New Craftsman Plant!!!

[oldldh]

In Fort Worth, Texas...

Over 500 jobs...

Open next year...

Do you suppose, someone listened???

 

[PelicanPines]

Anybody know if Lowes or Sears will be selling the tools? Or both

 

[NoMoreGreen]

I imagine it will be LOWES. I have no insider information though...Just theory because Stanley Black and Decker is the company funding this plant.


I find this exciting though.

NMG

 

[LB-1911]

In Fort Worth, Texas...

Over 500 jobs...

Open next year...

Do you suppose, someone listened???

Moparman390 - Beat you to it earlier this am.

Craftsman chrome tools returning to USA


"When we purchased CRAFTSMAN in 2017 we were determined to revitalize this iconic U.S. brand and bring back its American manufacturing heritage," Chief Executive Jim Loree said in a statement.

 

[PelicanPines]

I'm interested in seeing the quality and selection. Pretty much have everything they probably will offer. Not sure how well it will sell with established toolbox owners.

 

[dogdog]

In Fort Worth, Texas...

Over 500 jobs...

Open next year...

Do you suppose, someone listened???

Unless they can build a plant in less than a week, even in months. Timing is questionable.

But yes, good to see SBD follow through.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

good to hear, i think lowes will be the main seller. sears is not coming back.

 

[thooks]

Unless they can build a plant in less than a week, even in months. Timing is questionable.

But yes, good to see SBD follow through.

I'll give you some insight on how things like this work-

The building will be built on one of two tracks - Design/Bid/Build or Design-Build.

Many think the faster track of the two is Design-Build. It's arguable. I've been in both arenas.

The land acquisition, planning (preliminary/general), lining up the contractors, etc., has most likely been going on for a year....or longer.

If it's D/B/B, the design team (Architects/Engineers) have been working on the plans for quite some time unless it's a PEMB (Pre-engineered metal building) or a Tilt-walll construction. You have the structure (shell), civil / site work planning, utilities, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, etc., to get designed so it can go for permitting, be approved and most like a Value Engineering phase to cut costs to the bone (i.e.: the contractors say "welp, I can build this thing a whoooooole lot cheaper if we cut this out and use this for material on this thing.... )


If it's Design-Build, the design is about 15-30 days behind construction. The contractor is the prime everything....he will get the first disciplines going and and the other disciplines have a little more time to get going on their design part.



I love it when a city announces that a new stadium will be built and people get all up in arms and protest. They announce the stadium, break ground the next day. People think they are going to stop it.... Plans/etc have been in the works for YEARS.

 

[Toold_up]

I wonder if I will be able to get a 29mm wrench to complete my set.

I'm happy that they are opening a new plant. The current chinese lineup at Lowes looks like a bag of smashed assholes! Can only go UP from there!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Sounds like good news.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I'll end up buying something just to support the endeavor. They'll be out by the time the eagle grips I wanted to buy will be released

 

[2ndGearRubber]

All of 45minutes to the proto plant, eh? I kind of had that feeling IF they were going to tool-up for American manufacturing.

Good for them; I imagine USA craftsman could roll out even earlier, if they used existing American supply lines. Question is: If SBD plans to make USA hand tools, what will become of the current stock of imported stuff? If SBD plans to wave the flag to stir up sales, will the NOS import stuff be whole-sale, sold outside the US market?

 

[NUTTSGT]

There has already been one thread on this subject deleted because a few couldn't leave the political drama out of here. Keep it clean guys.

 

[joey1320]

Great to see jobs coming back

 

[6PTsocket]

Anybody know if Lowes or Sears will be selling the tools? Or both

Sears is on their own. They can market Craftsman branded merchandise in their few remaining stores and through Sears.com. SB&D has had several run ins with Sears over the deal. I don't see SB&D doing anything to help Sears survive, like supplying Craftsman product. Sears is not a company to extend credit too. They stiffed many in the bankruptcy It is undoubtedly cash up front for whatever they buy in China and India.The whole reason they are still around is so Lampert can milk it for a few more bucks

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Andres26tnt]

at what price point will they be selling their tools? currently, they are asking 30 to 40$ for a regular ratchet, I imagine prices will def go up. The timing also looks suspect, it takes more than a year to build a new plant.

People have moved on, I personally will not be buying anything as I have everything I need already. It is awesome that they are keeping their word and bringing back some jobs.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I would hope that SBD not only brings production back, as well as some degree of quality.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

There will always be a Homeowner crowd seeking budget tools such as Craftsman.. I would much rather see 500 USA workers building these goods. I am certain the neighboring businesses and school districts will be thankful.

 

[1982fxr]

I wonder if I will be able to get a 29mm wrench to complete my set.

I'm happy that they are opening a new plant. The current chinese lineup at Lowes looks like a bag of smashed assholes! Can only go UP from there!

