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. 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. The company's first brick and mortar store was opened in

Burnsville, Minnesota Burnsville () is a city south of downtown Minneapolis in Dakota County, Minnesota. The city lies on a bluff overlooking the south bank of the Minnesota River upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi River. Burnsville and nearby subur ...

in 1981. 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. Northern Tool operates (2) manufacturing facilities along with (4) distribution centers. Northern Tool + Equipment's private (9) 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.

Subsidiaries

Northern Tool purchased both The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide from

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in 2012. The operation of both companies were combined, but operated as standalone online retailers. Both subsidiaries were sold to BHG Ventures in 2021.

Sponsorship

Northern Tool was the sponsor of the

NorthernTool.com 250 The NorthernTool.com 250 is a discontinued NASCAR Nationwide Series race held at the Milwaukee Mile. From 1984 to 1985, the race was 200 laps, long. From 1986 to 1992, no race was held. In 1993, the race returned, and was increased to 250 laps, ...

, a

NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...

series race held at the

Milwaukee Mile The Milwaukee Mile is a oval race track in the central United States, located on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb west of Milwaukee. Its grandstand and bleachers seats approximately 37,000 spectator ...

. The race was held in both 1984 and 1985, but then discontinued until 1993 when it resumed through the 2009 season.

References

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External links

Northern Tool website
Privately held companies based in Minnesota 1981 establishments in Minnesota Burnsville, Minnesota