Kobalt (tools)

Kobalt
Product type Hand and mechanics' tools, power tools, tool storage
Owner Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Country USA
Introduced 1998
Markets United States, Mexico, Canada
Website www.kobalttools.com

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.

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]

Budget brands

Blue Hawk logo

Lowe's has two brands of tools and supplies positioned below Kobalt in quality and cost: Task Force 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. 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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