Proamerica - Pro America Premium Tools - American KAL Enterprises Inc. - Emporium Forging Co. Inc.

[four.cycle]

American / American KAL Enterprises Inc., 4265 Puente Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 / est. 1966, incorporated 1990 / military and government contract supplier / parent company of Pro America Premium Tools / (see also Pro America Premium Tools) /

Cameron / Cameron Mfg. Co., Emporium, PA / "Cam-Ron" pliers / ( at some point became ProAmerica Premium Tools, Emporium, PA / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/camron-us-tools.473088/ /

Cam-ron / Cam-ron / (see Cameron Mfg. Co., Emporium, PA) /

Emporium / Emporium Forging Co. Inc., 221 E 2nd St Emporium, PA 15834 / incorporated Dec 28 2015 / (see American KAL Enterprises Inc., see Pro America Premium Tools) /

Emporium / Emporium Forging Co. Inc., 4257 Puente Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 / est. 2015 incorporated Nov 13 2015 / (see American KAL Enterprises Inc., see Pro America Premium Tools) /

KAL / (see American KAL Enterprises Inc., see also Pro America Premium Tools) /

KAL / Kal-Cameron Mfg. Corp., 221 E 2nd St., Emporium, PA 15834 / also DBA Pro America Premium Tools / see also: Pro America Premium Tools, Emporium Forging Co. Inc. /

KAL / KAL-Equip / KAL-Equip Co., Otsego, MI / automotive tune-up equipment (not hand tools) / (NOT affiliated with American KAL Enterprises or Kal-Cameron Mfg. Corp.) /

Pro America / Pro America Premium Tools, 4265 Puente Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 / Emporium Forging Co. Inc., 221 E 2nd St Emporium, PA 15834 / https://proamericatools.com/ / est. 1954 (?) / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/proamerica-tools.21675/ /

As you looked through that list, you noticed "Cam-Ron", which is where this operation started near the banks of the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek, tucked up in the hills of Western Pennsylvania in a town named Emporium.
I did not find a starting date for Cameron Manufacturing Company, nor was I able to determine when Cameron became Emporium or Pro America or American KAL, which ever the case may have been.
Originally the facility opened as Erskine Enterprises "almost 80 years ago", according to a 2017 article published in the "Endeavor News", which would put an original start date for the facility around 1937. (Erskine is shown as a U.S. Government contract supplier in the MILSCAP list of 1974.)
It would appear from the Google Earth images that the facility is one of the larger commercial operations in the immediate area, and the structure appears to have undergone several revisions and/or additions:

"Cam-Ron" Cameron Mfg. Co., American KAL Enterprises, Pro America Premium Tools, 221 E. 2nd St., Emporium, PA 15834

Per a January 14, 2017 artlcle, the plant was operating as Pro America Tools until it changed its name and incorporated as Emporium Forging Co. Inc. Dec. 28, 2015.

In 2004, most of the Emporium plant's production was moved to their facility in Baldwin Park, California.

American KAL Enterprises, Inc, commonly referred to simply as "KAL", the parent company of Pro America Premium Tools, began operation in 1966, and was incorporated in 1990.

Pro America Premium Tools, commonly referred to simply as "ProAmerica", is headquartered in Baldwin Park, California. Pro America's website claims they have been in business since 1954, which is puzzling considering their parent company, American KAL Enterprises, has only been in operation since 1966.
The Emporium, Pennsylvania plant did operate as "Pro America" until the name change to "Emporium Forging" in 2015.

On August 20, 2019, a fire ignited in the ceiling of the Emporium facility, but was quickly brought under control without any injuries.

Jan 14 2017 Endeavor News article re: Emporium Forging Pro America

Fire at Emporium Forging plant Aug 20 2019

Fire at Emporium Forging plant Aug 20 2019

see also:
American KAL Enterprises
Cameron Mfg. Co.
Cam-Ron
Emporium Forging Co. Inc.
KAL

 

[four.cycle]

Per my phone conversations with Pro America's point man in Baldwin Park, California, KAL branded product is and has for years been strictly a made-for-government-contract-only product. Any KAL branded product you find in the second-hand market is most likely going to be military surplus.
Pro America is the same tool, just branded differently.
The overwhelming majority of Pro America's product is manufactured in Baldwin Park for their private label accounts. A couple of Pro America's private label accounts are (or have been) Jensen, Proto, Tekton, and others.

