Stanley Black & Decker buys Craftsman

[-Brent-]

What happens to anything Craftsman non-tool (hand and power)
like lawn equipment, snowblowers, riding mowers? Will they be discontinued?

I doubt it. Lawn and Garden represents about 40% of Craftsman's earnings. That's more than any other section (hand, power, storage, etc.).

 

[Moparman390]

I doubt Stanley uses the Craftsman Evolv brand, if they do it would probably be at Wally World and the like. Sears will still keep using it though.

 

[Parrothead]

I agree. I have worked in a number of factories (in a variety of industries) and the maintenance guys will buy Craftsman, Master Mechanic, Husky hand tools and others at about the same level and pricing. If they can get the company to pay for anything they order SK or similar from McMaster Carr, Grainger, etc....
Never in 20+ years saw a tool truck at any of the facilities.
Power tools are a different story.
In my estimation Craftsman hand tools have served this population very well. In a factory you don't deal with a lot of rusty bolts(although you can) like you would on a car/truck in the North. The Craftsman don't break as often as people sometimes suggest. A lot less financial out lay and relatively easy warrantee returns. You don't have to ship anything and wait.

In fact, Craftsman would do well to have their hand tools in Hardware/Mill Supply stores very close to industrial parks.

I agree with everything you say, especially the part about having something near industrial parks. I think Craftsman could make a killing.

I've seen all of the tools you and I listed and some even worse. Power tools were almost primarily Makita for a long time, then the DeWalt phase took over. Milwaukee seems to be making a dent, but DeWalt is what I see primarily. I think Craftsman would struggle in the power tool category, because they've been non-competitive in the pro level power tools for so long. It would take some time for people to jump on board. Now if you had compatibility with DeWalt and Craftsman batteries... you might have something.

 

[ChrisPace]

I'm personally glad to see this. Stanley has made some good quality tools over the years here in the USA. I see this as a win for everyone. Especially the public wanting to support a USA made alternative to harbor freight


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[bigjeff94]

I agree with everything you say, especially the part about having something near industrial parks. I think Craftsman could make a killing.

I've seen all of the tools you and I listed and some even worse. Power tools were almost primarily Makita for a long time, then the DeWalt phase took over. Milwaukee seems to be making a dent, but DeWalt is what I see primarily. I think Craftsman would struggle in the power tool category, because they've been non-competitive in the pro level power tools for so long. It would take some time for people to jump on board. Now if you had compatibility with DeWalt and Craftsman batteries... you might have something.

This. I work in a cement mill during summer and winter breaks and all the mechanic supplied tools are craftsman for the most . Tools the company gets/replaces are a mixed bag of the industrial brands. However, craftsman usa has always made a good showing in the cement mills. When I started that's where the older mechanics told me to go for tools, however a lot of them didn't know of the COO switch and that was a deal breaker for them. However the USA stuff works and works well.

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[EOC_Jason]

Sometimes it's not what the company directly buys, but what their MRO supplier does... Big company X just says I want 50 USA made 1/2" combination wrenchs. MRO company searches various suppliers to find the best deal on their generic request.

Like when I bought a grinding wheel dresser, I looked on McMaster Carr. A lot of products they don't list brand names, but you can kind of tell from the pictures. Also if you email them they will tell you exactly what brand / model a particular item is before you order. Anyhow, the dresser I bought was a Desmond Stephans Huntington 0, exactly what I wanted / needed. Best price, made in USA, brand new and cheaper than used on eBay. Even bought an extra set of wheels.

My point being, if Stanley hits those big suppliers with quality tools, they in turn would work their way into more large company's equipment inventory.

 

[Bdgjr215]

My point being, if Stanley hits those big suppliers with quality tools, they in turn would work their way into more large company's equipment inventory.[/QUOTE]

Stanley is very familiar with supply houses already ,rest assured,the problem is how many are left besides MSC grainger and mcmaster carr.I have a supply house catalog for stanley from the 70's and the tooling available was incredible
Problem is,there's such a smaller number or mfgr's and supply houses who do you sell to and still make profit?Fact is there a global company and the US market is only part of it ,like it or not.

