Milwaukee Tool
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Power tools, hand tools, accessories, storage solutions, personal protective gear |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Albert F. Siebert |
| Headquarters | Brookfield, Wisconsin , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Power tools (corded and cordless), hand tools, utility knives, impact drivers, multimeters, thermal imaging cameras, oscillating multi-tools, drills, battery chargers, PACKOUT modular storage system |
| Owner | Techtronic Industries |
| Parent | Techtronic Industries |
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, widely recognized as Milwaukee Tool, is a U.S.-based multinational enterprise specializing in the design, production, and distribution of power tools, hand tools, accessories, storage solutions, and personal protective gear. Established in 1924 by Albert F. Siebert, the company functions as a standalone subsidiary under Techtronic Industries (TTI Group) after its $626.6 million acquisition in 2005. Milwaukee Tool is part of TTI’s brand portfolio alongside names such as AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Vax.
In 2022, Milwaukee allocated $206 million toward enhancing its research and development centers in Wisconsin, highlighting its dedication to innovation and corporate expansion. The firm maintains manufacturing sites across China, Germany, Mexico, the United States, and Vietnam.
The company’s extensive product range encompasses both corded and cordless power tools, hand tools including pliers and screwdrivers, utility knives, impact drivers, among others. Signature product lines include the M12 and M18 cordless platforms, MX FUEL equipment series, and the PACKOUT modular storage system. Additionally, Milwaukee offers specialized devices such as multimeters, thermal imaging cameras, oscillating multi-tools, drills, and battery chargers—serving a wide professional audience with a comprehensive selection of high-performance equipment.
1918 – The Hole-Shooter
In 1918, A.H. Peterson created the Hole-Shooter, a compact 1/4" power drill designed for one-handed use and powered by a Westinghouse motor; this tool weighed merely five pounds.
1922 – A.H. Peterson Company
The A.H. Peterson Company was founded in 1922 by A.H. Peterson and Albert F. Siebert. Following a factory fire and financial difficulties, Siebert took over the company’s assets in 1924 and founded Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.
By 1930, Milwaukee Electric Tool began providing equipment to the U.S. Navy, receiving specification approvals for its electric drills while expanding its product lineup to include portable grinders, electric hammers, sanders, and polishers.
1935 – 3/4" Electric Hammer Drill
In 1935, the company introduced a lightweight 3/4" electric hammer drill engineered for concrete anchoring that could also function as a conventional drill. That year also saw the debut of a compact sander/grinder with a single-horsepower motor weighing just 15 pounds.
1949 – Tool Innovations
Milwaukee integrated spring clutches into handheld sanders, grinders, and circular saws in 1949 to minimize recoil effects and released a 1/2" right-angle drill specifically designed for plumbers and electricians.
1951 – Sawzall Reciprocating Saw
The Milwaukee Sawzall was launched in 1951 as the first portable hacksaw utilizing a reciprocating blade mechanism; this was complemented by an extensive range of blades suitable for various materials.
1965 – New Headquarters
During the mid-1960s, Milwaukee Electric Tool moved its headquarters to a new facility spanning 212,000 square feet located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The company prioritized expanding both its product offerings and manufacturing capabilities throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
1974 – New Manufacturing Facility
In 1974, Milwaukee established a 60,000-square-foot production facility in Jackson, Mississippi. Around this time, the company introduced the Hole Hawg for drilling large holes, the Magnum Hole-Shooter pistol drill, and became the pioneer U.S. manufacturer of a 4-1/2" angle grinder.
1991 – Introduction of the Milwaukee Super Sawzall
The year 1991 saw the debut of Milwaukee’s Super Sawzall, a reciprocating saw equipped with an integrated counterbalance system, a clutch designed to protect gears, and backed by five patents. Later in the decade, Milwaukee broadened its portfolio by launching new miter saw models and 18-volt cordless tools aimed at contractors.
2012 – Advancements in product technology
Milwaukee unveiled its M18 FUEL series in 2012, featuring tools such as angle grinders, circular saws, impact wrenches, brad nailers, and deep-cut band saws. This lineup was made possible by the earlier release of REDLITHIUM batteries in 2010, which significantly improved both power output and battery life.
2017 – Launch of Packout storage system
In 2017, Milwaukee introduced the Packout modular storage system starting with five toolbox variants and three types of tool bags. Since then, the range has grown to incorporate workshop storage products, catering to professionals desiring flexible and customizable storage solutions.
2022 – Expansion of U.S. hand tool manufacturing
Milwaukee expanded its domestic production capabilities in 2022 by opening a 95,000-square-foot hand tool manufacturing plant in West Bend, Wisconsin. This facility focuses on producing items like pliers and screwdrivers. Additionally, the company acquired rights to adjacent land for potential future expansion, underscoring its commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing.
2023–2024 – Allegations concerning forced labor
In 2023, Milwaukee Tool came under investigation by U.S. legislators amid accusations that some suppliers employed forced Uyghur labor from Chinese prison camps for glove production. The company asserts strict anti-forced labor policies and reported no findings supporting these claims following thorough internal reviews.
U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China representative Chris Smith noted that Milwaukee had identified counterfeit products bearing its brand manufactured in China and consequently terminated relationships with the involved supplier. Nonetheless, Milwaukee Tool has been named in legal actions accusing it of benefiting from forced labor practices linked to Chinese prisons, with witness accounts describing coerced glove manufacturing under prison conditions.
These issues underscore persistent vulnerabilities within global supply chains and highlight the importance of stringent compliance measures to safeguard Milwaukee’s reputation and competitive standing.
Ownership
- 1924: Founded as The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation by A. F. Siebert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- 1976: Acquired by Amstar.
- 1986: Sold to Merrill Lynch.
- 1995: Purchased by Atlas Copco.
- 2005: Acquired by Techtronic Industries.
Awards
- Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards – Ranked No. 60 Best Places to Work in 2020
- Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards – Ranked No. 44 Best Place to Work in 2021
- Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards – Ranked No. 25 Best Place to Work in 2022
- Crain's Chicago Business – Best Places to Work in 2022
- Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators – Ranked No. 63 in 2023
External links
- Power tool producers
- U.S. tool manufacturing firms
- Electrical device manufacturers
- Manufacturers headquartered in Wisconsin
- Waukesha County, Wisconsin
- American enterprises founded in 1924
- Manufacturing firms founded in 1924
- 1924 establishments in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin-based companies
- Automotive tool producers
- Products manufactured in Mexico
- American companies established in 1924
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment