Klein Tools

Klein Tools, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Hand tools, Electrical tools
Founded	January 1, 1857 (1857-01-01) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Founder	Mathias Klein
Headquarters	Mansfield, Texas , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Lineman's pliers, screwdrivers, nut drivers, wire pulling and stripping instruments, crimping tools, scissors, snips, cable cutters, bolt cutters, multimeters, electrical testers, conduit benders, personal protective equipment, tool storage solutions
Website	www.kleintools.com

Klein Tools, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer located in Lincolnshire, IL, specializing in the production of hand tools predominantly utilized within the electrical power industry and telecommunications markets. Its lineman’s pliers have become so widely recognized that they are frequently referred to simply as "Kleins."

The company’s product portfolio exceeds 5,000 items, encompassing 165 varieties of pliers, along with screwdrivers, nut drivers, wire pulling and stripping instruments, crimping tools, scissors, snips, cable and bolt cutters, multimeters, electrical testers, conduit benders, personal protective equipment, and tool storage solutions. Additionally, Klein offers a high-end product range marketed under the Journeyman brand.

History

Established in 1857 in Chicago, Illinois by German immigrant Mathias Klein, the firm initially focused on manufacturing side-cutting pliers designed for telegraph linemen. As telegraphy, telephone services, and electrical industries expanded following the Civil War, Klein broadened its offerings to include over 100 different plier models by the 1910s. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the company diversified its product lines to incorporate leather and canvas goods, safety equipment, hex keys, screwdrivers, nut drivers, as well as electrical terminals and connectors. Key acquisitions during this period included R.H. Buhrke Company in 1968 and Vaco Products in 1986. In the mid-1980s, Klein transitioned adjustable wrench manufacturing from Japan back to domestic facilities in the United States.

Before entering the 1990s, Klein established a drop forging plant located in Moran, Kansas and developed a distribution center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To enhance distribution networks and strengthen its e-commerce footprint, Klein launched an affiliate program known as Klein Connection.

In December 2011, the company ceased operations at its Skokie and Roselle plants in Illinois and consolidated manufacturing at a newly opened advanced facility in Mansfield, Texas. Subsequent expansions included a heat-treating plant added in 2014, increased plastic injection molding and machining capacity in 2015, followed by a substantial distribution center completed in 2020. The corporate headquarters were relocated to Mansfield in 2021. Throughout its history, Klein Tools has remained a family-owned and managed enterprise.

Klein’s offices and operational sites are distributed across Fort Smith, AR; Lincolnshire, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Bolivar, NY; Mansfield, TX; and Elk Grove Village, IL.

In September 2018, Klein enhanced its personal protective equipment offerings through the acquisition of Ergodyne based in Saint Paul, Minnesota—a manufacturer specializing in safety work gear.

Sponsorships

Since 1994, Klein Tools has engaged in motorsports sponsorship to elevate brand awareness among auto racing enthusiasts. The company supported prominent drivers such as Jacques Villeneuve—winner of both the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and CART championship—and Dan Wheldon, who was co-sponsored alongside Jim Beam. Klein also served as an associate sponsor for Andretti-Green Racing during their victorious 2005 Indianapolis 500 campaign.

In 2001, the company broadened its promotional efforts by partnering with aerobatic pilot Michael Mancuso. Mancuso flew a Klein-branded Extra 300L aircraft at air shows and IndyCar events, aligning the brand with elite motorsport audiences.