 

[nbpt100]

My point being, if Stanley hits those big suppliers with quality tools, they in turn would work their way into more large company's equipment inventory.

Stanley is very familiar with supply houses already ,rest assured,the problem is how many are left besides MSC grainger and mcmaster carr.I have a supply house catalog for stanley from the 70's and the tooling available was incredible
Problem is,there's such a smaller number or mfgr's and supply houses who do you sell to and still make profit?Fact is there a global company and the US market is only part of it ,like it or not.[/QUOTE]

Totally valid points. It was well discussed earlier in this thread hand tool growth in the US is slowing. The real sales growth is in the developing industrial countries.

All that said everyone is glad to hear Stanley is creating more US manufacturing jobs as a result of this deal. Who knows what if anything they will bring back from China to make here. We will have to wait and see. It could take a few years. These things don't happen in a few weeks.

In the mean time some Craftsman items are still made in the USA and I assume they will transfer to Stanley owned plants or their preferred vendors. Hopefully US Vendors.

 

[AJ1978]

They announce this, as they close another sears store by me. I cringe at the quality change when something breaks and I have to swap it out. I am still just sick at what happened. Sad to say harbor freight has better quality than some. I hope this buy out is what we need.

 

[rice rocket]

I agree with everything you say, especially the part about having something near industrial parks. I think Craftsman could make a killing.

Grainger by my industrial park closed in the last year. They stocked some stuff, but it was a guessing game whether they would have what you need.

McMaster kills on selection and fulfillment. Break something? Order by 6 PM and it's at your door the next morning. They, like Amazon, understand that logistics is EVERYTHING.

 

[BDFan1981]

Can't we just go back to a time when power tools were young? Before WWII and sometime after that (before Nixon, Carter and Reagan), we had the following:
1895 - Fein electric drill with chest plate
1905 - George L. Kelley produces the first electric router, but this early design was rather heavy.
1916 - Black & Decker produces first pistol grip/trigger switch drill
1918 - A. H. Petersen invents the Hole-Shooter drill under the auspices of Ford Motor Company president Henry Ford; Petersen sold his invention to A. F. Seibert in 1924, who subsequently founded the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company.
1919 - R. L. Carter improves on the Kelley electric router; his version is lighter in weight and was created out of a modified barber's clipper.
1923 - Herbert Tautz invents the scroll saw in both manual and electric versions.
1924 - Edmond Michel invents the Skilsaw worm-drive saw
1926 - Art Emmons invents the Take-About belt sander and sidewinder circular saw for Porter-Cable
1927 - Sears first sells its Craftsman brand of hand and power tools in its big book catalog
1932 - A. J. Dremel invents the "Moto-Tool" electric rotary tool
1933 - Sears publishes its first Specialog devoted to its Craftsman brand of hand and power tools
1946 - Black & Decker produces the "Home Utility" line of power tools for consumers
1946 - Albert Kaufmann of Scintilla AG (Bosch) produces the first electric jig saw, born out of modifying his mother's sewing machine
1961 - Black & Decker produces the world's first cordless electric, battery-operated drill

~Ben

 

[nbpt100]

Wow....It took a long time before the chord less/battery drill to be main steam.

 

[Moparman390]

Wow....It took a long time before the chord less/battery drill to be main steam.

Battery technology is slow to develop.

 

[BDFan1981]

Wow....It took a long time before the chord less/battery drill to be main steam.

And a bit longer before one-hour quick chargers were developed (Skil pioneered this in 1976), and then faster 30-minute, 15-minute and even 10-minute chargers appeared in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

~Ben

 

[reader2580]

The second statement caught my eye. "Sears will continue developing sourcing and selling Craftsman in all their retail outlets. That seems to negate most of this discussion that assumed Stanley product would replace Sears sourced Craftsman on Sears shelves. However, the c

I was surprised to see that Sears is allowed to source Craftsman tools themselves and not be required to sell Stanley made Craftsman tools.

