In a time when companies are gobbling up companies as fast as teenagers devour pizza, the landscape of business is rapidly changing, with mergers and acquisitions becoming the norm. It’s often hard to know who owns which tool brands anymore. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. If you’ve ever wondered who owns Craftsman Tools, Milwaukee Tool, Mac Tools, Skil, or any other major tool manufacturing brand, this article should answer most of your questions. It may surprise you to know that just a handful of power tool companies own your favorite tools. That’s right; most tool brands fall under a parent company that also owns additional power tool manufacturers and brands. I’ll break it all down for you. Prepare for lots of lists!
Note: RIDGID and RYOBI cordless power tools are licensed by TTI.
We didn’t include every tool company in this image. To be honest, we couldn’t fit them all on the page. We will, however, do our best below to include as many tool brand parent companies as possible. Starting with several of the largest makes the most sense.
Yes, Craftsman and DeWalt are Owned by Stanley Black & Decker
Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) turned heads when it bought Craftsman Tools in 2017 after Sears closed 235 stores in 2015. The company owns many brands, however. Dating back to 1843 with a man named Frederick Stanley, the company quickly formed its roots. In 2010, it merged with another company that started in 1910—Black and Decker. 2021 saw SBD completing its acquisition of MTD Holdings and Excel Industries, making it a global outdoor power equipment market leader. In 2023, the company generated $15.8 billion in revenues.
SBD brands are broken down into three distinct categories and include:
Tool Brands
- Black + Decker
- Bostitch
- Craftsman
- DeWalt
Emglo(sold to Jenny Products, Inc.)- Facom
- Irwin Tools
- Lenox
- Mac Tools
- Porter-Cable
- Proto Industrial Tools
- Sidchrome
- Stanley
- USAG
Outdoor Brands
- BigDog Mower Co.
- Black+Decker (OPE)
- Craftsman (OPE)
- Cub Cadet
- DeWalt (OPE)
- Hustler Turf Equipment
- MTD Genuine Parts
- Robomow
- Rover (in the Pacific)
- Stanley (OPE)
- Troy-Bilt (in the Americas)
- WOLF-Garten
- Yard Machines
Industrial Solutions
- CAM (Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing)
- CribMaster
- Lista
- Stanley Engineered Fastening
- Vidmar
Recent Changes
Infastech(rolled into Stanley Engineered Fastening brand)Powers Fasteners(now under the DeWalt brand)
If you want to see an exhaustive list of SBD subsidiaries, click here.
As it turns out, TTI owns Milwaukee Tool and a host of other power tool companies. It also licenses the RIDGID* and RYOBI names for cordless power tools (Emerson owns RIDGID). TTI stands for Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI Group). Founded in 1985 in Hong Kong, TTI sells tools all over the world and employs over 22,000 people. TTI is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and had worldwide annual sales of over $13.7 billion in 2023. Their brands break down into several groups:
Power Tools, Equipment & Accessories
- AEG (USA uses “Orange” Ridgid – licensed from Emerson)
- Dirt Devil
- Empire Level
- HART Tools
- Imperial Blades
- Kango
- Milwaukee Tool
- RYOBI (Licensed)
- Stiletto Tools
Outdoor Products
- AEG (OPE)
- Homelite (OPE)
- Milwaukee Tool
- Ryobi (OPE – Licensed)
Floorcare & Cleaning
- Dirt Devil
- Hoover
- Oreck
- Vax
*As a general rule, Emerson manufactures “Red” RIDGID (plumbing) tools. TTI manufactures “Orange” RIDGID tools under license (these tools are also sold under the AEG brand overseas).
Wait, I Thought Bosch Owned Skil?
Not anymore. Back in 2017, Chervon acquired Skil Power Tool Brands from Bosch. This added two big brands to their portfolio: Skilsaw and Skil. Chervon started its power tools business unit in 1993, launching the EGO brand of cordless outdoor power equipment in 2013. In 2018 the company rebranded Skil (including the logo) and announced new 12V and 20V cordless power tools. They added Flex Power Tools in 2021. Today, Chervon tools and products are sold in more than 30,000 stores in 65 countries.
