Stanley/Black&Decker Expanding

[AffableCurmudgeon]

It is official: Stanley/Black and Decker just bought Newell (Irwin and Lenox).
They may buy Craftsman next.

https://www.thestreet.com/story/138...mp-a-machine-with-1-95b-newell-tools-buy.html

 

[nh_yota]

Too bad it's mostly stuff made overseas. I don't think it's going to be like when Ideal bought SK.

 

[honcho]

The big get bigger. Apparently, Newell Rubbermaid managed to get a good price for from Stanley B&D. Here's another article on the acquisition.

https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/ar...ewell-tools-deal-better-than-buying-craftsman

It is official: Stanley/Black and Decker just bought Newell (Irwin and Lenox).
They may buy Craftsman next.

https://www.thestreet.com/story/138...mp-a-machine-with-1-95b-newell-tools-buy.html

 

[B_Bimmer]

There is a far better chance of some things coming back to the US for manufacture under Stanley than most any other large tool company. I for one am excited.

 

[anndel]

There is a far better chance of some things coming back to the US for manufacture under Stanley than most any other large tool company. I for one am excited.

We could only hope but chances are very slim for that to happen. Sad but true that Irwin Vise Grip will still be made in china. Luckily there's Ebay where I bought most of my original Made in USA Petersen Vise Grip.

 

[dutchgray]

I bet a lot of tools will disappear over the next few years, the two groups have a huge amount of overlap.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I bet a lot of tools will disappear over the next few years, the two groups have a huge amount of overlap.

It'll be interesting to see what happens. Proto's locking pliers (made by grip-on) and blackhawk/stanley's locking pliers (a taiwan clone of grip-on) are far superior to Irwin's own vise grips. I would be thrilled if Irwin's line of vise grips was replaced by either Grip-on or the Taiwan OEM for blackhawk.

Many of the Chinese pliers and the german made pliers will probably disappear. Cutting tools (drill bits), extractors, taps and dies will probably remain from Irwin's line up. Probably still USA made too since they are a bigger player in that market.

I think they have the possibility to make a very strong line up of tools by combining what each does best and getting rid of what they don't do so well. We'll see how it turns out!!

 

[Brownsfan]

That didnt take long. It was announced a few weeks ago I believe that Newell was putting Irwin up for sale. I think that may spell the end of the Craftsman interest.

 

[outdoorspace]

$1.95 billion still seems steep for Irwin and Lenox, it's close to the rumored bids for the Craftsman tool brand.

 

[Al Borland]

Yeah, but...
Do Irwin/Lennox own their production facilities??? Even if in China, there is a tangible asset in the plant, and ability to control production.
Craftsman is just a badge to slap on someone else's tools. Always has been. I don't see going on $2 billion for a label only.
Of course, there may be a reason I'm not a zillionaire...

 

[Brownsfan]

Yeah, but...
Do Irwin/Lennox own their production facilities??? Even if in China, there is a tangible asset in the plant, and ability to control production.
Craftsman is just a badge to slap on someone else's tools. Always has been. I don't see going on $2 billion for a label only.
Of course, there may be a reason I'm not a zillionaire...

Exactly what I was going to say. I am pretty sure they have a USA plant that makes the drill bits and taps and dies.

 

[outdoorspace]

I don't understand the current market valuation of a marquee brand like Craftsman either considering how much it's been sullied in the last few decades but it's still very identifiable with the general public. For the price they paid, I don't think Stanley is going to shift or abandon the major parts of Irwin's manufacturing base domestic or otherwise. I would hate to see their step drill bits, taps and dies offshored.

 

[Skin]

We could only hope but chances are very slim for that to happen. Sad but true that Irwin Vise Grip will still be made in china.

You never know. With Proto and MAC as well as the Stanley brand itself there is big incentive to bring them back to the States. For as big of a brand as Stanley is someone there clearly understands there is marketing power in "USA".

Yeah, but...
Do Irwin/Lennox own their production facilities??? Even if in China, there is a tangible asset in the plant, and ability to control production.

Unless its changed the Chinese government doesn't allow foreign companies to wholly own anything. Everything is through partnerships with a Chinese based partner. Prevents foreign take-over and allows them to rip-off products/designs/IP.