Any word on when SK will actually be up and running

[Xcursion88]

Any info on when SK will be operating in Williamsport?

 

[bonneyman]

Well, the shipment of discontinued S-K marked tools arrived at Epstein's last week. And I've been on a mission to assemble some spare socket sets of the older stuff before the "new" Chinese-owned company puts out items, as I think the price on older S-K stuff is going to skyrocket just like Craftsman. JMHO.

 

[DieselSaves]

So the latest version of SK I’m aware of, is no more? I bought quite a bit of SK between ‘14 and ‘16. I had a SK truck that would come by the house.

 

[anndel]

I bought quite a bit of SK from 2015-2020 and was a member of the socket of the month club up until 4 months ago. Not planning on getting anything soon.

 

[hasco]

I wonder how the Lifetime warranty will be handled.

 

[Xcursion88]

That's all nice bbbuuutttt....

So still no amswer to this?

 

[Fedwrench]

That's all nice bbbuuutttt....

So still no amswer to this?

Only SK knows. Everyone else is guessing. Their website says it's under construction until 1/10/2022. Perhaps you can reach out to SK when their website is back on line and ask them.
I think moving, retooling, setting the equipment up, hiring a new crew, gathering materials, and whatever else they have to do, would take at least a year but, again it's a guess.
However, if SK's new facility is only a distribution center for tools made elsewhere, they could be up and running sooner.

 

[reader2580]

Closing for weeks or months without warehousing a lot of inventory to cover the gap is not a good way to keep dealers as customers. A lot of dealers don't want to keep telling customers that they can't sell them any SK Tools. The dealers will just drop the line.

I know of a bicycle manufacturer in the USA who can't ship anything due to a component they have been waiting months for. I was at a local bike shop that is planning to drop the brand because of the delivery issues.

 

[Xcursion88]

Only SK knows. Everyone else is guessing. Their website says it's under construction until 1/10/2022. Perhaps you can reach out to SK when their website is back on line and ask them.
I think moving, retooling, setting the equipment up, hiring a new crew, gathering materials, and whatever else they have to do, would take at least a year but, again it's a guess.
However, if SK's new facility is only a distribution center for tools made elsewhere, they could be up and running sooner.

Just a simple no or no new info is suffice but thank you.

 

[FMB4]

Again, contact SK. You're welcome.

 

[gatewaysysop]

That's all nice bbbuuutttt....

So still no amswer to this?

Just a simple no or no new info is suffice but thank you.

The above reminds me of the below:

Call...
Calling is so much more efficient than email. It shouldn't be but it is.

Xcursion88 said:
See above...


C

A

L

L

Maybe try practicing what you repeatedly preach and pick up a phone if the answers you're getting here aren't up to your standard? Just a thought.

 

[Xcursion88]

The above reminds me of the below:





Maybe try practicing what you repeatedly preach and pick up a phone if the answers you're getting here aren't up to your standard? Just a thought.

It was a simple question if anyone heard anything new on the SK front.
Giving a detailed itemized what if's on logistics of possible maybe's doesn't do anything whatsoever to the very simple question.

 

[lardy1]

Yes.

 

[bob15]

It was a simple question if anyone heard anything new on the SK front.
Giving a detailed itemized what if's on logistics of possible maybe's doesn't do anything whatsoever to the very simple question.

So, did you call them and get an answer?

 

[FMB4]

if's and maybe's... I'm done with you.

 

[M6erfan]

I haven't heard a thing about it. Have you tried calling them?

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I think Jori said in his latest HJE video that SK is expecting to be up and running sometime in January 2022.

 

[Zewnten]

It was a simple question if anyone heard anything new on the SK front.
Giving a detailed itemized what if's on logistics of possible maybe's doesn't do anything whatsoever to the very simple question.

Another add to the ignore list

 

[Xcursion88]

I think Jori said in his latest HJE video that SK is expecting to be up and running sometime in January 2022.

Thx

 

[sparky 1971]

According to SK's website, orders can't be placed until December6th. Orders won't be shipped until January 10th. Whether that means the move is complete, new runs of tools will be ready to go, or the boss is back from vacation is unknown to me.

