Klein tools are made by Klein Tools Inc, a family owned company that has operated continuously since 1857.
The brand is especially popular among electricians and telecommunications workers, best known for its lineman’s pliers and Journeyman tool line.
Klein Tools has remained under the control of the Klein family for close to 170 years, currently led by Thomas R. Klein as chairman and CEO.
Knowing who makes Klein tools helps buyers understand how one of the oldest hand tool companies in America has stayed independent for nearly two centuries.
This article covers Klein ownership, where the tools are manufactured, the brand’s history, and answers to common Klein questions.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Klein Tools And Who Owns The Brand?
Klein Tools was founded in 1857 in Chicago, Illinois by German immigrant Mathias Klein.
The company remains privately owned by the Klein family and is now headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Klein employs roughly 2,500 people and continues to be led by descendants of its founder generations later.
Where Are Klein Tools Manufactured?
Klein owns and operates several production facilities in the United States, including plants in Elk Grove, Illinois, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Mansfield, Texas, and Bolivar, New York.
The company also operates a manufacturing plant in Mexico that has been running since 1970, though Klein states most of what is produced there is sold in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America.
Klein maintains that the bulk of its products sold in the United States are developed and assembled domestically using parts sourced from its own US facilities.
A Brief History Of Klein Tools
Mathias Klein made his first tool, a pair of side cutting pliers, for a telegraph lineman shortly after founding the company.
As the telegraph, telephone, and electrical industries expanded after the Civil War, Klein grew its plier lineup to include more than 100 types by the 1910s.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, the company expanded into leather goods, occupational safety equipment, hex key wrenches, and other hand tool categories.
What Products Does Klein Sell?
Klein’s core lineup includes pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and tool bags aimed specifically at electricians and linemen.
The brand also sells knockout punches, a product line where much of the US supply is actually produced at Klein’s Mexico facility.
Klein’s high end Journeyman label targets professional tradespeople who want premium features on top of the brand’s standard tool lineup.
Klein vs Channellock: Which Family Owned Tool Brand Is Better?
Klein specializes in tools for electricians and telecommunications workers, while Channellock is best known for general purpose pliers.
Both companies remain independently family owned and manufacture the large majority of their products in the United States.
Electricians often own both brands, since Klein’s specialty lineup and Channellock’s general purpose pliers tend to complement each other on the job.
For more on other American manufacturers, see our guide to who makes Craftsman tools for a widely available comparison point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Klein Tools
Who makes Klein tools?
Klein tools are made by Klein Tools Inc, a family owned company headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Are Klein tools made in the USA?
Most Klein products sold in the United States are made domestically, though the company also operates a facility in Mexico primarily serving Latin American markets.
Is Klein Tools still family owned?
Yes, Klein Tools has remained under the control of the Klein family for close to 170 years.
What is Klein Tools known for?
Klein Tools is best known for pliers and hand tools designed for electricians, linemen, and telecommunications professionals.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.