Milwaukee

Why Choose Milwaukee?

A reputation for legendary reliability and durability and a commitment to innovation and improvement have helped Milwaukee Tool to become North America’s leading supplier of cordless power tools. Over the years, Milwaukee Tool has added job site lighting, tool storage solutions, and an industry-first digital tool platform to its wide range of cordless power tools. Milwaukee Tool has achieved its commanding market position by listening to trade professionals and building tools that solve problems they did not even know they had, and the company keeps its customers loyal by steadfastly standing behind its products.

History

Milwaukee’s road to market dominance has been a long and interesting one. That journey began with an invention, and innovation remains the company’s driving force to this day. Let’s take a look at how an idea for a better portable drill grew into one of the world’s most respected power tool manufacturers.

Founding and Milestones

Milwaukee Tool’s story began in 1918 when an inventor named A.H. Peterson designed a portable power drill that could be operated with only one hand. The Hole-Shooter drill became a hit because it was far lighter than other drills available at the time, so Petersen decided to bring in a partner named Albert F. Siebert to help his fledgling company grow. A disaster struck in 1923 when the company’s production facility was destroyed by fire, but Siebert was not deterred.

He purchased the company’s remaining assets at a public auction in 1924, and the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was born. In addition to working on ways to improve the Hole-Shooter drill, Siebert began repairing power tools made by other manufacturers. He did this to learn what his competition was doing and identify flaws in their products, and his goal was nothing short of making the best and longest-lasting power tools on the market.

Siebert’s company was able to withstand the economic turmoil of the Great Depression by forging a relationship with the U.S. Navy, and the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was soon producing a line of hand grinders, polishers, electric hammers, and sanders that met strict Navy standards. This relationship paid dividends during World War II when Milwaukee Tool played a major role in the American war effort.

Siebert’s company quickly earned a reputation for innovation. It disrupted the market in the 1930s when it introduced an electric hammer drill that could also be used as a standard drill, and it dramatically reduced the amount of recall its sanders, grinders, and circular saws produced by developing an ingenious spring clutch. Milwaukee scored another industry first in 1951 when it introduced a portable hacksaw with a reciprocating mechanism, and the company soon added a line of blades for its new saw that were designed to cut materials including soft metal, hardened metal, and wood.

Milwaukee Tool achieved this impressive run of industry breakthroughs and innovations because it listened to trade professionals and focused on finding ways to solve their problems. Trade professionals often complained about weak batteries that made cordless tools unsuitable for use on most job sites, which prompted the development of a line of power tools with lithium-ion batteries. This was arguably Milwaukee Tool’s greatest innovation of all as it completely changed the way power tools are used. Cordless tools were once considered a fad, but they are now the standard.

Milwaukee Tool had the resources it needed to develop lithium-ion batteries for power tools because it was acquired by Techtronic Industries Co. in 2005. This acquisition made Milwaukee Tool part of a family of brands that includes Ryobi, Vax, Dirt Devil, Hoover, and AEG, and it gave the company access to some of the world’s most prominent industrial designers and engineers. Milwaukee power tools are known today for performing flawlessly even in the most punishing environments, and the company is committed to making sure that its products remain the preferred choice of both professionals and serious DIYers.

Production and Manufacturing

Products

Milwaukee cordless power tools have become an industry standard because they offer a winning combination of rugged durability and technical sophistication. The majority of the company’s products are manufactured in the United States and include hand tools, job site lighting equipment, protective gear, and apparel, but the foundation of Milwaukee’s product line remains its M12 and M18 cordless tool systems, MXFuel cordless equipment system, and PACKOUT modular storage system. Let’s take a close look at what makes these product lines so popular:

M12 cordless tool system: This is a line of compact and lightweight power tools that have been designed for use in tight spaces. M12 tools have ergonomic designs to reduce hand, arm, and shoulder strain, and they deliver the kind of power and performance usually found only in larger tools. These tools are powered by reliable brushless motors that generate less heat, and they offer features that are designed to improve productivity, like onboard fuel gauges. The M12 line of more than 100 tools includes saws, nailers, grease guns, drills drivers, and impact wrenches.

