Channellock celebrates 130 years

Channellock Inc. is celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2016, looking back on 13 decades of running a family owned and operated hand tool operation that's 100% Made in USA.

George B. DeArment founded the company in 1886 as the Champion Bolt & Clipper Co. The "Channellock" name actually didn't come around until 1932, when chief engineer Howard Manning created the tongue-and-groove plier the company is most well-known for.



“To be able to say that our world-famous pliers are still made in Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA is a source of pride to everyone at Channellock,” said chairman and CEO Bill DeArment. “Our company was founded in 1886 in northwest Pennsylvania on the principle of making the highest-quality tools, and nothing has changed.”

Well, almost nothing. Innovations have marked the company's growth in the form of site-specific laser-heat treating operations and the implementation of robotics in the forging, polishing and machining arenas.

The company has also added 3-D printing capabilities to speed up its prototype process.



“It has been a welcome addition to our tool design process because it allows us to see how an idea would actually function before advancing too far along the process,” said Jon DeArment, president and COO of Channellock Inc.



Today, the company offers more than 140 t