Eklind Is Closing Its IL Plant

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Eklind filed a WARN to close its HQ production facility in Franklin Park which is just outside of Chicago. As an Illinois resident and a dude in manufacturing I can say this *****. I know Eklind wasn’t the best but they were still decent hex keys at a really good price. It’s just Bondhus now for US-made hex keys as far as I know. It’s going to be interesting to see who sources from who once Eklind is gone. I like Bondhus but their QC has kinda sucked since Covid.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Seems they only have one plant, so that's it for them as a proper toolmaker?

 

[NoahG]

That really really *****.

 

[cody1325]

Looking at my hex key drawer--I think only one isn't Eklind--and there's like 20 in there between what me and my Granddad acquired over the years.

In fact, a small set was one of the first tools I bought with my own money as a kid.

 

[finn]

Looking at my hex key drawer--I think only one isn't Eklind--and there's like 20 in there between what me and my Granddad acquired over the years.

In fact, a small set was one of the first tools I bought with my own money as a kid.

That’s part of the problem: Nobody buys hex keys anymore.

The imported HF and box store brands, while perhaps not of the highest quality, are still good enough for 99% of the people that buy them, and they’re inexpensive.

 

[ecotec]

This is a bummer. I use Eklind Allen keys almost every day.

The majority of my Allen/Torx key drawer is Eklind.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Seems they only have one plant, so that's it for them as a proper toolmaker?

Yeah, it’s just the one location as far as I know. So with the closing I am assuming they are officially done.

Looking at my hex key drawer--I think only one isn't Eklind--and there's like 20 in there between what me and my Granddad acquired over the years.

In fact, a small set was one of the first tools I bought with my own money as a kid.

This is a bummer. I use Eklind Allen keys almost every day.

The majority of my Allen/Torx key drawer is Eklind.

My first hex key set as an apprentice were Eklinds. I still have them and a some long and standard bright finish sets at the house. I’m really bummed about this news.

 

[ecotec]

Yeah, it’s just the one location as far as I know. So with the closing I am assuming they are officially done.


My first hex key set as an apprentice were Eklinds. I still have them and a some long and standard bright finish sets at the house. I’m really bummed about this news.

I can imagine, as a Chicago resident, this would hit you where you live.

Even if they are not “done”, they would probably rebrand Allen keys from other countries and lower their overhead, infrastructure and logistics to very little.

 

[southalabama]

Unfortunately if they die the brand name will be sold overseas like Chinese made S&K just doesn’t seem right but that’s the way it is.

 

[RoninB4]

-Interesting news. Howard Eklind has probably been dead a few years and the people he hired in while I was there (Earl C. for one) didn't have (IMO) the interest or capability for manufacturing. The one co-worker I'd feel bad for has likely retired a few years ago and hope (Ron) is doing well. The huge sum of cash paid for making the ball ends is 30 years old and has likely been slap worn out for some time now if it survived the catastrophic crashes I was told about (with more likely in the ensuing years). I should probably feel some disappointment for the death of another American manufacturing entity but my past involvement with them leaves me thinking "They had it coming when they wouldn't listen to me". Sour grapes? No not really, I just feel that American businesses are too often run by short-sighted incompetents and this is what happens. They had it by the short hairs and still effed up the business? I can't shed a tear for them, they set on this course some time ago.

 

[L.Cheapo]

-Interesting news. Howard Eklind has probably been dead a few years and the people he hired in while I was there (Earl C. for one) didn't have (IMO) the interest or capability for manufacturing. The one co-worker I'd feel bad for has likely retired a few years ago and hope (Ron) is doing well. The huge sum of cash paid for making the ball ends is 30 years old and has likely been slap worn out for some time now if it survived the catastrophic crashes I was told about (with more likely in the ensuing years). I should probably feel some disappointment for the death of another American manufacturing entity but my past involvement with them leaves me thinking "They had it coming when they wouldn't listen to me". Sour grapes? No not really, I just feel that American businesses are too often run by short-sighted incompetents and this is what happens. They had it by the short hairs and still effed up the business? I can't shed a tear for them, they set on this course some time ago.

I feel bad that 100+ Americans lost their jobs, most of which probably had nothing to do with the downfall of the company.

 

[willf650]

Well that kinda *****. About 3/4 of my hex key sets are either Eklind or rebranded Eklinds from Klein and others.

 

[zendriver]

-Interesting news. Howard Eklind has probably been dead a few years and the people he hired in while I was there (Earl C. for one) didn't have (IMO) the interest or capability for manufacturing. The one co-worker I'd feel bad for has likely retired a few years ago and hope (Ron) is doing well. The huge sum of cash paid for making the ball ends is 30 years old and has likely been slap worn out for some time now if it survived the catastrophic crashes I was told about (with more likely in the ensuing years). I should probably feel some disappointment for the death of another American manufacturing entity but my past involvement with them leaves me thinking "They had it coming when they wouldn't listen to me". Sour grapes? No not really, I just feel that American businesses are too often run by short-sighted incompetents and this is what happens. They had it by the short hairs and still effed up the business? I can't shed a tear for them, they set on this course some time ago.

Always bad management. What would they have done different that would keep them successful today?

At one time, America had a gigantic manufacturing base, that all used hex keys, to fix or build something - gone! The weekend duffers grab the ones from HF.

Where is (was) their market?

 

[turbowoodworker]

You sure they aren't relocating to Austin?

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

You sure they aren't relocating to Austin?

What’s in Texas related to Eklind?

 

[Firebrick43]

Always bad management. What would they have done different that would keep them successful today?

Make keys that were worth a ****.

CNC machines have 95% of their fasteners that are Allen/hex. While we had hex bits/sockets probably 1/2 the time it was a L key in our hands due to space constraints or small fixes that we didn’t want to drag our full size boxes out. For at least the last 10 years they were horrible for durability. Corners round off quickly.

Bondhus would last 4 or 5 times longer as would wera or wiha

At one time, America had a gigantic manufacturing base, that all used hex keys, to fix or build something - gone! The weekend duffers grab the ones from HF.

Where is (was) their market?

Bondhus is still in the USA

 

[turbowoodworker]

What’s in Texas related to Eklind?

It seems every company from CA to NJ and NY are looking to relocate to Austin.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Well that kinda *****. About 3/4 of my hex key sets are either Eklind or rebranded Eklinds from Klein and others.

Most of mine Eklind as well. Generally they would be the first to reach for if I needed another set.

Maybe time to reach for a back up set while still in stock.