Milwaukee Tool has a long history of manufacturing innovative power tools and accessories in the United States. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1924, the company has grown to become a global leader in the power tool industry.
Where are Milwaukee Tools Made?
Milwaukee Tool currently has major manufacturing facilities in Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Indiana in the United States, as well as factories in China, Germany, Mexico, and Vietnam.
Milwaukee’s US manufacturing focuses primarily on power tools, while overseas facilities produce hand tools, accessories, and other products. The company’s largest US manufacturing site is in Greenwood, Mississippi, where they produce Sawzall reciprocating saw blades, Hole Dozer hole saws, step drill bits, and other accessories.
Sawzall Blade Manufacturing
One of Milwaukee Tool’s most iconic products is the Sawzall reciprocating saw, invented in 1951. The Sawzall blades that fit these saws are produced exclusively at the Greenwood, Mississippi factory. This is the only facility in the world that manufactures Sawzall blades.
The manufacturing process starts with uncoiling large rolls of raw steel into sheets. These sheets are then stamped into blade blanks using presses. Next, the teeth are ground into the blades using special grinding wheels. This process is superior to milling the teeth before stamping because it ensures consistent tooth patterns on every blade.
After grinding, the blades are washed then the teeth are “set” into their final position. Setting the teeth prevents the blades from binding in materials while cutting. The blades then go through heat treatment and quenching to harden them. They are then powder coated, printed with logos and text using a high-speed UV printer, and packaged.
Throughout the process, automation is used along with skilled human operators overseeing critical steps. This blend of automation and human quality control ensures optimal efficiency and consistent high quality.
Hole Saw Production
In addition to Sawzall blades, Milwaukee’s Greenwood plant produces Hole Dozer hole saws. These are used with power drills for cutting clean holes in wood, metal and other materials.
The manufacturing process for hole saws also starts with raw steel stock being stamped into blanks. The blanks are formed into cups, and then CNC machines mill the cutting edges into the cups to create the teeth. Next, heat treatment hardens the steel before final grinding and sharpening of the teeth.
After testing and inspection, the hole saws are powder coated, branded using pad printing, and packaged. Like the Sawzall blades, automation, and human oversight work together to manufacture Hole Dozers with precision and consistency.
Expansions in US Manufacturing
Milwaukee Tool has invested significantly in expanding and upgrading its US manufacturing facilities over the last decade. The company has added over a million square feet of production space and created thousands of additional jobs in Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Recent investments include:
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A $33 million expansion was completed in 2019 of the Greenwood, Mississippi accessory plant, adding 200,000 square feet and 600 jobs.
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Opening a new hand tool manufacturing facility in West Bend, Wisconsin in 2021, representing an investment of $100 million and creating over 300 jobs.
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Beginning construction in 2022 on a new $60 million, 500,000 square foot plant in Grenada, Mississippi that will employ 800 people.
These expansions demonstrate Milwaukee Tool’s commitment to US manufacturing and American jobs. The company has invested over $350 million and created around 4,000 jobs in the US in just the last 5 years.
History of Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee Tool has a storied history spanning nearly 100 years. Founded in 1924, the company pioneered compact power tools and continues to be an innovation leader in shaping the power tool industry.
Early Years
The origins of Milwaukee Tool date back to 1918 when Ford Motor Company commissioned A.H. Petersen to develop a portable 1/4” drill called the Hole Shooter. This revolutionary 5 lb drill replaced large cumbersome drills used in auto plants.
In 1924, A.F. Siebert acquired Petersen’s company and formed the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation to manufacture the Hole Shooter. Early Milwaukee tools focused on drill, grinder, and sander repair. This allowed them to identify needs and create new tools like the first lightweight 1/2” drill.
Mid-Century Innovations
Milwaukee pioneered several iconic power tools in the mid 20th century that redefined the industry. These groundbreaking innovations included:
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1949 – First right angle drill for electricians and plumbers
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1951 – Sawzall reciprocating saw, the first portable hacksaw
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1974 – Hole Hawg right angle drill for heavy-duty drilling
Milwaukee also produced tools for the US Navy and benefited from manufacturing demand during World War II. Their commitment to durability and performance made Milwaukee a go-to brand for professional trades.
