I was at the Apex Tool Group plant today

[FigureItOut]

USA made tools being so dear to GJ members I thought that what I learned today might be of interest to some. None of this may be new information, and I'm not even sure of its accuracy.

I spoke with a contractor, and first asked him what was being made there. Oh, this is the Springdale, Arkansas plant, by the way. He listed what he could remember, which was: GearWrench ratchets, Lufkin tape measures, Craftsman sockets and ratchets, hammers of unknown brand, and H.K Porter bolt cutters.

He went on to tell me that his company was beginning to prepare all the machines for transportation to the South Carolina plant, and that every facility except for SC will be empty by the end of the year. His company was also told that if after three years it's deemed necessary the SC plant will be closed down and production for every ATG brand will move overseas.

I happened to have had a set of H.K. Porter bolt cutters with me, so I got curious, thinking it was possible they were made right there not even ten miles from my house. Not wanting to look any more like an oddball than I already would, I left the cutters in the car and walked into the visitors entrance.

I'm not sure what my intent was, to be honest, but I was fascinated and wanted to see whatever I could. Maybe I could find out if anything I own was made there, maybe I could schedule a tour, if really lucky. Anyway, the front entrance looked like the entrance to a prison or a mint, very secure, industrial. Just a foyer with a big steel door and a phone, and a half dozen intimidating signs instructing employees on security regulations.

From what the contractor told me, 1000 people work there and 10%, managers and those who operate certain specialized machines, will be able to move to SC and everyone else is out of work.

Again, I'm only repeating what I was told, and I make no statement and express no viewpoint by sharing this. I'll be a little embarrassed if this is all common knowledge or no-one cares, but I found it interesting and thought maybe I got some unique information.

 

[Skin]

GW never had ratchets made domestically but that's a small oversight. I'd also be very surprised if they try to operate sockets (both impact and chrome), wrenches (many styles, not to mention ratcheting), ratchets production with only 1 domestic plant. The facility would have to be huge to feed the demand. Primary reason i'd question this is Armstrong is amongst their brands and has historically been a big supplier to government and industrial contracts which require domestic manufactured products to be eligible. To offshore "everything" would be bizarre to say the least. Im sure your intentions are good but stuff like this is rumor mongering and doesn't make sense in the large scheme of things.

 

[FigureItOut]

If repeating vague details of what you heard second-hand from a questionable source is "rumor mongering", then I'm guilty.

 

[ishiboo]

And Craftsman sockets/ratchets haven't been made in the US in some years, right? May have even been Danaher last?

 

[Skin]

And Craftsman sockets/ratchets haven't been made in the US in some years, right? May have even been Danaher last?

Craftsman Industrial is/was getting stuff from them still.

 

[Ponchoguy]

And Craftsman sockets/ratchets haven't been made in the US in some years, right? May have even been Danaher last?

That would have been a question I asked. I have never found Apex to be forthcoming with much, but I did get a Craftsman case out of them for free by contacting them.

 

[ishiboo]

Craftsman Industrial is/was getting stuff from them still.

Ah, right.

 

[toddoky]

Not surprising, it's Bain Capital doing as expected.

 

[Dan Jacobs]

Not surprising, it's Bain Capital doing as expected.

Has Mitt Romney ever used a tool? Doubt it

 

[Empty Pockets]

In years past I have picked up CM tool sets at Apex in Gastonia, NC. I haven't been there is some time, as far as I know that plant has been shuttered.

 

[toddoky]

Has Mitt Romney ever used a tool? Doubt it

I doubt he or any of the other Private Equity types are into tools...being tools yes, using them no.

 

[woody 73]

If I had heard it from upper management at the top level I could would have put more faith in the story; but coming from a contractor several steps down the food chain of things I find the stories might get watered down...

OP did you enjoy the visit to the plant and were you able to take any pictures or see any of the tools being made?

Thank you for sharing what you heard, I hope they keep going on American soil I sure would hate for any more good people to lose their jobs.

 

[Flattie]

I hate to see Springdale take a hit. I have several great customers there. Off topic I know, but I tell people that the nicest folks on the globe live there. I always hate leaving. I just got back from there yesterday. As a kid I went to that area a lot. There used to be a gap between Rogers, Bentonville, and Springdale. Not anymore. Ok back on topic. sorry...

 

[FigureItOut]

If I had heard it from upper management at the top level I could would have put more faith in the story; but coming from a contractor several steps down the food chain of things I find the stories might get watered down...

OP did you enjoy the visit to the plant and were you able to take any pictures or see any of the tools being made?

That was my hope, but it was very clear that wasn't going to happen based on the security I saw and the regulations posted. I did enjoy being there, though I didn't see anything significant. I'm going to do some research and see if I can find out if my bolt cutters were made there.

To be clear, I really have no clue as to the significance or accuracy of what I was told. I suspect there are kernels of truth and of falsehoods as well.

 

[toddoky]

If I had heard it from upper management at the top level I could would have put more faith in the story; but coming from a contractor several steps down the food chain of things I find the stories might get watered down...

OP did you enjoy the visit to the plant and were you able to take any pictures or see any of the tools being made?

Thank you for sharing what you heard, I hope they keep going on American soil I sure would hate for any more good people to lose their jobs.

It is Bain Capital we're talking about, so the outsourcing trend will not be reversed in this instance. If melamine tainted milk, lead tainted toys, toxic drywall or formaldehyde tainted flooring hasn't put a bad taste in people's mouths for what's been going on, then more people loosing their jobs will also have no effect. Not to worry though, the more noble (and lower paying) service jobs that have been promised to transform our economy will save the day!

 

[rob1200]

Here's an article titled, "Apex Tool Group closing Springdale plant"

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2014/aug/07/apex-tool-group-closing-springdale-plant/

 

[woody 73]

Sad one day the bean counters will say we saved x-amount of $'s and then someone else will figure out that we no longer need bean counters...And on it goes.

 

[wingnut_1]

I was expecting the article in the link to be recent. It was updated in August of 2014.

 

[speed bump]

Sad one day the bean counters will say we saved x-amount of $'s and then someone else will figure out that we no longer need bean counters...And on it goes.

Really bean counters are being downsized faster than anyone. I work for one of the largest oil field service companies in the world and we down sized that chunk of our company massively over the last 4 years. Computers, smart phones, and the internet are killing bean counters faster than anyone at this point.

Sad to see Apex shutting down another plant but unfortunately manufacturing certain things in this country comes with a lot of risk and cost that the American public is apparently unwilling to take.

 

[1982fxr]

USA made tools being so dear to GJ members I thought that what I learned today might be of interest to some. None of this may be new information, and I'm not even sure of its accuracy.

I spoke with a contractor, and first asked him what was being made there. Oh, this is the Springdale, Arkansas plant, by the way. He listed what he could remember, which was: GearWrench ratchets, Lufkin tape measures, Craftsman sockets and ratchets, hammers of unknown brand, and H.K Porter bolt cutters.

He went on to tell me that his company was beginning to prepare all the machines for transportation to the South Carolina plant, and that every facility except for SC will be empty by the end of the year. His company was also told that if after three years it's deemed necessary the SC plant will be closed down and production for every ATG brand will move overseas.

I happened to have had a set of H.K. Porter bolt cutters with me, so I got curious, thinking it was possible they were made right there not even ten miles from my house. Not wanting to look any more like an oddball than I already would, I left the cutters in the car and walked into the visitors entrance.

I'm not sure what my intent was, to be honest, but I was fascinated and wanted to see whatever I could. Maybe I could find out if anything I own was made there, maybe I could schedule a tour, if really lucky. Anyway, the front entrance looked like the entrance to a prison or a mint, very secure, industrial. Just a foyer with a big steel door and a phone, and a half dozen intimidating signs instructing employees on security regulations.

From what the contractor told me, 1000 people work there and 10%, managers and those who operate certain specialized machines, will be able to move to SC and everyone else is out of work.

Again, I'm only repeating what I was told, and I make no statement and express no viewpoint by sharing this. I'll be a little embarrassed if this is all common knowledge or no-one cares, but I found it interesting and thought maybe I got some unique information.

3 years, about the time tpp comes through...?

 

[Altec]

So why would I pick my whole life up and move to SC just to be jobless in 3 years? That is stupid. I'd tell them to screw themselves if they asked.

 

[Ponchoguy]

In years past I have picked up CM tool sets at Apex in Gastonia, NC. I haven't been there is some time, as far as I know that plant has been shuttered.

Did you work for them? How were you able to do that? As noted, I did get them to send me a new case for my Craftsman tools. I wanted just the tray insert for the one I had (it was missing when I got it), but they no longer had it, so they sent me the updated model with more spots. I completed that set recently between Ebay and the spares I had.

 

[Brownsfan]

It is Bain Capital we're talking about, so the outsourcing trend will not be reversed in this instance. If melamine tainted milk, lead tainted toys, toxic drywall or formaldehyde tainted flooring hasn't put a bad taste in people's mouths for what's been going on, then more people loosing their jobs will also have no effect. Not to worry though, the more noble (and lower paying) service jobs that have been promised to transform our economy will save the day!