Pro America Premium Tools makes sockets and ratchets and drive accessories:

ProAmerica 5151 3/8" drive RHFT flex-head ratchet

This is one of several Proamerica or KAL branded 1/4" drive SAE socket sets I own. These were manufactured and supplied to the U.S. military as a "small arms repair kit". Some sets will have a label inside with the NSN number listed.
Fit and finish on the drive tools and sockets is generally flawless. This set unfortunately wasn't well tended to and suffered from moisture damage. Notice the tools are stamped "ProAmerica" but the plastic blow-mold box is marked "KAL":

Proamerica 1/4" drive SAE socket set

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have some Pro America and KAL hand tools. I had always wondered about them but never looked them up. Great information.

 

[four.cycle]

They also make pliers. Lots of pliers. Lots of pliers for Lots of other people.

4018 Proamerica 6-inch needle nose

4020 Proamerica 4-1/2" curved-jaw needle-nose

4028 Proamerica 4-3/4" needle-nose w/cutter

4040 Proamerica 4-1/2" angled flush cutter

5013 Proamerica 7-inch needle nose

5022 Proamerica 8-inch duckbill

5030 Proamerica 9-inch linemans

 

[four.cycle]

5032 Proamerica crimping plier with cutter

5047 11-inch x 5/16" ring-nose pliers

5048 Proamerica 11-inch x 1/2" ring-nose pliers

 

[four.cycle]

5049 Proamerica 11-inch x 3/4" ring-nose pliers

8010 Proamerica 10-inch groove-joint pliers thickness at head .37 in.


Wilde G271.Z and Proamerica 8010 10-inch groove-joint pliers comparison

 

[four.cycle]

4024 and 4030 Proamerica 4-inch needle nose detail

Proamerica miniature pliers

 

[Fedwrench]

Great write up!!
However, I don't think Kal/Proamerica makes the Wilde Arc Joint pliers. They be similar but, I'm pretty sure Wilde makes their own. Epsteins could probably share some light on that.
There was also a period in the 1980's-early 1990's when Kal provided the army with raised panel combination wrench sets, and other wrenches & sockets that were made in Japan.
Thanks for sharing,

 

[four.cycle]

^ The Proamerica / Wilde shots of the 10-inch groove-joint pliers above are for comparison purposes - they were definitely made in different manufacturing facilities. My purpose for taking those shots was to provide a visual comparison between the two. I do not own any "Channellock" product so I couldn't include "Channellock" in the photos, or I would have done so.
Even without the "Channellock" brand in hand, from looking at hundreds of photo images here and online, I think Wilde makes the superior product when it comes to that genre of groove-joint pliers. Compare details like handle thickness, thickness of unit at the business end, etc.

For the last several years (and currently as far as I know) the best deal going on any 10-inch groove-joint plier is the Epstein-branded Wilde unit available online from Harry Epstein. (That example is black - they are available in a variety of colors from Epstein.)

KAL was a huge supplier to the U.S. Military and still is. They also supplied enormous amounts of Japan-made product to the military as well, not all of which is bad product - some of it is actually quite well made.

It might be worth noting at this point, since you mentioned military contracts, that both Pro America Premium Tools and its parent company American KAL Enterprises Inc. are minority-owned businesses, one of them owned by a woman.

 

[Raineman]

I have some items that will fit in this category. I'll post them up when I get home and get a few pics of them.

Great info.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Odd, I have a double box end KAL wrench 1/14"-1 3/8", and it's stamped made in Japan. I seem to remember picking up a double open ended wrench from ProAmerica on the same day in Red Deer AB., back around 2000.

 

[Snaparxon]

I think KAL contracted some of their ratchets and sockets through Thorsen and Williams.based on a few examples I have had over the years.

Back in the 90's we had a industrial supply store in our small town that had KAL tool boards hanging on the wall loaded with tools. The were a dealer and tools could be warranteed through them. I recall the impact wobble sockets being made in Japan and some of the wrenches also.

 

[Fatboy148]

It might be worth noting at this point, since you mentioned military contracts, that both Pro America Premium Tools and its parent company American KAL Enterprises Inc. are minority-owned businesses, one of them owned by a woman.

I always enjoy your posts. I also wonder why a woman owned company is considered a minority owned company when there are more women than men in the USA? Shrugs shoulders.....

 

[four.cycle]

Fatboy148 - one of the companies is a minority-owned company. the other company is a woman-owned company. you are conflating the two. they are separate business entities.

macaxis - I would like to see some photographs of KAL tool boards, because I seem to remember seeing them somewhere many years ago.
KAL (and Pro America) insist that 100% of KAL's output goes to fill government contracts, but it wasn't always that way.

MacMcMacman - KAL supplied both U.S. and Japan made tools to the U.S. military. Ebay is full of listings for both.