Stanley could produce Snap-On quality tools made in the USA under the Craftsman name, but Sears could continue to degrade the Craftsman brand by selling Chinese junk. It seems strange Stanley went this way.

 

[6PTsocket]

Stanley's premium brand is Proto. It is not in the price range of Craftsman so even if Stanley were to manufacture for Sears it is very doubtful that it would be anything approaching Snap On quality. Sears' last American supplier was the Armstrong
division of Apex. They were just dissolved by Apex. The stuff they produced was made to a Sears price and was far below normal Armstrongl quality.

 

[nbpt100]

I was surprised to see that Sears is allowed to source Craftsman tools themselves and not be required to sell Stanley made Craftsman tools.

Stanley could produce Snap-On quality tools made in the USA under the Craftsman name, but Sears could continue to degrade the Craftsman brand by selling Chinese junk. It seems strange Stanley went this way.

I don't read it quite like that. It may suggest that they will continue to look for new tool ideas to bring in to Sears and Kmart. They may present ideas to Stanley to brand as Craftsman or they may bring them in from other vendors under various brands. After this goes into full effect I would be surprised if they could dictate to Stanley what they will brand as Craftsman. If they have a good idea I am sure Stanley will listen. Sears sells a lot more than the craftsman brand and I assume they will go with what sells. Sear has sold home owner grade tools that just say Sears on them. Now they have the Craftsman Evolve brand. They could go back to that for those who on a tight budget.
They also sell Crescent, Chanel locks, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Allen and more. I don't see that stopping but rather expanding.
They are saying they are keeping their options open and they want you to think they will be flexible to thrive and survive. We can only hope.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

Stanley probably will bring out there own brand of BBQ

 

[Parrothead]

I don't read it quite like that. It may suggest that they will continue to look for new tool ideas to bring in to Sears and Kmart. They may present ideas to Stanley to brand as Craftsman or they may bring them in from other vendors under various brands. After this goes into full effect I would be surprised if they could dictate to Stanley what they will brand as Craftsman. If they have a good idea I am sure Stanley will listen. Sears sells a lot more than the craftsman brand and I assume they will go with what sells. Sear has sold home owner grade tools that just say Sears on them. Now they have the Craftsman Evolve brand. They could go back to that for those who on a tight budget.
They also sell Crescent, Chanel locks, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Allen and more. I don't see that stopping but rather expanding.
They are saying they are keeping their options open and they want you to think they will be flexible to thrive and survive. We can only hope.

It could also have something to do with the Western Forge contracts.

 

[jo4gj]

i have mixed feelings about this subject. I loved that craftsman tools I bought acquired likefound on the floor would be replaced with out questions at sears. I know craftsman was never top quality but they get the job done. Do to the no question ask I know sears had to be bleeding due to the warranty. I know I have bought a lot of 10mm sockets because I kept loosing them but a lot of people would just go to pawn shops and buy what they need and go to sears and get a new swap- its situation like this that make businesses go under. How many people buy something **** it up then buy another one and try to return the fucked up one for a full refund. I hate to know I will not see a sears in the next 10 years but all I buy there is craftsman and that's even sparingly.

 

[Parrothead]

i have mixed feelings about this subject. I loved that craftsman tools I bought acquired likefound on the floor would be replaced with out questions at sears. I know craftsman was never top quality but they get the job done. Do to the no question ask I know sears had to be bleeding due to the warranty. I know I have bought a lot of 10mm sockets because I kept loosing them but a lot of people would just go to pawn shops and buy what they need and go to sears and get a new swap- its situation like this that make businesses go under. How many people buy something **** it up then buy another one and try to return the fucked up one for a full refund. I hate to know I will not see a sears in the next 10 years but all I buy there is craftsman and that's even sparingly.

I can assure you that warranty exchanges, even malicious ones, had zero to do with why Sears is in the position they are now.

 

[nickjj]

Stanley could produce Snap-On quality tools made in the USA under the Craftsman name, but Sears could continue to degrade the Craftsman brand by selling Chinese junk. It seems strange Stanley went this way.

