Current situation with SK
- Thread starter 1320it
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sparky 1971
Well-known member
I emailed them in July, got a reply in August. According to the email, they were hoping to have the website up and running sometime in October. Right now, it appears that they are filling backorders and getting their vendors stocked up. Production is going on.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
If making a big order, I'd either find a vendor that has everything "in stock" or wait a bit longer if it has to be SK.
I've an extension coming from a vendor that was backordered for a couple months. The vendor's website said it was "in stock" when I ordered it, so I was hoping that it was old stock. Turned out it was backordered, would I wait? I had the princely sum of $30 wrapped up in the purchase, so let's roll those dice! It should be here today or tomorrow. I'm curious to see what shows up. I'll report back when I have it.
Another anecdote: A replacement wrench showed up earlier this summer, to replace a defective one ordered 8 months earlier. That was a surprise.
These are at least good indications. Lots of stuff remains to be seen. Specifically, will they have a viable marketing strategy this time around?
-Ryan
I've an extension coming from a vendor that was backordered for a couple months. The vendor's website said it was "in stock" when I ordered it, so I was hoping that it was old stock. Turned out it was backordered, would I wait? I had the princely sum of $30 wrapped up in the purchase, so let's roll those dice! It should be here today or tomorrow. I'm curious to see what shows up. I'll report back when I have it.
Another anecdote: A replacement wrench showed up earlier this summer, to replace a defective one ordered 8 months earlier. That was a surprise.
These are at least good indications. Lots of stuff remains to be seen. Specifically, will they have a viable marketing strategy this time around?
-Ryan
You mentioned in a different thread about the extension being "new production"
How did you confirm that it was in fact new production?
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
I haven't seen the tool yet. My assumption is that it would be a new production tool since every other vendor on the internet did not have this tool when I ordered it, and SK is making tools again, and showing a presence at trade shows.
I'll admit that it's quite possible that SK had the tools in a crate somewhere. It's less likely that there were caches of tools in 3rd party warehouses.
-Ryan
Crabman
Well-known member
So SK has moved into the shop vac facility in Pa. Apparently hiring some people and moving toward a restart.
They had a sell off of some inventory in August in Pa. There was also an auction, I think at the old plant in Illinois where big pallets of stuff got sold to jobbers, etc. I think Harry J. Epstein thankfully got some of it.
Here is a link about the big auction late last year:
www.garagejournal.com
The auction site is still live. You cannot see realized prices, but you can see the scope of what they sold.
Start on post 140 on this thread for info on PA and the August sale there, don't go too far or you will fall into the usual SK thread ranting:
www.garagejournal.com
There is a report from someone who went to the sale, post 50:
www.garagejournal.com
I saw the auction webpage when they did the big sell off. Like pallets of 3/4 inch drivers and sockets, etc. Big bunch of stuff.
So Ryan, I think they sold off what they had and they are trying to figure out how to get production going again in an atmosphere of supply chain issues and tight labor market. I hope they find a way to succeed.
They had a sell off of some inventory in August in Pa. There was also an auction, I think at the old plant in Illinois where big pallets of stuff got sold to jobbers, etc. I think Harry J. Epstein thankfully got some of it.
Here is a link about the big auction late last year:
now is your chance for cheap SK tools
As SK is moving their plant, they have been selling their tooling and plant equipment. Here is your chance to go big (or go home) on SK tools and more! SK factory sell off link
www.garagejournal.com
The auction site is still live. You cannot see realized prices, but you can see the scope of what they sold.
Start on post 140 on this thread for info on PA and the August sale there, don't go too far or you will fall into the usual SK thread ranting:
Whats going on with sk tools.?
FWIW, I have a ton of SK stuff and want them to succeed. But to do that they need to evaluate some hard truths and react accordingly. Snap On commands a premium for truck service and warranty. Every time I've had to warranty something with SK shipping is on my dime and I have to wait weeks for...
www.garagejournal.com
There is a report from someone who went to the sale, post 50:
What's going on with SK Tools these days?
