May 2024 Volume 6

INDUSTRY NEWS

cooperative, but big box stores such as Lowe’s and Menard’s are also significant outlets. In keeping with the times, Amazon is also a significant retail outlet, as are various hardware stores and retailers throughout the world. Estwing has a significant and automated heat-treating shop. They do all their thermal treatments in house. Until now, they haven’t taken on any outside contract work in that shop. But company manage ment indicated that, with proper NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) in place, they would consider offering heat-treat services to outside clients, especially if they got the forging business as well. In closing, we asked Steve Flosi what he would like to brag about Estwing. The first thing he mentioned was their product quality; the second was the centennial celebrated last year; the third was the level of automation they have achieved. And lastly, but by no means least, the extraordinary amount of tenure they have on their staff. Up to 40+ years of employment in some cases, but tenure measured in decades in many others. Finally, there was a funny scene in last year’s box office hit, Barbie, which featured a lively group of construction workers and a collec tion of Estwing products – a sledgehammer, drilling hammer and a 7-pocket leather tool apron. And, no, not one of those products were pink!

Author Dean M. Peters has covered metal working markets, including the foundry, welding & industrial gas, heat treatment and forging industries for 35 years. His journalistic credentials are enhanced by his BS in metallurgical engineering, MBA in finance and a decade of experience in market research. He can be reached by e-mailing ForgeOpEd@gmail.com.

An associate performs finishing operations on a leather-handled axe.

What’s Next? As Estwing enters its second century of operation it continues to engineer and produce groundbreaking new hand tools. Its product development specialists strive to create the most innovative and durable tools on the market – all American made. The manufac turer is well-positioned to build on its legacy of striking tools and the innovations that have, over time, been integrated into their prod ucts. “Hammers are our primary product line,” said Jack Ryan, “but what we really hang our hat on are the quality and durability of all our products.” The company has learned much during its first 100 years of opera tion, but it is not in the learning that success is necessarily achieved. Otto Estwing’s company figured out how to apply its design, manu facturing, and marketing savvy in a way that has bred product innovation and customer loyalty during its first 100 years. Estwing products are distributed to and sold through the Ace Hardware

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