Chervon manufactures the following brands:
- EGO
- Skil (also the Skilsaw sub-brand)
- FLEX
- Devon
- X-tron
- Kobalt 24V (Select tools manufactured for Lowe’s)
First off, Bosch Tools only represents part of the Bosch Group which includes Robert Bosch GmbH and over 350 subsidiaries across 60+ countries. In 2003 Robert Bosch GmbH combined its North American power tool and power tool accessory divisions into one organization, forming Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in North America. The company designs, manufactures, and sells power tools, rotary and oscillating tools, power tool accessories, laser and optical leveling devices, and range-finding tools all over the globe.
And here’s something you probably didn’t know: In 2023, Bosch acquired about a 12% stake in Husqvarna AB. Bosch’s goal is to strengthen the battery alliance between the two companies. Husqvarna also includes Gardena and Flymo, both of which are partners in the Power for All Alliance, a universal battery platform that currently works with at least 11 different tool brands.
Bosch also manufactures the following tools:
- Actron
- Bosch
- CST/berger
- Diablo
- Dremel
- Freud
- Rolatape
- RotoZip
- sia Abrasives
- Telex
- Vermont American
- Vulcano
- Worcester-Bosch
Husqvarna Group Brands
Husqvarna Group manufactures chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawnmowers, and ride-on lawnmowers. The Group also makes garden watering products as well as cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. They have a presence in more than 100 countries and employ over 13,000 people in 40 countries. Husqvarna Group also owns the following tools:
- Flymo
- Gardena
- Husqvarna
- Jonsored
- McCullock
- Orbit
- Poulan Pro
- RedMax
- Zenoah
Recent Changes
Diamant Boart(rolled into Husqvarna Group)Klippo(rolled into Husqvarna Group)Weed Eater(rolled into Husqvarna Group)
JPW Industries – Jet Powermatic Wilton
JPW owns several large brands, including Jet, Powermatic, and Wilton. The company has its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee but also has operations in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, France, Taiwan, and China. They sell products in 20 countries throughout the world. Their tool brands include:
- Axiom Precision
- Baileigh Industrial
- Edwards
- Jet
- Powermatic
- Wilton
Apex Tool Group has its headquarters in Sparks, Maryland, USA, and employs more than 8,000 workers. They operate in more than 30 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Annual revenues exceed $1.6 billion for hand, power, and electronics tools for the industrial, automotive, aerospace, and construction/DIY markets. The following tool manufacturers belong to APEX Tool Group:
- Apex
- Campbell Chain & Fittings
- Cleco Production Tools
- Crescent
- H.K Porter
- Jobox
- Lufkin
- Nicholson
- Wiss
- Erem (by Weller)
- Gearwrench
- Jacobs Chuck
- SATA
- Weller
- Xcelite (by Weller)
Recent Changes
Allen(rolled into Crescent)Armstrong(rolled into Gearwrench and Crescent)Belzer(rolled into SATA)Dotco(all but rolled into Cleco)Master Power(rolled into Cleco)
Emerson
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), Emerson controls power tool manufacturers and products in the industrial, commercial, and residential markets. While TTI licenses the RIDGID name for power tools, Emerson controls the following tools (this is a very abridged list as the brand controls more than 50 brands):
- Emerson
- Greenlee
- Klauke
- ProTeam
- RIDGID (Red)
- WORKSHOP Vacs
Recent Changes
Sensi(sold to Blackstone in 2023)Vilter(sold to Blackstone in 2023)Insinkerator(sold to Whirlpool in 2022)
Established in 1993, Hangzhou Greatstar Technology Co., Ltd. is a world-leading tool company. Their brands include manufacturers of hand tools, electric tools, pneumatic fastening tools, laser measuring tools, laser radar, tool cabinets, industrial storage cabinets, industrial vacuum cleaners, and more. This company has acquired a considerable number of well-known tool brands over the past several years, including:
- Arrow
- BeA
- DuraTech
- EverBrite
- Goldblatt
- Lista
- OLEI
- Pony Jorgensen
- Prexiso
- Prime-Line
- Sheffield
- Shop Vac
- SK Hand Tools
- Swiss+Tech
- Workpro
TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG & Co. KG
Based in Wendlingen, Germany, TTS or Tooltechnic Systems owns Festool (electric and pneumatic tools), Tanos (not to be confused with the guy who destroyed half the universe), Narex, Sawstop, and now Shaper Tools. TTS is truly behind the scenes as it doesn’t really appear to have its own website (at least not in the US) or an official logo. In bullet point format, its subsidiaries include:
- Aspro exoIQ
- Festool
- Microcell
- Narex
- SawStop
- Shaper Tools
- Tanos
- TTS Cleantec
- TTS Microcell
Yamabiko
Yamabiko Corporation started in 2008 and has three core business segments: outdoor power equipment, agricultural machinery, and industrial machinery. Based in Japan, Yamabiko is a global company with major markets in Japan and North America and a growing presence in Europe and Asia. Tool brands include:
Koki Holdings Co
Koki Holdings Co. Ltd. dates back to 1918 when Nichihira Shokai began producing electric drills in Japan. The company name changed in June 2018 from Hitachi Koki Co. Ltd. to Koki Holdings Co. Ltd. due to licensing issues after splitting off from Hitachi. The company’s primary power tool brand, Hitachi, followed suit in October of that same year. Additionally, Metabo and Metabo HPT merged in North America in 2022.
