Jorgensen Clamps going fully chinese?

[derosa]

I only learned about a week ago that Jorgensen closed up production earlier this year with no real announcement. I went to buy a couple a few weeks ago at the local ace but was in too much of a hurry to find out why they had replaced them with bessy. The website is still up and running so I called the number to see if there were details on the closing and the answering machine says that Star industrial llc in huntersville, NC has acquired the some of the clamping business.
A search on them resulted in the site workprotools.com and that the parent company is the "biggest hand tool manufacturer in Asia". One of the pictures on the front page shows a HF quick clamp. I'd actually called the company last year when made in the USA disappeared from the F-clamps and was assured it was due to the handles being chinese but all metal aspects being US made. Hope they don't come back as all chinese, I'd hate to see Irwin quality clamps in orange. I'll have to start buying bessy.

 

[signcrafter]

Interesting. I also noticed when the USA disappeared from their clamps and noticed the different handles. Menards just stopped selling them. Now all they have is irwin and masterforce.

 

[never enuf time]

When I heard they had stopped production ,I bought all the parallel clamps I could afford at Menards. The irwins that replaced them don't look so good.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Sad to hear. Time to check out the local stores for any USA products remaining on the shelf.. A few extras have been on that unwritten get list for the last few years..
Now glad I did pick up one extra when I did..

Thanks for the Heads Up.

Time to go hunting..

 

[jimreed2160]

Rumor on internet is that the Pony Tools company was run by a family for over 100 years. Two years ago they engaged a management company that ran it into the ground. Operations were suspended in May of 2016. I guess the Jorgensen brand and Pony brand names will be sold.

 

[derosa]

A copyright search shows that the names were acquired by great star in sept. Its too bad if the family let it happen to avoid being directly involved.

 

[bob15]

It is sad about Pony.

Epstein does sell German made Bessy and this American made bar clamp and wood clamp company: http://www.harryepstein.com/blogs/dubuque-clamp-usa-woodworking-clamps/

I have tried them yet, but it will happen sooner than later.

 

[derosa]

I'll have to pick up 7 of the 48" for a tabletop I need to make

 

[PelicanPines]

This is all sad news... i'm glad I have more than enough clamps and have rarely lost or broken any. It looks like the future is getting worse for finding quality in brands we trusted.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I heard about them closing over the summer. I prefer the Jorgensen over the Bessy clamps so picked up some on the secondary market. Hopefully that will hold me for now.

 

[Jim C.]

A couple years ago, I went to Home Depot for a 3/4" pipe clamp fixture. As mentioned above, I also noticed that no where on the package did it say "Made in USA." When I got home, I emailed Pony/Jorgensen asking why there was no "USA" on the packaging. A few days later I received an email with an assurance that thier 1/2" and 3/4" pipe clamp fixtures were USA made, as were their C clamps. I emailed back to them and asked why none of the tools were cast/stamped with "Made in USA." All of my older Pony/Jorgensen stuff says USA on it somewhere. Well, I got no response. That's when I knew something was up with Pony/Jorgensen. Anyway........

About twenty years ago, I bought several Jorgensen C clamps at a garage sale, most of which were missing their screw pads. I had been looking for replacement pads but couldn't find any. I was in Chicago, so after the clamps sat in my shop for a few months, I decided to put them in a cardboard box and take them to the P/J plant on Ashland Avenue. I had no clue if I'd even get in the place but I figured I'd give it a try. When I got there, I found a huge series of buildings that took up an entire city block. I eventually located the administrative office entrance and walked in right off the street. No security, no gates, nothing. I just walked right in. I was greeted by a woman who listened to my story about needing replacement clamp pads. About the time I was finished explaining my problem, a guy walked into the lobby and introduced himself as Dan Holman. I didn't realize until a few minutes later that I was talking to the CEO of the company. He gave me a little history about the company, and explained that his family had been making tools for almost 100 years. Anyway, Mr. Holman took my box of clamps and asked the lady I had spoken to, to send them into the plant for repair. Then he took me on a private tour of the entire facility. About an hour later, we returned to the lobby and my repaired clamps were there waiting for me. No charge. Prior to meeting Mr. Holman and seeing the plant, I had been a satisfied P/J tool user, but after that experience, I was a diehard P/J fan for life. It's hard to see what's happened to another great American tool manufacturer. Makes me worry about Channellock and a few others.......

Jim C.

 

[PelicanPines]

Awesome story Jim.

 

[jakemac]

This is another reason I shop the used market.

 

[rice rocket]

Maybe they'll be the next Chinese success story like Milwaukee?


Jorgensen has rested on their laurels for quite a while. Bessey has been making a better product, and continually improving their existing products. This has been long coming.

