PENN STATE INDUSTRIES
Penn State Industries is a family-owned direct-to-consumer e-commerce business, founded in 1936, that sells pen making kits, woodturning project kits, and related supplies to hobbyist woodturners, craft show vendors, and custom gift makers across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PENN STATE INDUSTRIES does
Penn State Industries is a family-owned direct-to-consumer e-commerce business founded in 1936 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in pen making kits, woodturning project kits, and related supplies for hobbyist craftsmen. The company serves a niche hobbyist market of individual woodturners, craft show vendors, and custom gift makers, offering 60+ styles of pen kits (Bolt Action, Slimline, Majestic, Gatsby, Bullet Cartridge, Firefighter, Designer, themed military/sports/animals/professions), turning project kits (bottle stoppers, peppermills, crochet hooks, kitchenware, jewelry, rings), pen turning supplies, pen blanks, and mini/midi lathes with accessories. The product catalog is positioned as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for the pen making and small woodturning craft, with bundle and variety pack offerings to drive larger order values.
The business operates exclusively through direct-to-consumer channels: a proprietary e-commerce website (pennstateind.com) with a Pen Design Studio customization tool, a toll-free phone order line (1-800-377-7297), a free printed catalog program, and an interactive digital catalog. Revenue is generated through one-time transactional sales of physical craft products, with no subscription component. Pricing is publicly available and ranges from under $3 for small items to over $1,000 for higher-end lathes, with volume discounts, bundle pricing, and sales promotions. The company has accumulated over 25,000 verified customer ratings averaging 9.5/10 satisfaction, indicating strong repeat-customer behavior within its niche. The underlying technology is a standard e-commerce platform; the company does not develop proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or platform technology beyond its website, Pen Design Studio, interactive catalog, and rewards program tooling. Distribution is exclusively domestic (United States) with no third-party retail or reseller channels.
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PENN STATE INDUSTRIES
- Legal name
- Penn State Industries
- Website
- https://pennstateind.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1936
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Penn State Industries is a family-owned direct-to-consumer e-commerce business, founded in 1936, that sells pen making kits, woodturning project kits, and related supplies to hobbyist woodturners, craft show vendors, and custom gift makers across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Woodworking Supplies
- NAICS
- Stationery Product Manufacturing (32223)
- SIC
- Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crafting Tools & Equipment Retail (Cutting, Adhesives, Heat Tools) (CRALACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Art & Drafting Supplies Retail (CRALABAG)
Keywords
Where PENN STATE INDUSTRIES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Pen and Craft Kit Sales: The company generates revenue through the direct sale of pen making kits, turning project kits, and related woodworking supplies. Products include pen kits in various styles (Bolt Action, Slimline, Majestic, etc.), turning blanks, mini lathes, lathe accessories, and craft project kits. Revenue is one-time per transaction with no subscription component. The company also sells bundles and variety packs at discounted prices to encourage larger orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pen Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mini Lathes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pen Blanks |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Turning Project Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lathe Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Penn State Industries sells pen making kits, woodturning project kits, pen turning supplies, turning blanks, and mini and midi lathes with accessories. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce and catalog business serving hobbyist woodturners and craft sellers across the United States, bundling compatible components into complete project kits.
Product overview
Penn State Industries is a family-owned company since 1936 specializing in pen making and woodturning supplies. The product portfolio centers on pen kits (over 50 varieties including Bolt Action, Slimline, Majestic, Gatsby, Bullet Cartridge, and specialty themes), turning project kits (bottle stoppers, peppermills, crochet hooks, kitchenware), pen turning supplies (mandrels, bushings, finishing products), turning blanks (wood and specialty materials), and mini/midi lathes with accessories. The company serves woodturning hobbyists and craftsmen with a comprehensive catalog of components and tools needed for the pen-making craft.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pen Kits Complete pen-making kits containing all components (mechanism, tubes, bushings) needed to turn pens on a lathe; available in numerous styles and themes for hobbyist woodturners and craft sellers.
- Turning Project Kits Project kits for woodturned items beyond pens, including bottle stoppers, peppermills, shaving kits, seam rippers, keychains, cutlery, crochet hooks, ice cream scoops, and pizza cutters, for hobbyists and craft sellers.
- Mini and Midi Lathes Compact woodworking lathes in 8 inch, 10 inch, and 12 inch swing capacities designed for pen turning and small woodturning projects, available as standalone lathes and starter sets.
- Lathe Accessories Lathe accessories including woodturning tools, chucks, chisel sets, carbide turning tools, tool rests, drive centers, spindle adapters, and tailstock live centers for woodturners.
