Why does Kawasaki license its name for tools?

[noahwins]

I must not be as smart at the guys with MBAs because I'm not seeing the synergy between motorcycles, jet skis and snowmobiles and low end tools like the Kawasaki (Alltrade) 4.5" angle grinder I just found while cleaning out an old tool chest. Got that thing at OSH like 10 years ago, did what I asked of it though, hideous Kawasaki ectoplasm green plastic housing and all.

Are they trying to brand all the potentially dangerous things you can lose fingers or limbs with?

 

[1982fxr]

$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[1982fxr]

They would be retarded not to sell their name.

 

[noahwins]

Seems like stamping their brand all over junk tools would be bad for their image. But what do I know.

 

[snyder]

You could also ask why Kawasaki would put their name on cheap motorcycles.

 

[noahwins]

Is Kwack considered the low end brand of the Big 4?

 

[rsanter]

Money

 

[neophyte]

Kawasaki is a huge corporation, with over ¥1 trillion in revenue, and close to 35,000 employees.

In the US it seems common for corporations to come up with separate brand names for different divisions and product lines, but Japanese corporations son’t always seem to do this, and there’s also the issue that it’s not always clear whether a branded product line is part of the major corporation, or whether a different company that just happens to have the same name as the giant corporation is producing the product.
This is sort of like Mitsubishi Pencil Company, and their Mitsubishi, Uni, and Uni-ball pencils and pens, which are well regarded, but which have nothing to do with the Major Mitsubishi Corporation or any of their divisions.

Years ago, there were actually Kawasaki branded cordless drill chucks, and as far as I know, the drill chucks had nothing to do with the Kawasaki Corporation. The chucks just seem to have been patented by a Kiyoshi Kawasaki.

As far as the tool line, maybe some executive at Kawasaki had the idea to get into the tool business, following the success of Hitachi, Makita, and Ryobi in the power tool markets, particularly in the USA.
The Kawasaki branding probably isn’t a bad idea for areas were the motorcycles are popular since people who like the bikes or work on them might need tools.
Hitachi and Ryobi both are involved with Industrial manufacturing other than power tools, and while the Ryobi brand outside Japan has been leased to Techtronic Industries, the parent company of Milwaukee, in Japan, Ryobi still manufactures their own power tool line.

 

[Turbo442]

Why does Caterpillar put their name on tools?


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[David0858]

Why does Caterpillar put their name on tools?


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I thought the CAT tools were decent quality tools, thought. Kawasaki tools mostly aren't.

 

[rharman]

$$$$$$$$$$$

Stole my answer....

 

[finn]

Why does Snapon put their name on Chinese flashlights sold at Walmart?

 

[poppakap]

You could also ask why Kawasaki would put their name on cheap motorcycles.

Hahahaha

 

[ChrisLS8]

You could also ask why Kawasaki would put their name on cheap motorcycles.

Wow rude. I love my ZX10. I want their hyperbike but I also want a Ducati

 

[426 HEMI]

Kawasaki actually make very good quality Japanese made air tools.

 

[Matt XYZ]

Hyundai recently starting selling cheap import tools in Germany. Real stores, which are basically Walmart here, have socket sets for sale and I saw some full tool sets including boxes on Amazon.de. DIY import quality at best. I guess everyone is looking to try to make $$ on their name. I remember someone posting about a cheap Ford ratchet and socket set a while back also.

 

[zendriver]

No MBA here, either, but my guess they discovered people like brand names and that some people just buy tools and use them.

 

[Handyandy23]

Hyundai recently starting selling cheap import tools in Germany. Real stores, which are basically Walmart here, have socket sets for sale and I saw some full tool sets including boxes on Amazon.de. DIY import quality at best. I guess everyone is looking to try to make $$ on their name. I remember someone posting about a cheap Ford ratchet and socket set a while back also.

I've seen these Hyundai low grade hand and air tools in Walmart in Canada too. Weird branding for sure. At least it's more accurately putting a **** car brand on junk tools.

As for Kawasaki, I have no marketing background, but they probably know their name can sell random tools, all while the tools are far enough removed from their bikes that it won't have negative backlash. If you bought a Kawasaki drill that died, it isn't likely to negatively impact your decision if you were looking at one of their motorcycles.

 

[LB-1911]

I must not be as smart at the guys with MBAs because I'm not seeing the synergy between motorcycles, jet skis and snowmobiles and low end tools like the Kawasaki (Alltrade) 4.5" angle grinder I just found while cleaning out an old tool chest. Got that thing at OSH like 10 years ago, did what I asked of it though, hideous Kawasaki ectoplasm green plastic housing and all.

Are they trying to brand all the potentially dangerous things you can lose fingers or limbs with?

As previously mentioned $$'s

Alltrade enjoys long term licensing partnerships with top tier global brands. These alliances create additional opportunities for our customers to leverage brand equity in new product categories.



Partnerships with top tier global brands.

 

[Dave455]

Why does Caterpillar put their name on tools?