Stanley has Mac for that mission, Craftsman will just be a familiar brand name stamped on Chinese made tools, but sold in a wider number of retailers.

 

[nbpt100]

I can assure you that warranty exchanges, even malicious ones, had zero to do with why Sears is in the position they are now.

I totally agree!

Their tools, lawn and outdoor power equipment are one of the areas that do pretty well with. I would not be surprised if they stop selling most of the clothing, jewelry, and mattresses.

That pawn shop comment makes little to no sense. If the tool is broken it is under warrantee. It Does not mater which owner broke it. The first, second, third, etc.
Once or twice I have seen people break an old but functional screw driver so they can get a fresh looking new one. That would be under the malicious category but how much does a screw driver really cost them?

With the ratchets they now will often give you a rebuilt one.... or try to get you to rebuilt it yourself with a free kit. I have actually watch the Sears store clerk rebuilt a box of broken ratchets when he had a quiet period. That does not cost them much.

I wonder how many broken tools are never brought back? I have had stuff sit around for over a year before I got around to returning it. I am sure some just forget, it get lost or they just don't care. I don't know the answer but like anything not all broken product get returned under warrantee.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

Stanley was probably the best Craftsman could have hoped for.

I honestly think the Stanley line at WalMart is better quality than current Chinese Craftsman at Sears.

I say this as someone who has spent a lot of money on Craftsman over the years.

 

[derosa]

That pawn shop comment makes little to no sense. If the tool is broken it is under warrantee. It Does not mater which owner broke it. The first, second, third, etc.
Once or twice I have seen people break an old but functional screw driver so they can get a fresh looking new one. That would be under the malicious category but how much does a screw driver really cost them?
.

Except the tool isn't broken under warrenty, the warrenty is for the purchaser or for the person the tool was purchased for in the case of a gift. Although it is not by far responsible for where sears has put its self to claim this type of theft, and it is a form of theft, has not impacted them is completely wrong. They're paying for the tool you're replacing and enough people do it to effect the bottom line. Based on responses on this site it seems half their warrentys are fraudulent. Even if its only 5% the cumulative effect is significant.

 

[Tinner]

Except the tool isn't broken under warrenty, the warrenty is for the purchaser or for the person the tool was purchased for in the case of a gift. Although it is not by far responsible for where sears has put its self to claim this type of theft, and it is a form of theft, has not impacted them is completely wrong. They're paying for the tool you're replacing and enough people do it to effect the bottom line. Based on responses on this site it seems half their warrentys are fraudulent. Even if its only 5% the cumulative effect is significant.

For the umpteenth time, here is the Craftsman hand tool warranty. It says nothing about who purchased the tool. What part of it don't you get?

Craftsman (or Craftsman Industrial) Hand Tool Full Warranty

If this Craftsman (or Craftsman Industrial) hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

This warranty does not cover expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period.

 

[derosa]

OK, still fail to see why you think you deserve the free handout of a warrenty on someone else's decades old purchase and how you don't consider that usary or fraud. But then that's your ethics and not mine.

 

[Tinner]

OK, still fail to see why you think you deserve the free handout of a warrenty on someone else's decades old purchase and how you don't consider that usary or fraud. But then that's your ethics and not mine.

You're such a fine moral man. We should have a national holiday to honor you.

It's warrAnty and usUry, the definitions of which you don't seem to comprehend.

Since you're so interested, I haven't warrantied a Craftsman tool in decades. I opted to buy quality tools instead. However, there may be someone out there getting replacements on the tools I gave away or sold for pennies on the dollar. I don't judge them, because the Craftsman warranty allows it.

 

[derosa]

Oh darn, spell checking screwed me, guess you win this argument.

