Apex Tool Group

What Apex Tool Group does

Apex Tool Group, LLC is a privately held global manufacturer of professional hand and power tools, organized under more than 30 owned brands including GEARWRENCH (ratcheting wrenches), Crescent, SATA (mechanics hand tools), Cleco (industrial pneumatic and cordless assembly tools), Weller (industrial soldering), and APEX (assembly and fabrication). The company serves six primary end markets: industrial maintenance and production, vehicle service, motor vehicle manufacturing (OEM fastening), aerospace, construction and DIY, and electronics manufacturing. ATG's products span hand tools (wrenches, pliers, cutting tools, hammers, tool storage, drill chucks) and power tools (electric, pneumatic, cordless assembly, soldering), with proprietary innovations including compound-action pliers, electronic torque wrenches, and the CellClutch Connect cordless electric platform.

The company operates more than 20 manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, supported by approximately 7,500 employees in more than 30 countries. Its go-to-market relies on a global distributor and retailer network, supplemented by private-label manufacturing for large retailers and industrial distributors and direct brand websites that route traffic to where-to-buy pages. The revenue model is one-time product sales (not subscription or licensing) with quote-based B2B pricing for industrial customers; pricing is not publicly disclosed.

ATG was formed in its current corporate structure in 2010, with operating heritage extending back more than 160 years through predecessor brands. It was acquired by Bain Capital Partners in 2013 from Danaher Corporation and Eaton for approximately $1.6 billion, and is currently owned by private equity firms TPG Angelo Gordon and American Industrial Partners. In 2026 the company divested Campbell Chain & Fittings to Hillman Solutions, relocated its North America headquarters to Hunt Valley, Maryland, and named Chris Keffer (formerly CEO of STIHL Inc.) as its new CEO, signaling a strategic and operational refresh under continued PE ownership.

Name

Apex Tool Group

Legal name

Apex Tool Group, LLC

Website

https://apextoolgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Apex Tool Group is a privately held global manufacturer of professional hand and power tools, operating 20+ plants across 30+ countries with ~7,500 employees and 30+ owned brands including GEARWRENCH, Crescent, SATA, Cleco, and Weller, serving industrial, automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Hand and Power Tools

NAICS

Power-Driven Handtool Manufacturing (333991), Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216), Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322), Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic) (CRAIADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB), Soldering, Rework & Electronics Hand Tools Retail (CRACAKAG)

Keywords

• Professional hand tools
• Power tools manufacturing
• Industrial fastening solutions
• Mechanics hand tools
• Soldering equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Sparks Glencoe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hand and Power Tool Sales: ATG designs, manufactures, markets, and sells proprietary brands including GEARWRENCH, Crescent, SATA, Cleco, Weller, and APEX. The company serves multiple global markets including motor vehicles, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware, industrial, and consumer retail.
2. Private Label Manufacturing: ATG manufactures select, premier private label mechanics tools for large retailers and industrial distributors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Apex Tool Group designs, manufactures, markets, and sells professional hand and power tools under proprietary brands including GEARWRENCH, Crescent, SATA, Cleco, Weller, and APEX, serving motor vehicle, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware, industrial, and consumer retail end markets. The company also manufactures select, premier private label mechanics tools for large retailers and industrial distributors and operates more than 20 manufacturing facilities globally.

Product overview

Apex Tool Group manufactures professional hand and power tools under multiple sub-brands, serving industrial, vehicle service, motor vehicle, aerospace, construction/DIY, and electronics markets. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: Hand Tools (GEARWRENCH, Crescent Tools, SATA, APEX) and Power Tools (Cleco, Weller). Hand tools include mechanics tools, trade tools, specialty tools, chain, truck boxes, jobsite storage, and drill chucks. Power tools comprise electric, pneumatic, and air tools, as well as high-performance bits, torque measurement, metal cutting, and drilling solutions. The company also manufactures premier private label mechanics tools for retailers and industrial distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GEARWRENCH: Leading hand tool brand focused on speed, strength, and access, known for innovative products like the ratcheting wrench.
• Crescent Tools
• SATA
• Cleco
• Weller
• APEX
• Allen
• Armstrong Tools
• Campbell
• Erem
• H.K. Porter
• Jacobs Chuck
• Jobox
• K-D Tools
• Lufkin
• Nicholson
• Plumb
• Wiss
• Dotco
• Quackenbush
• Recoules
• Airetool
• Diamond
• K&F
• MAYLE
• Metronix

