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Milwaukee Tool

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This article is about the tool company. For the city, see Milwaukee within Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. For other uses, see Milwaukee (disambiguation).

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1924; 100 years ago (1924)
FoundersAlbert F Siebert
HeadquartersBrookfield, Wisconsin
Key people
Steven Richman President
ProductsPower tools
Number of employees
5,500[citation needed]
ParentTechtronic Industries
Websitewww.milwaukeetool.com Edit this at Wikidata

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, known more commonly as Milwaukee Tool, is a multi-national company that develops, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, tool storage, and personal protective equipment.[1] Milwaukee Tool was last sold in 2005 for $626.6 million to the Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, also known as TTI Group.[2][3] The company is now a subsidiary of TTI Group alongside brands like AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Vax.[4] In 2022, $206 million was invested in Wisconsin research and development facilities.[5]

Milwaukee tools today are manufactured globally in China, Germany, Mexico, the United States , and Vietnam.[6] The tools produced include corded and cordless power tools, hand tools, pliers, hand saws, screwdrivers, utility knives, impact drivers, and more. Primary Milwaukee Tool product lines include the M12, M18, MX FUEL, and PACKOUT tool, equipment, and tool storage systems. This company globally distributes other various tools like multimeters, thermal imaging equipment, oscillating multi-tools, drilling devices, chargers, and more.

A Milwaukee tape measure
Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter 1/2" Cat. No. 0234-1 electric drill tool

History

1918 - The Hole-Shooter

In 1918, A.H. Peterson developed the Hole-Shooter, a one-handed operation, 1/4" capacity power drill powered by a series-type Westinghouse motor. This drill was lighter than other models available at the time, weighing only five pounds.[7]

1922 - A.H. Peterson Company

In 1922, A.H Peterson and Albert F. Siebert founded the A.H Peterson Company. The business closed the following year. This was caused by a financial setback related to a factory-destroying fire. In 1924, Siebert purchased the remaining company's assets and formed the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.[7]

1930 - U.S. Navy

In 1930, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation began producing tools for the U.S. Navy. Milwaukee Tool received an equipment specification rating for their electric drill. Milwaukee Tool then began developing portable hand grinders, electric hammers, sanders, and polishers.[7]

1935 - 3/4" electric hammer drill

By 1935, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation developed a lightweight 3/4" electric hammer drill. This power tool was designed to drill and sink anchors into concrete. This drill could also be converted into a standard 3/4" drill. Milwaukee also designed an easy-to-handle, single-horsepower sander/grinder that weighed only 15 pounds.[7]

1949 - Tool innovations

In 1949, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation added a spring clutch to handheld Milwaukee sanders, grinders, and circular saws, significantly reducing tool recoil. In the same year, Milwaukee Tool also introduced their 1/2" right-angle drill. This power tool allowed plumbers and electricians to drill holes in wood and steel.[7]

1951 - Sawzall reciprocating saw

In 1951, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation released its Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw. The Sawzall was the first portable hacksaw to have a reciprocating mechanism. Milwaukee Tool also developed a full line of saw blades that were capable of cutting all materials.[7]

1965 - New headquarters

In 1965, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation moved from its headquarters on State Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to a 212,000-square-foot facility in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In the 1960s and 1970s, Milwaukee Tool was focused on product and facility expansion.[7]

1974 - New manufacturing facility

In 1974, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation opened a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Jackson, Mississippi. In the 1970s, Milwaukee Tool released the Hole Hawg®, a power tool designed for drilling large holes in studs and joints. The company also released the Magnum Hole-Shooter, a 1/2" pistol drill, and became the first American manufacturer to produce a 4-1/2" angle grinder.[7]

1991 - Milwaukee Super Sawzall

In 1991, Milwaukee released the Milwaukee® Super Sawzall, a reciprocating saw with built-in counterbalance, a gear-protecting clutch, and five different patents. In the later 1990s, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation released a new range of miter saws and a lineup of 18-volt contractor cordless tools.[7]

2012 - New developments

In 2012, the company developed its Milwaukee M18 FUEL product line. The tools specified as M18 tools included angle grinders, circular saws, impact wrenches, brad nail guns, and deep-cut band saws. This was achieved because of the Milwaukee REDLITHIUM batteries released in 2010.[7]

2023 - Milwaukee news

In 2023, U.S. lawmakers at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China alleged that Milwaukee Tool may have used forced Uyghur labor from Chinese prisons in its supply chain.[8][9]

Ownership

Awards

  • Glassdoor's Employees' Choice Awards - #25 best place to work, 2022[13]

References

  1. ^ "The Company | Milwaukee Tools Europe". www.milwaukeetool.eu. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  2. ^ "About TTI - Techtronic Industries". Archived from the original on 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  3. ^ "Milwaukee Electric Tool, other units to be sold for $626.6M". Archived from the original on April 19, 2005. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Brands". Cordless Power Tools Leader - Techtronic Industries TTI. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  5. ^ Dec. 21, Dan StoutUpdated; 2022 (2022-12-21). "Why Was Milwaukee Tool One of the Fastest Growing Brands of 2022?". Family Handyman. Retrieved 2023-12-01. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Wabiszewski, Kevin (23 May 2023). "Where Are Milwaukee Tools Made? 2023 Overview". All American Made. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Milwaukee Tools: The History of the Brand". www.cableorganizer.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  8. ^ Vanderford, Richard (2023-07-11). "Milwaukee Tool Is Questioned Over Alleged Use of Chinese Forced Labor". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  9. ^ Masters, Katherine (2023-07-11). "US lawmakers question Techtronic's Milwaukee Tool on alleged links to forced labor". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  10. ^ "History". Milwaukee Tools Europe. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  11. ^ "Atlas Copco Buying US Electric-Tool Maker". The New York Times. June 22, 1995. Archived from the original on May 22, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  12. ^ "Milwaukee Electric Tool, other units to be sold for $626.6M". Milwaukee Business Journal. 2004-08-30. Archived from the original on 2005-04-19. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  13. ^ "Best Places to Work | Glassdoor". Archived from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
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