A new day for classic American brands
Hangzhou GreatStar plans a relaunch of Goldblatt, Pony and Jorgensen.
Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Company plans to polish off three venerable American brands, and operate them under the direction of a fourth – Arrow Fastener Co.
Goldblatt, Pony and Jorgensen -- properties of China-based Hangzhou GreatStar, one of Asia’s largest hand tool manufacturers – are being relaunched with the help of Arrow’s sales, marketing and distribution teams. Hangzhou GreatStar agreed to acquire Saddle Brook, N.J.-based Arrow from the Masco Corporation about one year ago.
The relaunched Pony and Jorgensen adjustable clamping brands and Goldblatt tile, drywall, concrete and masonry tools will hit the North American marketplace in mid-2018.
Arrow’s New Jersey facility will become a primary distribution center for Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt products, in addition to Arrow’s product line, the company said.
“As a respected American tool brand, Arrow products are ‘must-have’ items for many retailers in North America and elsewhere,” said Arrow President Gary DuBoff. “Given Arrow’s sales and marketing capabilities, combined with GreatStar’s manufacturing expertise and innovation pipeline, we are well positioned to deliver high-quality, innovative products under all these iconic American brands: Arrow, Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt.”
Here is how GreatStar describes the reputation of Pony and Jorgensen:
Pony and Jorgensen
“Since 1903, both the Pony and Jorgensen brands have been well known US clamp brands owned and managed by the Adjustable Clamp Company in Chicago. The products are used by a wide array of woodworkers, cabinet makers, carpenters, and serious DIY enthusiasts. Some items, such as the Jorgensen handscrews and the Pony pipe clamps are iconic hand tools with wide recognition. A standard pipe clamp, for example, is commonly referred to as a “Pony Clamp” among woodworkers and tradesmen regardless of what brand is on the product. In May, 2016, the Adjustable Clamp Company ceased operations and all business assets were acquired by GreatStar.
And here’s the company’s description of Goldblatt: “Started by Henry Goldblatt in Kansas City in 1885, Goldblatt was at one time a strong and vibrant US based hand tool brand best known for its line of US made masonry trowels and concrete floats. As America grew through the first half of the twentieth century, the company grew with it, expanding its product line to include drywall tools, tile installation tools and painting tools. A series of ownership changes beginning in the 1960s took the company away from family ownership. The business then changed hands through several private equity owners before being purchased by GreatStar in 2010.”
DuBoff added that GreatStar intends to recreate the tools as faithfully to the originals as possible, Also, GreatStar “has executed on a firm commitment to make the new tools at least as good, but preferably better, than the original U.S. made product,” he said.
Arrow is currently in the process of stocking the Saddle Brook, N.J. warehouse with Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt inventory. The company expects the warehouse to be fully stocked and operational by July 2018.
Goldblatt, Pony and Jorgensen -- properties of China-based Hangzhou GreatStar, one of Asia’s largest hand tool manufacturers – are being relaunched with the help of Arrow’s sales, marketing and distribution teams. Hangzhou GreatStar agreed to acquire Saddle Brook, N.J.-based Arrow from the Masco Corporation about one year ago.
The relaunched Pony and Jorgensen adjustable clamping brands and Goldblatt tile, drywall, concrete and masonry tools will hit the North American marketplace in mid-2018.
Arrow’s New Jersey facility will become a primary distribution center for Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt products, in addition to Arrow’s product line, the company said.
“As a respected American tool brand, Arrow products are ‘must-have’ items for many retailers in North America and elsewhere,” said Arrow President Gary DuBoff. “Given Arrow’s sales and marketing capabilities, combined with GreatStar’s manufacturing expertise and innovation pipeline, we are well positioned to deliver high-quality, innovative products under all these iconic American brands: Arrow, Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt.”
Here is how GreatStar describes the reputation of Pony and Jorgensen:
Pony and Jorgensen“Since 1903, both the Pony and Jorgensen brands have been well known US clamp brands owned and managed by the Adjustable Clamp Company in Chicago. The products are used by a wide array of woodworkers, cabinet makers, carpenters, and serious DIY enthusiasts. Some items, such as the Jorgensen handscrews and the Pony pipe clamps are iconic hand tools with wide recognition. A standard pipe clamp, for example, is commonly referred to as a “Pony Clamp” among woodworkers and tradesmen regardless of what brand is on the product. In May, 2016, the Adjustable Clamp Company ceased operations and all business assets were acquired by GreatStar.
And here’s the company’s description of Goldblatt: “Started by Henry Goldblatt in Kansas City in 1885, Goldblatt was at one time a strong and vibrant US based hand tool brand best known for its line of US made masonry trowels and concrete floats. As America grew through the first half of the twentieth century, the company grew with it, expanding its product line to include drywall tools, tile installation tools and painting tools. A series of ownership changes beginning in the 1960s took the company away from family ownership. The business then changed hands through several private equity owners before being purchased by GreatStar in 2010.”
DuBoff added that GreatStar intends to recreate the tools as faithfully to the originals as possible, Also, GreatStar “has executed on a firm commitment to make the new tools at least as good, but preferably better, than the original U.S. made product,” he said.
Arrow is currently in the process of stocking the Saddle Brook, N.J. warehouse with Pony, Jorgensen and Goldblatt inventory. The company expects the warehouse to be fully stocked and operational by July 2018.
