Since that launch, they have created new tools in an area that the larger companies have less interest in, put new technologies to work in their manufacturing to be competitive in a global market, and build the best tools for the best price. With this launch came the commitment to 100% Made in the USA manufacturing. With instability, mass offshoring of manufacturing, and the request to use Chinese blanks for assembly, Eagle Tool US launched in 2003 with a the Switch Bit and Concrete/Sheet Metal Installation tools. Manufacturing for private labels can often put you in a tough position. To meet the required expansion, they partnered with another company that produced masonry bits and successfully pitched the combined line with their existing cable installation bits. Their quality was recognized, but a more diverse product line was required and expansion of their product line resulted. Colleen’s shop produced the bits to be sold under a different brand name through that retailer. The first big break for the product came in the form of a contract with one of the major tool retailers. Because of this, she had an intimate knowledge of the materials and design from the ground up. This is before Google and smart phones, so what really stands out is that she did this of her own ingenuity and experience. It was modeled after successful bits of the time, but something about it kept failing, and he took it Colleen in exasperation.Ĭolleen worked with the failed accessory, discovered the inherent issues in the design, and corrected them. The fact that she was doing high quality work and getting noticed for it in what was considered to be a “man’s world” is inspirational.Įagle Tool US jumped into the cable bit niche of the industry when a friend and customer brought in a cable bit that they couldn’t make work. Although this was work space dominated by men, she moved up undeterred, and eventually opened her own shop. Having worked on an assembly line prior, she was determined to make it into the tool room where she could make a better living. Back in 1976, the Eagle Tool US name wasn’t yet in play, and it was a small one person job shop in Cary, Illinois. Eagle Tool US HistoryĮagle Tool US is one of the great American success stories. That kind of problem exists frequently with imported steel. For example, when creating a self feed bit with a threaded tip, that tip needs to be made of a steel blend that will retain its sharpness while resisting breaking off. Other issues are in the manufacturing process itself. This leads to bit failures, mostly in the form of bit breakage. The steel that is imported from overseas is a lower quality that what Eagle Tool US brings in. Colleen told me that the major problem is quality. ![]() I asked about the issues that are presented with cable installation bits that are produced outside the US. ![]() ![]() Even those small items are required to be 100% manufactured in the United States. There are a couple of products that they sell such as the Allen wrench required to change heads on their Switch Bit line that they purchase from a third party. The only part of production outsourced is the heat treatment, powder coating, and blackening, yet even that is carefully controlled to ensure it is done in the US. They use only steel mined in America and 90% of the production process is done in house. Much of the process is done in the state of Illinois, where Eagle Tool US is located. Every product that they sell is Made in the USA, and that is a fact that they are very proud of.įrom start to finish, each product is manufactured in the US. When we started speaking about the company, it was obvious that the most important point for her is their commitment to US based manufacturing. Colleen York is the President and founder of Eagle Tool US.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |