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{{Short description|American tool manufacturer and distributor}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Irwin Industrial Tools
| name = Irwin Industrial Tools
| logo = [[Image:Irwin Industrial Tools logo.png]]
| logo = Irwin Tools logo.svg
| type = [[Subsidiary]] of [[Stanley Black & Decker]]<ref name="Fortier">{{cite web|last1=Fortier|first1=Christopher|title=Stanley completes $1.95 billion Newell acquisition|url=http://www.centralctcommunications.com/newbritainherald/article_8c4996c2-09e8-11e7-92aa-a7f95bd0fbfd.html|website=New Britain Herald|access-date=23 March 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| type = [[Subsidiary]] of [[Newell Rubbermaid]]
| foundation = 1885 in [[Martinsville, Ohio]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1885}} in [[Martinsville, Ohio]]
| founder = Charles Irwin
| founder = Charles Irwin
| location = [[Huntersville, NC]]
| location = [[Huntersville, NC]]
Line 13: Line 14:
| homepage = [http://www.irwin.com/ www.irwin.com]
| homepage = [http://www.irwin.com/ www.irwin.com]
}}
}}
[[Image:Irwin Industrial Tools logo.png|thumb|Previous logo]]


'''Irwin Industrial Tools''' is an American manufacturer and distributor of [[hand tools]] and [[power tool]] accessories. It is a subsidiary of [[Newell Rubbermaid]]. It is best known for producing Vise-Grip [[locking pliers]]. Additionally, it produces [[clamp (tool)|clamp]]s, [[drill bits]], [[saw blades]], [[pipe wrench]]es, [[screwdrivers]], [[snips]], and other [[construction]] tools.<ref>{{cite web|author=Irwin Industrial Tools|title=About Us|url=http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/aboutUs.jhtml|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref>
'''Irwin Industrial Tools''' is an American manufacturer and distributor of [[hand tools]] and [[power tool]] accessories. It is owned by [[Stanley Black & Decker]]. It is best known for producing Vise-Grip [[locking pliers]]. Additionally, it produces [[clamp (tool)|clamp]]s, [[drill bits]], [[tap and die|taps and dies]], [[screw extractor]]s, bolt extractors, [[saw blades]], [[pipe wrench]]es, [[screwdrivers]], [[snips]], and other [[construction]] tools.<ref>{{cite web|author=Irwin Industrial Tools|title=About Us|url=http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/aboutUs.jhtml|access-date=2008-04-06}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


Irwin was founded in 1885 in [[Martinsville, Ohio]] as the Irwin Auger Bit Company by Charles Irwin, a [[pharmacist]]. Irwin had bought the rights to a solid-center [[auger bit]] from a local [[blacksmith]].<ref>{{cite patent|US|361522}}</ref>
Irwin was founded in 1885 in [[Martinsville, Ohio]] as the Irwin Auger Bit Company by Charles Irwin, a [[pharmacist]]. Irwin had bought the rights to a solid-center [[auger bit]] from a local [[blacksmith]].<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=361522|pubdate=1887-04-19|title=Auger-bit|inventor1-last=Irwin|inventor1-first=Charles H.}}</ref>