Lol, great description

 

[Lucky13driver]

I have a bunch of USA made Craftsman stuff. I would like to buy more. Just a bit hesitant on the Chinese stuff especially with the trade war we have with China.

 

[Indexmill]

They're gonna starve.

 

[Y00PER]

at what price point will they be selling their tools? currently, they are asking 30 to 40$ for a regular ratchet, I imagine prices will def go up. The timing also looks suspect, it takes more than a year to build a new plant.

According to the Wall Street Journal headline about it:
"Stanley to Make More Craftsman Tools in U.S.
Automated Texas factory to produce wrenches and sockets at costs similar to work now done in China"

So perhaps they won't go up much, if at all.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/stanley-to-make-more-craftsman-tools-in-u-s-11557919800

 

[M6erfan]

My guess is that "Made In The USA" branding will carry a price premium. How much? Who knows.

 

[Jtels85]

As the owner of a comprehensive G2 and G2D, USA made Craftsman socket sets, I’m willing to pay extra to have USA Craftsman tools. No question about it.

Now the questions remains... will these tools be all new designs or copies of what’s currently available (i.e. raised panel wrenches and Danahar/Apex sockets, etc...)

Also wondering when the screwdrivers will be USA made again...

 

[Andres26tnt]

According to the Wall Street Journal headline about it:
"Stanley to Make More Craftsman Tools in U.S.
Automated Texas factory to produce wrenches and sockets at costs similar to work now done in China"

So perhaps they won't go up much, if at all.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/stanley-to-make-more-craftsman-tools-in-u-s-11557919800

This is kind of misleading, at cost does not translate to cheaper prices. Not saying that it won't reduce manufacturing prices, just that US made products carry a bigger price tag.

I can see an increase in prices due to the amount of investment SBD has made, if its 2 to 3 dollars then it is an acceptable increase. Well for people here on this forum, for regular lowe's and CF consumers idk.

 

[Andres26tnt]

My guess is that "Made In The USA" branding will carry a price premium. How much? Who knows.

This is the question, how much are people willing to pay for USA made CF?

 

[Skin]

My guess is that "Made In The USA" branding will carry a price premium. How much? Who knows.

Compared to what? You think they'll keep two lines, one import and one domestic? I don't. In terms of pricing Sears always had it pretty low especially after sales and coupons. Sockets in bulk were under a $1/pc. Most expensive ratchet was $80. Even Cman Pro was affordable, all things considered. The only item that was priced crazy was the Craftsman Professional storage line-up. I don't see a COO switch on whats currently available causing a price change at all.

 

[6PTsocket]

According to the Wall Street Journal headline about it:

"Stanley to Make More Craftsman Tools in U.S.

Automated Texas factory to produce wrenches and sockets at costs similar to work now done in China"



So perhaps they won't go up much, if at all.



https://www.wsj.com/articles/stanley-to-make-more-craftsman-tools-in-u-s-11557919800

If you factor in the looming tarriffs, they have a good shot at competitive pricing. Remember, SB&D has a lot of divisions and the plant is not locked into only making Craftsman. What I wonder about is how Craftsman and Porter Cable power tools co exist.

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[CSXRAILFAN]

Looking forward to it. At least the tariffs won't have an impact on those tools.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

I tried telling peope here ot was cominbut was shut down. It is a Stanley cman plant and will be sold by lowes

 

[Skin]

If you factor in the looming tarriffs, they have a good shot at competitive pricing.

Kind of doesn't matter since they're just competing with themselves. A company as big as Stanley would already have a tax cost built into the price of the current Cman tools so anyone who buys one is paying for it up front anyway.

 

[Flyordie]

Yep. BTW- I got to see some of Craftsman's new boxes coming up later this year. Picked this up at the factory Tuesday. (Yes, I live near where the Craftsman tool chests are made..)

(Yes, thats a US General/HF roller cart.. My dad bought it for me.. So using it since it works and does the job well. He also got a good deal on it at $211 out the door.. )

 

[WittHay]

I didnt think that SBD would open up a new US plant to make hand tools but there is a huge market for mid range industrial type tools. Usually found at parts/ industrial places up here.

You dont need full on Proto or tool truck wrenches to adjust equipment in a factory. Think any where that a company would supply tools for its workers from a railroad, farms, construction equipment to factories and warehouses.

US made Craftsman would be perfect for this type of work and be competitive in price to Taiwan brands like Jet, Westward, Williams, Blue-Point, Carlyle, Sunex and the like

I think their will be 2 lines of Craftsman hand tools. A imported line for the cheap DIY crowd and a more expensive line for the COO conscious buyers who like a domestic produced tool

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Make em in the USA I will buy them otherwise pass.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I didnt think that SBD would open up a new US plant to make hand tools but there is a huge market for mid range industrial type tools. Usually found at parts/ industrial places up here.

