Western Forge
 | |
| Subsidiary of Ideal Industries | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1965 in Defiance, Ohio |
| Founder | C. William Schlosser |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Products | Hand tools |
| Website | www.westernforge.com |
Western Forge is an American manufacturing company. The company manufactures hand tools to be sold under other brands, including private-label brands such as Craftsman and Husky. It is a subsidiary of Ideal Industries.[1]
As of 2010, the company is the largest American manufacturer of screwdrivers.[2] yet the company is relatively unknown because it sells no tools under its own name.[3]
History
Western Forge was founded in Defiance, Ohio in 1965 as a joint venture between Sears and C. William Schlosser to make torque wrenches.[3] In 1966, it relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where it built a new manufacturing facility. In the next few years, the company began producing screwdrivers, punches, chisels, adjustable wrenches, and pliers.[4]
In 1976, Western Forge shipped its 100 millionth Craftsman screwdriver.[5] In 2008, the company produced its billionth screwdriver overall.[3]
In 1981, the company was acquired by Emerson Electric.[3]
In the late 1990s, Western Forge moved its screwdriver production to a plant in Murphy, North Carolina. In April 2006, it closed the plant and consolidated its operations in Colorado Springs, citing declining sales. The company received $200,000 in cash incentives from the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation to stay in Colorado Springs.[6][7] Sears Craftsman products (and others) that are produced by Western Forge are marked with a "WF" on them.
In 2007, the company was acquired by MW Universal.[3] In 2010, it was acquired by Ideal Industries.[8][9]
Gallery
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Craftsman screwdrivers.
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Craftsman cushion grip screwdrivers.
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Husky Pro screwdrivers.
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Craftsman Professional screwdrivers.
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Ridgid and Craftsman multibit screwdrivers made by Western Forge.
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Craftsman, Williams, and Proto adjustable wrenches.
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Craftsman Professional pliers.
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Craftsman beam torque wrench.
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Craftsman bottle opener.
References
- ↑ "Ideal Announces Acquisition of Western Forge a Premier Manufacturer of American Made Hand Tools" (Press release). Ideal Industries. 2009-12-31. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ↑ Varnon, Rob (2010-06-25). "Workers hope for aid in closing". The Advocate. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Heilman, Wayne (2008-03-29). "Forging ahead". The Gazette. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
- ↑ Western Forge. "Our History". Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ↑ Sears Archives. "Sears Digital Archive: Timeline: 1970s". Retrieved 2010-03-27.
- ↑ Chakrabarty, Gargi (2005-12-22). "Springs to gain 150 Western Forge jobs". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- ↑ Sealover, Ed (2005-12-03). "Should firms be paid to stay?". The Gazette. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- ↑ Heilman, Wayne (2010-01-04). "Western Forge to be sold to Ideal Industries". The Gazette. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
- ↑ Heilman, Wayne (2010-01-05). "New owners to pump millions into Western Forge". The Gazette. Retrieved 2010-03-17.