Milwaukee Tools are primarily made by Techtronic Industries, a Hong Kong based multinational that owns the Milwaukee Tool brand and manufactures its products across factories in China, the United States, Vietnam, Mexico, and Germany.
Milwaukee Tool is known for its M18 and M12 cordless battery platforms, its focus on professional tradespeople as its core audience, and a relentless pace of product innovation that has made it the dominant brand on professional job sites across North America.
Milwaukee Tool is a wholly owned subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI), which acquired Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation in 2005 from Atlas Copco for approximately $626.6 million.
Knowing who makes Milwaukee Tools helps buyers understand the corporate structure behind the brand, where specific products are manufactured, and why the brand’s headquarters in Wisconsin does not mean most tools are made there.
This article covers Milwaukee Tool’s ownership, where its products are made, which tools are manufactured in the US, how it compares to DeWalt and Makita, and what is next for the brand.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Milwaukee Tool?
Milwaukee Tool is 100% owned by Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI), a Hong Kong based multinational listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 0669.HK. TTI was founded in 1985 by German entrepreneur Horst Julius Pudwill and has grown into one of the world’s largest power tool and outdoor equipment companies.
TTI also owns the Ryobi power tool brand and the Hoover, Oreck, and Dirt Devil floor care brands.
Milwaukee is TTI’s flagship professional brand and its primary revenue driver, generating nearly $10 billion in revenue in 2024 and growing at double digit rates for more than a decade.
Milwaukee Tool is not a publicly traded independent company and has no shares of its own. Every aspect of its ownership, financing, and corporate direction flows through TTI’s Hong Kong parent structure.
When Was Milwaukee Tool Founded?
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was founded in 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Albert F. Siebert.
The company built a reputation for heavy duty professional electric tools over the following decades, particularly in the drill and sawzall categories that became synonymous with the brand.
Milwaukee changed ownership several times over the years, passing through American Electrical Holdings, then Atlas Copco, before TTI purchased it in 2005.
TTI’s acquisition marked the beginning of a dramatic acceleration in innovation, particularly around cordless battery technology.
The company’s headquarters remains in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and its global research and development center is also based there. Despite the international ownership, Milwaukee’s American identity and professional brand positioning have remained central to its market strategy.
Where Are Milwaukee Tools Made?
The majority of Milwaukee’s power tools are manufactured in China, where TTI operates large scale facilities that produce most of the M18 and M12 cordless tools that professional tradespeople use on job sites.
China accounts for a significant share of total TTI manufacturing output across all its brands.
Milwaukee also has manufacturing operations in Vietnam and Mexico that produce portions of its lineup. Germany hosts production for some European market products. The specific country of origin for each tool is printed on its packaging and on the tool body itself.
A growing share of Milwaukee products are made in the United States. TTI has invested significantly in expanding Milwaukee’s US manufacturing across Mississippi, Wisconsin, and South Carolina, with hand tools, accessories such as saw blades, and hole saws among the products made domestically.
Which Milwaukee Tools Are Made in the USA?
Milwaukee opened a dedicated US hand tool factory in 2023 producing made in USA hand tools using domestically sourced steel. The company also produces accessories including Sawzall blades, hole saws, and carbide tipped blades at US based facilities in Mississippi.
Empire Level products, which Milwaukee also owns, are manufactured in Wisconsin. In 2024, Milwaukee announced additional US factory expansion in Mississippi, signaling a continued commitment to growing domestic production capacity beyond accessories.
Not all products labeled Milwaukee Tool are made in the US. Power tools, batteries, and chargers in the M12 and M18 systems are manufactured primarily in China and Vietnam. Buyers who want specifically US made Milwaukee products should check the packaging for country of origin markings.
Milwaukee Tool vs DeWalt vs Makita: Who Makes Each?
All three are major professional tool brands, each owned by a different parent company. Milwaukee Tool is owned by TTI, a Hong Kong based multinational. DeWalt is owned by Stanley Black and Decker, an American company headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut. Makita is owned by Makita Corporation, an independent Japanese company headquartered in Anjo, Aichi, Japan.
TTI also owns Ryobi, making it a direct competitor to itself at two different price points. Milwaukee targets professional tradespeople, while Ryobi serves the DIY market. DeWalt and Milwaukee are considered the two dominant brands in the professional North American power tool segment.
Makita, while less dominant in North America than Milwaukee or DeWalt, has a strong following among professionals who value its Japanese engineering heritage. Makita manufactures in Japan, Romania, Brazil, and China, with some US assembly as well.
Is Milwaukee Tool an American Company?
Milwaukee Tool is an American brand with American headquarters, American R&D, and growing American manufacturing, but it is not an American owned company. Its parent company TTI is based in Hong Kong, and TTI’s overall manufacturing is primarily located in Asia.
The distinction matters for buyers who care specifically about where their tools come from. Milwaukee’s design and engineering decisions are made in Brookfield, Wisconsin. But most of the products coming out of that process are manufactured in Asia before being shipped to North American distributors.
Milwaukee has made public commitments to expand US manufacturing and has followed through with new factory openings in Mississippi and Wisconsin. The trajectory is toward more US production, but the current reality is still predominantly Asian manufacturing for most product categories.
What Is Next for Milwaukee Tool?
Milwaukee continues to expand its product categories beyond traditional power tools. The brand has moved into outdoor power equipment, plumbing tools, lighting, concrete tools, and personal protective equipment, all built around the M18 battery ecosystem.
TTI reported record total sales of $15.3 billion in 2025, with Milwaukee growing 7.9% for the year. Milwaukee’s revenue growth has outpaced most rivals in the professional tool market for more than a decade and shows no sign of slowing.
The brand’s strategy centers on what it calls One Key, a digital tool management platform, and on continuing to expand the M18 ecosystem with new categories that make Milwaukee the one stop platform for professional tradespeople across every trade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Milwaukee Tools Are Made
Is Milwaukee Tool owned by a Chinese company?
Milwaukee Tool is owned by Techtronic Industries, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and legally incorporated in Hong Kong. TTI is not incorporated in mainland China. Its manufacturing operations include factories in China, but the corporate parent entity is a Hong Kong listed company.
Are Milwaukee Tools better than DeWalt?
Both brands are highly regarded professional tools, and the answer depends on the specific tool category and personal preference. Milwaukee is generally considered stronger in cordless innovation and battery platform ecosystem. DeWalt has broad brand recognition and a similarly comprehensive lineup. Professional tradespersons have loyal followings in both camps.
Does Milwaukee Tool still make tools in Wisconsin?
Yes, some products are made in Wisconsin. Milwaukee’s Empire Level products are manufactured in Wisconsin. The company’s Brookfield headquarters hosts its global R&D center. Hand tool manufacturing has been expanding in the US, with additional facilities in Mississippi.
Who was Milwaukee Tool sold to and when?
Milwaukee Tool was sold to Techtronic Industries in 2005 for approximately $626.6 million. The seller was Atlas Copco, a Swedish industrial company that had owned Milwaukee since 2000. Before Atlas Copco, Milwaukee had been owned by Ameriquest Technologies and earlier by American Electrical Holdings.
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.