M18 cordless tool system: The Milwaukee power tools M18 line is the company’s flagship range, and it is a single system that includes more than 200 tools. The brushless motors used in M18 tools feature rare earth magnets, and copper use is maximized to make sure that they provide years of dependable service. M18 tools provide best-in-class overload and thermal monitoring, and their durable REDLITHIUM battery packs are built to withstand water, drops, and harsh environments. These are the tools professionals use.

MXFuel cordless equipment system: Equipment Today included the MXFuel system in its Top 50 New Products for contractors in 2020. These tools are powered by powerful brushless motors that feature REDLINK PLUS technology to deliver unmatched levels of performance. They allow the tools they power to start instantly, produce no emissions, and be faster and safer to operate than worksite equipment powered by gas engines. The MXFuel line includes handheld tools, demolition tools, and worksite lighting equipment.

PACKOUT modular storage system: The PACKOUT modular storage system takes the headaches out of organizing and storing worksite tools. PACKOUT heavy-duty toolboxes, storage totes, and organizers are designed to lock together, which means they can be arranged in just about any configuration the user can think of. PACKOUT components are crafted using impact-resistant polymers, and their corners are reinforced with metal to withstand the punishment routinely meted out on job sites. PACKOUT toolboxes and organizers also have weather seals to make sure the equipment they hold remains safe and dry at all times.

There is also a large range of Milwaukee power tools accessories that are just as tough and dependable as the company’s core products. Milwaukee Tool understands that it puts its reputation on the line every time it places its logo on a product, so it makes its accessories using proprietary materials and advanced engineering techniques like progressive heat treatment. If you would like to learn more about Milwaukee power tools batteries, and equipment, you will be able to find what you are looking for on our Milwaukee Tool product page.

Manufacturing

Milwaukee Tool is part of a global organization, and some of its ancillary items and apparel are manufactured overseas. However, the cordless power tools that made the company famous are still manufactured in the United States. In recent years, Milwaukee Tool has invested millions to expand and improve its manufacturing plants and distribution centers in Olive Branch, Grenada and Jackson, MS; Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Milwaukee, Sun Prairie and Mukwonago, WI; Greenwood, IN; and Cookeville, TN.

This growth is being fueled by sales that are growing by more than 20% each year, and Milwaukee Tools’ manufacturing capacity is likely to expand further in the years ahead. The company now employs more than 7,600 people in the United States. The company continues to expand with a new hand tool manufacturing plant, set to open in 2022, in West Bend, WI.

Key Facts

Milwaukee Tool is committed to providing its workers with a safe and supportive environment, and their efforts appear to be paying off. More than 90% of Milwaukee Tools employees have a positive view of the company, and the anonymous reviews they post are overwhelmingly positive.

The company also works hard to ensure that its growth does not adversely affect the environment. It has had a program in place to recycle batteries when they reach the end of their life cycles for 20 years, which has prevented 10 million pounds of recyclable material from entering the waste stream. To make sure that its customers know about the recycling program, Milwaukee Tool places a Call2Recycle seal on all of its batteries.

Milwaukee Tool is run with an eye to the future. In 2020, the company teamed up with undergraduate students from the Rochester Institute of Technology to create improved packaging materials out of recyclable materials. This collaboration led to the development of packages that are smaller, use two-thirds less material, and are easier for customers to open. Reducing package sizes also makes shipment and distribution more efficient, which lowers transportation emissions.

Warranty Information

Every Milwaukee power tool comes with a warranty automatically, which means customers do not have to deal with the hassle of registering their purchases to obtain coverage. However, customers are advised to keep their receipts so that the age of their tools and warranty can be verified. The company operates several service facilities in the United States to make repairs covered by the Milwaukee power tools warranty, and the company has placed an eService center on its website to help customers find a convenient location. The eService center can also be used to schedule tool repairs, check warranty coverage, and download parts lists, operator’s manuals, and wiring instructions.

The Milwaukee Tool warranty usually protects the original purchaser from defects in workmanship and materials for between one and five years, but it does not cover damage caused by misuse, accidents, poor maintenance, botched repairs, or normal wear and tear. The standard warranty does not cover M12 and M18 battery packs as they have separate warranties.

Power tool components that degrade over time due to wear and tear will be replaced by Milwaukee Tool warranty if they are defective, but the warranty does not cover parts that have been exhausted by normal use. Standard wear items include seals, O-rings, driver blades, bumpers, strikers, lifters, pistons, washers, and chucks.