 

[rlitman]

Maybe they'll be the next Chinese success story like Milwaukee?


Jorgensen has rested on their laurels for quite a while. Bessey has been making a better product, and continually improving their existing products. This has been long coming.

Maybe. But I just consider it sad.

To be fair, Bessey had already moved a lot of production to Asia, so I can see how it would be difficult for their competition to keep up while still manufacturing in the first world. So, while Bessey's product may have been better, at one time, I'm not so confident it was any better at the time of Jorgensons move.

Still, though Jorgenson had a good name, if I were to take my time to mourn for the loss of a clamp company, it would be for Wetzler. And even they were not the same after they left New York for Pennsylvania in the '80's. That raises the question. Is it better for them to peter out into oblivion while keeping their reputation, or sell the name in shame (like Swingline staplers)?

A friend alerted me to Jorgenson parallel clamps on clearance at HD not too long ago. But I've already got more German made Bessey parallel clamps than I could ever need, so I decided to pass on them.

 

[rice rocket]

To be fair, Bessey had already moved a lot of production to Asia, so I can see how it would be difficult for their competition to keep up while still manufacturing in the first world. So, while Bessey's product may have been better, at one time, I'm not so confident it was any better at the time of Jorgensons move.

I have over a dozen Jorgy Cabinetmasters, and they'll do fine for quite a while, but I keep looking at the Besseys, with the extra features (reversible jaws to clamp inside, you can link several of them together as well iirc) and wonder why Jorgy hasn't responded with anything.

As with all clamps, I'll always need more, and wouldn't sell the Cabinetmasters, I'd just supplement with Besseys to get the extra functionality.

 

[woody 73]

Jim great story thanks for sharing it.

If I could speak my mind and say what I am thinking it would get me banned for life on the GJ about this post story so I keep quiet.

So sad to see them cross the big pond for greener grass and I will leave it at that.

 

[Jim C.]

Jim great story thanks for sharing it.

If I could speak my mind and say what I am thinking it would get me banned for life on the GJ about this post story so I keep quiet.

So sad to see them cross the big pond for greener grass and I will leave it at that.

Woody,

I don't think speaking your mind in a respectful manner will get you banned.

Jim C.

 

[Jim C.]

This is another reason I shop the used market.

Agreed Jake. There's a lot of great USA made tools on the used market. I guess I'll put Pony/Jorgensen/Adjustable clamps on the list with Craftsman, Vise Grips, etc., etc.......

 

[finn]

This is another reason I shop the used market.

Shopping used does absolutely nothing to support American.tool.manufacturers.

 

[rice rocket]

Shopping used does absolutely nothing to support American.tool.manufacturers.

Well, it does dry up the used market, which will push up used prices, and might push some people to buy new stuff...

 

[Jim C.]

Shopping used does absolutely nothing to support American.tool.manufacturers.

Right, and more importantly, it does nothing to support the chinese tool manufacturers either.

Jim C.

 

[rlitman]

Well, it does dry up the used market, which will push up used prices, and might push some people to buy new stuff...

It does that. But a healthy used market also helps keep up retail sales.

Would you spend $50 on a domestic tool, if you knew it would be worthless the day the warranty expires? What about if you knew it would be worth $30 on the used market?

 

[bob15]

As with all clamps, I'll always need more, and wouldn't sell the Cabinetmasters, I'd just supplement with Besseys to get the extra functionality.

Like I said earlier, take a look at the offerings from the Dubuque Clamp Works. They make an assortment of bar clamps and the wood screw clamps and are still a US manufacturer. They also seem to get good reviews.

 

[jakemac]

Shopping used does absolutely nothing to support American.tool.manufacturers.

That may be true, but then again, a company that outsources their production elsewhere .......... is no longer an American tool manufacturer. They're an import company that doesn't employ American workers outside of the office.

If I can't find what I'm looking for on the retail shelf, then I'll give my money to my neighbor and keep it circulating in the local market.

What I won't do is reward a company for putting my neighbor on the unemployment line in order to pay bonuses to the managers that ran the company into the ground.

Every business has its ups and downs. This has always been a reality. A good business will squirrel away some money in order to weather the eventual drought. That doesn't happen anymore. They'd rather declare record profits, line their pockets, and let someone else worry about the drought. It's a cycle that we, as a country, have allowed to spiral out of hand for decades. This is why the 2008 crash was as bad as it was. Companies didn't have the capital they needed to stay solvent. Profit over Prosperity.


(My apologies to all. I just realized that my comment quickly turned into a rant. I still stand by it though.)

 

[Jim C.]

Right, and more importantly, it does nothing to support the chinese tool manufacturers either.

Jim C.

That may be true, but then again, a company that outsources their production elsewhere .......... is no longer an American tool manufacturer. They're an import company that doesn't employ American workers outside of the office.

