What's going on with SK Tools these days?

[LNKMK8]

I see their new website is up (the search function is awful), but now they are showing "Sold Out" on nearly every item there. Wonder if they let the current stock run out as they are planning to start producing tools elsewhere?

 

[4 FN 27]

All you need to know explaining what is going on there is...

The new Owner: Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co

"Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co Ltd is a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of tools, the company is a hand tool vendor in Asia."

 

[Professional Tool User]

There was recently a similar thread. You may want to have a look at it first.

Whats going on with sk tools.?

I know sk tools got bought buy an Asian company and they say they are staying in the US but just wonder if any of you knew anything I didn't. I'm trying to build basic sets of all the US made tool companies (still in business) and sk is the last on my list but wondering if I should even bother......

www.garagejournal.com

 

[g13]

The Den of Tools posted this video yesterday after speaking with SK at a trade show. There's not a lot of concrete info but he included a couple notable points:

• Per the local newspaper they've allocated a large portion of the ShopCo facility to SK -- "Walking by the injection mold machinery, a clinking sound of metal striking metal could be heard... It was the production of stainless steel sockets being dropped down a conveyor belt into a storage bin." (GreatStar moved SK from Ideal's facility in Sycamore, IL -- it was probably not included in the buyout deal)
• GreatStar acquired Lista 4 years ago and they've continued to produce their products in Switzerland/Germany
• Future strategy still up in the air
• They claim to be working on the inventory delays and ask for patience

Sure there's a lot of doom and gloom about the China purchase but as was reiterated in the other thread it's too early to tell what the future holds. It does seem US production will probably continue in at least some fashion.

 

[LNKMK8]

I understand inventory shortages, but to have 95% of their online catalog "Sold Out" seems a bit odd... perhaps a glitch

 

[sparky 1971]

I understand inventory shortages, but to have 95% of their online catalog "Sold Out" seems a bit odd... perhaps a glitch

What is still available? Just for the heck of it I tried to find something and struck out. I doubt they are truly out of everything. At first, I thought they just listed everything as out of stock so they could get all the orders filled. I placed one order for some extensions in January, some flare nut wrenches in early Feb, and a couple ratchets right before everything was "sold out". I'm still waiting for the extensions, but the wrenches showed up about two weeks after I ordered them, and the ratchets were a little over a week behind after.

has been plenty of time to get all the orders taken care of, but still nothing. Maybe they did run out of inventory, but for some reason, I just can't see them being 100% out of socket rail clips. along with tools that people will actually buy like screwdrivers, every sized wrench, ratchets, etc.

1/2 Drive Magnetic Rail Socket Clips -5 pcs

1/2 Drive Magnetic Rail Socket Clips -5 pcs 1/2 Drive Magnetic Rail Socket Clips -5 pcs

sktools.com

 

[Wrench97]

The Den of Tools posted this video yesterday after speaking with SK at a trade show. There's not a lot of concrete info but he included a couple notable points:

• Per the local newspaper they've allocated a large portion of the ShopCo facility to SK -- "Walking by the injection mold machinery, a clinking sound of metal striking metal could be heard... It was the production of stainless steel sockets being dropped down a conveyor belt into a storage bin." (GreatStar moved SK from Ideal's facility in Sycamore, IL -- it was probably not included in the buyout deal)
• GreatStar acquired Lista 4 years ago and they've continued to produce their products in Switzerland/Germany
• Future strategy still up in the air
• They claim to be working on the inventory delays and ask for patience

Sure there's a lot of doom and gloom about the China purchase but as was reiterated in the other thread it's too early to tell what the future holds. It does seem US production will probably continue in at least some fashion.

Stainless steel sockets?

 

[89MustangGX]

The newest update on the website says, "Global supply chain issues have stalled production and all inventory is currently out of stock."

Not sure if this means they are waiting on new equipment or they are waiting on consumables to make products (or both). Either way, to come out and say production is stalled is a pretty strong statement and definitely is in the doom and gloom category. Hopefully they get things worked out -- they are already months behind when they originally said they would be up and running.

 

[redwrench60]

Stainless steel sockets?

Yeah I caught that too.

 

[M635_Guy]

Sure there's a lot of doom and gloom about the China purchase but as was reiterated in the other thread it's too early to tell what the future holds. It does seem US production will probably continue in at least some fashion.

They appear to be good stewards of ShopVac and Lista. No reason think they won't be for SK. Unlike a lot of folks, I'm willing to wait and see before I start throwing rocks or offering accolades.

I understand inventory shortages, but to have 95% of their online catalog "Sold Out" seems a bit odd... perhaps a glitch

Not really - possibly the inventory that transferred was limited.

