billymade
Well-known member
PROTO; "Hecho en Mexico"; Made in Mexico stamped wrenches: The ProtoMex connection!
I have been reading about the URREA\PROTOMEX historical connection and how Proto tools were at one time made in Mexico; you can read about it here:
http://www.urreaprofessionaltools.com/public/pag5.aspx
In 1962, Mr. Raul Urrea, the president of the URREA group and Morris Pendleton, then original owner of the mark, met and began to talk about establishing a company to manufacture hand tools in Mexico. In June 1963 they established a joint venture to form a company in Mexico called Protomex to manufacture tools.
Pendleton owned 49 percent of Protomex and provided the original manufacturing product, as well as, sales and marketing expertise to produce and market tools in Mexico. The initial production consisted of punches and chisels, followed by sockets and flat wrenches. With Pendleton actively participating in the company Protomex grew rapidly.
In the seventies, Morris Pendleton sold his company and its ownership of Protomex to the Ingersoll-Rand Company. They continued to work closely with Protomex, providing engineering and manufacturing assistance.
In 1984, Stanley bought the mark, and soon thereafter the Urrea's bought the Protomex Company. The license and manufacturing agreements were concluded and Protomex converted the brand on its tools to URREA. In the following years Protomex continued to concentrate on engineering and manufacturing professional quality tools.
In 1988, the Company began to export tools to the United States and Latin America. A sales and distribution center was established in Southern California and in 1995 was relocated to San Antonio, Texas.
In early 1990, the company name was officially changed to: Urrea Herramientas Profesionales, S.A. (Urrea Professional Tools)
Today, URREA is the largest hand tool manufacturer in Mexico, and is committed to producing quality hand tools for the professional tool users throughout the world.
I happened to be a two places in the last couple of days and ran into two wrenches that were marked "Hecho en Mexico" with the older style Proto logo on them; I thought I would post some pics! I thought these would be of interest to the Proto freaks around here:
Front with traditional Proto logo
Front Proto logo detail
Back with unique "HECHO EN MEXICO" stamping
Back 'HECHO EN MEXICO" detail
Another unique feature: these are standard wrenches but they put the metric equivalent info on there too! I don't think I have ever seen this before!
The owners marks are of a Spanish name; how apropos is that?
I have been reading about the URREA\PROTOMEX historical connection and how Proto tools were at one time made in Mexico; you can read about it here:
http://www.urreaprofessionaltools.com/public/pag5.aspx
In 1962, Mr. Raul Urrea, the president of the URREA group and Morris Pendleton, then original owner of the mark, met and began to talk about establishing a company to manufacture hand tools in Mexico. In June 1963 they established a joint venture to form a company in Mexico called Protomex to manufacture tools.
Pendleton owned 49 percent of Protomex and provided the original manufacturing product, as well as, sales and marketing expertise to produce and market tools in Mexico. The initial production consisted of punches and chisels, followed by sockets and flat wrenches. With Pendleton actively participating in the company Protomex grew rapidly.
In the seventies, Morris Pendleton sold his company and its ownership of Protomex to the Ingersoll-Rand Company. They continued to work closely with Protomex, providing engineering and manufacturing assistance.
In 1984, Stanley bought the mark, and soon thereafter the Urrea's bought the Protomex Company. The license and manufacturing agreements were concluded and Protomex converted the brand on its tools to URREA. In the following years Protomex continued to concentrate on engineering and manufacturing professional quality tools.
In 1988, the Company began to export tools to the United States and Latin America. A sales and distribution center was established in Southern California and in 1995 was relocated to San Antonio, Texas.
In early 1990, the company name was officially changed to: Urrea Herramientas Profesionales, S.A. (Urrea Professional Tools)
Today, URREA is the largest hand tool manufacturer in Mexico, and is committed to producing quality hand tools for the professional tool users throughout the world.
I happened to be a two places in the last couple of days and ran into two wrenches that were marked "Hecho en Mexico" with the older style Proto logo on them; I thought I would post some pics! I thought these would be of interest to the Proto freaks around here:
Front with traditional Proto logo
Front Proto logo detail
Back with unique "HECHO EN MEXICO" stamping
Back 'HECHO EN MEXICO" detail
Another unique feature: these are standard wrenches but they put the metric equivalent info on there too! I don't think I have ever seen this before!
The owners marks are of a Spanish name; how apropos is that?
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Welcome to GJ. I wonder how many other Mexican members we have here?