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I’ve always thought that Caterpillar were a bit different.

The theory is, that you buy a Caterpillar machine, and you can then go straight back to your dealer for all your spares, the tools to fit them, and even the clothes you need to wear when driving the thing.

In the U.K. and I suspect much of the developed world, anybody fixing a Caterpillar will probably have his own tools already, although the Cat branded tools all seem to be decent U.S. made tools at reasonable prices.

But Cat sell a lot of machines to developing countries, and without spares AND TOOLS being available, many of the operators would struggle.

 

[doctordirt]

A better question, why does CAT put there name on shoes or boots?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Why does Ford license its name on travel trailers and portable generators.

 

[Git]

When I was a kid growing up in the 70's I had a Kawasaki 175 dirt bike. (rotary valve pos)

I can still remember the ad for Kawasaki and their 'heavy industries' and how they built submarines, etc. I just looked it up - they have built over 80 subs to date. Pretty impressive, but I agree - why cheapen the brand name...

http://global.kawasaki.com/en/mobility/marine/ships/submarine.html

 

[ZRX61]

You could also ask why Kawasaki would put their name on cheap motorcycles.

My ZRX11 is 20 years old, puts 50% more HP than stock to the ground, has almost 120,000 miles on it, runs low 10's all day, will blow the ******* doors off just about any car costing under $300K & I've yet to remove the clutch cover for any reason...


Not too shabby for a $7,000 bike with maybe another $1500 in engine mods.

 

[ZRX61]

A better question, why does CAT put there name on shoes or boots?

Same reason Harley does: Sooner or later you're going to end up walking...

 

[Two Speed]

A better question, why does CAT put there name on shoes or boots?

Because the general buying public ain't that bright, and showing off brand name labels is more important than quality.

 

[ZRX61]

Kawasaki actually make very good quality Japanese made air tools.

They build pretty decent aircraft, satellite launch rockets & bullet trains etc too... & you've all seen K Line conex's

 

[jd_1138]

Are these Kawasaki tools made by one of the subsidiaries in their huge portfolio? Kawasaki Heavy Industries consists of the following subsidiares. Most Japanese industrial co's like Mitsubishi, Subaru, etc. have many, many divisions.

So they may actually make the tools themselves. We are so used to once iconic American brands like GE, RCA, etc. selling out their names, but I am not sure if Kawasaki does that.

Affiliates and subsidiaries
Japan
Akashi Ship Model Basin Co., Ltd.
Alna Yusoki-Yohin Co., Ltd.
Benic Solution Corp.
EarthTechnica Co., Ltd.
Enetec Co., Ltd.
Fukae Powtec Corp.
JP Steel Plantech Co.
Kawaju Akashi Service Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Engineering Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Oita Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Metal Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Setsubi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation
Kawasaki Plant Systems, Ltd.
Kawasaki Precision Machinery Ltd.
Kawasaki Machine Systems, Ltd.
Kawasaki Motors Corporation Japan
Kawasaki Hydromechanics Corp.
Kawasaki Life Corporation
Kawasaki Naval Engine Service, Ltd.
Kawaju Akashi Engineering Co., Ltd.
KEE Environmental Construction, Co. Ltd.
KEE Environmental Service, Ltd.
Kawaju Gifu Service Co., Ltd.
Kawaju Gifu Engineering Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Prime Mover Engineering Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Construction Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Rolling Stock Technology Co., Ltd.
Kawaju Shoji Co., Ltd.
Kawaju Techno Service Corp.
Kawaju Tokyo Service Corp.
Kawaju Facilitech Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd.
K Career Partners Corp.
K-GES Co., Ltd.
K-Tec Corp.
KGM (Kawaju Gifu Manufacturing) Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Setsubi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Construction Machinery, Hokkaido Ltd.
Kawaju Sakaide Service Co., Ltd.
Kawaju Kobe Support Co., Ltd.
Kawaju Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
KHI JPS Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Shipbuilding Inspection Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Gas Turbine Research Center Ltd.
Nichijo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
NIPPI Corporation
Sapporo Kawasaki Rolling Stock Engineering Co., Ltd.
Technica Corp.
Union Precision Die Co., Ltd.
International
North America
Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc.
Kawasaki Construction Machinery Corp. of America
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (U.S.A.), Inc.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A.
Kawasaki Precision Machinery (U.S.A.), Inc.
Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc.
Kawasaki Robotics (U.S.A.), Inc.
South America
Kawasaki do Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda.
Kawasaki Machinery do Brasil Maq. Equip. Ltda.
Kawasaki Motores do Brasil Ltda.
Estaleiro Enseada do Paraguaçu S.A.
Asia
Kawasaki Marine Machinery Co. Ltd. (Wuhan)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ship Engineering Co. Ltd. (Nantong, China; COSCO)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Machinery Trading Co. Ltd. (Shanghai, China)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Technology Co. Ltd. (Dalian, China)
Kawasaki Precision Machinery (China) Ltd.
Kawasaki Robotics Co. Ltd. (Tianjin, China)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (Hong Kong)
Kawasaki Machine Systems Ltd. (Korea)
Kawasaki Gas Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
India Kawasaki Motors (India)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
Kawasaki Motors Enterprise Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
KDT (KHI Design & Technical Service, Inc. (Pasay City, Philippines)
Kawasaki Motors Philippines (Muntinlupa, Philippines)
P.T. Kawasaki Motor (Indonesia)
Kawasaki Motors (Bangladesh)
Oceania
Kawasaki Motors Pty. Ltd.
Europe
Kawasaki Precision Machinery (U.K.) Limited
Kawasaki Robotics (U.K.) Ltd.
Kawasaki Robotics G.m.b.H.
Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe GmbH
Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Europe Finance B.V.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Europe) B.V.