 

[Jax302]

I was just about to post when I saw this thread. I saw a good deal on the SK 94549 socket sets so I ordered three sets, one for me and one for each of my sons. Well the box arrives today, tools look fine, all stamped SK USA but they arrive in a 3 unit box labeled “made in China.” Individual boxes still labeled USA. What gives?

 

[Jax302]

I’m going be optimistic and say the retailer had a box laying around from similar sized Chinese socket sets and used it for shipping…I hope.

 

[ChevyEFI]

ATD Tools 7385W is a made in China Bottle Jack.

 

[Fly YX]

I wonder what was up with all the inventory they dumped at auction and sold to HJE from the old plant.

 

[1982fxr]

The Den of Tools posted this video yesterday after speaking with SK at a trade show. There's not a lot of concrete info but he included a couple notable points:

• Per the local newspaper they've allocated a large portion of the ShopCo facility to SK -- "Walking by the injection mold machinery, a clinking sound of metal striking metal could be heard... It was the production of stainless steel sockets being dropped down a conveyor belt into a storage bin." (GreatStar moved SK from Ideal's facility in Sycamore, IL -- it was probably not included in the buyout deal)
• GreatStar acquired Lista 4 years ago and they've continued to produce their products in Switzerland/Germany
• Future strategy still up in the air
• They claim to be working on the inventory delays and ask for patience

Sure there's a lot of doom and gloom about the China purchase but as was reiterated in the other thread it's too early to tell what the future holds. It does seem US production will probably continue in at least some fashion.

Lista? Huh??

 

[Rickkyyr8]

I swear I’m losing it or this is the 3rd or 4th thread about this

 

[Kscardsfan]

I was just about to post when I saw this thread. I saw a good deal on the SK 94549 socket sets so I ordered three sets, one for me and one for each of my sons. Well the box arrives today, tools look fine, all stamped SK USA but they arrive in a 3 unit box labeled “made in China.” Individual boxes still labeled USA. What gives?

Was that on the SK site or where?

 

[sweet victory]

The Den of Tools posted this video yesterday after speaking with SK at a trade show. There's not a lot of concrete info but he included a couple notable points:

• Per the local newspaper they've allocated a large portion of the ShopCo facility to SK -- "Walking by the injection mold machinery, a clinking sound of metal striking metal could be heard... It was the production of stainless steel sockets being dropped down a conveyor belt into a storage bin." (GreatStar moved SK from Ideal's facility in Sycamore, IL -- it was probably not included in the buyout deal)
• GreatStar acquired Lista 4 years ago and they've continued to produce their products in Switzerland/Germany
• Future strategy still up in the air
• They claim to be working on the inventory delays and ask for patience

Sure there's a lot of doom and gloom about the China purchase but as was reiterated in the other thread it's too early to tell what the future holds. It does seem US production will probably continue in at least some fashion.

Lista USA is owned by SB&D. Great Star owns the European Lista group.

 

[Jax302]

Was that on the SK site or where?

Tooldesk. I guess it’s still a good deal and they like to reuse boxes. All the offshoring talk has me paranoid.

SKT-94549 SK Tools 49 Piece 3/8" Drive 6 Point Fractional/Metric Socket Set - tooldesk.com

 

[lardy1]

I started my SK 3/8" with that set. You know the rest.

 

[sparky 1971]

I wonder what was up with all the inventory they dumped at auction and sold to HJE from the old plant.

That was tools that either weren't made by SK in the first place or tools that were made by SK, but discontinued. It's listed under obsolete SKon HJE's website

SK Tools

The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation

www.harryepstein.com

 

[jonshonda]

I swear I’m losing it or this is the 3rd or 4th thread about this

You know that search function no one uses....yeah there are at least 3-4 threads on this same exact topic.

 

[bubinga]

Tooldesk. I guess it’s still a good deal and they like to reuse boxes. All the offshoring talk has me paranoid.

SKT-94549 SK Tools 49 Piece 3/8" Drive 6 Point Fractional/Metric Socket Set - tooldesk.com

Looks like a nice set though.

 

[tarbellb]

SK hardline def going overseas

They will keep certain ie plastic easy to assemble junk mfg here

No way they are investing for a metal forging plant in the USA
Any idea the cost involved when you cut a Union workers finger off...

 

[Steve_P]

SK hardline def going overseas

They will keep certain ie plastic easy to assemble junk mfg here

No way they are investing for a metal forging plant in the USA
Any idea the cost involved when you cut a Union workers finger off...

