Klein Tools is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 company based in Lincolnshire, Illinois

Lincolnshire, Illinois

Lincolnshire is a village in the Vernon Township region of Lake County, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The village is a suburb of Chicago, a city in the adjacent Cook County. Its population was 6,108 at the time of the 2000 census. Lincolnshire was incorporated on August 5, 1957, from the...

 that manufactures hand tools. The company is known for its popularity with workers in the electrical

Electrical power industry

The electric power industry provides the production and delivery of electric energy, often known as power, or electricity, in sufficient quantities to areas that need electricity through a grid connection. The grid distributes electrical energy to customers...

 and telecommunications industries. Lineman's pliers

Lineman's pliers

Lineman's pliers , also called combination pliers are a type of pliers used by electricians and other tradesmen primarily for gripping, twisting, bending and cutting wire and cable. Linemen's pliers owe their effectiveness to their plier design, which multiplies force through leverage...

 are often called "Kleins," an example of a genericized trademark

Genericized trademark

A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...

.

Products

Klein Tools offers more than 3,800 different tools that include 165 different types of pliers

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, for bending, or physical compression. Generally, pliers consist of a pair of metal first-class levers joined at a fulcrum positioned closer to one end of the levers, creating short jaws on one side of the fulcrum, and longer handles on the other...

 as well as cable & bolt cutters

Bolt cutters

A bolt cutter, sometimes called bolt cropper, is a tool used for cutting chains, padlocks, bolts and wire mesh. The original use for bolt cutters was as the name suggests to cut bolt seals from shipping containers at the delivery point. It typically has long handles and short blades, with compound...

, chemicals, conduit benders, crimping tools, drill bits, drop lites, fish tapes, flashlights

Flashlights

Flashlights is the third record by the Atlanta-based independent rock band Y-O-U. The album was first made available via free download on the band's MySpace profile on New Year's Day, 2007, and on compact disc on January 23 of the same year....

, gloves, hand cleaners, hard hats, insulated tools, levels, measuring tools, nut drivers, occupational protective equipment, safety products, saws

SAWS

SAWS may refer to:*Peace be upon him , abbreviated as SAWS, phrase that Muslims often say after saying the name of a prophet of Islam*State Administration of Work Safety, government agency of the People's Republic of China...

, scissors

Scissors

Scissors are hand-operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such as paper, cardboard, metal foil, thin...

, screwdrivers, sheet metal tools, snips and shears

Shears

Shears may mean:* trauma shears, scissors used by emergency medical personnel to quickly and safely cut clothing* kitchen shears, a kind of scissors* pinking shears, a kind of scissors* blade shears, typically used for shearing animals...

, telecom

Telecommunication

Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...

/datacom

Datacom

Datacom can refer to:* Data communications* DATACOM/DB, a relational database for IBM mainframes sold by Computer Associates...

 tools, tool bags and buckets, tool belts, tool pouches and holders, tool storage, wire pulling grips, wire strippers and wrenches.

Tool Categories

• Hand Tools - Klein Tools has a wide range of hand tools including pliers, screwdrivers, nut drivers, wrenches, hammers, punches, levels, drill bits, measuring tools, and block and tackle.
• Electrical Tools - Electrical tools, including fish tapes, insulated hand tools, voltage testers, circuit testers, continuity testers, multi-meters, conduit tools, benders, and other electrical tool accessories.
• Linesman Tools - These include buckets, slings, hooks, and other linesman accessories.
• Voice, Data, and Video Tools - Telcom tools, terminals, cable ties, stripper tools, termination tools, all-in-one tools, cutters, crimpers, and other telcom and datacom tools.
• Knives and Cutting Tools - Knives, saws, blades, utility knives, cable cutters, bolt cutters, scissors, sharpening tools, and other cutting tools.
• Steel Construction and Sheet Metal Tools - Tools related to steel construction and sheet metal including connecting bars, construction wrenches, bars, tube cutters, benders, folding tools, notching tools, crimping tools, duct stretching tools, and other sheet metal tools.
• Flashlights and Lighting - Lighting accessories, including flashlights, spotlights, cord reels, and drop-lites.
• Tool Storage - Tool holders including tool bags, storage chests, tool boxes, pouches, belts, suspenders, and other storage products.
• Lubricants, Cleaners, and Chemicals - Products include hand towels, cleaners, wasp spray, firestop caulk, and other lubricants and cleaners.
• Protective Equipment - Safety equipment including goggles, gloves, hard hats, and face shields.

Journeyman Series

Klein Tools also offers the Journeyman Series, which are claimed to have higher quality and workmanship combined with innovations in handle design.