If I can't find what I'm looking for on the retail shelf, then I'll give my money to my neighbor and keep it circulating in the local market.

What I won't do is reward a company for putting my neighbor on the unemployment line in order to pay bonuses to the managers that ran the company into the ground........

Right Jake. Kind of what I was saying only in a little more detail. I'm not gonna support USA companies that outsourced manufacturing, and I'm certainly not going to support chinese workers/factories if I can avoid it. Where tools are concerned, I can usually avoid it, and includes buying used USA made tools.

Jim C.

 

[derosa]

I've never had any luck buying used when it came to clamps, either HF or priced at new. The only exception was a pair of craftsman, keep any eye out for grey painted craftsmen, the older ones are Jorgensens, both I bought have the same 3701, 3703 markings on the jaws and the bars had the same 37xx markings. A small search yesterday and today produced 4 more between a lowes and an Ace, this almost brings me to 60. need more 18s and 24s for the chairs

 

[951matt]

Hi all. I sent an email to Great Star about Pony/Jorgensen Tools and received a very quick reply. China, but it appears the clamps will be available again. See below.

Dear Mattew,

Thank you for continue interesting in Pony and Jorgensen Clamps.

Yes we purchased the assets of Pony/Jorgensen tools. Some items are still available now, and the other items will be ready in April. Our sales director Mr. Gene Smith will contact with you to follow up the details.

Best Regards
Lily Chi
Executive Vice President
HangZhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (86) 571 8160 1338
Fax: (86) 571 8160 1234
Cell: (86) 139 5710 3655

 

[RedVise]

I just upped my price on my CL listing, and noted they are no longer made in the USA.

Jorgensen 36" Heavy Duty Steel Bar Clamps - 2 -


Brian

 

[951matt]

Hi all. I just received another email from "Great Star Industrial." I'm not sure if they will be producing all of the clamps or just some of them. See below.



Thank you for contacting Great Star Industrial. Great Star Industrial USA, LLC has recently acquired certain of the assets of Adjustable Clamp Company, d/b/a Pony Tools Inc. and will be manufacturing and selling a substantial line of clamping products under the well-known Jorgensen and Pony names. Currently we are not in the position to accept, ship or quote orders. If you would like future email announcements about the status of the Jorgensen and Pony branded products availability we will be glad to add you to the email list. Please send your contact information to [email protected] with "Jorgensen & Pony Announcements" in the subject line.




Thanks,

Gene Smith

Director of Sales

Adjustable Jorgensen & Pony Clamp Co.
(division of Great Star Industrial USA, LLC)
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 604-898-4152

Cell: 604-389-8947

 

[erosenkr]

Anybody have any suggestions for replacement pads for the Jorgensen 7437 bar clamps? Many of mine are missing and now with Jorgensen/Pony out of business I cannot find replacements.

Thanks,

Eliot
[email protected]

 

[bob15]

Anybody have any suggestions for replacement pads for the Jorgensen 7437 bar clamps? Many of mine are missing and now with Jorgensen/Pony out of business I cannot find replacements.

Thanks,

Eliot
[email protected]

E-bay or Harry Epstein.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Like I said earlier, take a look at the offerings from the Dubuque Clamp Works. They make an assortment of bar clamps and the wood screw clamps and are still a US manufacturer. They also seem to get good reviews.

Those Dubuque clamps look good, and the reviews seem good, as well. Work will have me in Kansas City in a few weeks, I'll likely stop by HJE to see, touch and feel these clamps. HJE has never let me down, and I'm confident they will be everything they say.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Anybody have any suggestions for replacement pads for the Jorgensen 7437 bar clamps? Many of mine are missing and now with Jorgensen/Pony out of business I cannot find replacements.

Thanks,

Eliot
[email protected]

You might also try Cripe Distributing.

 

[JMLangford]

It's sad to hear Jorgensen/Pony is no longer made in the U.S.

I own several Pony 50 pipe clamps but only 1 of their parallel clamps....I use and love/prefer the Besseys (for reasons others have mentioned)
I just felt the Jorgensen/Pony parallel clamps were too bulky and cumbersome.

Here is a picture of my Pony 3/4" pipe clamps.....the red ones on the right are the 1/2" Harbor Freight ones, which are great for light clamping



Here you see my one and only Jorgensen/Pony parallel clamp next to my Besseys and some Stanleys......The Stanleys were being blown-out at Big Lots a few years ago, for $15 each for any size and I bought everyone that store had, but they were poorly made and the bars flexed terribly, so I sold all but the 3 smallest ones for what I had in them.....



Since these pictures were taken I've added a few of the new style Besseys with the black pads.....but I still love the old originals!!




.