 

[RTM]

Another great informative post, thanks. I have a few KAL bits, and wasn’t sure where they stood quality wise. Interesting to see the Baldwin Park tie in, as I grew up near there, though long before them.

 

[four.cycle]

^ You will note the label inside Raineman's socket set is marked "City of Industry, Calif. 91744". Both KAL and Pro America were headquartered in the Los Angeles area prior to the move of Emporium Forging's equipment from Pennsylvania to California to the Baldwin Park facility.

 

[RTM]

I even worked in City of Industry for a few years during the late 70s. Missed the label.

 

[Snaparxon]

macaxis - I would like to see some photographs of KAL tool boards, because I seem to remember seeing them somewhere many years ago.
KAL (and Pro America) insist that 100% of KAL's output goes to fill government contracts, but it wasn't always that way.

The store sold out long ago so the boards are gone. As i remember they were red back-ground with white and black lettering.

Edit: found this image from Ebay.

 

[four.cycle]

^ That looks very familiar, but I can't place it. It would have been a local auto parts retailer - probably at least 50 years ago.
Which causes me to think perhaps KAL was under different ownership prior to their supposed starting date of 1966.

 

[FMB4]

Company is based in the US. But not all of their branded tools are made in the US. Still good tools nonetheless.

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

Emporium is the county seat of Cameron county. I had no idea about the relation to KAL. Thanks for sharing all that info

 

[908Jim]

Very timely post! I was deep in the search results yesterday looking for some US made 11" diagonal cutters and came across Pro-America. Never heard of them before, but I went down quite a rabbit hole.

Seems like a decent way to get some good pliers from the OEM at a discount.

 

[Ohmthis]

I have a few KAL and ProAmerica tools. I’ll have to take a picture when I get home. I have a 1/2” drive ratchet, and diagonal cutters both ProAmerica and a KAL combo wrench. I have a Proto RHFT exactly like the 3/8” ratchet above. I’ll post it too. Great topic. My late stepdad was a tool maker at Ford and all of his pliers and I believe a hammer were ProAmerica.

 

[four.cycle]

Very timely post! I was deep in the search results yesterday looking for some US made 11" diagonal cutters and came across Pro-America. Never heard of them before, but I went down quite a rabbit hole.
Seems like a decent way to get some good pliers from the OEM at a discount.

To the best of my knowledge, ProAmerica is/was stamping out those 11-inch needle-nose (in various styles) for Tekton, Proto, and a couple other companies.

You might want to check out these ProAmerica 11-inch diagonal cutters

The best prices I've found on ProAmerica on other pliers have been from Bowers Tool

 

[MAD]

You might want to check out these ProAmerica 11-inch diagonal cutters

I don't think those are ProAmerica/KAL 11' diagonal cutters. I believe those are the same as the Chinese made Tekton ones that are discontinued now. Not a bad deal though... https://www.tekton.com/11-inch-30-degree-offset-high-leverage-cutting-pliers-34025

 

[four.cycle]

here you go:

 

[MAD]

here you go:

So, not KAL/Pro America... - Correct?

 

[four.cycle]

Yes, they are ProAmerica, made for Tekton, with the Tekton branding and part number buzzed off.
The seller cannot tell you that in the ebay ad because of a contractual agreement with the vendor - that's all in the fine print in the ebay listing.

No, they are not made in China. None of KAL or ProAmerica's products were ever made in China (PRC or ROC). Some older KAL stuff can be found that was made in Japan, but that goes back a ways.

 

[Ohmthis]

Here are the ProAmerica tools I have. I couldn’t find the KAL wrenches I have, but it’s possible they are in the toolbox at our lake house. First are wrenches, the pair of diagonal cutters and a 1/2” drive ratchet and lastly the Proto 3/8”ratchet that looks identical to what is posted above. It’s my go to ratchet and I’d love a rebuild kit, but haven’t had luck finding one. Possibly ProAmerica can help me.

 

[MAD]

Yes, they are ProAmerica, made for Tekton, with the Tekton branding and part number buzzed off...........

No, they are not made in China..........

It seems highly unlikely that Tekton would list the country of origin as "China" if that was not accurate.

 

[four.cycle]

^ You must be talking about a different model. The set I posted above are not Chinese-made.

Tekton outsources their products from different places. This thread isn't about Tekton - it's about ProAmerica.

 

[MAD]

^ You must be talking about a different model. The set I posted above are not Chinese-made.

I am referring to this model https://www.tekton.com/11-inch-30-degree-offset-high-leverage-cutting-pliers-34025 which I believe is the same as the 11" diagonal pliers you posted.

