Klein Tools Inc., Lincolnshire, Ill., has entered the Australian market through what it calls a “significant financial investment and strategic partnership” with Mumme Tools, a manufacturer of forged tools for the mining and industrial markets. The Mumme Tools product line includes chisels, hammers, digging tools, masonry tools, punches and wedges. The company says its mining and industrial tools are exclusively specified for use in many global mining sites, defense and emergency services, government departments and by builders and contractors. Other customers include utilities, schools and the oil, gas and aeronautical industries.
Greg Palese, vice president of marketing, Klein Tools, said the company’s entire line of 3,000-plus SKUs will be available for its distribution partners in Australia, including more than 165 different types of pliers as well as screwdrivers, shears, wrenches, saws, sheet metal tools, cable and bolt cutters and more. He said this is Mumme’s first venture into electrician tools. “Klein and Mumme entered into a partnership to combine Klein Tools’ superior line of professional hand tools with Mumme’s large distribution network in order to increase each company’s respective market share,” he said in an email to Electrical Marketing. “Mumme Tools will continue to offer tools specifically suited for mining and heavy industry usage, but will now be able to offer its professional customers the #1 tool choice of electricians in the U.S.”
Palese also said Klein has already expanded the distribution of Mumme Tools in the United States and said Mumme Tools’ mining tools are promoted at www.kleintools.com and in Klein catalogs.
James Van Huis, Klein Tools’ vice president of international sales, said in the press release, “With an estimated $19 billion market in electrical services, we know there is an enormous demand in Australia for a full line of superior tool products. Our partnership with Mumme Tools will allow us to meet that demand and surpass customer expectations for high-quality hand tools.”
To further demonstrate its commitment to the Australian market’s professional tool industry, Klein Tools made a $125,000 tool donation to Master Electricians, which has connected electrical contractors with local services across Australia for more than 74 years, as well as a $125,000 donation to the Australian Industry Group, which is an employers’ organization with 750,000-plus members in industries such as manufacturing, construction, mining and other related professional service industries. The donations will benefit thousands of apprenticeship, trade and vocational training schools.
“Klein Tool’s commitment to quality manufacturing and service is consistent with our business philosophy to produce and distribute premium tools while providing excellent customer support,” said Adam Mumme, managing director at Mumme Tools. “We look forward to continuing to expand Mumme Tools’ product line, increasing sales opportunities and providing our customers with a larger selection of premium hand tools.”
Klein’s investment in Mumme Tools establishes a unique partnership between two family-owned businesses. Founded in 1857, Klein Tools is one of the largest family-owned and operated companies in the electrical market. According to information on www.mummeproducts.com, Mumme Tools started in the 1930s when the late Bill Mumme began forging copper soldering irons.
The Mumme family has been producing forged hand tools in South Australia for three generations and the company considers itself to be Australia’s leading forged hand tool manufacturer. Soldering irons remained the principle priority of the business until Mumme’s sons joined the company in the late 1950s and early 1960s and they began to diversify into other forged tools. Chris and Des Mumme incorporated the business to Mumme Products Pty. Ltd. in 1980, and the Mumme Products brand was born. Des Mumme retired in the late 1990s and Chris’ sons Adam and Matthew took on principal roles in the business.
Over the years, Mumme Tools has experienced steady organic growth and has made several acquisitions, including Lock Tool Co. (1989), a Melbourne, Australia-based, forging and machining company; Evro Tool Co. (2001), a family-owned forging company; and Melville Ladders (2002), a ladder manufacturer.
Klein Tools and Mumme Tools held a showcase event on Sept. 18 with current and prospective retailers and distributors to display products, including the launch of a new line of insulated pliers and cable cutters. Made in the U.S., the pliers and cable cutters offer a multi-color design with small thumb guards for a more comfortable grip as well as ease of handling and storage. The pliers have an enhanced safety element as they are clearly marked with the official 1,000V rating symbol to reduce the chance of injury when the tool may make contact with an energized source.
