New Low for SK

[BrandonV]

This is from the official SK store on Amazon.

It's not even about COO anymore... besides the fact that the ratchet in the photo says USA they're now putting the full legal brand name in the title?!? Looks like a loophole to be able to trick people into thinking it is made in the USA.

C'mon!

 

[BrandonV]

 

[Jswain]

The only people that really care if it's made in the USA will still do their research and find out otherwise.

Everyone else wants China **** for less $$ so they will be happy to see it at home Depot for less $$

They sell to the majority, and that's what the majority wants.

 

[BrandonV]

They sell to the majority, and that's what the majority wants.

I agree. I don't have a problem with SB&D doing what they did with Craftsman. They continue to market it as a DIY grade brand. People don't care about the COO at that level.

SK continues to pretend like they're still USA tools and that is weird and dishonest.

 

[Jswain]

I agree. I don't have a problem with SB&D doing what they did with Craftsman. They continue to market it as a DIY grade brand. People don't care about the COO at that level.

SK continues to pretend like they're still USA tools and that is weird and dishonest.

Nearly all of the other companies did the "Made in USA" with global materials

Many still do, to find out they are only assembled in the USA, or not even, just checked over when they get arrive.

Same **** different day, they have just used new working which you bet other brands will copy

 

[3baygarage]

And Italian Americans to be more specific?

"Yes, I'll have the Superkrome Parmigiana."

Oh S-K.

 

[lardy1]

Most of the folks bitching about SK's COO are the same people that wouldn't buy their domestic products. People want cheap and people want to be the victim.

 

[Fedwrench]

I find all of this SK drama to be slightly entertaining.
To me, the picture linked with the "Brand of USA" in it isn't that far off. SK was a brand of USA and is probably why Great Star bought it At least SK didn't use the colors red, white, and blue in the Brand of USA picture.
However, and it might just be me but, the wrench set hanging in the picture linked reminds me of the Facom/USAG combination wrenches. We now have Duratec knock offs of Facom/USAG wrenches branded as SK. Priceless

 

[shanny19]

^^Yes. The hand-wringing is pretty silly. It IS a brand of the USA. Nothing deceptive in that little logo.
What if we just let the tools speak for themselves as to their quality, and let the market decide how viable the current business model (selling Asian tools) that brand of the USA is taking.
Growing up, I held SK in high regard, and associated it with kind of the Dukes of Hazard crowd, the shadetree guys who had Camaros and such, who had no access to Snap On or Proto, but who wanted a nicer wrench and ratchet than Craftsman or parts store Thorsen or KAL.
I still hold that brand of the USA in high regard, and am pretty sure I want that stripper hanging next to the wrenches. Looks like something I’d enjoy using.

 

[JeepYJ]

Nearly all of the other companies did the "Made in USA" with global materials

Many still do, to find out they are only assembled in the USA, or not even, just checked over when they get arrive.

Same **** different day, they have just used new working which you bet other brands will copy

COO labeling is strictly controlled by the FTC. The “with global materials” isn’t some sly way to get one over on you. It’s letting you know that the content isn’t 100% produced in the USA. Many companies have manufacturing outside of the US because there are more people n the world that buy things than just the ones in the US. Why would a company have a US factory and one in EU and one in Asia all making the exact same part for a product? Make the part at one factory and ship it to the other factories for assembly.

 

[Fly YX]

Just makes me buy more and more Wright Tool.

 

[zendriver]

The description for that number says it's made in USA.

We're mad because they put the Company name in the description?

 

[M635_Guy]

Nearly all of the other companies did the "Made in USA" with global materials

Many still do, to find out they are only assembled in the USA, or not even, just checked over when they get arrive.

Same **** different day, they have just used new working which you bet other brands will copy

100% incorrect

COO labeling is strictly controlled by the FTC. The “with global materials” isn’t some sly way to get one over on you. It’s letting you know that the content isn’t 100% produced in the USA. Many companies have manufacturing outside of the US because there are more people n the world that buy things than just the ones in the US. Why would a company have a US factory and one in EU and one in Asia all making the exact same part for a product? Make the part at one factory and ship it to the other factories for assembly.

Exactly - the words on the FTC site that shares the guidelines starts with a summary: "Marketers and manufacturers that promote their products as Made in USA must meet the “all or virtually all” standard."

Those guidelines do not allow for "just checked over when they arrive" - There has to be a transformation. @JeepYJ hits it perfectly on the head. I'd add that in a lot of cases companies can't always count on their supply chain to be consistent on their COO for components/supplies (for example, I know of one that used thread that switched between USA, Thailand and Mexico across two different suppliers at any given time, thus "Global Materials" had to be used).