Opinion. Maybe right, maybe not. If they move outside the US they will have no identity or uniqueness. Then they're Tekton version 27.

What is a union worker's finger worth vs non union? Please inform us.

 

[ecotec]

Opinion. Maybe right, maybe not. If they move outside the US they will have no identity or uniqueness. Then they're Tekton version 27.

What is a union worker's finger worth vs non union? Please inform us.

The difference is that the value of the union workers limbs or life already has a negotiated value. The non-union worker or his family would probably have to sue.

Also, with money and math... the average union worker’s life and limbs are probably worth a LOT more than a non union worker’s life and limbs.

You can ******** about morals and equality or some other kind of valuation... but, when lawyers and contacts and money come into play... the average union worker’s life and limbs are worth more.

Neither worker is going to get anywhere near what his or her life and limbs are worth. No company is going to just let you sue them. They are going to push arbitration...

 

[tarbellb]

Opinion. Maybe right, maybe not. If they move outside the US they will have no identity or uniqueness. Then they're Tekton version 27.

What is a union worker's finger worth vs non union? Please inform us.

100% opinion same as every single post on here

Another Tekton or Gearwrench, yup, that formula doesnt work

Its not Union vs Non. Something tells me the lawyers get a lot more $ for a finger here than in China.
+Union guys cry more = $

 

[ecotec]

100% opinion same as every single post on here

Another Tekton or Gearwrench, yup, that formula doesnt work

Its not Union vs Non. Something tells me the lawyers get a lot more $ for a finger here than in China.
+Union guys cry more = $

There is no question that a life or limb in America is worth much more than a life or limb in China.

I mean in real money, not morally.

 

[Fly YX]

SK hardline def going overseas

They will keep certain ie plastic easy to assemble junk mfg here

No way they are investing for a metal forging plant in the USA
Any idea the cost involved when you cut a Union workers finger off...

They did not do hot metal forging In the Sycamore plant. What they did have in the way of forging was not very big.

 

[Terra Nova]

The newest update on the website says, "Global supply chain issues have stalled production and all inventory is currently out of stock."

Not sure if this means they are waiting on new equipment or they are waiting on consumables to make products (or both). Either way, to come out and say production is stalled is a pretty strong statement and definitely is in the doom and gloom category. Hopefully they get things worked out -- they are already months behind when they originally said they would be up and running.

meh, production is 'stalled' all over the place right now. I wouldn't read too much into it, other than the supply chain issues may be impacting them even more as they are trying to bring new lines on-line thus needing more components to do so. 3M can't get a raw material for Teflon right now as it primarily comes out of Russia. Teflon is used in a ton of industries. Gonna **** for a while.

I was just about to post when I saw this thread. I saw a good deal on the SK 94549 socket sets so I ordered three sets, one for me and one for each of my sons. Well the box arrives today, tools look fine, all stamped SK USA but they arrive in a 3 unit box labeled “made in China.” Individual boxes still labeled USA. What gives?

It means you got USA made SK tools in a recycled 12 ton bottle jack box... Google ATD-7385W on the side of the box and you'll have you're answer.

 

[sparky 1971]

I just received an email from SK. They, not me, canceled the order I placed for a bunch of extensions on January 19th. There was no reason given and I made no contact with them about the order. I hadn't been charged so I didn't care that I didn't have anything yet. It ain't looking good.

 

[Fly YX]

I just got a email too showing all my orders are canceled.

 

[belvedere]

I was not happy with the way they dropped SotM Club midway through my paid membership.

 

[Fly YX]

Tried to call them but cannot deal with the on hold music. So just sent a email see what happens. I had 5 orders canceled.

 

[sparky 1971]

Tried to call them but cannot deal with the on hold music. So just sent a email see what happens. I had 5 orders canceled.

This is just a guess,, but I'm willing to bet the phones are on fire.. According to someone on a SK Facebook group that did get through, all unfulfilled orders have been canceled. Now, they hope to be up and running by June. I really hope they get it figured out.

 

[Fly YX]

I’m sure the phones blew up with all the orders canceled. Hopefully they can get it going again. I don’t think I would hold my breath though.

 

[reader2580]

What kind of operation would just cancel all open orders without sending out some sort of explanation to the customer about why the order was cancelled?

 

[thesilverone]

What kind of operation would just cancel all open orders without sending out some sort of explanation to the customer about why the order was cancelled?

a company that was just sold for pennies on the dollar

 

[four.cycle]

^ One that came to the realization that it was in everyone's best interests to start with a clean slate. Processing months-old orders and trying to move a manufacturing facility poses some problems.

 

[Fedwrench]

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.