Milwaukee Tool strives to complete both warranty and non-warranty repairs in 10 days or less, and its eService hub can be used to schedule repair jobs 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The company uses Federal Express to meet its repair transportation needs, which means its customers can drop off tools that require attention at any of FedEx’s more than 8,000 shipping centers around the country.

Milwaukee Tool Parts

Milwaukee Tool keeps a vast supply of parts in stock for both its current and out-of-production tools. Milwaukee drill drivers and other parts can also be purchased from authorized Milwaukee Tool retailers and distributors. The company website’s support page provides a https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Support/-/media/Parts-Pricing/SPPL 212 link visitors can use to download a list of available Milwaukee Tool parts, and customers who set up an eService account can log in to check the current price of any part they need. Commonly ordered Milwaukee Tool parts include:

• Carbon brushes
• Screws
• Pulleys
• Switches
• Bearings
• Handles
• Springs
• Blades
• Clamps
• Pins
• Washers

Check Out More Milwaukee Content From 360PowerTools

Milwaukee Power Tool Reviews

If you are in the market for some power tools and really want to do your homework, you owe it to yourself to read our comprehensive reviews. In addition to detailed specifications and dimensions, our reviews provide information about how well products work in the real world and how long you can expect them to last. We also provide a list of pros and cons to make shopping for power tools easy, and we let you know what consumers who have purchased the product you are interested in have to say.

Milwaukee Power Tool Roundups

Many of our visitors like to see what companies like Milwaukee Tool have to offer at a glance, so we created roundup pages that provide this information in an easy-to-read format. Our product roundup pages will not give you as much information about Milwaukee 18-volt power tools as our comprehensive reviews, but they will tell you about their key features and benefits. If you want to know more about the differences between Milwaukee Tool’s M12, M18, and MXFuel ranges, our roundup pages would be a good place to start.

Milwaukee Power Tool Releases

Milwaukee Tool makes hundreds of products, and new items are added to their range regularly. Keeping up with this ever-growing line of power tools and accessories would be a major challenge if you had to do all of your own research, so we have done the hard work for you. Our product release pages let you know when new items become available or existing items are improved, so you will always know that the power tool you are thinking about buying is the latest and best.

Milwaukee Recalls

Even products of the highest quality are recalled from time to time, and it is crucial that consumers learn about recalls quickly when they are announced. If a Milwaukee Tool product is recalled, we will let you know about it right away. Our recall information will let you know about the nature of the problem, which products are being recalled, and how the issue will be fixed. We also provide links to recall notices issued by manufacturers and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Where To Buy

Your research is all done, and you know exactly which Milwaukee power tools kit you want, so where should you buy it? That can open up a whole new can of worms as Milwaukee Tool has authorized dealers all over the country, but they don’t all provide the same level of customer service. If you want to be treated right and have your questions answered promptly by a trained professional, you should consider visiting one of the following store pages:

• Amazon
• The Home Depot
• Zoro
• Northern Tool

Deals

Few things can take the joy out of getting a new power tool quicker than learning you missed out on a special deal or rebate. To help you to avoid this frustration, we have developed affiliate relationships with several prominent retail sites. If you want to find out if the Milwaukee power tool you have your eye on has a special deal going on, just click on the following links.

• The Home Depot
• Northern Tool

Similar Brands

Milwaukee Tool products have been used by trade professionals for decades because they are capable, reliable, and backed by great warranties, but they are not your only choice. If you want to expand your search and learn a little more about some other power tool manufacturers, we can help. Here are some of the brands we have reviewed to help you make a wise choice:

• DeWalt
• Black + Decker
• RIDGID
• Porter

Online Presence

After you have read our reviews and product comparisons, the Milwaukee Tool website should be your destination of choice if you have further questions. The site has pages that provide information about existing and upcoming products and rebates, and there is also an excellent support hub. If you want to find out what the company’s customers think, you can visit Milwaukee Tool’s social media pages. Here are some useful links:

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Youtube

Contact Information

Milwaukee Tool gives customers who want to get in touch with them the following options:

• Customer Service Number: (800) 729-3878
• Fax Number: (800) 638-9582
• Online Contact Forum