- Kitchenware Kits Stainless steel tableware kits including measuring cup kits and measuring spoon kits for woodturned kitchen accessories.
- Jewelry and Vanity Projects Elegant woodturning projects including compact mirrors, perfume atomizers, pill box projects, and aromatherapy necklace kits.
- Ring Making Kits Kits designed for turning wooden rings as a woodturning craft project.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25,000 verified customer ratings with 9.5/10 overall satisfaction score
Companies that use PENN STATE INDUSTRIES
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Rockler is a leading US woodworking specialty retailer selling pen turning kits, turning blanks, lathes, lathe accessories, and finishing supplies directly to hobbyists. It competes head-to-head with Penn State Industries across nearly every category, including pen kits, mini lathes, and project kits.
- Woodcraft Supply: Woodcraft is a national woodworking retailer offering pen kits, turning tools, lathes, and pen turning supplies to hobbyist and professional woodworkers. It overlaps closely with Penn State Industries on pen turning consumables, mini lathes, and lathe accessories.
- Craft Supplies USA: Craft Supplies USA specializes in pen turning and woodturning supplies, including pen kits, turning blanks, and lathe accessories. It is one of the closest niche competitors to Penn State Industries in the dedicated pen turning hobbyist segment.
Emerging players
- Easy Wood Tools: Easy Wood Tools designs and sells carbide-tipped lathe turning tools popular with pen turners and hobbyists. While more specialized in lathe tooling, its products are commonly purchased alongside Penn State Industries' kits and blanks by the same end customer.
- Robust Tools: Robust Tools manufactures wood lathes and lathe accessories primarily for serious turners. It overlaps with Penn State Industries on the lathe and lathe accessory category but skews more pro-grade and operates as a manufacturer-retailer of higher-end equipment.
- Kiln Frog: Kiln Frog (formerly PSI-affiliated via purchase of an industry stalwart) sells pen kits and turning accessories to hobbyists and serves a similar maker demographic. It is a smaller specialist focused on pen turning consumables with comparable SKUs.
- Beall Tool Company: Beall Tool manufactures and sells the Beall Lathe and a range of woodthreading and turning tools/accessories. It overlaps with Penn State Industries on turning accessories and serves a comparable but smaller woodturning enthusiast base.
Broad incumbents
- Dremel: Dremel (a Bosch brand) sells rotary tools and small hobby tools widely used by hobbyists for pen-making-adjacent work. It is not a direct retailer of kits and blanks, but it competes for share of hobbyist tool wallet and increasingly bundles turning accessories in the same category.
- Harbor Freight Tools: Harbor Freight sells low-cost lathes and general woodworking tools that compete on price with Penn State Industries' mid-tier lathe and accessory offerings. It does not specialize in pen turning kits or blanks but overlaps on the lathe and tool accessory categories.
- Amazon: Amazon marketplace hosts a wide selection of pen kits, turning blanks, lathes, and lathe accessories from third-party sellers, often at lower prices. It competes with Penn State Industries by offering hobbyist customers a broad, low-friction alternative for individual consumable purchases.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES social profiles
Digital presencePENN STATE INDUSTRIES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PENN STATE INDUSTRIES
What does PENN STATE INDUSTRIES do?
Penn State Industries sells pen making kits, woodturning project kits, pen turning supplies, turning blanks, and mini and midi lathes with accessories. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce and catalog business serving hobbyist woodturners and craft sellers across the United States, bundling compatible components into complete project kits.
Is PENN STATE INDUSTRIES a public or private company?
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was PENN STATE INDUSTRIES founded?
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES was founded in 1936. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PENN STATE INDUSTRIES based?
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does PENN STATE INDUSTRIES make money?
One revenue line is on record: pen and Craft Kit Sales.
Who are PENN STATE INDUSTRIES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, Woodcraft Supply and Craft Supplies USA. Emerging players are Easy Wood Tools, Robust Tools, Kiln Frog and Beall Tool Company. Broad incumbents are Dremel, Harbor Freight Tools and Amazon.
Does PENN STATE INDUSTRIES have an API?
No public API is recorded for PENN STATE INDUSTRIES.
What industry is PENN STATE INDUSTRIES in?
PENN STATE INDUSTRIES's product category is Woodworking Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALACAC, Crafting Tools & Equipment Retail (Cutting, Adhesives, Heat Tools), with a secondary code of CRALABAG, Art & Drafting Supplies Retail. Its NAICS code is 32223 and its SIC code is 3950.