S-K Tools sold to Chinese company

[Jake_J]

It's been a poorly kept secret for a long time now, on garagejournal one of the forum members even got confirmation from a SK rep that the sale was going through just the buyer that's been confirmed now. They say they will keep production in the US, was reading that from an old press release from when Ideal Industries purchased SK, Greatstar's press release makes no mention of that.

 

[jhs914]

Many people refuse to believe that. Then you have Taiwanese-made products that are considered really good stuff and don't tell anyone, but they're part of China. Shhhh

Taiwan is an island off the coast of mainland China. After the communists took over mainland China the democratic nationalist Chinese fled to Taiwan and established a democratic government, The Republic of China (ROC). Mainland China is an authoritarian communist regime, The People's Republic of China (PRC). They are most definitely two separate countries and the PRC is antagonistic to the ROC and would have long ago invaded and conquered them if not for the protection of the U.S.

Taiwan's economy is capitalist and, as you said, has produced high quality goods for decades. Communist China, not so much.

 

[dlundblad]

Many people refuse to believe that. Then you have Taiwanese-made products that are considered really good stuff and don't tell anyone, but they're part of China. Shhhh

Taiwan is not part of China.

You’re spreading false information.

 

[Pablo]

Taiwan is not part of China.

You’re spreading false information.

Thank you guys. And why would anyone in the USA wish it so? Odd.

 

[jkasch]

I still use my first socket/ratchet set I bought in 1968 to work on my first car.

 

[dlundblad]

Thank you guys. And why would anyone in the USA wish it so? Odd.

What do you mean?

 

[Pablo]

What do you mean?

I mean the way Hall posted it seemed a certainty. I know people in Taiwan. They do not want to be communist.

 

[dlundblad]

I know political but , well I am sure sad someone lost the (re)election.....this sorta thing may have been reduced...

But hey, no more mean tweets. Lol

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’ll have to order some stuff from them before everything goes to China. I like what I have so far. At work besides the older guy I’m the only one who has heard of SK. I think if they had more tool trucks around the USA that they would be a better known brand or perhaps chose a retailer or multiples to sell their products at.

 

[Trav]

Taiwan is an island off the coast of mainland China. After the communists took over mainland China the democratic nationalist Chinese fled to Taiwan and established a democratic government, The Republic of China (ROC). Mainland China is an authoritarian communist regime, The People's Republic of China (PRC). They are most definitely two separate countries and the PRC is antagonistic to the ROC and would have long ago invaded and conquered them if not for the protection of the U.S.

Taiwan's economy is capitalist and, as you said, has produced high quality goods for decades. Communist China, not so much.

I fear Taiwan/Formosa will not be this way for much longer. I know Nippon steel and thyssenkrupp among others made huge investments there in the form of steel mills to produce high grade tool and other steels. That is why so many of their tools have DIN and JIS specs.
The Chicoms are going to take it without question, that little acquisition is already paid for. Nuff said.

 

[Speedbird001]

****. I really grew to like SK stuff recently; purchasing a nice set of long metric wrenches, some sockets and quite a few individual pieces to fill in the holes... Prices did seem to go up in the last few years; holding me back from buying more. Particularly those x-frame wrenches I have been drooling over. Maybe there will be some kind of fire sale?

Sucks to see the inevitable outsourcing to Asia (I wonder if Chicago, Illinois is/was a factor (Versus a more tax/labor friendly state)

 

[Escape08]

KNIPEX German made tools. If I will ever buy one, I'll go for this brand. Their pliers are top notch.

 

[jhellwig]

I’ll have to order some stuff from them before everything goes to China. I like what I have so far. At work besides the older guy I’m the only one who has heard of SK. I think if they had more tool trucks around the USA that they would be a better known brand or perhaps chose a retailer or multiples to sell their products at.

They were always more of a hardware store/ mail order thing.

 

[Motu]

I thought SK was owned by Facom at some stage. We had a tool truck come in that had Facom, Knipex and SK on board.

 

[M56959]

Political commentary with innuendo and false information.

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