Original Vise Grip Plant - Dewitt, Nebraska

Took a trip through southeast Nebraska over the weekend, so we took a slight detour to take a look at the old Petersen Vise Grip plant. They also made Quick-Grips and Unibits here, although the Quick-Grips quickly outgrew their space and they started making them down the road and in Beatrice. I believe the Pro-Snips were also made in Beatrice. Amazing that a town of 500 people had such a large production operation, drawing employees from the nearby towns.

I toured the plant in 2001, only a few years before it was shut down and production moved oversees. I had heard rumors of Malco purchasing the property with plans to start producing tools out of it again. It appears that might just be the plan with the Malco signs out front.

Some newspaper articles about the plant:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26531610/...t/workers-sorry-vise-grip-plant-moving-china/

https://journalstar.com/news/local/...cle_eb5b9a6b-ce3f-596c-907d-20cd5584b6b5.html

https://journalstar.com/business/lo...cle_abdc7b84-4712-577e-8d0f-a4af3b802307.html

Malco makes great stuff. I wish them the best possible outcome. May the executives of Rubbermaid-Newell burn in hell forever + 1 day.

Great information. I emailed Channellock earlier this year and asked them if they had any intentions of selling any rebranded Grip-On locking pliers or making any in the future like they have in the past. They responded and said they are developing made in USA locking pliers that should be available in 2019.

fantastic news!

Might start reorganizing my tool chest and replace a few then. Of course no way I can afford to swap my 44" HF box.

This is great news!
https://journalstar.com/business/lo...cle_b5c5feec-7d1f-5a20-ba11-b9ebfc8bb582.html

Great news!!!

James