<== Store of the Day for 2022-08-11 ==>

Park Tool

Park Tool is an independently owned Minnesota based designer and manufacturer of bike tools.

There used to be thousands upon thousands of US based manufacturers. Most were sent overseas.

Estimates are that China produces 95% of the US bicycles. Since many tools are brand specific, one would expect to see bicycle tools off shored as well.

Corporate History

In 1956, Howard C. Hawkins and Art Engstrom bought the Park Schwinn bike shop in the Hazel Park area of Saint Paul, Minnesota. They noticed that there was a lack of quality bike tools and began designing their own.

The first tool was a bicycle stand which became popular among other independent bike shops. The group started Park Tool in 1963 and sold off the bike stores in 1981 to concentrate on the development of tools. The company experienced steady growth through the years and has somehow avoided becoming fodder for the private equity business.