Kobalt (tools)

Kobalt is a line of hand and mechanics' tools, power tools, and tool storage products owned by the American home improvement chain Lowe's. It is the house brand for both Lowe's in North America and their joint venture with the now defunct Masters Home Improvement in Australia.

Kobalt
Product typeHand and mechanics' tools, power tools, and tool storage
OwnerLowe's Companies, Inc.
CountryUnited States and China
Introduced1998 (1998)
MarketsUnited States, Mexico, Canada
Websitewww.kobalttools.com Kobalt Tools no longer has a website and does not appear to honor guarantees

History

Lowe's and manufacturing partner J.H. Williams launched Kobalt in 1998,[1] with the intention of competing against rival retailers Sears and The Home Depot and their respective Craftsman and Husky tool brands.[2]

In 2003, the Danaher Corporation began producing the majority of Kobalt hand tools.[3][4]

In 2011, Lowe's ended its arrangement with Danaher and switched to a different supplier for its mechanic's hand tools,[5] JS Products of Las Vegas, Nevada.[6] Screwdrivers continue to be supplied by Great Neck.[7] The same year, the Kobalt line expanded to include cordless power tools,[8] manufactured by Chervon.[9] The current (2020) miter saws are manufactured by Rexon Industrial Corp. Taiwan.

Budget brands
Blue Hawk logo

Lowe's has two brands of tools and supplies positioned below Kobalt in quality and cost: Project Source and the more recent Blue Hawk, introduced in 2009.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Lowe's Announces Joint Venture with Snap-on's J.H. Williams Division". PR Newswire. 1998-11-05. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  2. Groeller, Greg (2010-11-17). "Columbus, Ga., Firm Supplies New Line of Tools for Lowe's Home Centers". Tribune Business News. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  3. Blair, John T. (2003-02-10). "Who Makes What Tools". SOL's Morgan Web. Archived from the original on 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  4. Knight, Jerry (2006-01-30). "Danaher Thrives on Discipline". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  5. Deutsch, Stuart (2011-08-10). "New Kobalt Tools at Lowes (Imports)". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  6. Tafoya, Dan; Rodriguez, Tom (Spring 2012). "JS Products Inc. is a true American success story" (PDF). Comunicación. Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce: 15. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  7. Deutsch, Stuart (2014-05-08). "New Kobalt Screwdrivers are Made in the USA". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  8. Deutsch, Stuart (2011-08-27). ""New" Kobalt 20V Cordless Power Tools". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  9. Deutsch, Stuart (2013-06-23). "Lowes' Kobalt Cordless Power Tools – 18V NiCad & Lithium-Ion". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  10. Durham, Christopher (2013-08-01). "Fifty2, The MPB Project: Lowe's Home Improvement, Blue Hawk". My Private Brand. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
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