It's amazing to me how much people want cheap over quality or safe to use. When doing repairs on the house I try my absolute best to source domestic materials. Goes without saying I try to buy USA made tools. People really don't care as long as it's cheap and unfortunately that's the attitude of the majority of people here. The people like us on the GJ are the minority

 

[toddoky]

It's amazing to me how much people want cheap over quality or safe to use. When doing repairs on the house I try my absolute best to source domestic materials. Goes without saying I try to buy USA made tools. People really don't care as long as it's cheap and unfortunately that's the attitude of the majority of people here. The people like us on the GJ are the minority

Amen brother, we are in the minority at this point in time, but I think that will change in a few years when the **** inevitably hits the fan with China.

 

[FigureItOut]

Amen brother, we are in the minority at this point in time, but I think that will change in a few years when the **** inevitably hits the fan with China.

Minority or not, I salute all of you for it. GJ has certainly influenced my thinking since I've been a member. Though I've owned American tools in the past, and use several everyday, I hadn't been as conscious of it as I am today.
I bought some new diagonal cutters today, and it was the first time I ever consciously made the choice to buy American over other considerations. It may be late, it may be insignificant, but it was significant to me.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Minority or not, I salute all of you for it. GJ has certainly influenced my thinking since I've been a member. Though I've owned American tools in the past, and use several everyday, I hadn't been as conscious of it as I am today.
I bought some new diagonal cutters today, and it was the first time I ever consciously made the choice to buy American over other considerations. It may be late, it may be insignificant, but it was significant to me.

When the Craftsman board was up and running and those that know me from there knew I had a saying, "The next job you export could be your own".

Unfortunately, for a lot of those tool maker employees, this is true.

 

[jrobb316]

It's amazing to me how much people want cheap over quality or safe to use. When doing repairs on the house I try my absolute best to source domestic materials. Goes without saying I try to buy USA made tools. People really don't care as long as it's cheap and unfortunately that's the attitude of the majority of people here. The people like us on the GJ are the minority

I'd like to think that but even on GJ most people are obsessed with cheap garbage. Unless you hang out in a select few areas.

 

[Brownsfan]

I'd like to think that but even on GJ most people are obsessed with cheap garbage. Unless you hang out in a select few areas.

I guess you are right . The HF fan boy crowd is relentless. If you make a post about a tool box and even specify you are not at all interested in the HF 44 56 or 72 . They will just ignore it and call you a fool for not buying the best tool boxes made by the hand of God himself. When it comes to tools there are many who go for quantity or quality. That's not me. I would rather buy a quality product instead of 3 crappy because I need a back up when it breaks.

 

[jrobb316]

I recently started work in a manufacturing setting, so there is NO tool truck present, ever. The majority, by a landslide, are using Masterforce boxes. After looking at a couple of them, they are fantastic for the money. Still an import, but blows away a HF 44/56/72. Snapons are a very small minority, and everything else is nonexistent. At least my box is easy to find out on the floor And to tie it back in with this thread, a ton of Masterforce stuff is USA made currently. It is a brand of the old Danaher, now Apex tool group. Hopefully Menards can source something else if they go defunct. SK on the shelf at Menards, now that would be very cool.

 

[ZRX61]

Primary reason i'd question this is Armstrong is amongst their brands and has historically been a big supplier to government and industrial contracts which require domestic manufactured products to be eligible.

Pretty sure that is no longer a requirement.

 

[toddoky]

Minority or not, I salute all of you for it. GJ has certainly influenced my thinking since I've been a member. Though I've owned American tools in the past, and use several everyday, I hadn't been as conscious of it as I am today.
I bought some new diagonal cutters today, and it was the first time I ever consciously made the choice to buy American over other considerations. It may be late, it may be insignificant, but it was significant to me.

Feels pretty good doesn't it? The more dollars I can deprive China of the better.

 

[LB-1911]

And to tie it back in with this thread, a ton of Masterforce stuff is USA made currently. It is a brand of the old Danaher, now Apex tool group. Hopefully Menards can source something else if they go defunct. SK on the shelf at Menards, now that would be very cool.

Didn't happen...

Re Menards - Masterforce® is their housebrand
https://www.menards.com/main/c-13923.htm


09-12-2014
Mega tool closeouts at Menards - Gearwrench, Masterforce and others
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4235215#post4235215


12-22-2014

Unfortunately Menards blew out a bunch of their USA Masterforce brand items a Few months ago to make shelf space for the new Crescent product line. (New to Menards) Flare nut wrenches, crow foot wrenches, double box end wrenches, etc, etc are now gone from Menards. The only thing they sell now is sockets, ratchets and combination wrenches. Sad to see USA tools disappear off the shelves to make room for more China junk....

Crescent is an Apex Tool Group brand.
https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?search=crescent+tools

 

[1982fxr]

Pretty sure that is no longer a requirement.

really?