 

[WittHay]

I believe Alltrade just uses the name from Kawasaki and is responsibly for importing and distributing Kawasaki power tools.

I have seen the cut-off saws at Princess Auto before. Just standard Chinese made tools with a 3 year warranty.

https://www.alltradetools.com/pdfs/new/archive/Kawasaki-14-In-Cutoff-Saw_840081_english.pdf

 

[Stuart in MN]

Why does Harley-Davidson sell T-shirts?
Why does Snap-On sell socks?
The list of companies selling branding rights could go on forever.

 

[kctyphoon]

They do it for the same reason Snap On does.

 

[Turbo442]

A better question, why does CAT put there name on shoes or boots?

That’s what I was thinking about. Stuff like the crappy CAT jump starter you might find at Costco, stuff like that. Is it some kind of brand name advertising thing the marketing team came up with?

Now a speciality camshaft tool for a D9 that costs $800. That is required to run a service department.


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[NUTTSGT]

Why does Snapon put their name on Chinese flashlights sold at Walmart?

Same reason they put their name on flashlights sold at Menard's. I have one that I carry every day at work and been a damn good light. I use it every shift during truck checks, EMS calls and a multitude of other calls. I like it so much, I bought a few extra ones as spares when this one dies.

I'd guess, they make money off them and probably considered "foot in the door" marketing.

 

[zendriver]

Why does someone pay $70 for a shirt that says Tommy Hilfiger across the front, when - most likely, that is not even their name?

These "mysteries of life" are so overwhelming

 

[kctyphoon]

Why does someone pay $70 for a shirt that says Tommy Hilfiger across the front, when - most likely, that is not even their name?

These "mysteries of life" are so overwhelming

Same reason why people pay 100+ for a ratchet that says Snap On.

 

[dsimatt]

Why does harbor freight put their name on.....oh yeah can't really find anything cheaper made than them to ***** out their name.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

i remember costco had kawasaki green tool sets.

 

[zendriver]

Don't know why anyone would find this shocking, especially here.

People love brand names.

Someone threw a few bucks at Kawasaki, for licencing, maybe they own the tools line themselves. Big deal.

People bought them and used until they crapped out and got something else, or they are still using them.

I can buy a "Troy-bilt" string trimmer for $99. It's a $99 string trimmer, with the "Troy-bilt" name on it.

Means nothing, buy hey, it's a "Troy-bilt", right?

 

[DFB]

No MBA here, either, but my guess they discovered people like brand names and that some people just buy tools and use them.

No don't be getting all rational on us here now


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for Kawa tools TSC also had them (dunno if the still do)


Maybe SOME like the green

John Deere Green that is...

They put their name on tools too

 

[6PTsocket]

Kawasaki is a huge corporation, with over ¥1 trillion in revenue, and close to 35,000 employees.

In the US it seems common for corporations to come up with separate brand names for different divisions and product lines, but Japanese corporations son’t always seem to do this, and there’s also the issue that it’s not always clear whether a branded product line is part of the major corporation, or whether a different company that just happens to have the same name as the giant corporation is producing the product.
This is sort of like Mitsubishi Pencil Company, and their Mitsubishi, Uni, and Uni-ball pencils and pens, which are well regarded, but which have nothing to do with the Major Mitsubishi Corporation or any of their divisions.

Years ago, there were actually Kawasaki branded cordless drill chucks, and as far as I know, the drill chucks had nothing to do with the Kawasaki Corporation. The chucks just seem to have been patented by a Kiyoshi Kawasaki.

As far as the tool line, maybe some executive at Kawasaki had the idea to get into the tool business, following the success of Hitachi, Makita, and Ryobi in the power tool markets, particularly in the USA.
The Kawasaki branding probably isn’t a bad idea for areas were the motorcycles are popular since people who like the bikes or work on them might need tools.
Hitachi and Ryobi both are involved with Industrial manufacturing other than power tools, and while the Ryobi brand outside Japan has been leased to Techtronic Industries, the parent company of Milwaukee, in Japan, Ryobi still manufactures their own power tool line.

Update: Ryobi originally sold the rights to the name to TTI , for power tools ,for everywhere but Asia. They just unloaded the rest of their power tool bussiness to somebody else and will concentrate on their other products.

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