UltraPro tools (Napa Canada) going away

[scooby074]

If you are an UltraPro tool lover like myself this is bad news and you might want to stock up. Maybe some sales coming?

Local Napa was packing up whats left of the UltraPro wall when I was in, apparently new "Green" Carlyle is going to be replacing UltraPro in Canada in the next month or so.

Talked to branch owner and he said UP is going for sure, was confirmed at the dealer meeting last month. He bought into the Carlyle Kool Aid pretty hard, showed me some pictures, told me how awesome it will be... Same as Ultrapro, he said. Napa apparently makes Carlyle in their own plants (we all know thats 100% wrong, and I have to question this guys knowledge as a result. AFAIK Ultrapro was a lot of Apex/Gearwrench tools rebranded)

Well Im not feeling it. New "green" Made in China Carlyle is inferior to old Taiwan Carlyle afaik.

UltraPro has always punched well above their weight for a made in Taiwan tool. I dont know if they shared OEMs with Taiwan Carlyle, but they were a darn good tool, especially for a house brand. Im sorry to see them go.

 

[matthew]

Ultrapro has been around for quite a while. - I was first introduced to it as a beginning tool user at my uncles’ in the ‘90’s And I agree, it’s good - I’m a fan, too. My 3/8 sockets are 12 point Ultrapro and I quite like them. Not all equal, not all was a deal, but I didn’t see any of the line that wasn’t fit for purpose, and it is an extensive offering and not just high volume items.

The product matters more than the brand, but I always liked the branding. Ultrapro being from UAP Napa… will reserve judgment on Carlyle.

The Napa flyer hasn’t been good for a year or two, and my local store lost its more helpful parts man, and renovated to basically be web order pickup where you stand in the door. I used to be quite loyal - I’d like to be given a reason to return.

 

[scooby074]

Ultrapro has been around for quite a while. - I was first introduced to it as a beginning tool user at my uncles’ in the ‘90’s And I agree, it’s good - I’m a fan, too. My 3/8 sockets are 12 point Ultrapro and I quite like them. Not all equal, not all was a deal, but I didn’t see any of the line that wasn’t fit for purpose, and it is an extensive offering and not just high volume items.

The product matters more than the brand, but I always liked the branding. Ultrapro being from UAP Napa… will reserve judgment on Carlyle.

The Napa flyer hasn’t been good for a year or two, and my local store lost its more helpful parts man, and renovated to basically be web order pickup where you stand in the door. I used to be quite loyal - I’d like to be given a reason to return.

Agreed, Ultrapro was "classy" not flashy.

Napa has really hit the ******* here too. Change of ownership a year ago. All the old guys who knew anything are gone and replaced with people who need to be reminded to breathe in the morning, no lie. There is one new guy who is pretty on the ball however and I try to go to him, but the others... dear god, they make Canadian Tire employees look intelligent.

 

[KnurledNut]

Hey NAPA, bring back the old Carlyle! This new stuff stinks!

 

[51dueller]

Ultrapro was generally good stuff but Napa never priced it well. The only thing I have of ultrapro is a 15mm deep 1/4 drive socket.

 

[matthew]

Regular prices weren’t great, but the RealDeals flyer items could be good if you go back 5 years.

There was one Xmas where the long handle premium ratchet was $20. I still kinda wish I’d picked one up. I only paid about $18 for my 12 piece 12 point socket set. No skips 12 point with metal tray. Don’t remember what I paid for the deeps, but not all that much more than a less nice rail of Maximum or Powerfist. Saw some deals on pliers and hammers, don’t recall wrenches ever being that great a deal.

 

[fourjeepin]

not all of the new Carlyle stuff is made in china. Some is still Taiwan, but I have also seen some India.