Stanley Black and Decker Finalizes Purchase of Craftsman Brand Tools

Craftsman

With Sears and Kmart stores slowly closing across the country, Sears Holdings had to sell off their longtime brand of tools, Craftsman to generate cash flow.  The buyer turned out to be Stanley Black & Decker (SBD), who also runs DeWalt, Black + Decker, Porter Cable, Bostitch, and others. Late last week, their deal to purchase the tool icon was officially finalized.

After the announcement that SBD would purchase Craftsman, longtime Craftsman customers had many questions.  To help answer those questions, SBD has created a new Craftsman website, The Future of Craftsman, which contains updates on the brand’s future. Highlights of how SBD plans to integrate the brand are below:

Manufacturing

DeWalt recently celebrated the 10-Millionth tool that was produced in their Charlotte, NC manufacturing plant and, building off of that, the parent company will look to manufacture more Craftsman Tools in the United States, as well.  Stanley Black & Decker’s President and Chief Executive Officer, James M. Loree had this to say in a press release: “We will invest in the brand with a focus on quality, innovation and U.S. manufacturing, with the goal of rapidly increasing sales through new channels and will provide more information on our distribution plans as they are developed.”

Warranty

When any company is taken over by another, many are worried about the state of the products they already own.  SBD says there is nothing to worry about, though, existing Craftsman users, as all “Craftsman branded products will continue to be covered under their existing warranties,” the press release stated. To place a warranty claim:

Going forward, the company states that they will offer “similar” warranties. “We also understand the Craftsman warranty is important to existing customers and intend to honor existing and offer similar warrantees going forward,” explained Loree.

Where to buy?

Sears will continue to sell Craftsman branded products, but those will be independent from Stanley Black & Decker.  The company believes that Craftsman tools will also be available at even more retailers in the future.  Craftsman will also continue to be sold at Ace Hardware, Ochard Supply Hardware, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, and Atwoods.

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