In 1924, another blacksmith, [[Denmark|Danish]] immigrant William Petersen of [[DeWitt, Nebraska]], invented the first [[locking pliers]]<ref>{{cite patent|US|1489458}}</ref> and named them Vise-Grips.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frechette|first=Leon|title=75th anniversary of the Vise-Grip locking pliers|url=http://www.asktooltalk.com/articles/toolhistory/vise-grip.php|accessdate=2010-02-25}}</ref> In 1934, Petersen formed the Petersen Manufacturing Company to produce them.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nebraska State Historical Society|title=Made in Nebraska Exhibit, Petersen Manufacturing|url=http://www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mnh/neb-made/visegrip.htm|date=2003-04-02|accessdate=2010-02-25}}</ref> In 1957, Petersen added an easy-release trigger to the design, creating the modern locking pliers design.<ref>{{cite patent|US|2838973}}</ref>
In 1924, another blacksmith, [[Denmark|Danish]] immigrant William Petersen of [[DeWitt, Nebraska]], invented the first [[locking pliers]]<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=1489458|pubdate=1924-04-08|title=Wrench|assign1=Jules A. Sire & inventor|inventor1-last=Petersen|inventor1-first=William}}</ref> and named them Vise-Grips.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frechette|first=Leon|title=75th anniversary of the Vise-Grip locking pliers|url=http://www.asktooltalk.com/articles/toolhistory/vise-grip.php|access-date=2010-02-25}}</ref> In 1934, Petersen formed the Petersen Manufacturing Company to produce them.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nebraska State Historical Society|title=Made in Nebraska Exhibit, Petersen Manufacturing|url=http://www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mnh/neb-made/visegrip.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030728090340/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mnh/neb-made/visegrip.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 28, 2003|date=2003-04-02|access-date=2010-02-25}}</ref> In 1957, Petersen added an easy-release trigger to the design, creating the modern locking pliers design.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=2838973|pubdate=1958-06-17|title=Releasing means for self-locking plier type toggle wrench|inventor1-last=Petersen|inventor1-first=William}}</ref>


In 1985, the Petersen family formed American Tool Companies and bought out Petersen Manufacturing. In 1993, American acquired the Irwin Tool Company, and in 2002, [[Newell Rubbermaid]] acquired American. In 2003, the company officially changed its name to Irwin Industrial Tool Company.<ref>{{cite web|author=Irwin Industrial Tools|title=History|url=http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/irwinHistory.jhtml|accessdate=2010-02-25}}</ref>
In 1985, American Tool Companies bought out Petersen Manufacturing.{{clarify |date=September 2016 |reason=?Petersens sold to American? merged? }} In 1993, American acquired The Irwin Tool Company, and in 2002, [[Newell Rubbermaid]] acquired American. In 2003, American officially changed its name to Irwin Industrial Tool Company.<ref>{{cite web|author=Irwin Industrial Tools|title=History|url=http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/irwinHistory.jhtml|access-date=2010-02-25|archive-date=2010-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228053500/http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/irwinHistory.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 2008, Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant, ending 80 years of American production for Vise-Grips, citing a necessity to move production to [[People's Republic of China|China]] "to keep the Vise-Grip name competitive."<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Associated Press]]|title=Workers sorry Vise-Grip plant moving to China|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26531610/|date=2008-09-03|accessdate=2010-02-25}}</ref>
In 2008, Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant, ending 80 years of American production for Vise-Grips, citing a necessity to move production to [[People's Republic of China|China]] "to keep the Vise-Grip name competitive."<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Associated Press]]|title=Workers sorry Vise-Grip plant moving to China|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26531610|date=2008-09-03|access-date=2010-02-25}}</ref>


In 2010, Irwin closed the customer service office in [[Wilmington, OH]] and moved the customer service department to [[Huntersville, NC]].
In 2010, Irwin closed the customer service office in [[Wilmington, OH]] and moved the customer service department to [[Huntersville, NC]].

In October 2016 [[Stanley Black & Decker]] Inc agreed to buy [[Newell Brands]] Inc.’s tools business for $1.95 billion. The acquisition was completed in March 2017.<ref name="Fortier" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2016|title=Stanley buys tool division of Atlanta company|url=http://www.newbritainherald.com/NBH-New+Britain+News/252702/stanley-buys-tool-division-of-atlanta-company|access-date=February 3, 2022|website=New Britain Herald}}</ref>


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Line 32: Line 36:
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Locking_pliers.jpg|A pair of Vise-Grip [[locking pliers]].
Image:Locking_pliers.jpg|A pair of Vise-Grip [[locking pliers]].
Image:Vise-Grip curved jaw locking pliers.jpg|Vise-Grip curved-jaw locking pliers.
⚫
Image:Drill bit 10mm SDS IRWIN.jpg|A [[Drill bit#Masonry drill bits|masonry drill bit]].
Image:Vise-Grip long nose locking pliers.jpg|Vise-Grip long-nose locking pliers.
⚫
Image:Irwin 30mm.jpg|A [[Drill bit#Spade bit|spade bit]].
Image:Irwin Quick-Grip bar clamp.jpg|Quick-Grip [[bar clamp]].
⚫
Image:Drill bit 10mm SDS IRWIN.jpg|A [[Drill bit#Masonry drill bit|masonry drill bit]].
⚫
Image:Irwin 30mm.jpg|A [[Drill bit#Wood spade bit|spade bit]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==


*[[Irwin Tools Night Race]]—A [[NASCAR]] race sponsored by the company.
*[[Irwin Tools Night Race]]—A [[NASCAR]] race formerly sponsored by the company.


