$50 GC from SK tools

[MidnightZ21]

I got a letter in the mail today from SK Tools stating they were suspending ordering from their website and that impacted the SK Club. They go on to say since they can't honor their commitments they are refunding the full price of the membership as a prepaid visa.

Pretty solid on their part. Even though I have been pretty disappointed with them lately, I have gotten a lot more than $50 worth of value from my membership.

Keep an eye on the mailbox

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[Rkcubed]

After the purchase of SK the new owners sold off all remaining inventory.
Blaming not having any inventory on supply issues is something of a lie.
Most likely the Chinese owners wanted the name to rebrand some non USA tools.

 

[Thesian]

After the purchase of SK the new owners sold off all remaining inventory.
Blaming not having any inventory on supply issues is something of a lie.
Most likely the Chinese owners wanted the name to rebrand some non USA tools.

Wow…just read on the acquisition. Had no idea SK had been bought by the Shopvac and Arrow fastener group out of china. Hate it.

 

[sparky 1971]

After the purchase of SK the new owners sold off all remaining inventory.
Blaming not having any inventory on supply issues is something of a lie.
Most likely the Chinese owners wanted the name to rebrand some non USA tools.

Not quite. What they sold off at auction was items they aren't going to carry anymore. Things like hammers, which were rebranded Trusty Cook and Vaughn, 3/4" drive tools, chisels, and some socket sets among other things. The Great Star purchase was in October, but I placed three orders from them in January and February and two of the orders I received. One was some flare nut wrenches and the other was a couple of ratchets The third was cancelled by them because they didn't have the items, which were all socket extensions. I don't know it to be true, but I think what I did get was left over stock from the Ideal days.

 

[Xcursion88]

After the purchase of SK the new owners sold off all remaining inventory.
Blaming not having any inventory on supply issues is something of a lie.
Most likely the Chinese owners wanted the name to rebrand some non USA tools.

Not true whatsoever.

First of all you wouldn't buy the SK name to exploit. SK is USA but a sort of outlier in the USA tool world.
They don't have the Snap-on name or even Mac...(all those Nascar advertisements and tool trucks over the last 35 years definitely put the Mac name out there)
SK on the other hand didn't participate in stuff like that. A lot of people never even heard of SK but you better believe they've heard Mac and Snap-on.

Good or bad that's just the way advertising has gone over the last 40 years.
I've business colleagues who are major distributors of SK tools.
The only thing changing is eliminating a lot of horseshit they shouldn't have been making in the first place.

Their paper catalog in 2018 was absolutely positively insanely gigantic.

I mean like massive. There wasn't much they weren't doing. No electronics..but hard goods...look out.

Do they really need to be selling picks and then the clowns who try and warranty them.
Hammers? Same thing. Tool boxes? I'm not even sure they ever sold a green tool box on wheels. The thing looked like a mack truck on wheels.
They were just drowning in their own world of sku's.

Wrenches, sockets, ratchets,
x-frame wrenches...
Keeping it nice and tidy and do what you do well...things will be just fine.

 

[Jacobs976]

...aren't going to carry anymore. Things like hammers, which were rebranded Trusty Cook and Vaughn, 3/4" drive tools...

That's disappointing about the 3/4 drive stuff. Looked for some and didn't see any on the site probably a month ago but I just figured it was them going through everything to revamp it. I know a lot of the farmers like SK but mainly just 3/4 drive and big wrenches. Probably about 30 3/4 sets in use within 20 miles of me and that's just the farmers I know have them.

 

[VolvoRyan]

After the purchase of SK the new owners sold off all remaining inventory.

Nope. Not true. They sold the discontinued stuff. They're slowly filling warranty stuff with old stock. How do I know? Because I received a warranty wrench last month from their new location.

Otherwise, pretty much everything you read about SK here and on the Facebook groups is a lie.... or uninformed opinion.

-Ryan

 

[Xcursion88]

Nope. Not true. They sold the discontinued stuff. They're slowly filling warranty stuff with old stock. How do I know? Because I received a warranty wrench last month from their new location.

Otherwise, pretty much everything you read about SK here and on the Facebook groups is a lie.... or uninformed opinion.

-Ryan

Pretty much the best response of the thread.

 

[1982fxr]

The way the last sentence in that ad is worded, makes me think that local facility will be restocked with Chinese and maybe Taiwan imports.

Am I wrong?

 

[Terra Nova]

The way the last sentence in that ad is worded, makes me think that local facility will be restocked with Chinese and maybe Taiwan imports.

Am I wrong?

Only if that's what you want it to say. I don't get that from the last sentence.

Supplies = raw materials and manufacturing equipment; at least that's what I take it to mean.

