Milwaukee Tool launched new USA-made hand tools last year, and the same question has been on everyone’s minds since then – what’s next?
Here’s a teaser: “Every single year, you’re going to see new made in USA hand tools coming from Milwaukee.”
The first wave of made-in-USA Milwaukee hand tools included pliers, screwdrivers, and cutters, with a focus on the common needs of electricians, utility linemen, and similar professionals.
Pliers and screwdrivers are just the start.
When we toured Milwaukee Tool’s new state of the art production facility in West Bend, Wisconsin in 2022, it was emphasized that the building was designed to be expandable.
Here’s an overhead view of the building.
Here’s a wider satellite view of the area.
Not only did Milwaukee design the factory with a wall that can be taken down for quicker expansion, they have the right of first refusal for a lot of the surrounding land.
With plenty of room for expansion. This brings us back to the question of what’s next.
We asked Milwaukee Tool’s Tim Albrecht, Group President of Hand Tools, Storage, and PPE, and he spilled some secrets. The following interview took place last August at Milwaukee Tool’s Pipeline 2023 media event.
First, we started with when will we see more USA-made tools.
The demolitions screwdrivers and diagonal cutters came out at the tail end of 2023, and Tim discussed what Milwaukee is looking at next.
Insulated tools are a strong possibility, given that the biggest difference is in the handle grips. That does seem like a logical direction for the brand to head in.
He also mentioned the possibility for more core tools, such as wire strippers, and that Milwaukee could leverage production capabilities at some of Milwaukee’s other USA facilities, beyond just the new factory at West Bend, Wisconsin.
Every single year, you’re going to see new made in USA hand tools coming from Milwaukee.
Oh, there’s more.
What about hand tools beyond electrical?
As long as they tie in with the manufacturing capabilities that we have, the sky is the limit.
One thing to keep in mind is that Milwaukee has also worked to expand their manufacturing capabilities, such as with their West Bend facility and the processes developed for pliers, screwdrivers, and cutter production.
In the second part of the interview we also talk about Milwaukee’s commitment to producing their USA hand tools 100% in the United States, from the raw materials to the packaging. There’s still no fine print on these products, and from the sounds of it, there’s never going to be.
While there looks to be unlimited potential, Milwaukee gave us some clues as to the directions they’re headed.
What types of hand tools do you want Milwaukee to make here next?