It's pretty annoying when companies go to the effort of on-shoring or keeping manufacturing here and still face suspicion and xenophobic pettiness.

 

[Jswain]

100% incorrect

Exactly - the words on the FTC site that shares the guidelines starts with a summary: "Marketers and manufacturers that promote their products as Made in USA must meet the “all or virtually all” standard."

Those guidelines do not allow for "just checked over when they arrive" - There has to be a transformation. @JeepYJ hits it perfectly on the head. I'd add that in a lot of cases companies can't always count on their supply chain to be consistent on their COO for components/supplies (for example, I know of one that used thread that switched between USA, Thailand and Mexico across two different suppliers at any given time, thus "Global Materials" had to be used).

It's pretty annoying when companies go to the effort of on-shoring or keeping manufacturing here and still face suspicion and xenophobic pettiness.

My point was SK isn't the first person to put USA on a package/title without it being made in the USA and they won't be the last.

Whether it's made in the USA(with global materials), brand of USA, whatever, they put it on the box, and someone walks by and sees USA on the box and thinks it's better then the others. That's what they are banking on

Regular Joe doesn't launch an investigation of COO, or probably even read the fine print when he's picking up a set of wrenches at (insert retailer here). He walks down the aisle and grabs the box, then goes and pays for it.

When you used to buy things in a store and it had USA on it, it meant something, now it might, or it might not, probably not

 

[KnurledNut]

they're now putting the full legal brand name in the title?!?

I remember when they made this change over a year ago. SK Tools USA, LLC of Great Star Industrial USA, Smyrna, GA.

I find all of this SK drama to be slightly entertaining.
To me, the picture linked with the "Brand of USA" in it isn't that far off. SK was a brand of USA and is probably why Great Star bought it At least SK didn't use the colors red, white, and blue in the Brand of USA picture.
However, and it might just be me but, the wrench set hanging in the picture linked reminds me of the Facom/USAG combination wrenches. We now have Duratec knock offs of Facom/USAG wrenches branded as SK. Priceless

The SK are a little different than the Duratech. The Duratech are more like the Facom 440.
They have the box end that is flush on top and offset on back, whereas the SK is more like your typical combination box end.
The open end of the Duratech has the defined raised panel lip like the 440s, whereas the SK are contoured.
The beam reliefs are also inverted from each other.
SK are shiny chrome, Duratech are satin finish.
Duratech have perpendicular size stampings which I like better than the parallel SK. They are very legible, crisp, and deep.
As far as I can tell, the lengths are the same, but I could be wrong.

I have the Duratech metric no-skip set. The beams have a WrightGrip feel, quite thick and rounded. Comfortable to hold, but very heavy.
I bought them mainly for the box end design. I honestly think I like them better than the SK design, going off the pictures.
The tolerances are a little sloppier than I'd like but still plenty usable. Thus, I would not grab them first if I was fighting a rusty fastener.



I hope the SK tolerances are better than they picture; maybe they grabbed the wrong size wrench :



What I still havent figured out is the SK website only has the original tool designs for sale like old times.
I guess they have two different lines for two different markets.
Instead of COO, this may be what they meant early on when they talked about white label and black label lines.

 

[BrandonV]

The description for that number says it's made in USA.

We're mad because they put the Company name in the description?

If you order you'll get a product made in China. SK has done that to me 3x.

 

[CoogarXR]

I wonder how long it will be before somebody starts a business called the "United Sweatshops of Argentia" or something, just so they can legally say "Made in U.S.A.". I mean, do we own the initialism?

 

[JeepYJ]

I remember when they made this change over a year ago. SK Tools USA, LLC of Great Star Industrial USA, Smyrna, GA.

Is S-K Tools that much different than Milwaukee Tools in how they present themselves?

 

[zendriver]

If you order you'll get a product made in China. SK has done that to me 3x.

It has has "USA" stamped on it but it comes from China?

That is a obvious, direct and flagrant violation of trade laws.

 

[BrandonV]

It has has "USA" stamped on it but it comes from China?

That is a obvious, direct and flagrant violation of trade laws.

Nope the item you'll get won't say "USA" stamped on it. Old stock photos.

I ordered a bunch of screwdrivers and they came in a nice sealed SK box that said Made in USA on it.

After I opened the package there was a little post it sized note saying not all the screwdrivers were made in the USA. A few looked identical but did not have USA marked on it.

 

[finn]

Just makes me buy more and more Wright Tool.

I can’t think of as single retailer that I can pull up to the parking lot, walk in, and leave with a Wright tool.

 

[BrandonV]

I can’t think of as single retailer that I can pull up to the parking lot, walk in, and leave with a Wright tool.

