Tools, lets talk about tools.
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:56 pm
In the black Friday thread, it is getting kind of deep talking about tools and their manufacturers so I figured I'd post in here to discuss the manufacturers and where they make their tools. Here is what i found so far in my research:
The "Rigid" brand is owned by Emerson Electric, which is an American company. TTI is a Hong Kong based company, which uses the "Rigid" brand (under license from Emerson Electric) to manufacture a line of power tools. TTI actually owns many brands including Ryobi, Dirt Devil, Hoover, Homelight, and many others. It also owns AEG which is a European manufacturer/brand and is the brand used for many of the tools that are marketed in the U.S. under the "Rigid" brand. (In the U.S. the tool is branded "Rigid", but the similar tool in Europe is branded "AEG".)
The "Rigid" branded power tools are those "orange" tools that include the cordless and corded line of hand-held power tools, bench tools, and stationary tools like woodworking table saws, drill press, thickness planer, joiner, etc. While the older line (gray color with red-orange trim) of Rigid stationary woodworking tools was included, the new "orange" line also included new hand-held TTI-produced tools; the entire TTI-produced "Rigid" line is almost exclusevly sold through Home Depot and they carry a 3-year warranty and are available, with proper registration, for the Limited Lifetime Service Agreement (which is a TTI-backed service program utilizing Rigid-authorized service centers).
But to my knowledge, Rigid plumbing tools and the tools used in both the plumbing and electrical trades are produced mostly here in the U.S. I'm sure there are exceptions and most likely some components that are sourced globally... in places like Taiwan and China, as well as others. The Ridgid shop vacuums are part of Emerson Electric and not TTI. On the machine and on the box of the last shop vac that I purchased, the only address I can find is St. Louis, Mo. So, can we presume it's made here in the U.S.; but whether it's made or assembled in the U.S., Mexico, China, or wherever, the profit is with Emerson Electric.
(I am under the impresson that most of the plumbing and other "trades" tools are made here in the U.S.; but of course, I don't know that for sure.)
You can't go by brands either, as I understand that many DeWalts, as well as other brands, simply don't say where they are made, but many if not most are made or at least assembled in foriegn countrys. Most of these brands however, are U.S. companies that make increased profits because of their foreign manufacturing. Black and Decker Stanley is largely made in China too, even though they are one of America's oldest brands.
I just checked all my remaining Rigid power tools and it shows that they are made in China.
After doing some googling, TTi makes Rigid, Milwaukee, and Ryobi tools, along with a few other brands.
http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands/by_brand/milwaukee
After checking my Bosch tools, they are a mix between Malaysia (Impact wrench & drill and sawzall) and Switzerland (Hammer Drills, circular saw and rotary hammer).
I am unsure if any of the power tools are made here anymore.
Mike, I even read that the Snap-On ratchets are no longer stamped with U.S.A. anymore as they are outsourcing that process from Kenosha, WI.
The "Rigid" brand is owned by Emerson Electric, which is an American company. TTI is a Hong Kong based company, which uses the "Rigid" brand (under license from Emerson Electric) to manufacture a line of power tools. TTI actually owns many brands including Ryobi, Dirt Devil, Hoover, Homelight, and many others. It also owns AEG which is a European manufacturer/brand and is the brand used for many of the tools that are marketed in the U.S. under the "Rigid" brand. (In the U.S. the tool is branded "Rigid", but the similar tool in Europe is branded "AEG".)
The "Rigid" branded power tools are those "orange" tools that include the cordless and corded line of hand-held power tools, bench tools, and stationary tools like woodworking table saws, drill press, thickness planer, joiner, etc. While the older line (gray color with red-orange trim) of Rigid stationary woodworking tools was included, the new "orange" line also included new hand-held TTI-produced tools; the entire TTI-produced "Rigid" line is almost exclusevly sold through Home Depot and they carry a 3-year warranty and are available, with proper registration, for the Limited Lifetime Service Agreement (which is a TTI-backed service program utilizing Rigid-authorized service centers).
But to my knowledge, Rigid plumbing tools and the tools used in both the plumbing and electrical trades are produced mostly here in the U.S. I'm sure there are exceptions and most likely some components that are sourced globally... in places like Taiwan and China, as well as others. The Ridgid shop vacuums are part of Emerson Electric and not TTI. On the machine and on the box of the last shop vac that I purchased, the only address I can find is St. Louis, Mo. So, can we presume it's made here in the U.S.; but whether it's made or assembled in the U.S., Mexico, China, or wherever, the profit is with Emerson Electric.
(I am under the impresson that most of the plumbing and other "trades" tools are made here in the U.S.; but of course, I don't know that for sure.)
You can't go by brands either, as I understand that many DeWalts, as well as other brands, simply don't say where they are made, but many if not most are made or at least assembled in foriegn countrys. Most of these brands however, are U.S. companies that make increased profits because of their foreign manufacturing. Black and Decker Stanley is largely made in China too, even though they are one of America's oldest brands.
I just checked all my remaining Rigid power tools and it shows that they are made in China.
After doing some googling, TTi makes Rigid, Milwaukee, and Ryobi tools, along with a few other brands.
http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands/by_brand/milwaukee
After checking my Bosch tools, they are a mix between Malaysia (Impact wrench & drill and sawzall) and Switzerland (Hammer Drills, circular saw and rotary hammer).
I am unsure if any of the power tools are made here anymore.
Mike, I even read that the Snap-On ratchets are no longer stamped with U.S.A. anymore as they are outsourcing that process from Kenosha, WI.
