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.
| Product type | Hand and mechanics' tools, power tools, and tool storage |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lowe's Companies, Inc. |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1998 |
| Markets | United States, Mexico, Canada |
| Website | www.kobalttools.com |
History edit
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. In 2019 Lowe’s announced that they will launch the Kobalt XTR power tools .
Budget brands edit
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]
Gallery edit
- An assortment of Kobalt combination wrenches, manufactured by Danaher.
- A pair of Kobalt lineman's pliers.
- A Kobalt utility knife.
See also edit
- Kobalt 400—A NASCAR race sponsored by Lowe's
References edit
- ^ "Lowe's Announces Joint Venture with Snap-on's J.H. Williams Division". PR Newswire. 1998-11-05. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ Groeller, Greg (2010-11-17). . Tribune Business News. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ Blair, John T. (2003-02-10). . SOL's Morgan Web. Archived from the original on 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ Knight, Jerry (2006-01-30). "Danaher Thrives on Discipline". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2011-08-10). "New Kobalt Tools at Lowes (Imports)". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2014-05-08). "New Kobalt Screwdrivers are Made in the USA". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2011-08-27). ""New" Kobalt 20V Cordless Power Tools". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
- ^ Deutsch, Stuart (2013-06-23). "Lowes' Kobalt Cordless Power Tools – 18V NiCad & Lithium-Ion". ToolGuyd. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
- ^ Durham, Christopher (2013-08-01). "Fifty2, The MPB Project: Lowe's Home Improvement, Blue Hawk". My Private Brand. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
External links edit
- Official website