You dont need full on Proto or tool truck wrenches to adjust equipment in a factory. Think any where that a company would supply tools for its workers from a railroad, farms, construction equipment to factories and warehouses.

US made Craftsman would be perfect for this type of work and be competitive in price to Taiwan brands like Jet, Westward, Williams, Blue-Point, Carlyle, Sunex and the like

I think their will be 2 lines of Craftsman hand tools. A imported line for the cheap DIY crowd and a more expensive line for the COO conscious buyers who like a domestic produced tool

Sears tried this and failed.
This is only one plant so more then likely they will only make a few products. In all honesty that's what they need to do. make what matters to people in the usa, and the rest overseas. Making a few products can reduce cost.

 

[finn]

at what price point will they be selling their tools? currently, they are asking 30 to 40$ for a regular ratchet, I imagine prices will def go up. The timing also looks suspect, it takes more than a year to build a new plant.

People have moved on, I personally will not be buying anything as I have everything I need already. It is awesome that they are keeping their word and bringing back some jobs.

You obviously aren’t their target market if you already have everything you need for the foreseeable future. Craftsman will continue to target first time tool buyers, particularly budget minded homeowners looking to build their tool collection.

Also, there is nothing to say the new tool factory will be producing hand tools. I recall SBD press releases early on stating that the main impetus for the purchase of the Craftsman brand was to provide name recognition for entry to the lawn and garden segment.

 

[Handyandy23]

According to the Wall Street Journal headline about it:
"Stanley to Make More Craftsman Tools in U.S.
Automated Texas factory to produce wrenches and sockets at costs similar to work now done in China"

So perhaps they won't go up much, if at all.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/stanley-to-make-more-craftsman-tools-in-u-s-11557919800

You obviously aren’t their target market if you already have everything you need for the foreseeable future. Craftsman will continue to target first time tool buyers, particularly budget minded homeowners looking to build their tool collection.

Also, there is nothing to say the new tool factory will be producing hand tools. I recall SBD press releases early on stating that the main impetus for the purchase of the Craftsman brand was to provide name recognition for entry to the lawn and garden segment.

The link above posted by Y00PER seems to indicate that the new factory is building hand tools.

I've also noticed that while everyone is questioning cost, nobody is questioning quality so much. I guess the assumption is that if it's US-made it will have to be good? I don't know much about forging or the processes they will put in place, but I do find it interesting that they will keep the costs down in the US by using "automation and fast forging processes". I wonder how these processes will affect quality?

Generally more automation means better quality control, since robots are much more repeatable than humans. But if this fast forging process and extra automation are 'new' processes they're developing, I could also see some growing pains where quality might not be top notch right away. Will be interesting to see.

 

[GTO]

You obviously aren’t their target market if you already have everything you need for the foreseeable future. Craftsman will continue to target first time tool buyers, particularly budget minded homeowners looking to build their tool collection.

Also, there is nothing to say the new tool factory will be producing hand tools. I recall SBD press releases early on stating that the main impetus for the purchase of the Craftsman brand was to provide name recognition for entry to the lawn and garden segment.

If you read the WSJ article,it states that wrenches and sockets will be made there....

 

[Andres26tnt]

You obviously aren’t their target market if you already have everything you need for the foreseeable future. Craftsman will continue to target first time tool buyers, particularly budget minded homeowners looking to build their tool collection.

Also, there is nothing to say the new tool factory will be producing hand tools. I recall SBD press releases early on stating that the main impetus for the purchase of the Craftsman brand was to provide name recognition for entry to the lawn and garden segment.

Huh, I think you missed the news. This tread was started because CF just announced a new plant in tx, they specifically said they will build mechanics tools in the plant. It's also all over they're Instagram.

I know I'm not the target, hence why I asked how much will the tools cost. New buyer will most likely look at prices over COO.

 

[Andres26tnt]

The link above posted by Y00PER seems to indicate that the new factory is building hand tools.

I've also noticed that while everyone is questioning cost, nobody is questioning quality so much. I guess the assumption is that if it's US-made it will have to be good? I don't know much about forging or the processes they will put in place, but I do find it interesting that they will keep the costs down in the US by using "automation and fast forging processes". I wonder how these processes will affect quality?

Generally more automation means better quality control, since robots are much more repeatable than humans. But if this fast forging process and extra automation are 'new' processes they're developing, I could also see some growing pains where quality might not be top notch right away. Will be interesting to see.

You make a very good point, I think everyone assumes quality will be good because it's USA made. The world is not the same anymore, overseas manufactures have somewhat cought up to the US/Germany/Japan.

Maybe they will use a cold forge like koken.