Leadership in Cordless
In 2005, Milwaukee Tool introduced lithium-ion battery technology to power tools with the revolutionary V28 system. This provided longer runtime, more power, and no fade versus nickel cadmium batteries.
Next came the M18 and M12 cordless lines in 2008. M18 provided extreme performance while M12 delivered unmatched durability in a compact size. These award winning tools transformed cordless capability for professionals.
Milwaukee further pushed cordless limits with M18 FUEL in 2013. M18 FUEL delivered breakthrough performance that met or beat corded standards in tools like circular saws, drills and grinders.
Current Position
Today, Milwaukee Tool continues to drive innovation and dominate the professional power tool market. They lead in market share for cordless power tools in the US and other key global markets.
Milwaukee actively works with end users to solve problems and improve productivity on jobsites. This user focus combined with relentless innovation has maintained Milwaukee’s status as a leading power tool brand for nearly 100 years.
Top 10 Milwaukee Tool Facts
Here are some interesting facts about Milwaukee Tool’s history, products, and manufacturing:
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1924 – Year Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was founded in Milwaukee, WI.
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30+ – Number of different power tool categories Milwaukee produces tools for.
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10,000+ – Number of people Milwaukee Tool employs globally.
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1951 – the year the iconic Sawzall reciprocating saw was invented by Milwaukee.
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90% – The amount of R&D spending increased by Milwaukee from 2010 to 2020.
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Mississippi – State where Milwaukee’s largest US manufacturing facility is located.
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18V – Voltage of Milwaukee’s M18 line of cordless power tools.
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12V – Voltage of Milwaukee’s M12 line of compact cordless tools.
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350 million – Dollars invested by Milwaukee in US manufacturing expansions from 2015-2020.
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Red – Milwaukee’s signature color used on tools since the 1970s.
Impact on the Power Tool Industry
As a pioneer in developing professional-grade power tools, Milwaukee Tool has had an enormous impact on the power tool industry. Here are some of their key contributions:
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Portability – Milwaukee’s early lightweight drills made power tools portable for assembly lines and tradespeople. This enabled efficiency gains and growth in uses.
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Cordless innovation – Milwaukee’s lithium-ion, M18, and M12 platforms transformed cordless tool capability and adoption. Cordless is now the dominant power tool type.
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Professional focus – Milwaukee has consistently focused on making pro-grade tools to improve productivity for trades. This focus sets them apart from DIY brands.
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Durability – Longevity and durability are hallmarks of Milwaukee’s tools. Their tools are made for daily use under abusive job site conditions.
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Problem-solving – Milwaukee works closely with end users to identify pain points and unmet needs. Their tools provide innovative solutions to real workplace problems.
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Performance – Milwaukee relentlessly pushes the limits of power, speed, runtime, and other performance factors. M18 FUEL exceeded corded standards.
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Safety – Milwaukee develops advanced safety technologies like overload protection and kickback control to protect users.
Milwaukee Tool’s contributions have allowed professionals to work more productively and safely. Their innovation has directly influenced the evolution of power tools over nearly 100 years. Milwaukee continues to have an outsized impact shaping the future of the industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Milwaukee Tool has a long and storied history as an iconic American power tool brand. Starting in Milwaukee over 90 years ago, the company pioneered compact power tools that transformed manufacturing and enabled tradespeople to work more efficiently.
Key Milwaukee innovations over the decades include the Sawzall reciprocating saw, right angle drills, hole hawks, and breakthrough cordless platforms like M18 FUEL. The company remains focused on understanding end-user needs and developing solutions to improve productivity and safety on job sites.
Milwaukee Tool continues to manufacture a significant portion of their products in the United States. Their commitment to US manufacturing is evidenced by major investments totaling over $350 million in the last 5 years alone. Today, Milwaukee maintains its leadership in power tool technology and quality through close collaboration with end users and a relentless drive toward innovation.