey]

Not big, but Fluke bought Pomona, a test lead/clip manufacturer, a few years ago.

Thanks! I've added Pomona in. I believe I read about this a few weeks ago when ordering a bunch of new cables, but it didn't stick in my mind.

In confirming the affiliation I also saw Fluke owns hart Scientific and Reliable Power Meters, but these brands seem to have been absorbed into Fluke.

Where's Ingersoll Rand fit into that matrix?

Wes

They're independent. There are a few other brands in IR's umbrella, but IR is IR's only tool-related brand that I'm aware of.

I might create a separate post that includes independent tool companies, but that has great potential to grow uncontrollably.

With this post, my intent was mainly to show corporate family relationships. If a brand isn't there, it's either independent or part of a corporate family that I hadn't yet looked into.

Snap On also owns Wanda.

Thanks, I've added Wanda in.

 

[RCStocker]

I put together a guide discussing tool brands and their corporate families over at ToolGuyd - http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/ .

So far it includes Stanley Black & Decker, TTI, Danaher, Apex Tool Group, Bosch, Emerson, Werner, ITW, JPW (Wilton), Snap-on, Ideal, Rubbermaid, Textron, and Delta PEC.

Did I leave out any other big ones?

You left out a host of international companies that top drawer.
"Who owns which tool brands?"

Which tool brands do you own.
What tool brands do you own
Not ">>>>>>"

 

[John in OH]

Not sure what your full scope of review includes as I have not read the posting on the other board, but I don't see Wright on your list and I believe they are an independent company.

Also, perhaps Wilde, Channelock and Klein should be included.

 

[jakemac]

Rockwell (Positec Tool Group) = independent

I thought that I'd throw this one in here because many of our members have some of the vintage machines still going.

I used to work at a hardware store when the new Rockwell tools first came out. I was told at the time by the rep. that this was a new company that was manufacturing new tools. The old Rockwell, as in Delta/Rockwell, is a dead name. The new Rockwell is an independent company that purchased the name for use and brand recognition.

additional sources :
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Ezine/Articles/Rockwell-Tools-New-Company-Same-Quality-from-a-Nam-7292.aspx

http://www.positecgroup.com/our_brands

 

[krdiesel03]

Great job!!

 

[bahcoswed]

Under which category comes european tools? Big premium brands like stahlwille for example? Because stahlwille is the owner of a bunch of brands...my english is horrible so i have for sure get this wrong

 

[AV tinker er]

Wow, great list. Should make things easier when trying to find a rebranded tool. Thanks!

 

[Monte]

Under which category comes european tools? Big premium brands like stahlwille for example? Because stahlwille is the owner of a bunch of brands...my english is horrible so i have for sure get this wrong

Did I leave out any other big ones?

the real big ones.... stahlwille is tiny

 

[neophyte]

Stuey,

You have Rothenberger listed under Textron. My understanding is that Greenlee and Rothenberger AG may have some sort of distribution partnership, but that they're not under the same ownership. From Rothenbergers AG's website it looks like they actually own a number of Brands. The brands listed are;

Rothenberger Tools, a manufacturer of Pipe and plumbing tools.

Ruko, the german drill bit manufacturer.

Virax, the French Plumbing tool manufacturer.

Super Ego, a Spanish tool manuacturer.

Sievert, a Swedish manufacturer known for making torches for Propane, etc.

Kroll, a company that makes pump trucks for cleaning.

Hellmers Fahrzeugbau, a German company that I think also may make pump trucks.

Rico, a German maufacturer of inspection camera systems.

and EDT Eurodima Gmbh, a manufacturer of Diamond cutting tools.

http://www.rothenberger-usa.com/en/company/about-us/structure/

 

[oldtools]

Danaher also own Amprobe

 

[Stuey]

Under which category comes european tools? Big premium brands like stahlwille for example? Because stahlwille is the owner of a bunch of brands...my english is horrible so i have for sure get this wrong

the real big ones.... stahlwille is tiny

I initially focused on the North American brands I knew.

Stuey,

You have Rothenberger listed under Textron. My understanding is that Greenlee and Rothenberger AG may have some sort of distribution partnership, but that they're not under the same ownership. From Rothenbergers AG's website it looks like they actually own a number of Brands. The brands listed are;

Rothenberger Tools, a manufacturer of Pipe and plumbing tools.

Ruko, the german drill bit manufacturer.