 

[guitarbutt]

No.

 

[reader2580]

According to SK's website, orders can't be placed until December6th. Orders won't be shipped until January 10th. Whether that means the move is complete, new runs of tools will be ready to go, or the boss is back from vacation is unknown to me.

If items ship approximately a month after the order how is that any different than SK's normal shipping speed this year? My order from SK earlier this year took at least a month to ship.

 

[sparky 1971]

If items ship approximately a month after the order how is that any different than SK's normal shipping speed this year? My order from SK earlier this year took at least a month to ship.

I waited over a month for one of mine to ship also, but mine was my third order in a week when they ran the huge Steals and Deals that got them waaay behind. They are/were understaffed to begin with. The other two orders that week along with every other order has been at my doorstep within a week.

My guess is that they aren't even going to attempt to ship anything until January 10th because of the move. Maybe not. I'm pretty sure that the no orders until Dec. 6th was on the website in mid November, so maybe that's because of the move also? I don't know.

 

[neophyte]

Closing for weeks or months without warehousing a lot of inventory to cover the gap is not a good way to keep dealers as customers. A lot of dealers don't want to keep telling customers that they can't sell them any SK Tools. The dealers will just drop the line.

I know of a bicycle manufacturer in the USA who can't ship anything due to a component they have been waiting months for. I was at a local bike shop that is planning to drop the brand because of the delivery issues.

MAC Tools did a move like this decades ago, and survived, however they lost a lot of dealers, got sued by their dealers, and maybe also some customers, and there was a website around gor years pointing out that Mac Tools sucked.

Armstrong tried to do a move like this, and the brand basically got killed off due to all the problems with the new production facility etc.

I forget what other brands have done the same thing and had isdues, but I know there are some others.

 

[drtyler]

Well the socket of the month email came through this evening, even though the website is down. So they have that going for them.

 

[Mallen]

I wonder how the Lifetime warranty will be handled.

I always warranty SK through Grainger. I just exchanged a 1/2" extention a week ago.

 

[ForrestT]

Just tried to order my socket of the month. No dice. Must have to wait until tomorrow. While looking on the new site for membership details for next year, I saw no mention of socket of the month in the membership. I’m guessing that is gone for the upcoming year.

 

[jonshonda]

I got three emails from SK today on a variety of topics. None of which did I care about. So there is a least a pulse.

 

[AirMech#406]

yeah I just got one saying to register my new account. Clicked on the link and the website looks totally different.

 

[Fly YX]

Looks like they made a few changes . Monthly coupons instead of sotm. Free shipping $100 on up. Even with the premium membership.

 

[AirMech#406]

Looks like they made a few changes . Monthly coupons instead of sotm. Free shipping $100 on up. Even with the premium membership.

Yeah, I would feel a lot happier about these changes if I knew that my money was going toward a USA company instead of a Chinese-owned USA company.

 

[Xcursion88]

Yeah, I would feel a lot happier about these changes if I knew that my money was going toward a USA company instead of a Chinese-owned USA company.

Question....
Why are you concerned about a dozen Asian executives sitting around a board room discussing the reason of being...when you've got hundreds if not thousands of Americans involved in the actual production of said product.

I find that odd and a reversal of proper thinking.

As I discussed in the DeWalt switch thread I made using Milwaukee as an example....Milwaukee doesn't make one damn thing in this country. Not one. The apologists say well they have an office in Wisconsin. Sssooo you are supporting a payroll clerk and possibly a few engineers and hundreds if not thousands of Asians making the damn thing.

Until SK says otherwise their goods are made in America with American material regardless of it's parent company. I promise you that's a far cry from a lot of the stuff you buy every single day. Just a hunch...

 

[finn]

Question....
Why are you concerned about a dozen Asian executives sitting around a board room discussing the reason of being...when you've got hundreds if not thousands of Americans involved in the actual production of said product.

I find that odd and a reversal of proper thinking.

As I discussed in the DeWalt switch thread I made using Milwaukee as an example....Milwaukee doesn't make one damn thing in this country. Not one. The apologists say well they have an office in Wisconsin. Sssooo you are supporting a payroll clerk and possibly a few engineers and hundreds if not thousands of Asians making the damn thing.

