Costco is a popular membership-based warehouse club that offers a wide selection of products, including tool storage solutions like tool chests and tool boxes. Costco tool chests provide members with secure and organized storage for their tools and equipment at warehouse prices. But who actually manufactures the tool chests that Costco sells under its own Kirkland Signature brand name? Let’s take a closer look at who makes Costco’s tool chests.
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Costco’s Kirkland Signature Brand
Costco’s signature Kirkland brand includes a variety of tool chests and boxes. The Kirkland brand was introduced by Costco as a private label to offer members quality products at a great value. Kirkland products are designed to meet Costco’s high standards and specifications. The name Kirkland comes from the city where Costco first began in 1983, Kirkland, Washington.
While Kirkland products bear the Costco brand name, Costco does not actually manufacture the Kirkland products themselves. Instead, they contract with various manufacturers and suppliers to produce items that are sold under the Kirkland name. This helps Costco offer their signature brand items at competitive prices compared to national brands.
Waterloo Tool Chests
When it comes to Kirkland tool chests and boxes, one of the main manufacturers is Waterloo Industries. Waterloo is a U.S. company based out of Waterloo, Iowa that specializes in making quality tool storage products including tool chests, cabinets, workbenches, and more. They have been producing tool storage solutions since 1913.
Waterloo has manufactured tool chests and boxes for Costco under the Kirkland brand for over 20 years. Many of the Kirkland tool chests and boxes found at Costco warehouses are made right in Waterloo’s Iowa production facilities.
Some examples of Kirkland tool chests made by Waterloo include:
- Kirkland Signature 12 Drawer Roller Cabinet
- Kirkland Signature 11 Drawer Chest & Cabinet Combo
- Kirkland Signature 26″ Top Chest
- Kirkland Signature 52″ Stainless Steel Combo
Waterloo uses quality materials like formed steel and stainless steel in Kirkland tool storage products. They also incorporate useful design features like side mount drawer slides, soft close drawers, and adjustable leveling feet. The Kirkland logo is proudly displayed on tool chests made by Waterloo.
Other Kirkland Tool Chest Manufacturers
In addition to Waterloo Industries, Costco also works with other manufacturers and suppliers to produce tool chests and boxes for the Kirkland Signature line. This helps Costco meet high demand and offers a diverse selection of tool storage options to Costco members.
Some additional manufacturers that produce Kirkland tool chests include:
- Sandusky Lee – An Ohio based tool storage company. They supply Kirkland with mid-size tool chests, workbenches, and more.
- Knaack – A subsidiary of Emerson that makes jobsite storage like large tool chests and vaults.
- Franklin – A California tool company that provides Costco with portable tool boxes and cases.
- Top Line Manufacturing – An Illinois company producing top chest add-ons for Kirkland tool cabinets.
Having multiple manufacturers allows Costco to provide quality tool storage products to their members at different price points and configurations to suit different needs and budgets.
Quality Control and Standards
While Kirkland tool chests and boxes come from various manufacturers, Costco maintains high standards for all products sold under their signature brand name. Costco has a quality control team that carefullyinspects Kirkland products at the factories.
All tool chest manufacturers have to meet strict specifications outlined by Costco. This includes using durable and dent-resistant materials, incorporating smooth rolling casters, and having gas struts for ease-of-use. All hardware must be clearly labeled to make assembly straightforward. Only products that pass inspections can be approved as Kirkland tool storage.
Costco also field tests Kirkland products and reads customer reviews to ensure quality and durability standards are upheld after distribution. This commitment to quality control allows Costco to stand behind all Kirkland branded products with their guarantee of satisfaction.
Member Benefits of Kirkland Tool Chests
So why does Costco contract with other vendors to manufacture products like tool chests instead of making them in-house? There are a few key member benefits to this approach:
- Expertise – Companies like Waterloo are specialists in building tool storage, so they have the expertise to construct high-performing and durable tool chests.
- Efficiency – Letting established manufacturers produce Kirkland tool chests allows Costco to get products to market quickly and efficiently.
- Flexibility – With multiple suppliers, Costco can offer more tool chest styles and sizes to suit varying member needs.
- Cost Savings – Contracting manufacturing helps Costco keep costs low and pass the savings to members through warehouse pricing.
The combination of Costco’s buying power and the manufacturing capabilities of companies like Waterloo results in high-quality tool chests at prices Costco members love. This winning formula is what keeps loyal Costco members coming back for Kirkland Signature products like tool storage.
Conclusion
In summary, while Costco’s Kirkland brand tool chests and boxes bear the retail giant’s signature logo, they are actually manufactured by various established tool storage companies like Waterloo, Knaack, Sandusky Lee, and others. Costco maintains high quality standards for all Kirkland products. This manufacturing arrangement allows Costco to provide members with reliable, heavy-duty tool chests at affordable warehouse prices. So next time you shop at Costco, look for the Kirkland name to find tool chests made by expert producers and backed by Costco’s guarantee.
| Tool Chest Brand | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature | Waterloo Industries |
| Kirkland Signature | Sandusky Lee |
| Kirkland Signature | Knaack |
| Kirkland Signature | Franklin |
| Kirkland Signature | Top Line Manufacturing |