While looking over the SEMA show's 2022 floorplan today, I was surprised to see that SK tools will be in booth 38199. I hope they actually show up. Fed, I'll be there too. Maybe we can meet up at the show. (I know a good pizza place in Vegas).
www.garagejournal.com
I saw the auction webpage when they did the big sell off. Like pallets of 3/4 inch drivers and sockets, etc. Big bunch of stuff.
So Ryan, I think they sold off what they had and they are trying to figure out how to get production going again in an atmosphere of supply chain issues and tight labor market. I hope they find a way to succeed.
from their website today:
sktools.com
SK Professional Tools
With ice in your veins and steel in your hands, there’s nothing you can’t fix. All you need are SK Professional Tools: Premium quality, precision-crafted.
sktools.com
sparky 1971
Well-known member
That's been on the website for over six months. I was in communication with the in July or August and they hope to be up and running sometime in October. Whether or not it will happen is yet to be determined.from their website today:
SK Professional Tools
With ice in your veins and steel in your hands, there’s nothing you can’t fix. All you need are SK Professional Tools: Premium quality, precision-crafted.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
If it has to be American made (for whatever reason) I've always preferred Proto over S-K anyway so what's the reason to go with S-K?
jsackin
Well-known member
We've had one shipment from them since they moved. All 1/4" and 3/8" socket sets. Just got a bill for another shipment on Friday for the same kind of stuff. Looks the same as it always had. All stamped USA. No wrenches though.
Is it known if it's new production or old?
bob15
Well-known member
The same reason you go to Proto. I don't like Proto (going back to their days when the FTC fined them) and would rather buy a different brand....SK, for one.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Proto sockets are also really thick. I bought some 12point deep chrome sockets in 1/2 drive and they're very big boys. Access can sometimes be an issue.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
FTC fined Stanley but the brand was not Proto it was for Blackhawk and some private label tools like Master Mechanic brands etc.
jsackin
Well-known member
I'm assuming it's all new production but there's no real way to be sure. Got the shipment in today.
bob15
Well-known member
Nope. It was Stanley (owner) fined and it was Proto & Husky brands, as well as Blackhawk and Challanger.
FTC: The Stanley Works, incorporated in New Britain, Connecticut, is a manufacturer and marketer of tools, hardware, doors, and home decor products for professional, industrial, consumer, and home improvement use. Stanley manufactures mechanics tools with the brand names "Husky" (which Stanley manufactures for sale by Home Depot) and "Proto" (which Stanley sells to industrial distributors who in turn sell to industrial and professional end-users). According to the complaint, Stanley stamped many of these mechanics tools with a "USA" mark, advertised them as "Made in USA," and sold them in packages marked "Made in USA." Nevertheless, certain models of Stanley's mechanics tools, including combination wrenches, standard sockets, teardrop ratchets, and sets containing combination wrenches and standard sockets, were not all or virtually all made in the United States. Significant proportions of their content was of foreign origin. The proposed agreement would order Stanley to stop misrepresenting the extent to which Stanley's mechanics hand tools are made in the United States.
https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/1999/06/stanleyworkscmp.htm
The latest video on Epstiens home page which is about a week old, seems to say they are currently buying 1/4 and 3/8’s drive sockets from SK. The also mentioned the end of the year as possible for more robust production.
neophyte
Well-known member
The company that designed the Gearwrench ratcheting wrench owned production facilities in the US, and several US tool brands.
“With extensive tool production facilities in Asia, Chow planned to import partially formed tools from Asia and finish them in the NHT factory, in order to avoid paying import duties. The tools imported by NHT included socket wrenches, sockets and drive tools, hammers, screwdrivers, and crowbars, which were then distributed throughout the United States.”
“As an aside, NHT's plan to avoid import duties was not legal under US Customs regulations, as the changes made in finishing the tools were not considered as a "substantial transformation" for the purpose of avoiding duties and a country-of-origin marking. In 1993 US Customs sued Kirk Chow for unpaid duties and penalties, but due to administrative errors on the part of Customs, Chow won dismissal of the suit on procedural grounds. We've added a link to the court case in the References section, and it makes a good read for anyone who enjoys an occasional bit of legal drama.”
I sort of wonder if the imported tool issue with Stanley was somehow related to the above.