Milwaukee Tool

Last updated

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1924;101 years ago (1924)
FoundersAlbert F Siebert
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
Steven Richman President
ProductsPower tools, Hand tools, Accessories,
Number of employees
5,001-10,000
Parent Techtronic Industries
Website www.milwaukeetool.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

[1]

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, known more commonly as Milwaukee Tool, is an American multi-national company that develops, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, tool storage, and personal protective equipment. [2] Milwaukee Tool was last sold in 2005 for $626.6 million to the multinational holding company TTI Group. [3] [4] The company now operates as an independent subsidiary of TTI Group alongside brands like AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Vax. [5] In 2022, $206 million was invested in Wisconsin research and development facilities. [6]

Contents

Milwaukee tools today are manufactured globally in China, Germany, Mexico, the United States, and Vietnam. [7] 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 Red and black Milwaukee tape measure on white backgroundpng.png
A Milwaukee tape measure
Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter 1/2" Cat. No. 0234-1 electric drill tool Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter.png
Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter 1/2" Cat. No. 0234-1 electric drill tool

History

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. In 1922, A.H. Peterson and Albert F. Siebert founded the A.H. Peterson Company. The business closed the following year after 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. [8]

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. [8]

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. In 1974, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation opened a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Jackson, Mississippi. [8]

Milwaukee 4 in tradesman fixed blade 48-22-1926 Milwaukeetradesman.jpg
Milwaukee 4 in tradesman fixed blade 48-22-1926
Milwaukee tool wire stripper/cutter 48-22-3043 Milwaukeewirestripper.jpg
Milwaukee tool wire stripper/cutter 48-22-3043

In 1976, Milwaukee Tool was sold to Amstar. [9] . It was later sold to Merrill Lynch in 1986, [10] Atlas Copco in 1995. [11] , and finally, Techtronic Industries in 2005. [12]

The company has continued to expand the system and broadened its focus in 2022 with workshop storage solutions. [13] In 2021, Milwaukee Tool opened a 150,000 square-foot Service hub in Greenwood, Indiana. The $6.75M investment compliments Milwaukee Tool’s 48,000 square foot Service hub in Greenwood, Mississippi, as well as the company’s network of factory and authorized Service centers across the United States. [14]

In 2022, Milwaukee Tool opened a 95,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Bend, Wisconsin for the production of hand tools, starting with pliers and screwdrivers. The company has the right of first refusal to purchase additional land for future expansion. [15]

Foreign forced labor allegations

In 2023, U.S. lawmakers at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China questioned Milwaukee Tool over allegations its suppliers may have used forced Uyghur labor from Chinese prisons in the manufacture of work gloves. [16] [17]

In response to an earlier inquiry by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, [18] Milwaukee Tool has said they do not tolerate the use of forced labor, and that they have strict policies and procedures in place to ensure that no authorized Milwaukee Tool products are manufactured using forced labor. Milwaukee Tool says they investigated the claims and found no evidence to support them. [19]

After questioning company officials, Representative Chris Smith, Chair of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said that Milwaukee Tool ultimately discovered multiple examples of counterfeit gloves bearing their brand name being made in China, and cut ties with the manufacturer in question. [20]

Milwaukee Tool has been accused in US courts of benefitting from forced labor assignments in Chinese prisons, with former prisoner Lee Ming-che recalling being forcibly tasked with gluing a patch bearing Milwaukee Tool's distinctive lightning bolt onto its leather work gloves while incarcerated in Hunan's Chishan Prison. [21]

Production development

Awards

References

  1. "Milwaukee Tool | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  2. "The Company | Milwaukee Tools Europe". www.milwaukeetool.eu. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  3. "About TTI – Techtronic Industries". Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  4. "Milwaukee Electric Tool, other units to be sold for $626.6M". Archived from the original on April 19, 2005. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  5. "Brands". Cordless Power Tools Leader – Techtronic Industries TTI. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  6. Dan Stout (December 21, 2022). "Why Was Milwaukee Tool One of the Fastest Growing Brands of 2022?". Family Handyman. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  7. Wabiszewski, Kevin (May 23, 2023). "Where Are Milwaukee Tools Made? 2023 Overview". All American Made. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Milwaukee Tools: The History of the Brand". www.cableorganizer.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  9. "History". Milwaukee Tools Europe. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  10. "Milwaukee Tool History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones – Zippia". www.zippia.com. August 27, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  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. August 30, 2004. Archived from the original on April 19, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  13. "Milwaukee Expands PACKOUT System with New Solutions to Customize Your Shop". www.milwaukeetool.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  14. "Milwaukee Tool to open new Indiana service hub". Woodworking Network. September 11, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  15. WEDC (January 31, 2023). "Milwaukee Tool continues to grow in Wisconsin". WEDC. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  16. Vanderford, Richard (July 11, 2023). "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 July 12, 2023.
  17. Masters, Katherine (July 11, 2023). "US lawmakers question Techtronic's Milwaukee Tool on alleged links to forced labor". Reuters . Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  18. "Human rights advocates raise concerns that Milwaukee Tool gloves are made with forced labour in a Chinese prison; incl. co. responses". Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  19. Milwaukee Tool (December 20, 2022). "Milwaukee_Tool_Response_12.20.22" (PDF). Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  20. Smith, Chris (October 24, 2023). "Hearing: How Forced Labor in China Taints America's Seafood Supply Chain" (PDF). Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  21. Feng, Emily (August 8, 2024). "Lawsuit alleges U.S. company used forced labor in China". NPR.
  22. "Milwaukee Packout Tool Boxes and Storage System, in Photos". ToolGuyd. June 12, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  23. "Best Places to Work 2020".
  24. "2021 Best Places to Work".
  25. "Best Places to Work | Glassdoor". Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  26. "These are Chicago's 100 Best Places to Work of 2022". September 14, 2022.
  27. "100 Best Workplaces for Innovators 2023".