Northern Tool

{{Short description|American industrial tools company}} {{Infobox company | name = | logo = File:Northern Tool + Equipment.png | logo_size = 250 px | logo_alt = Northern Tool + Equipment | logo_caption = | logo_padding = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | trading_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | romanized_name = | former_name = Northern Hydraulics (1981-1998) | type = Private | traded_as = | ISIN = | industry = Industrial tools retail and manufacturing | genre = | fate = | predecessor =  | successor = | founded = 1981 | founder = Don Kotula | defunct =  | hq_location = | hq_location_city = Burnsville, Minnesota | hq_location_country = | num_locations = 130 stores (2022) | num_locations_year =  | area_served =  | products = | brands = NorthStar, Powerhorse, Klutch, Strongway, Roughneck, Bannon, Ironton, Ultra-Tow, Gravel Gear | production = | production_year =  | services = | revenue = | revenue_year =  | operating_income = | income_year =  | net_income =  | net_income_year =  | aum =  | assets = | assets_year =  | equity = | equity_year =  | owner =  | members = | members_year =  | num_employees = 2,500+ (2022) | num_employees_year =  | parent = | divisions = | subsid = Jack's Small Engines | module =  | ratio =  | rating =  | website = {{URL|https://www.northerntool.com/}} | footnotes = | intl =  }} '''Northern Tool + Equipment''' (commonly referred to as '''Northern Tool''') is a manufacturer and retailer of light industrial equipment and do-it-yourself supplies. Founded in 1981 as Northern Hydraulics, the company was officially renamed to Northern Tool + Equipment and is the owner of several private label brands including NorthStar, Powerhorse, Klutch, Strongway, Ultra-Tow, Roughneck, Gravel Gear, Bannon and Ironton which make up a portion of its product line. The company purchased The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide in 2012 and sold both in August 2021.

==History== Northern Tool was founded by Don Kotula when he began selling log splitters out of his garage.<ref name="STsales">{{cite news|last1=St. Anthony|first1=Neal|title=Privately held Northern Tool, with $1 billion in sales, opens 100th store|url=http://www.startribune.com/privately-held-northern-tool-with-1-billion-in-sales-opens-100th-store/465279163/|accessdate=4 October 2018|publisher=Star Tribune|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> He originally worked in heavy equipment sales at Ziegler, but left when the business began slumping during the 1981-82 recession. In addition to log splitters, Kotula sold cylinders, valves, and hydraulics with his family members assisting in the sales and order fulfillment.<ref name="STsales"/> The company's first brick and mortar store was opened in Burnsville, Minnesota in 1981.<ref name="DNIronRange">{{cite news|last1=Renalls|first1=Candace|date=30 January 2012|title=Iron Range native with junkyard roots built business into national chain|publisher=Duluth News Tribune|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/2318471-iron-range-native-junkyard-roots-built-business-national-chain|accessdate=4 October 2018}}</ref> The company also mailed its first catalog in 1981. The company launched its website, northerntool.com in 1999. Northern Tool began its own manufacturing business in 1991 with the launch of its NorthStar brand. Northern manufactures tools such as log splitters, generators, pressure washers, sprayers, pumps, and air compressors.<ref name="STsales"/> Northern Tool operates two manufacturing facilities along with four distribution centers. Northern Tool + Equipment's nine private label brands make up 40 percent of sales. The company launched a website and mail order catalogue in 2008 called Kotula's, named after the founder.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vomhof J.r|first1=John|date=14 December 2008|title=Northern Tool and Equipment launches quirky Kotula's brand|publisher=Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/12/15/story2.html|accessdate=4 October 2018}}</ref> ==Subsidiaries== Northern Tool purchased both The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide from Redcats in 2012. The operation of both companies were combined, but operated as standalone online retailers.<ref name="NTBusySports">{{cite news|last1=Vomhof Jr.|first1=John|title=Northern Tool buys two sporting-goods retailers for $215M|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2012/11/08/northern-tool-buys-2-golf-retailers.html|accessdate=4 October 2018|publisher=Minneaapolis St. Paul Business Journal|date=8 November 2012}}</ref> Both subsidiaries were sold to BHG Ventures in 2021.<ref name="Crosby">{{cite news |last1=Crosby |first1=Jackie |title=South St. Paul-based Sportsman's Guide sold to Michigan investment firm |url=https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-based-sportsmans-guide-sold-to-michigan-investment-firm/600091655/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |work=Star Tribune |date=August 27, 202}}</ref>

==Sponsorship== {{main|NorthernTool.com 250}} Northern Tool was the sponsor of the NorthernTool.com 250, a NASCAR series race held at the Milwaukee Mile. The race was held in both 1984 and 1985, but then discontinued until 1993 when it resumed through the 2009 season. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.northerntool.com/ Northern Tool website]

Category:Privately held companies based in Minnesota Category:Home improvement retailers of the United States Category:1981 establishments in Minnesota Category:Burnsville, Minnesota Category:Culture of Minnesota