 

[four.cycle]

@MAD - regarding the Tekton diagonal cutters you linked to in your post above - Tekton shows that item as being discontinued. I purchased those several years ago - the "Tekton" name is still visible under that grinding if they're held up to the light at the right angle.
At that time, those were sourced from ProAmerica. They may well have changed suppliers at some point, which would certainly explain the glut of "no name" close-outs.

==


ProAmerica Metric NSN 5120-00-103-9782 stubby 45° offset double-end box wrench set

Contains: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 and 20mm sizes.

These were made for a government contract. I got this NOS set on a close-out about six years ago. I gave this set to my buddy yesterday as I recently acquired the same set made by Duro-Indestro.

The broaching on these is excellent. They're not as nicely finished and polished as the Duro-Indestro (or the S-K) equivalents, but the price was right.

 

[Fedwrench]

@MAD - regarding the Tekton diagonal cutters you linked to in your post above - Tekton shows that item as being discontinued. I purchased those several years ago - the "Tekton" name is still visible under that grinding if they're held up to the light at the right angle.
At that time, those were sourced from ProAmerica. They may well have changed suppliers at some point, which would certainly explain the glut of "no name" close-outs.

==


ProAmerica Metric NSN 5120-00-103-9782 stubby 45° offset double-end box wrench set

Contains: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 and 20mm sizes.

These were made for a government contract. I got this NOS set on a close-out about six years ago. I gave this set to my buddy yesterday as I recently acquired the same set made by Duro-Indestro.

The broaching on these is excellent. They're not as nicely finished and polished as the Duro-Indestro (or the S-K) equivalents, but the price was right.

That set is from the mid 1980's when HUMVEES were fielded.

 

[lardy1]

Those are pretty impressive cutters for the ten bucks I spent on them.

 

[four.cycle]

^ lardy1, I'm at a loss regarding MAD's questioning. I got mine several years ago - no problems. Gave another set to my buddy a couple weeks ago and I haven't heard any complaints about them other than his mentioning the person who owns one of the vehicles he was working on the other day apparently tried to appropriate them.
I mean... for ten bucks, what do you want?
(okay, okay, they're really $10.95, but who's counting?)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL (US) 13-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/original box

Manufactured in the U.S. by the KAL/Proamerica/Emporium Forging empire.

The set contains:

3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 inch 6-point sockets

1060 - 3-inch extension
1061 - 6-inch extension
1067 - 6-inch spinner handle

1049 - RHFT ratchet

plastic socket retainer
steel box

The sockets are stamped only with the size - they are not marked with manufacturer's name or part number.

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set (NSN 5120 000 8123 05) (Kipper box)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

1006 3/6" 6-point marked KAL USA
1007 7/32" " "
1008 1/4" " "
1009 9/32" " "
1010T 5/16" 12-point "
1011T 11/32" " "
1012T 3/8" 12-point marked KAL USA (two each)
1014T 7/16" " "

1059 2-inch extension marked KAL USA
1067 6-inch spinner marked KAL TOOL USA
1069 RHFT ratchet marked KAL USA
1070 Universal Joint marked KAL USA

- this set does not include a 1/2" socket

- this set includes two 3/8" sockets

- ProAmerica is manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania.

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- set A (one of four)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 pc 1/4" drive SAE socket set with box (NSN 5120 000 8123 05)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

1006 3/16" 6 point marked KAL USA
1007 7/32" " "
1008 1/4" " "
1009 9/32" " "
1010 5/16 12 point "
1011 11/32" " "
1012 3/8" " "
1014 7/16" " "
1016 1/2" " "

1067 6 inch spinner marked KAL TOOL
1070 universal joint marked KAL USA
1069 RHFT ratchet marked KAL USA
4102 2 inch extension marked Proamerica USA *

- Plastic box marked with NSN number on sticker

- ProAmerica is manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania.

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- SET B (one of four)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Plastic Box (NSN 5120 000 8123 05)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

3/16" 6-point marked KAL USA
7/32 6-point "
1/4" 6-point "
9/32" 6-point "
5/16" 12-point "
11/32" 12-point "
3/8" 12-point "
7/16" 12-point "
1/2" 12-point "

4102 2 inch extension marked PROAMERICA USA
4150 RHFT Ratchet marked PROAMERICA USA
4180 6-inch spinner with bolster marked PROAMERICA USA
- Universal Joint marked KAL USA

- Plastic box marked KAL Tools USA

- there are no part numbers marked on any of the sockets, the spinner, or the universal joint.

- all of the pieces were manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

- there are issues with the plating on the 4180 spinner. see photos. not rusted - just ugly. (factory flaw - had another exactly like it.)

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- set C (one of four)