Views: 222 Author: Edvo Publish Time: 2025-05-18 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● The Origins of Craftsman Hand Tools
>> The Lifetime Warranty: A Game Changer
● Sears' Stewardship and the Rise of Craftsman
>> The Manufacturing Shift and Quality Concerns
● The Transition: Stanley Black & Decker Acquires Craftsman
>> Strategic Expansion and Brand Revitalization
● Craftsman Under Stanley Black & Decker: Manufacturing and Quality
>> Warranty and Customer Service
● Craftsman's Product Range Today
● FAQ
>> 1. Who currently owns the Craftsman brand?
>> 2. Does Sears still sell Craftsman tools?
>> 3. Are Craftsman tools still made in the USA?
>> 4. Does the Craftsman lifetime warranty still apply?
>> 5. How does the quality of current Craftsman tools compare to older versions?
Craftsman is a name synonymous with quality, durability, and reliability in the world of hand tools and outdoor equipment. For nearly a century, the brand has been trusted by homeowners, mechanics, and professionals alike. However, the ownership and manufacturing story behind Craftsman tools is complex and has evolved significantly over the years. This article explores the history, current ownership, manufacturing, and future of Craftsman hand tools.
Craftsman was established in 1927 by Sears, Roebuck & Co., one of America's largest department store chains at the time. Sears introduced Craftsman as its house brand for tools, replacing the earlier Fulton brand. The name "Craftsman" was reportedly purchased from the Marion-Craftsman Tool Company for $500, a small price that would yield a legacy of trusted tools.
During its early years, Craftsman tools were primarily aimed at farmers and craftsmen who needed durable, dependable tools. Sears upgraded the quality over time, adding features like chrome plating as America embraced the automobile age. Craftsman quickly became known for its lifetime warranty, which promised free repair or replacement if a tool failed to provide complete satisfaction.
One of the most significant factors that helped Craftsman gain customer loyalty was its lifetime warranty. This promise was simple yet powerful: if a tool ever broke or failed to perform, Sears would repair or replace it free of charge. This warranty was so popular that it helped Sears build a loyal customer base that trusted the brand implicitly. Even today, many people associate Craftsman with this guarantee of quality and durability.
For decades, Sears was the exclusive retailer of Craftsman tools, selling them through its catalogs and physical stores. Craftsman became a household name, known for its "good, better, best" pricing tiers:
- Craftsman: Mid-tier tools for homeowners and hobbyists.
- Craftsman Professional/Industrial: High-end tools competing with brands like Snap-on and Mac Tools.
Sears also operated the Craftsman Club loyalty program, one of the earliest retailer loyalty programs, which helped build a strong customer base.
However, Sears did not manufacture the tools directly. Instead, it contracted various manufacturers, including Western Forge and Roper, some of which Sears had partial ownership in. Over time, manufacturing shifted overseas, and quality perceptions fluctuated, especially as Sears faced financial difficulties.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Sears began outsourcing more of its tool manufacturing overseas, primarily to China and Taiwan. This shift was driven by cost-cutting measures but led to a decline in perceived quality among some longtime Craftsman customers. The tools were still covered by the lifetime warranty, but many users felt the newer tools did not last as long or perform as well as the older, American-made versions.
This period also saw Sears struggling financially, which affected its ability to invest in the Craftsman brand. The decline of Sears stores and catalogs further diminished Craftsman's market presence, even as competitors like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Snap-on gained ground.
By the 2010s, Sears was struggling financially and looking to raise cash. In January 2017, Stanley Black & Decker, a Fortune 500 company known globally for its tools and storage solutions, acquired the Craftsman brand from Sears Holdings for approximately $900 million.
This acquisition gave Stanley Black & Decker the rights to develop, manufacture, and sell Craftsman-branded products across various retail channels in the U.S. and internationally. Sears retained a royalty-free license to sell Craftsman products through its stores for 15 years post-sale, after which it would pay royalties.
Stanley Black & Decker's goal was to revitalize Craftsman by expanding its product line, improving quality, and increasing distribution beyond Sears to retailers like Lowe's, Walmart, and Amazon.
Since acquiring Craftsman, Stanley Black & Decker has worked hard to reposition the brand as a serious competitor in the tool market. They have expanded the Craftsman product line to include power tools, outdoor equipment like lawn mowers and snow blowers, and even tool storage solutions such as tool chests and organizers.
The company has also leveraged its global manufacturing and distribution network to improve availability and pricing. Craftsman tools are now widely available at major retailers, making the brand more accessible than ever before.
After acquiring Craftsman, Stanley Black & Decker aimed to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. In 2019, they opened a factory in Fort Worth, Texas, to produce American-made Craftsman tools. This move was welcomed by fans of the brand who longed for a return to domestic manufacturing.
Unfortunately, due to machinery issues and cost challenges, this facility was closed in 2023, and manufacturing largely returned to China and other overseas locations. Despite this setback, Stanley Black & Decker continues to invest in quality control and innovation to maintain the Craftsman reputation.
Stanley Black & Decker honors the lifetime warranty on legacy Craftsman hand tools, maintaining the brand's longstanding promise to customers. Additionally, Lowe's, which has become a major Craftsman retailer, offers its own warranty and customer service programs to support Craftsman tool owners.
Many customers report positive experiences with warranty claims and repairs, which helps maintain trust in the brand despite manufacturing shifts.
Today, Craftsman offers a wide variety of products including:
- Hand tools (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers)
- Power tools (cordless drills, impact drivers, saws)
- Lawn and garden equipment (lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers)
- Tool storage solutions (tool chests, organizers, bags)
- Workwear and accessories (gloves, safety glasses, tool belts)
Stanley Black & Decker continues to expand the Craftsman lineup and retail presence, aiming to appeal to homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and professionals.
Craftsman has embraced new technologies such as lithium-ion battery platforms for cordless tools, ergonomic designs, and durable materials. The brand also offers smart tools with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to track tool usage and battery life via smartphone apps.
Craftsman hand tools have a rich history rooted in American craftsmanship and reliability. Originally owned by Sears, the brand became a staple for generations of tool users. Today, Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black & Decker, which continues to develop and distribute the brand globally. While manufacturing has shifted internationally, the legacy of quality and warranty remains a core part of Craftsman's identity. The future of Craftsman tools looks promising as the brand expands its offerings and retail presence, balancing heritage with modern manufacturing realities.
For tool enthusiasts and professionals alike, Craftsman remains a trusted name, blending tradition with innovation to meet the needs of today's users.
The Craftsman brand is currently owned by Stanley Black & Decker, which acquired it from Sears Holdings in 2017.
Yes, Sears retains a license to sell Craftsman products through its stores and online for 15 years after the sale, but Stanley Black & Decker controls Craftsman sales elsewhere.
Some Craftsman tools are made in the USA, but most manufacturing has shifted overseas, especially after the closure of Stanley Black & Decker's Texas factory in 2023.
Yes, Stanley Black & Decker honors the lifetime warranty on legacy Craftsman hand tools, and Lowe's also honors warranties regardless of purchase location.
Current Craftsman tools under Stanley Black & Decker are generally considered better than the late Sears-era Chinese-made tools but are often viewed as not quite matching the quality of vintage American-made Craftsman tools.