KKR, a private equity firm, acquired Hitachi Koki in 2017. Koki Holdings Co. Ltd. owns the following:
- Carat
- Hikoki (formerly Hitachi Koki)
- Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools)
- Metabo
- Sankyo Diamond Tools
Fortive Corporation
Washington-based Fortive, a diversified industrial growth company, includes a multitude of Professional Instrumentation and Industrial Technologies businesses. Fortive employs over 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries around the world. They own at least 18 brands, including:
- Fluke
- Industrial Scientific
- Tektronix
Vontier
Vontier, a global industrial technology company, split off from Fortive in 2020. It focuses on smarter transportation and mobility. It’s no surprise, then, that they brought Matco Tools into the fold. Their full portfolio builds on industry-leading expertise in mobility technologies, retail and fueling solutions, alternative energy solutions, fleet management, telematics, vehicle diagnostics and maintenance, digital payments, and smart cities. The full lineup includes:
- Gilbarco
- Matco Tools
- Sparkion
Hennessy Industries(sold to and rebranded as Coats in 2023)
WernerCo
WernerCo manufactures and distributes ladders, climbing equipment, and ladder accessories under various brands. They also manufacture and sell fall protection products and jobsite, truck, and van storage equipment. The USA lineup includes:
- Better Built
- Climbtech
- Keller
- Knaack
- Oldfields Ladders
- Weather Guard
- Werner
Werner International Brands
- Bailey Ladders
- BoSS
- Centaure
- Duarib
- Green Bull
- Haemmerlin
- Zarges
ITW (Illinois Tool Works)
Founded over 100 years ago, ITW manufactures specialized industrial equipment, power tools, hand tools, and consumables. ITW operates in 51 countries with over 45,000 employees. They also have more than 19,600 granted and pending patents and reported over $16.1 billion in total revenue in 2023.
ITW tool and fastener brands include:
- Alpine
- Backer-on Rock-on
- Danley
- Deltar
- E.H. Wachs
- Elematic
- Gang-Nail
- GRK Fasteners
- ITW Buildex
- ITW Construction Products
- NKT Fasteners
- Paslode
- Ramset
- Red Head
- Reid (Nox-crete, 3DX, Spartan Formwork Systems, and Reidbar)
- Spit
- Tapcon
ITW Welding Brands Include:
- Elga
- Hobart Welding Products
- Miller
- Orbitalum
- Tien Tai (Taiwan)
- Tregaskiss
- Weldwell (New Zealand)
- WIA
Recent Changes
Bernard(rolled into Tregaskiss)- Cullen (part of ITW Construction Products)
Duo-Fast(rolled into Paslode)- Gang-Nail (part of ITW Construction Products)
Ideal Industries
In 1916, J. Walter Becker apparently started the IDEAL Commutator Dresser Company of Chicago from his mother’s kitchen. More than 100 years later, Ideal Industries serves technicians and workers globally. They serve electrical, construction, aerospace, and even automotive markets. You likely recognize several of their brands:
- Anderson Power Products
- Cree Lighting
- Enatel
- Ideal Electrical
Sunrise Global Marketing
Sunrise Global Marketing manufactures Greenworks and Greenworks Pro tools.