 

[Moparman390]

The aspect of the Craftsman Lifetime Hand Tool Warranty being looked at as a liability and not an asset is driving me nuts. I’ll sum this up as best I can. First off, of the gigantic number of Craftsman hand tools actually sold only a small fraction are ever broken by their users, which are primarily homeowners, DIY and the like (not as likely to break as many as people who use them hard daily), and of those not all are actually even returned for the warranty, so the number of broken tools actually exchanged under warranty is quite small compared to the number sold (any warranty “fraud” would be a super small subset of those). Now, remember the tool they are giving away to replace the broken one only costs them a fraction of the retail price. What the warranty costs them all together is actually quite small in relation to the total sales. Now the warranty has immense value in the marketing and sales as it not only is relevant to the customer when the sale takes place helping the customer make the purchase decision it also lends credibility to the brand which builds the brand’s reputation. Furthermore, with each warranty exchange, you potentially satisfy a customer which the marketing people love. Each exchange ends up bringing a customer in for a store visit, which is looked at as a potential sales opportunity. A satisfied customer leaves with a replacement tool and potentially purchasing one or more items either on that visit or in the future. This is how they get customers for life, or in most cases with this brand, generations. The people who launched Craftsman at Sears 90 years ago figured this out, it is a huge part of what the billion dollar plus brand is built on. Hopefully this puts the warranty as a liability to bed.

 

[Climatecreator]

The aspect of the Craftsman Lifetime Hand Tool Warranty being looked at as a liability and not an asset is driving me nuts. I’ll sum this up as best I can. First off, of the gigantic number of Craftsman hand tools actually sold only a small fraction are ever broken by their users, which are primarily homeowners, DIY and the like (not as likely to break as many as people who use them hard daily), and of those not all are actually even returned for the warranty, so the number of broken tools actually exchanged under warranty is quite small compared to the number sold (any warranty “fraud” would be a super small subset of those). Now, remember the tool they are giving away to replace the broken one only costs them a fraction of the retail price. What the warranty costs them all together is actually quite small in relation to the total sales. Now the warranty has immense value in the marketing and sales as it not only is relevant to the customer when the sale takes place helping the customer make the purchase decision it also lends credibility to the brand which builds the brand’s reputation. Furthermore, with each warranty exchange, you potentially satisfy a customer which the marketing people love. Each exchange ends up bringing a customer in for a store visit, which is looked at as a potential sales opportunity. A satisfied customer leaves with a replacement tool and potentially purchasing one or more items either on that visit or in the future. This is how they get customers for life, or in most cases with this brand, generations. The people who launched Craftsman at Sears 90 years ago figured this out, it is a huge part of what the billion dollar plus brand is built on. Hopefully this puts the warranty as a liability to bed.

What he said......

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[wrenchr]

Always humors me to see where these types of threads go, off topic and they seem to end up on the same basic topic of COO or warranty...................

 

[Dr Stan]

I hate to know I will not see a sears in the next 10 years but all I buy there is craftsman and that's even sparingly.

Quite likely to happen this year if not in 2018 at the latest.

BTW, the Sears store closed here about 18 months ago and one of the two Kmarts is closing.

IMHO this should serve as an excellent case study of just why a Wall Street financier (I'm refraining from using other more colorful descriptors) has no business trying to run a business.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Always humors me to see where these types of threads go, off topic and they seem to end up on the same basic topic of COO or warranty...................

Well, let's take it in a new direction then !

I want a warranty from SBD that whatever the COO will be on each tool will never change again once it is decided!

(Hopefully all will be US made now of course, but I doubt it.) - Paul

 

[nbpt100]

Except the tool isn't broken under warrenty, the warrenty is for the purchaser or for the person the tool was purchased for in the case of a gift. Although it is not by far responsible for where sears has put its self to claim this type of theft, and it is a form of theft, has not impacted them is completely wrong. They're paying for the tool you're replacing and enough people do it to effect the bottom line. Based on responses on this site it seems half their warrentys are fraudulent. Even if its only 5% the cumulative effect is significant.

You are mistaken! You may be thinking of an other tool company. Craftsman makes no reference to the original owner in their hand tool warrantee. They do say you need to bring it back to the store it was purchased at. So if you purchased at K mart or Ace you can't take it back to Sears. They don't require a receipt for Craftsman warrantee returns as they do on their Evolve tools. If it only applied to the original owner they would request a receipt. Don't ya think?