Virax, the French Plumbing tool manufacturer.

Super Ego, a Spanish tool manuacturer.

Sievert, a Swedish manufacturer known for making torches for Propane, etc.

Kroll, a company that makes pump trucks for cleaning.

Hellmers Fahrzeugbau, a German company that I think also may make pump trucks.

Rico, a German maufacturer of inspection camera systems.

and EDT Eurodima Gmbh, a manufacturer of Diamond cutting tools.

http://www.rothenberger-usa.com/en/company/about-us/structure/

Looks like you're right:

2004: Joint venture agreement with GREENLEE Textron, USA, for handling the North American market.

I'll work on updating that part.

Danaher also own Amprobe

Added, thanks!

 

[jefferyb_2]

Doesn't Ideal own Channel Lock?

 

[wafrederick]

Bosch owns OTC,Robinair,Kent Moore throught a buyout of SPX corperation.There was Vetronix also whom first made the Tech 2 and Bosch bought them out in 2003 going down the toilet what they did.Forced a former Vetronix rep I know into retirement,they wanted to cut his commission and pay because he was one of 2 making the big money.Bosch has decided to drop the Robinair line.Stanley owns Proto,Blackhawk and Husky including Mac tools.

 

[Stuey]

Doesn't Ideal own Channel Lock?

Not that I'm aware.

Bosch owns OTC,Robinair,Kent Moore throught a buyout of SPX corperation.There was Vetronix also whom first made the Tech 2 and Bosch bought them out in 2003 going down the toilet what they did.Forced a former Vetronix rep I know into retirement,they wanted to cut his commission and pay because he was one of 2 making the big money.Bosch has decided to drop the Robinair line.Stanley owns Proto,Blackhawk and Husky including Mac tools.

Etas seemed too focused on specialty automotive equipment to include as a tool maker. I didn't see anything about Kent More.

Robinair still seems to be a valid brand.

I already have Proto, Blackhawk, and Mac under Stanley B&D.

Stanley does not own Husky. Husky is Home Depot's private label brand, with numerous OEM relationships.

 

[wafrederick]

Snap On owns Miller tool whom makes Chrysler's specialty tools now.Robinair makes junk and does not stand behind their equipment at all.Vetronix made GM's Tech 2 until the buyout.Vetronix made a good scan tool until Bosch did major damage to the company after the buyout.

 

[metaldad]

Menard's carries Masterforce as their in house brand. Some of the line is made by Apex.

 

[kenburkholz]

Long story, short. Just bought the 150 piece Craftsman set from Costco, because I thought it was left over stock, made in U.S.A. It turns out they are still being made here,by Apex tool group,Danaher. They made it very clear they are in no way connected with the "Chinese Craftsman" or Sears in general. They are using the name and designs only. As far as I could tell they look and feel just like the old stuff. 1 800 832 7494 Ken.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Ideal does not own Channellock, lol.
I believe Channellock did make some pliers for Ideal, but now that Ideal owns Western Forge, they are making them.

 

[jefferyb_2]

Ideal does not own Channellock, lol.
I believe Channellock did make some pliers for Ideal, but now that Ideal owns Western Forge, they are making them.

Ok. I knew there was some connection between the 2. Thanks

 

[Murphy4570]

Huh, I had no idea that Miller was owned by one of those big corporations.


Do you know anything on Lincoln Electric? I wonder if they are standing alone, or have been bought out.

 

[Stuey]

Huh, I had no idea that Miller was owned by one of those big corporations.


Do you know anything on Lincoln Electric? I wonder if they are standing alone, or have been bought out.

"Margaret Miller Gilson, who had led the company since her father's death, passed away in 1991, leaving the family-owned business without a clear successor. In 1993, remaining family members decide to form an alliance with Illinois Tool Works."

If you look at Miller's site, there's no other clear mention of ITW.

Lincoln Electric is their own company, with no other corporate overlords.

 

[Justanoldguy]

90% of my tools are BAHCO which is owned by SNAP-ON

 

[1982fxr]

Long story, short. Just bought the 150 piece Craftsman set from Costco, because I thought it was left over stock, made in U.S.A. It turns out they are still being made here,by Apex tool group,Danaher. They made it very clear they are in no way connected with the "Chinese Craftsman" or Sears in general. They are using the name and designs only. As far as I could tell they look and feel just like the old stuff. 1 800 832 7494 Ken.

is that a customer service number of someone who told you that?