Until SK says otherwise their goods are made in America with American material regardless of it's parent company. I promise you that's a far cry from a lot of the stuff you buy every single day. Just a hunch...

And he probably drives a Toyota or Honda.

 

[AirMech#406]

Question....
Why are you concerned about a dozen Asian executives sitting around a board room discussing the reason of being...when you've got hundreds if not thousands of Americans involved in the actual production of said product.

Because I live in America and would rather, if at all possible, my purchases go toward building American businesses. That's all. I will definitely still be purchasing from SK, and no doubt it will be helping out a lot of American families who work at the US plant, it would just be nice to know that my purchases were not also building up the Chinese economy.

 

[cheechi]

so the most recent email i have got from SK doesn't list socket of the month anymore, but instead $20/month discount. pay $50 for $240, vs some sockets cost less than $20.

until i tried to use my socket coupon this month, i didn't know anything was going on. Seems like from the discussion here, are SK moving out of the USA?

 

[AirMech#406]

until i tried to use my socket coupon this month, i didn't know anything was going on. Seems like from the discussion here, are SK moving out of the USA?

GreatStar Tools USA Acquires High-Performance Professional Hand Tools

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...

sktools.com

No, they are planning on staying in the USA. They were just bought out by a Chinese company.

 

[LB-1911]

Milwaukee as an example....Milwaukee doesn't make one damn thing in this country. Not one.

Cut from Article dated ; November 29, 2021

During the last decade, the company has grown their employee headcount in the state from 526 in 2010, to more than 3,659 in 2021.

$60 million expansion by Milwaukee Tool is expected to create 800 jobs in Grenada, Mississippi, and the manufacturer says it will add 400 more among its plants in Greenwood and Jackson and its distribution center in Olive Branch.

In August, Milwaukee Tool announced a new manufacturing facility in Clinton, MS. Anticipated to open in November, the new facility will accommodate increased capacity for the company’s growing business. The $7 million, 357,000-square-foot facility is part of the company’s recent commitment to creating 1,200 jobs in Mississippi.

Source of above and full text @

https://businessfacilities.com/2021/11/mississippi-milwaukee-tool-expands-in-grenada-and-clinton/

 

[cheechi]

GreatStar Tools USA Acquires High-Performance Professional Hand Tools

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...

sktools.com

No, they are planning on staying in the USA. They were just bought out by a Chinese company.

thanks for catching me up

 

[Xcursion88]

Cut from Article dated ; November 29, 2021

During the last decade, the company has grown their employee headcount in the state from 526 in 2010, to more than 3,659 in 2021.

$60 million expansion by Milwaukee Tool is expected to create 800 jobs in Grenada, Mississippi, and the manufacturer says it will add 400 more among its plants in Greenwood and Jackson and its distribution center in Olive Branch.

In August, Milwaukee Tool announced a new manufacturing facility in Clinton, MS. Anticipated to open in November, the new facility will accommodate increased capacity for the company’s growing business. The $7 million, 357,000-square-foot facility is part of the company’s recent commitment to creating 1,200 jobs in Mississippi.

Source of above and full text @

https://businessfacilities.com/2021/11/mississippi-milwaukee-tool-expands-in-grenada-and-clinton/

And they make what? Show me a cordless Milwaukee tool with Made in USA global material or not included of the last five years.

Not being malicious. On the contrary. I'd like to see it.

We've got an older corded Milwaukee grinder in the shop...yes even corded...the infamous Milwaukee Grinder they were very famous for...right on the side of it smacking you in the face is the good old Made in China.
I can't date this grinder but my guess is atleast 10-15 years.
This has been going on a while. Sadly!!!

If you can show me greqt....otherwise they're probably warehousing jobs of their Asian made stuff ready for distribution to the box stores. Just spit balling

 

[tarbellb]

Milwaukee Tools makes plenty of consumables here in the USA. So yes, they are supporting jobs that dont pay much, employees can loose a limb doing, and pollute. Hooray.

And guess which company is about to join them following that very successful model... ding ding ding
(your warranty turn around time just jumped up to "ships from China")