Great company but always backordered too. Glad to see they have a lot of demand.

 

[JeepYJ]

I can’t think of as single retailer that I can pull up to the parking lot, walk in, and leave with a Wright tool.

Here you go, even some in the UP

Find a Distributor

www.wrighttool.com

 

[KnurledNut]

I can’t think of as single retailer that I can pull up to the parking lot, walk in, and leave with a Wright tool.

Looks like Applied Industrial Technologies is a distributor in MI. Might see if they stock anything in store.

 

[zendriver]

Nope the item you'll get won't say "USA" stamped on it. Old stock photos.

I ordered a bunch of screwdrivers and they came in a nice sealed SK box that said Made in USA on it.

After I opened the package there was a little post it sized note saying not all the screwdrivers were made in the USA. A few looked identical but did not have USA marked on it.

That's not good.

Hopefully those violations are being reported.

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/plain-language/alt101-selling-american-made-products-made-usa-claims.pdf

 

[JeepYJ]

Looks like Applied Industrial Technologies is a distributor in MI. Might see if they stock anything in store.

If you go to their website some of the Wright tools say “ready to ship” so I assume that means they’re in stock?

 

[Fly YX]

I can’t think of as single retailer that I can pull up to the parking lot, walk in, and leave with a Wright tool.

My local Grainger has some in stock. Ordered online from work and picked up when I got out of work. With everything being locked up now at brick and mortar stores. It’s bad enough trying to get somebody at the store it’s even worse trying to get somebody to unlock the cage. Between that and self check out. I’d rather shop online. Don’t get me wrong certain stores to self check out very well and some stores do not.

 

[finn]

My local Grainger has some in stock. Ordered online from work and picked up when I got out of work. With everything being locked up now at brick and mortar stores. It’s bad enough trying to get somebody at the store it’s even worse trying to get somebody to unlock the cage. Between that and self check out. I’d rather shop online. Don’t get me wrong certain stores to self check out very well and some stores do not.

Nearest Grainger is well over 200 miles away, and I don’t think they’re open evenings, weekends, holidays or, for that matter, to the general public.

 

[Fly YX]

Nearest Grainger is well over 200 miles away, and I don’t think they’re open evenings, weekends, holidays or, for that matter, to the general public.

So if you want that that kind of access to product, just buy it online. It’s 24/7. I know when I was a kid and worked at Home Depot working on holidays until I got higher up with the company I got weekends and holidays off. I always hated some idiot walking around the store an hour after we closed, could not say anything to them and they are oblivious to them saying that the store is closing bring all your purchases to the front. And one time they ended up closing all the registers and there was a person still left in the store and they were mad that they could not check out that was 2 1/2 hours after our closing time. It was not like they were getting anything special. They’re just wandering around the store.

 

[Chineasium]

I would be genuinely curious to see their sales figures. It can't be much. Not many are willing to spend $41 on a small 1/4" roundhead rachet. Those who are would be are more than likely turned off by SK's recent direction.

I have no idea why greatstar wanted SK. There can't be much value left in the name.

 

[finn]

So if you want that that kind of access to product, just buy it online. It’s 24/7. I know when I was a kid and worked at Home Depot working on holidays until I got higher up with the company I got weekends and holidays off. I always hated some idiot walking around the store an hour after we closed, could not say anything to them and they are oblivious to them saying that the store is closing bring all your purchases to the front. And one time they ended up closing all the registers and there was a person still left in the store and they were mad that they could not check out that was 2 1/2 hours after our closing time. It was not like they were getting anything special. They’re just wandering around the store.

That’s where I got my last Wright wrenches…online.

Not my preferred method unless it’s Amex checkout like Amazon.

Besides, those Wright wrenches don’t seem that special to me. They’re ok, but not special.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Remember when Great Star said they were gonna keep making SK tool in the USA?

That was hilarious.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Remember when Great Star said they were gonna keep making SK tool in the USA?

That was hilarious.

Yes it was. Just like when Craftsman said they were gonna make tools in Ft. Worth TX.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

It's what happens when marketing promises run smack dab into manufacturing and financial realities.

 

[M635_Guy]

My point was SK isn't the first person to put USA on a package/title without it being made in the USA and they won't be the last.

Whether it's made in the USA(with global materials), brand of USA, whatever, they put it on the box, and someone walks by and sees USA on the box and thinks it's better then the others. That's what they are banking on

Regular Joe doesn't launch an investigation of COO, or probably even read the fine print when he's picking up a set of wrenches at (insert retailer here). He walks down the aisle and grabs the box, then goes and pays for it.