 

[mn700vforce]

Got my $50 gift card. This makes me happy as I only received two sockets after renewing.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If they can't even keep their online sales going, then their joke of a distribution network just became non existent. If you haven't already run for the hills by now, better do so soon.

 

[Fly YX]

Got mine yesterday too.

 

[sparky 1971]

The way the last sentence in that ad is worded, makes me think that local facility will be restocked with Chinese and maybe Taiwan imports.

Am I wrong?

This is taken straight from SK's website. Whether it stays true or not is to be determined. I also have no idea what they mean by a "large portion". It obviously doesn't say all, so who knows.

GreatStar Tools USA Acquires High-Performance Professional Hand Tools Brand, SK Professional Tools​

October 28, 2021
GreatStar adds the established American-made tool brand to its current portfolio with plans to maintain US-based manufacturing and widen distribution
SADDLE BROOK, N.J., October 28, 2021 - GreatStar Tools USA, a leading manufacturer of hand tools serving DIV, professional and industrial markets worldwide, announced today its acquisition of SK Professional Tools, a leading provider of high-quality hand tools for professionals across a variety of industries, most notably the automotive industry. As part of the acquisition, which officially took place on June 30, 2021, GreatStar plans to invest in SK Professional Tools product innovation and expand distribution, offering customers more opportunities to purchase these tools.
"GreatStar is thrilled to have the opportunity to reinvigorate another iconic American tool brand with the acquisition of SK Professional Tools, leveraging our unique position in the US hand tool market to bolster both product innovation and distribution," said Gary DuBoff, Group President and CEO, GreatStar Tools USA. "For more than 100 years, SK Professional Tools has cultivated a loyal following that goes back for generations, and we're committed to maintaining the same legendary quality and outstanding service that customers expect."
Dedicated to maintaining US-based manufacturing, GreatStar will transition a large portion of SK Professional Tools product line to its manufacturing center in Williamsport, PA, in 2022. The facility currently produces heavy-duty wet/dry vacuums for category leader Shop-Vac, which was acquired by GreatStar In December 2020.
GreatStar adds SK Professional Tools to its growing portfolio of US tool brands including Pony Jorgensen woodworking clamps; Goldblatt concrete, masonry and tile tools; Arrow Fastener stapling tools, glue guns and rivet tools; Prime-Line Products window and security hardware; and Shop-Vac wet/dry vacuum cleaners.

About SK Professional Tools​

Today, as part of GreatStar Tools USA, SK Professional Tools manufactures over 3,000 products, continuing our commitment to providing American-made innovation to the toughest tradesmen in the world. SK has been trusted by generations of mechanics for its broad line of high-quality, American-made tools that includes sockets, wrenches, ratchets, hammers and screwdrivers.

About Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd.​

Established in 1993, GreatStar is the leading manufacturer of hand tools in Asia, serving DIY, professional and industrial markets worldwide. GreatStar also manufactures a full range of specialty tools for drywall, masonry, painting, tiling, plumbing and automotive applications, as well as power tools, tool sets and flashlights. GreatStar's culture of innovation, firm commitment to R&D and extensive customer insight ensu􀀐e their leading brands and high-quality products meet the specific needs of the consumers and professionals they serve. For more information, visit www.greatstartools.com.

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[Xcursion88]

The way the last sentence in that ad is worded, makes me think that local facility will be restocked with Chinese and maybe Taiwan imports.

Am I wrong?

The way the last sentence in that ad is worded, makes me think that local facility will be restocked with Chinese and maybe Taiwan imports.

Am I wrong?

First sentence..last sentence..middle sentence

I've no idea how you came up with that assumption.

What I know I've listed above.
I've a business colleague that's a big SK distributor.
What I've been told is that SK will keep on keeping on but cut some unnecessary sku's.

As I said .. making picks...making hammers...pry bar's...
It's not so much the making but the warranty of them.
If one motto is "GUARANTEED" and you have people wanting to warranty a pick with a broken or bent pointed tip...I mean seriously c'mon...
And YES there are people that will warranty 1/16" drill bits for god sake and absolutely expect that replacement free..."FREE" replacement is the thing these days.

SK's bread and butter has always been their 3/8" drive stuff..with 1/4" drive next and lastly 1/2" drive.
Wrenches as well..
X-frames...they really have sonething going there...

One thing I'd like to see them do is redesign the standard wrench with the biting aid on the X-frames.
It is 2022...and everyone these days has some type of grip assist. Mac knucklesaver..SO flank drive plus...
SK X-Frame wrenches have that feature...
Truthfully they don't need a grip assist after 19mm.