 

[sonvolt]

It's amazing to me how much people want cheap over quality or safe to use. When doing repairs on the house I try my absolute best to source domestic materials. Goes without saying I try to buy USA made tools. People really don't care as long as it's cheap and unfortunately that's the attitude of the majority of people here. The people like us on the GJ are the minority

I work for a machine tool builder and have done so since I was 15 part time and throughout college. Our equipment is made in the USA and we obviously compete with the Far East and the EU. I have my made in the USA pride for the machines that I build and I support USA made hand tools, measuring equipment, etc. How can I justify a $300k machine tool and assemble it with made in China wrenches. What can I say, I remember the 1980 gold medal hockey team and that has solidified my thoughts of who and what I support from a social and economical stance. What can I say I'm a throwback !

 

[Hootbro]

Not surprising, it's Bain Capital doing as expected.

You do know that Bain Capital does not buy healthy companies and part them out? They buy companies on the ropes that if not bought by them, more than likely would be in total bankruptcy and everybody is out the door.

Bain Capital comes in when no one else will have them and actually does save some jobs over the long term here in the USA if possible.

 

[guy48065]

Please don't muddy the water with trivial facts...

 

[PugetDude]

Not surprising, it's Bain Capital doing as expected.

Has Mitt Romney ever used a tool? Doubt it

I doubt he or any of the other Private Equity types are into tools...being tools yes, using them no.

It is Bain Capital we're talking about, so the outsourcing trend will not be reversed in this instance. If melamine tainted milk, lead tainted toys, toxic drywall or formaldehyde tainted flooring hasn't put a bad taste in people's mouths for what's been going on, then more people loosing their jobs will also have no effect. Not to worry though, the more noble (and lower paying) service jobs that have been promised to transform our economy will save the day!

You do know that Bain Capital does not buy healthy companies and part them out? They buy companies on the ropes that if not bought by them, more than likely would be in total bankruptcy and everybody is out the door.

Bain Capital comes in when no one else will have them and actually does save some jobs over the long term here in the USA if possible.

Thanks, Hootbro for interjecting with the facts. ...
The misinformed drivel was getting old...

 

[Hootbro]

Thanks, Hootbro for interjecting with the facts. ...
The misinformed drivel was getting old...

I just get tired of all the parroting of talking points of a guy (Mitt Romney) that has not had functional control of Bain Capital since 2000 (15+ years ago).

Yeah, they are an aggressive private equity firm but they do not buy and gut healthy companies. They buy the companies that would have failed anyways and find what they are actually good at and make money from that (evil profit, oh noes!). Sometimes that means off shoring and sometimes that means keeping stuff and jobs here.

They get the bad rap because they are the last person to touch the dying entity and everybody forgets why they got to the bad place before Bain Capital showed up

 

[Trey T]

Sad one day the bean counters will say we saved x-amount of $'s and then someone else will figure out that we no longer need bean counters...And on it goes.

It's more lucradive than that, I believe. When you have stakeholders, you have to use math to simply determine if it's more profitable in x-amount of years to do it here or else where. They don't bean-count, that's what mom-and-pop or private company do, big company does stuff more lucradive assessment than bean-counting.

I believe the problem we have is the workforce, everybody don't want to do hard work, just smart work or be their own boss.

 

[Steinmetz]

USA made tools being so dear to GJ members I thought that what I learned today might be of interest to some. None of this may be new information, and I'm not even sure of its accuracy.

I spoke with a contractor, and first asked him what was being made there. Oh, this is the Springdale, Arkansas plant, by the way. He listed what he could remember, which was: GearWrench ratchets, Lufkin tape measures, Craftsman sockets and ratchets, hammers of unknown brand, and H.K Porter bolt cutters.

He went on to tell me that his company was beginning to prepare all the machines for transportation to the South Carolina plant, and that every facility except for SC will be empty by the end of the year. His company was also told that if after three years it's deemed necessary the SC plant will be closed down and production for every ATG brand will move overseas.

I happened to have had a set of H.K. Porter bolt cutters with me, so I got curious, thinking it was possible they were made right there not even ten miles from my house. Not wanting to look any more like an oddball than I already would, I left the cutters in the car and walked into the visitors entrance.

I'm not sure what my intent was, to be honest, but I was fascinated and wanted to see whatever I could. Maybe I could find out if anything I own was made there, maybe I could schedule a tour, if really lucky. Anyway, the front entrance looked like the entrance to a prison or a mint, very secure, industrial. Just a foyer with a big steel door and a phone, and a half dozen intimidating signs instructing employees on security regulations.

From what the contractor told me, 1000 people work there and 10%, managers and those who operate certain specialized machines, will be able to move to SC and everyone else is out of work.

Again, I'm only repeating what I was told, and I make no statement and express no viewpoint by sharing this. I'll be a little embarrassed if this is all common knowledge or no-one cares, but I found it interesting and thought maybe I got some unique information.

I believe that Rogers, Arkansas was the long-time home of the beloved Daisy Air rifle (there's even a museum downtown, I think). Where has all of that work gone?