When you used to buy things in a store and it had USA on it, it meant something, now it might, or it might not, probably not

I think you're (A) making an unclear point (B) vastly underestimating how often USA has been used in the way you're griping about over the decades and (C) mixing the USA w/ global materials vs. just having USA on the package/product

With SK, it's a particularly clumsy attempt.

 

[BrandonV]

I think (A) you're making an unclear point (B) you're vastly underestimating how often USA has been used in the way you're griping about over the decades and (C) mixing the USA w/ global materials vs. just having USA on the package/product

With SK, it's a particularly clumsy attempt.

Yup. All SK had to do was say... "We're sorry we ceased US production but we're committed to making great industrial tools at an affordable price!" and most people would have left it at that.

 

[nadogail]

Usa is a city in Japan

 

[sparky 1971]

Has it been confirmed that all new SK tools are made in China? It hasn't been that long ago that Greatstar admitted that many tools were going to be made overseas, but ratchet production was going to stay in the U.S. as well as sockets and something else. We are all pretty sure the LP90's are made by someone else due to Olsa having the same head and it's made in the States, maybe the round heads are MIUSA by SK using old tooling or farmed out to another American company. The stuff that's the same as Duratech doesn't count, we already know that is **** that is just packaged using the SK name

I honestly don't know, I have everything I want and then a bunch more and I bought it all way before the ChiComs bought the company, some of it before Ideal owned it. If really don't care about warranty, but if I were to break a tool and a replacement is made in China, who cares as long as it works as it should? American manufacturing is becoming close to a thing of the past because the companies can't pay a low enough wage to be competitive. The tools would have to sell at such a ridiculous high price that nobody would pay for them or they would have to use cheap enough materials to offset the labor price that they would be junk and nobody would buy them. And, Americans are getting lazier by the day and don't want to work to begin with, add that to the fact that they are all to good for a "lowly factory job" so nobody wants to do it.

Between my shop and service truck I probably have close to $10,000 in Milwaukee tools, between 90 and 100% of those are made in the PRC, they are still using an American name and I don't see any post's complaining about that. Do I wish they were American made? Yep. Am I willing to pay for American made power tools when Milwaukee does everything I need it to at what would be a fraction of the price of a MIUSA tool? Nope.

Below is a link to a video put out last summer showing some, maybe all of the tools SK still makes here. Maybe all production will move to China, maybe not, maybe it already has. Maybe the whole thing is a lie, I don't know and to be honest, don't care.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I honestly don't know, I have everything I want and then a bunch more and I bought it all way before the ChiComs bought the company, some of it before Ideal owned it. If really don't care about warranty, but if I were to break a tool and a replacement is made in China, who cares as long as it works as it should? American manufacturing is becoming close to a thing of the past because the companies can't pay a low enough wage to be competitive. The tools would have to sell at such a ridiculous high price that nobody would pay for them or they would have to use cheap enough materials to offset the labor price that they would be junk and nobody would buy them. And, Americans are getting lazier by the day and don't want to work to begin with, add that to the fact that they are all to good for a "lowly factory job" so nobody wants to do it.

You had me, ya lost me.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Has it been confirmed that all new SK tools are made in China? It hasn't been that long ago that Greatstar admitted that many tools were going to be made overseas, but ratchet production was going to stay in the U.S. as well as sockets and something else. We are all pretty sure the LP90's are made by someone else due to Olsa having the same head and it's made in the States, maybe the round heads are MIUSA by SK using old tooling or farmed out to another American company. The stuff that's the same as Duratech doesn't count, we already know that is **** that is just packaged using the SK name

I honestly don't know, I have everything I want and then a bunch more and I bought it all way before the ChiComs bought the company, some of it before Ideal owned it. If really don't care about warranty, but if I were to break a tool and a replacement is made in China, who cares as long as it works as it should? American manufacturing is becoming close to a thing of the past because the companies can't pay a low enough wage to be competitive. The tools would have to sell at such a ridiculous high price that nobody would pay for them or they would have to use cheap enough materials to offset the labor price that they would be junk and nobody would buy them. And, Americans are getting lazier by the day and don't want to work to begin with, add that to the fact that they are all to good for a "lowly factory job" so nobody wants to do it.

Between my shop and service truck I probably have close to $10,000 in Milwaukee tools, between 90 and 100% of those are made in the PRC, they are still using an American name and I don't see any post's complaining about that. Do I wish they were American made? Yep. Am I willing to pay for American made power tools when Milwaukee does everything I need it to at what would be a fraction of the price of a MIUSA tool? Nope.

Below is a link to a video put out last summer showing some, maybe all of the tools SK still makes here. Maybe all production will move to China, maybe not, maybe it already has. Maybe the whole thing is a lie, I don't know and to be honest, don't care.

Here's what SK told me back last fall.