Positec Group
Positec started in 1994 as an OEM manufacturer specializing in smaller cordless hand tools and garden products. Based in Suzhou, China, they have a US headquarters for their North American division in Charlotte, North Carolina. They started manufacturing the WORX and Rockwell brands in 2007 but have now expanded into more. The brand now manufactures:
- Bauker
- Blue Ridge Tools
- CAT (Power Tools – licensed)
- Ferrex & Gardenline (for ALDI)
- Kress
- Rockwell
- Wesco
- Worx
- Xceed (only 3 consumer OPE products left on their website)
Let’s Look at Some Outdoor Power Equipment Companies
When it comes to outdoor power equipment, companies have been gobbled up left and right (just take a gander at Stanley Black and Decker). However, others have maintained their heritage and grown through their acquisitions over the years.
Ariens Co
Ariens Co began back in 1933 when Henry Ariens cashed in a life insurance policy to make the final payroll at Brillion Iron Works. Arising from the ashes of the Great Depression, Henry and his sons innovated their way to success. Ariens Co manufactured the first American-made garden tiller. They haven’t stopped moving forward since. Through expansion and acquisition, Ariens Co now owns the following brands:
- Ariens
- AS-Motor
- Countax
- Gravely
- Henry’s Parts & Equipment
- Rapid Care
- Westwood
Who makes Harbor Freight Power Tools remains a mystery—possibly because they may have switched suppliers in the past. While some have mentioned various company names like LuTool, Powerplus, and even Einhell, the truth is that we really don’t know, and they certainly don’t disclose those relationships.
Powerplus seems a likely candidate. As recently as 2021, it had some very similar tool designs to Bauer. Their current line of tools has some matchups with the Harbor Freight Warrior brand. Powerplus is a division of the European company Varo, with headquarters in Belgium.
We wish we could give a definitive answer, but Harbor Freight has remained tightlipped as to its power tool manufacturing partners. Brands under the Harbor Freight store include:
- Bauer
- Central Forge
- Central Pneumatic
- Chicago Electric
- Daytona
- Drill Master
- Haul Master
- Hercules
- Icon
- Predator
- Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro
- Quinn
- Titanium
- U.S. General
- Union Safe Company
- Warrior
What About Hilti and Makita?
Hilti and Makita are just Hilti and Makita. Hilti doesn’t have any subsidiary companies underneath it or a parent company over it. On the other hand, Makita acquired the Dolmar brand in 1991, bolstering its already impressive line of outdoor power equipment tools. Of course, it eventually rebranded all Dolmar saws as Makita and subsequently announced it would stop making gas products in 2022, so it’s still pretty much just Makita.
In either case, each of these companies’ market share is pretty impressive!
Who Makes House Brands at Big Box Stores?
We can’t leave out the popular house brands available at those big-box retailers and home improvement warehouses. Note that many (if not all) of the brands below represent ODM or OEM solutions. OEMs build products based on designs provided to them by commercial customers, while ODM manufacturers design some or all of the products themselves before selling them to or through commercial customers. In other scenarios, tools are “offered” to a retailer and then manufactured in bulk upon acceptance of a buyer’s order.
Home Depot House Brands
- Husky (Stanley Black & Decker, Western Forge, Apex Tool Group, Iron Bridge Tools, and others)
- HDX
Lowe’s House Brands
- Kobalt Tools (24V power tools and 40V outdoor tools) made by Chervon
- Kobalt Tools (80V outdoor tools) made by Greenworks Tools
- Blue Hawk (various OEM)
Menard’s House Brands
- Masterforce (Chervon and other OEM)
- Midwest Manufacturing (exclusive)
- AC2
- Customcraft Countertops
- Dakota
- Klearvue Cabinetry
- Mastercraft
- MM Concrete
- MM Post Frame
- MM Steel
- MM Truss
- Ultradeck
- Grip Fast
- Guidesman (outdoor products)
- Performax (tools and accessories)
- Tool Shop (tools and accessories)
While you may have thought you knew who owned all those power tool manufacturers, consolidation has changed the playing field. By far, Stanley Black & Decker demonstrates the largest buyout pattern. Companies like TTI, Apex Tool Group, ITW, Great Star Tools, and others also enjoy adding to their numbers.
Finally, if we missed any tool mergers or acquisitions, please leave a comment below. We want to keep this article updated—a much harder task than we ever imagined! Feel free to also reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