Products and services

• GEARWRENCH hand tools Innovative hand tool brand focused on speed, strength, and access, known for the ratcheting wrench and customer-driven product design. Serves professional mechanics and vehicle service technicians across automotive, industrial, and construction markets.
• Crescent Tools hand tools Professional hand tool brand offering strength, durability, and user-centric design with a portfolio of mechanics tools, striking tools, measuring tools, and jobsite storage. Consolidates legacy brands including Wiss, Lufkin, Nicholson, H.K. Porter, and JOBOX.
• SATA mechanics hand tools Premium mechanics hand tool brand with lifetime warranty, serving automotive, manufacturing, construction, MRO, trade services, and aerospace professionals worldwide.
• Cleco power tools and fastening solutions Industrial power tools and fastening solutions, including electric, pneumatic, and air tools for automotive, heavy truck, large appliances, and agriculture industries. Includes the CellClutch Connect cordless electric platform.
• Weller soldering products Global hand soldering tool portfolio for industrial soldering needs, including the WXSmart 2-Channel 70W smart-connected soldering station. Serves electronics manufacturing and repair.
• APEX assembly and fabrication tools Ready-made and custom tools for automotive, aerospace, electronics, and other assembly and fabrication industries, including APEX Bits and Fastenders produced at the Dayton facility.
• CellClutch Connect cordless electric tool Cordless electric tool available in pistol and right angle configurations from Cleco, designed for production fastening applications.
• Crescent 16 oz Rip Claw Hammer with Fiberglass Handle Professional 16 oz rip claw hammer with fiberglass handle, designed for durability and strength in striking applications.
• Weller WXSmart Soldering Station Industrial 2-channel 70W smart-connected soldering station for electronics manufacturing and repair applications.
• Private label mechanics tools manufacturing Contract manufacturing service that produces select, premier private label mechanics tools for large retailers and industrial distributors, leveraging ATG's global manufacturing footprint.

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hillman SolutionsminorOthersHillman Solutions acquired Campbell Chain & Fittings from Apex Tool Group in April 2026. The acquisition added U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities in York, Pennsylvania and Sumter, South Carolina, with expected contribution of over $20 million in net sales during fiscal 2026.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Makita Corporation: Makita is a Japanese global manufacturer of professional power tools, including cordless drills, saws, grinders, and fastening tools, sold through industrial and construction channels. It is one of the closest direct peers to ATG's professional power tool business and competes for the same vehicle service, industrial, and construction end users.
• Klein Tools: Klein Tools is a U.S. manufacturer of professional hand tools (pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, cutters) primarily serving electricians, tradespeople, and industrial customers. It is a direct peer to ATG's Crescent, GEARWRENCH, and SATA hand tool brands in the professional trades channel with comparable price points and end users.
• Snap-on Incorporated: Snap-on is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of professional tools, diagnostics, and equipment primarily sold through mobile tool truck distribution to vehicle service and industrial customers. It directly overlaps with ATG's professional hand tool portfolio (Crescent, GEARWRENCH, SATA) and shares the same vehicle service and industrial end markets.
• Wright Tool Company: Wright Tool is a U.S. manufacturer of professional-grade hand tools (wrenches, sockets, pliers) serving industrial, automotive, and aerospace customers through industrial distributors. It directly competes with ATG's GEARWRENCH and Crescent professional hand tool lines in similar industrial channels and end markets.
• Channellock: Channellock is a U.S. manufacturer of pliers, hand tools, and specialty tools known for tongue-and-groove pliers, sold through hardware and industrial channels. It is a direct peer to ATG's pliers and hand tool categories (including Crescent and compound action pliers innovation) targeting professional trades and DIY customers.
• Hilti Group: Hilti is a Liechtenstein-based global manufacturer of premium professional power tools, fastening systems, and software services primarily serving construction and industrial customers via direct sales. It is a direct peer to ATG's APEX Assembly & Fabrication and Cleco industrial fastening businesses, particularly in aerospace and motor vehicle applications.
• Techtronic Industries (Milwaukee Tool): Techtronic Industries owns Milwaukee, Ryobi, and AEG power tool brands and is a dominant player in professional and DIY cordless power tools. It competes head-to-head with ATG's Cleco cordless platform (CellClutch Connect) and is a primary benchmark in the cordless fastening and power tool category ATG is investing in.

Broad incumbents

• Stanley Black & Decker: Stanley Black & Decker is the largest publicly traded tool manufacturer globally with iconic brands (DeWalt, Craftsman, Stanley, Black+Decker, Porter-Cable) spanning hand tools, power tools, and outdoor equipment. It is a broad incumbent and a key benchmark competitor for ATG across virtually every category ATG serves, and it is the most comparable company by product breadth.
• Robert Bosch Power Tools: Bosch Power Tools (part of Robert Bosch GmbH) is one of the world's largest power tool manufacturers with strong positions in professional and DIY cordless tools, accessories, and measuring tools. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping product categories and competes with ATG across automotive aftermarket, construction, and industrial segments.

Emerging players

• Wera Tools: Wera is a German premium hand tool manufacturer known for screwdrivers, bits, and ratcheting tools, often positioned as a higher-end professional alternative. It is an emerging premium brand competing in similar professional hand tool niches as ATG's GEARWRENCH and Wera-branded screwdrivers and bits.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apextoolgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/ApexToolGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apex-tool-group-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/atgcares

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apex Tool Group