Hopefully some clown who makes more than me sitting at a desk with a 50k fountain pen will think it's a good idea

 

[sk farmer]

you ask why? because sk is one of the more popular whipping brands. it makes no difference what they say, some people will twist it into some horrible, distorted message that suits their own assumptions.

the op simply states sk is making good on a promise made "before" their sale and returning an investment they were unable to continue or fulfill at the current time. seems pretty standup to me.

i will be honest that the current situation concerns me and have no idea how it will turn out. i am reserving judgement to see what really happens vs. what may happen but sadly most people would rather make their mind up with assumptions rather than fact.

 

[KnurledNut]

you ask why? because sk is one of the more popular whipping brands. it makes no difference what they say, some people will twist it into some horrible, distorted message that suits their own assumptions.

the op simply states sk is making good on a promise made "before" their sale and returning an investment they were unable to continue or fulfill at the current time. seems pretty standup to me.

i will be honest that the current situation concerns me and have no idea how it will turn out. i am reserving judgement to see what really happens vs. what may happen but sadly most people would rather make their mind up with assumptions rather than fact.

Agree. Definitely a stand-up move to refund club fees.
Hope they get their manufacturing operational and moving again.
Having an established facility is a huge step in the right direction.
Its still a fact that they are riding the waves of a legacy they bought, not built.
As we know, the same happened with Ideal, but to a lesser degree IMO.
Criticism is inevitable.

 

[Rkcubed]

In the end, SK is now a Chinese brand.

 

[KSJeff]

I've been super happy with my SK stuff and I'm really wanting some of the x-series wrenches. I guess I better buy them when they get back in stock. I'd rather have my $50 in credit, but I guess that doesn't work when you can't buy anything for a while. Nice touch by SK.

 

[m6z]

Certainly a standup move on SK's part. I hope the brand continues on. Hopefully they're back to making tools soon.

The comment about their massive catalog is spot on. I was always thinking "Who is buying these expensive SK boxes?" I've never seen one in real life. And some of their obviously rebranded tools were double or triple the price of the OEM.

 

[Zewnten]

Snap On is having fulfillment issues too, been waiting 3 weeks for them to ship a tool. Matco; same thing. As skeptical as I am about SK's future at least they are admitting there are problems and doing what they can rather than make customers mad. Matco just keeps blowing smoke.

 

[Xcursion88]

The point is, what’s more important making products in the US or a US based company. is a Volkswagen made here a US product? Or is a Ford produced in Mexico important. The lines that what‘s important is very blurry in today’s world. Is it more important to have jobs here or pay taxes here. Both are important to the economy.

It's not blurry to me.

A mass group of American workers are going to contribute far more to the economic cycle of rinse and repeat than just a corporation handing over a tax payment to the government.
It's really impossible to quantify but those wurkers getting paid are most often buying goods and services which of course means how much collective employment is the American worker a party to? The waitress? The shoe store? The cobbler? The gricery store and it's emoyees. The auto repair facility. And so on and so on....and so on.

 

[RCCSUPER]

It appears SK is manufacturing and supplying some outlets but not manufacturing enough to sell on there website. This week I received two sets 33300 and 4038 that I ordered over 9 months ago from tooldesk.com. Just ordered some socket sets from Zoro yesterday and they say they are in stock. Seems like inventory is trickling in.

 

[toolmiser]

I'm not going to complain about getting a $50.00 card. I thought I wasn't going to get anything.

 

[Xcursion88]

It appears SK is manufacturing and supplying some outlets but not manufacturing enough to sell on there website. This week I received two sets 33300 and 4038 that I ordered over 9 months ago from tooldesk.com. Just ordered some socket sets from Zoro yesterday and they say they are in stock. Seems like inventory is trickling in.

The distributors have been getting product. It's great they're taking care of them first and foremost before worrying about selling direct

 

[Crabman]

These SK threads are funny because they always seem to spiral down into a mud slinging episode.

The OP's point in starting this thread was that SK's new owners (yes it is a large Chinese company) at least are making a goodwill gesture by refunding the full membership cost, even though they were annual and you might have received some benefit. I was mid year and had received maybe half a dozen free sockets, plus free shipping on a couple of orders.

There was another SK thread in which I posted the following:

I am reading this thread with interest. I have to assume the new owners know of many of the problems with QC, customer service, etc.
So they are trying to ramp up a retooled manufacturing plant in a new location in a pandemic with big supply chain and labor issues which can't be easy. I suppose it is possible that they are taking their time with the launch to make sure that the deficiencies under Facom and Ideal are rectified. If I was managing it I would not want to sacrifice doing it right in order to open operations early. It seems like doing it correctly may be the only way to reestablish the brand.
Does anyone up in that area know if they were or are hiring folks to set up manufacturing? I don't know if they brought some of the equipment from Illinois or are buying new equipment, etc. It seems like modern computer controlled equipment might solve some of the QC issues, although I do not know a great deal about this type of manufacturing. But if they were or are hiring and there are people in the building working that would be a good sign. If they are waiting on new equipment due to supply chain issues there may not yet be a need for the workers.
I have had good luck with their tools and QC generally. My experience with the customer service has been spotty at best for a long time.