== References ==
== References ==


{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Irwin}}
{{Commons category|Irwin Industrial Tools}}
*{{Official website|https://www.irwintools.com/}}
*[http://www.irwin.com Irwin Industrial Tools web site]


{{Tool manufacturers}}
{{Tool manufacturers}}
{{Stanley Black &#38; Decker|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Tool manufacturing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Tool manufacturing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Newell Rubbermaid brands]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Ohio]]
[[Category:Newell Brands]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1885]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1885]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1885]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:1985 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:1993 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2002 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 05:22, 24 October 2024

Irwin Industrial Tools
Company typeSubsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker[1]
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1885; 139 years ago (1885) in Martinsville, Ohio
FounderCharles Irwin
HeadquartersHuntersville, NC
Key people
Charles Irwin, William Petersen
ProductsHand tools
Websitewww.irwin.com
Previous logo

Irwin Industrial Tools is an American manufacturer and distributor of hand tools and power tool accessories. It is owned by Stanley Black & Decker. It is best known for producing Vise-Grip locking pliers. Additionally, it produces clamps, drill bits, taps and dies, screw extractors, bolt extractors, saw blades, pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, snips, and other construction tools.[2]

History

[edit]

Irwin was founded in 1885 in Martinsville, Ohio as the Irwin Auger Bit Company by Charles Irwin, a pharmacist. Irwin had bought the rights to a solid-center auger bit from a local blacksmith.[3]

In 1924, another blacksmith, Danish immigrant William Petersen of DeWitt, Nebraska, invented the first locking pliers[4] and named them Vise-Grips.[5] In 1934, Petersen formed the Petersen Manufacturing Company to produce them.[6] In 1957, Petersen added an easy-release trigger to the design, creating the modern locking pliers design.[7]

In 1985, American Tool Companies bought out Petersen Manufacturing.[clarification needed] In 1993, American acquired The Irwin Tool Company, and in 2002, Newell Rubbermaid acquired American. In 2003, American officially changed its name to Irwin Industrial Tool Company.[8]

In 2008, Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant, ending 80 years of American production for Vise-Grips, citing a necessity to move production to China "to keep the Vise-Grip name competitive."[9]

In 2010, Irwin closed the customer service office in Wilmington, OH and moved the customer service department to Huntersville, NC.

In October 2016 Stanley Black & Decker Inc agreed to buy Newell Brands Inc.’s tools business for $1.95 billion. The acquisition was completed in March 2017.[1][10]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Fortier, Christopher. "Stanley completes $1.95 billion Newell acquisition". New Britain Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Irwin Industrial Tools. "About Us". Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  3. ^ US 361522, Irwin, Charles H., "Auger-bit", published 1887-04-19 
  4. ^ US 1489458, Petersen, William, "Wrench", published 1924-04-08, assigned to Jules A. Sire & inventor 
  5. ^ Frechette, Leon. "75th anniversary of the Vise-Grip locking pliers". Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  6. ^ Nebraska State Historical Society (2003-04-02). "Made in Nebraska Exhibit, Petersen Manufacturing". Archived from the original on July 28, 2003. Retrieved 2010-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ US 2838973, Petersen, William, "Releasing means for self-locking plier type toggle wrench", published 1958-06-17 
  8. ^ Irwin Industrial Tools. "History". Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  9. ^ "Workers sorry Vise-Grip plant moving to China". The Associated Press. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  10. ^ "Stanley buys tool division of Atlanta company". New Britain Herald. October 12, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
[edit]
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