Klein Tools Branded Collection

The Klein Branded Collection includes apparel, outerwear, headwear, drinkware, grilling gear, novelties, and collectibles. The 150th anniversary collectibles and the insulated beverage holder in the shape of Klein Tools screwdrivers are popular items.

1848

Mathias leaves Germany destined for the United States. He arrives in New York on May 26 and sets sail for Stonington, Connecticut, as a blacksmith on a whaling ship.

1855

Mathias opens a blacksmith show on State Street in Chicago's downtown. In the late 1850s he repairs a lineman's tool and in effect makes his first pair of pliers.

1871

Mathias loses everything in the Great Chicago Fire. He is back in business within two weeks at the same location and contributes substantially to the rebuilding of the city. By now, the company is known as M. Klein Iron Works.

The Company Expands

1890s

The company, now known as Mathias Klein & Son, is exclusively manufacturing hand tools.

1900s

By 1900, Mathias was able to reach beyond his local thriving business by offering his first catalog. For the first time, the toolmaker could market his wares to a national audience. The catalog, called Klein's Red Book, targeted, the telephone and electricity industries. In 1901, Telephony

Telephony

In telecommunications, telephony encompasses the general use of equipment to provide communication over distances, specifically by connecting telephones to each other....

magazine ran an ad for Mathias Klein & Son. The advertisement featured a photo of a lineman climbing a pole, and the text read: "Write to-day for our Red Book. It is of pertinent interest to every telephone man and will be sent free upon request."

1912

Klein introduces the first version of its now-familiar logo. The company makes between 65,000 and 75,000 pliers this year.

1913

Klein buys a new site on Belmont Avenue and builds at 54,000-square-foot plant. The company has 133 employees.

1917

The company incorporates as Mathias Klein & Sons, Incorporated. At age 91, Mathias still works every day, but his sons John M. and Joseph A. run day-to-day operations.

Mid-1930s

The company introduces the Klein-Kord lineman's safety strap and perfects wire grips for electrical workers.

1941

The company continues to sell to the public at the same time it makes tools for the military during World War II.

1953

Illinois seizes Belmone Avenue site for new Northwest Expressway. Klein moves to new 105,000-square-foot factory and office on McCormick Boulevard in the Chicago suburb of Skokie.

1968

Klein makes its first acquisition, purchasing Fort Smith, Arkansas based R.H. Buhrke, a manufacturer of safety belts and other occupational protective equipment.

Mid-1970s

Klein's customer base expands significantly beyond its traditional electrical, telephone and iron tradesman.

1976

The company acquires William Warne and Son Company, a manufacturer of leather products such as tool pouches.

1980

Klein opens a new 125,000-square-foot international distribution center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

1981

Klein becomes the first company in its industry to use CAD/CAM technology to design tools. The company acquires Grip-It Manufacturing Company, a supplier of strap and chain-link wrenches.

1989

The company opens a 24,000-square-foot plant to manufacture adjustable wrenches in Roselle, Illinois.

2005

Klein Tools acquired Kalfact Plastics Company and opened a new 130000 square feet (12,077.4 m²) headquarters and manufacturing facility in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

2007

Klein Tools celebrates its 150th anniversary, acquires Heritage Cutlery Inc., and expands its presence in the HVAC market. Klein Tools increases its presence in the international market with the acquisition of tools manufacturer and marketer Tulmex, now known as Klein Tools de Mexico.

Lincolnshire, IL

The Klein Tools corporate headquarters, which also includes a State of the Art manufacturing facility, producing multiple product lines of screwdrivers, nut drivers, and hex keys.

Skokie, IL

The largest and oldest Klein Tools manufacturing facility served as the previous corporate headquarters, produces multiple types of pliers, wire pulling grips, fish tapes, bolt cutters, crimping tools, and other product lines.

Roselle, IL

Manufactures multiple types of wire strippers, pump pliers and adjustable wrenches.

Elk Grove, IL

Klein Tools state-of-the-art forging facility is also known as Turn Key Forging & Design, Inc. This facility supplies forgings of high quality, proprietary steel to the Skokie and Roselle facilities as well as third party customers.

Fort Smith, AR

Manufactures leather and canvas goods, such as tool belts, lineman harnesses, tool buckets, and tool bags.

Bolivar, NY

Formerly known as Heritage Cutlery, it manufactures high quality scissors and other cutlery products under the Klein Cutlery brand name.

Rockford, MI

Formerly known as Kalfact Plastics, LLC, it manufactures high quality plastic products, such as screwdriver handles, packaging solutions, and other products used at the Lincolnshire, Fort Smith, and Cedar Rapids facilities. It also provides plastic products to third party customers.

Cedar Rapids, IA

This state-of-the-art facility manages distribution of Klein Tools products to customers all over the world.