I hope SK can get US manufacturing going up in Pennsylvania. While a Chinese owner is not ideal from a buy USA point of view, it is sort of the inverse of companies like who may be based here but manufacture in China, Taiwan or wherever.

It is hard to be patient, but I am hoping for the best for the brand. And I will say if the intent was to get my goodwill with the $50 refund, in my case it succeeded.

 

[1982fxr]

Well the good news is, if SK (or anybody) sees business going downhill they can cruise on over to one of these threads and have first choice of all the greatest CEO material on the planet.

Insert smiley face here.

 

[Ton ton]

Well the good news is, if SK (or anybody) sees business going downhill they can cruise on over to one of these threads and have first choice of all the greatest CEO material on the planet.

Insert smiley face here.

Well said.

 

[aspireguy95]

The m18 packout vac is made in usa with global materials

 

[Sgtboz]

Not that I ever saw one but how screwed are those SK Tool wagon dealers?

 

[Xcursion88]

The m18 packout vac is made in usa with global materials

Upon further review....

Did you see that in person because I brought that up to a rep from Milwaukee corporate asking what cordless power tools were usa made and he said zero. I said I thought you did a small vacuum or the like and he said no, Mexico.

I do remember reading about that when it was to be coming out but perhaps it never made to a U.S. factory?

 

[Wolley]

I would expect totally moving a manufacturing facility or setting up new equipment to take at least a year to be up and running.

Also, just to add more gross speculation fuel to the fire, great star has some brands that you find in home depot and other hardware stores. Are we going to see SK in Home depot soon to compete with lowes and Craftsman?

 

[aspireguy95]

Upon further review....

Did you see that in person because I brought that up to a rep from Milwaukee corporate asking what cordless power tools were usa made and he said zero. I said I thought you did a small vacuum or the like and he said no, Mexico.

I do remember reading about that when it was to be coming out but perhaps it never made to a U.S. factory?

The ones I seen said made in usa with global components, but it’s been awhile since I have looked at them. Acme website still lists them as made in usa

 

[Xcursion88]

The ones I seen said made in usa with global components, but it’s been awhile since I have looked at them. Acme website still lists them as made in usa

Link please

 

[sweet victory]

The thing is I could care less about the 8 or so Asians sitting around a board room with fat salaries when the 1000's of American's are making tools here.

This is a million miles from the Milwaukee model. Asian owned and not one single cordless power tool...not one...made in America. Not one single tool.

I would be surprised if SK had more than 300 employees within the last decade.


And just as an FYI...

Milwaukee Tool Raises the Bar with New USA Factory

toolguyd.com

 

[CGarage]

What will a vacuum cleaner manufacturer do with SK? I am willing to bet they do not run their own foundry in PA. This seems utterly ridiculous to me.

If SK makes the bulk of their money on 3/8 drive product, I think their days are numbered.

The X frame wrenches are great. Time to be competitive and start importing some of their best selling product after making it in Taiwan if they want to stand a chance.

 

[CGarage]

The plot grows:

GreatStar Tools USA Acquires Shop-Vac Corporation

GreatStar plans to reestablish and expand Shop-Vac’s industry leadership and will prioritize restoring distribution in the U.S.

www.techshopmag.com

 

[Xcursion88]

If SK makes the bulk of their money on 3/8 drive product, I think their days are numbered.

Says who? The very same ignorant mindset that bankrupt GM and Chrysler?

They don't give awards for the most SKU's...
It really is ok to make a certain amount of product...do it very well...and be satisfied with that.
I know that's not the trendy way of just keep adding models walking one self right into the red...

SK will be fine doing what they do well.

Moreover if they start importing as you suggesr SK is done.
If they do that they simply become one of 20 different Asian tool names.

 

[Xcursion88]

I would be surprised if SK had more than 300 employees within the last decade.


And just as an FYI...

Milwaukee Tool Raises the Bar with New USA Factory

toolguyd.com

What does that have to do with Milwaukee's cordless power tools?

No matter how much they force the issue Milwaukee was, is and always will be known for the power tool industry.

I didn't see anything in that article suggesting Milwaukee will now be making any power tools in the U.S.
As per a rep a few weeks back they make zero cordless power tools and one or two corded sawzall's(not all) and a magnetic drill press in the U.S.