This is right off of their website for Craftman hand tools:

"To obtain the warranty coverage stated below, return the product to the retailer from which it was purchased. Coverage will be fulfilled according to the retailer warranty exchange procedure and may be subject to a limitation on the number of items allowed per exchange.
Craftsman (or Craftsman Industrial) Hand Tool Full Warranty

If this Craftsman (or Craftsman Industrial) hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

This warranty does not cover expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period. *"

 

[nbpt100]

What he said......

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Ditto

 

[Askme42]

OK, still fail to see why you think you deserve the free handout of a warrenty on someone else's decades old purchase and how you don't consider that usary or fraud. But then that's your ethics and not mine.

It's not a moral issue. Sears would of changed the wording if it were a problem.

 

[Parrothead]

The aspect of the Craftsman Lifetime Hand Tool Warranty being looked at as a liability and not an asset is driving me nuts. I’ll sum this up as best I can. First off, of the gigantic number of Craftsman hand tools actually sold only a small fraction are ever broken by their users, which are primarily homeowners, DIY and the like (not as likely to break as many as people who use them hard daily), and of those not all are actually even returned for the warranty, so the number of broken tools actually exchanged under warranty is quite small compared to the number sold (any warranty “fraud” would be a super small subset of those). Now, remember the tool they are giving away to replace the broken one only costs them a fraction of the retail price. What the warranty costs them all together is actually quite small in relation to the total sales. Now the warranty has immense value in the marketing and sales as it not only is relevant to the customer when the sale takes place helping the customer make the purchase decision it also lends credibility to the brand which builds the brand’s reputation. Furthermore, with each warranty exchange, you potentially satisfy a customer which the marketing people love. Each exchange ends up bringing a customer in for a store visit, which is looked at as a potential sales opportunity. A satisfied customer leaves with a replacement tool and potentially purchasing one or more items either on that visit or in the future. This is how they get customers for life, or in most cases with this brand, generations. The people who launched Craftsman at Sears 90 years ago figured this out, it is a huge part of what the billion dollar plus brand is built on. Hopefully this puts the warranty as a liability to bed.

What he said......

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

As a former retail manager for a large corporation...^^^THIS^^^

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Except the tool isn't broken under warrenty, the warrenty is for the purchaser or for the person the tool was purchased for in the case of a gift. Although it is not by far responsible for where sears has put its self to claim this type of theft, and it is a form of theft, has not impacted them is completely wrong. They're paying for the tool you're replacing and enough people do it to effect the bottom line. Based on responses on this site it seems half their warrentys are fraudulent. Even if its only 5% the cumulative effect is significant.

Replacing a Craftsman hand tool that a customer is dissatisfied with, for any reason, is not a form of theft. It's one of the way Sears, and many other companies, market their products. The warranty increases confidence in the tools and brings customers into the store. Sears has made many changes in response to their decline, yet they haven't changed the warranty in any significant way. Sears is OK with the warranty, you can be too.

It's incorrect to think of warranty tool exchange as a form of theft. Think of it as a form of advertising.

 

[derosa]

Replacing a Craftsman hand tool that a customer is dissatisfied with, for any reason, is not a form of theft. It's one of the way Sears, and many other companies, market their products. The warranty increases confidence in the tools and brings customers into the store. Sears has made many changes in response to their decline, yet they haven't changed the warranty in any significant way. Sears is OK with the warranty, you can be too.

It's incorrect to think of warranty tool exchange as a form of theft. Think of it as a form of advertising.

Except you're not the customer, you bought it from the customer and the warrenty is probably meant to be written for the customer. Thinking you deserve the warrenty cause you paid 50 cents for someone's broken pos is the essence of self entitlement and an abuse of the warrenty regardless of how its written. Its probably kept open to create the least amount of difficulty for the real customers in the hopes that the dishonest won't abuse it too badly. How people don't see it as fraud is the part that always amazes me but then millenials had to learn their supposed sense of entitlement from somewhere.