Irwin Industrial Tools

Irwin Industrial Tools

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Hand tools and accessories
Founded	January 1, 1885 (1885-01-01) in Martinsville, Ohio, United States
Founder	Charles Irwin
Headquarters	Huntersville, North Carolina , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Hand tools, power tool accessories (including Vise-Grip locking pliers, clamps, drill bits, taps and dies, screw and bolt extractors, saw blades, pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, snips)
Owner	Stanley Black & Decker
Parent	Stanley Black & Decker

Irwin Industrial Tools is a U.S.-based producer and supplier specializing in hand tools and accessories for power tools, operating under the ownership of Stanley Black & Decker. The brand is widely recognized for its Vise-Grip locking pliers and also manufactures a variety of construction-related products including clamps, drill bits, taps and dies, screw and bolt extractors, saw blades, pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, snips, among other tools.

History

The company originated in 1885 in Martinsville, Ohio as the Irwin Auger Bit Company, founded by Charles Irwin, who was a pharmacist. Its initial product line began with securing the rights to a solid-center auger bit developed by a local blacksmith.

In 1924, William Petersen, a Danish immigrant residing in DeWitt, Nebraska, created the first locking pliers under the Vise-Grips brand. Petersen launched Petersen Manufacturing Company in 1934 to produce these innovative tools. The modern design was enhanced in 1957 when he introduced an easy-release trigger mechanism.

Petersen Manufacturing was acquired by American Tool Companies in 1985. Subsequently, American Tool Companies purchased The Irwin Tool Company in 1993. Later on, in 2002, Newell Rubbermaid acquired American Tool Companies. Following this acquisition, the business was rebranded as Irwin Industrial Tool Company in 2003.

After operating for eight decades in the U.S., Irwin ceased production at its DeWitt facility in 2008, relocating manufacturing to China to remain competitive globally. Two years later, in 2010, the company transferred its customer service center from Wilmington, Ohio to Huntersville, North Carolina.

In October 2016, Stanley Black & Decker announced an agreement to purchase Newell Brands’ tool division for $1.95 billion, finalizing the transaction by March 2017.

See also

• Irwin Tools Night Race—A former NASCAR event sponsored by Irwin.