Northern Tool + Equipment is a manufacturer and retailer of light industrial equipment and do-it-yourself supplies. Founded in 1981, the company is the owner of the NorthStar brand which makes up 20 percent of its product line. It also owns The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide.
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 in 1981. Northern Tool began its own manufacturing business in 1991 with the launch of its NorthStar brand. It manufactured tools such as log splitters, generators, pressure washers, and air compressors. NorthStar brand makes up for 20 percent of Northern Tool's product line. The company launched a website and mail order catalogue in 2008 called Kotula's, named after the founder. In December 2017, Northern Tool opened its 100th store and reached $1 billion in sales.
Subsidiaries
In addition to tool sales and manufacturing, Northern Tool owns The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide.
The Golf Warehouse / The Sportsman's Guide
Northern Tool purchased both The Golf Warehouse and The Sportsman's Guide from Redcats in 2012. The operation of both companies were combined, but continue to operate as standalone online retailers. The Sportsman's Guide was founded in 1970 by Gary Olen and focuses on hunting and fishing gear, military surplus, ammunition and outdoor sporting goods. It was purchased by Redcats in 2006 for $265 million. The company was publicly traded at the time and the purchase was valued at $31 per share prior to going private after the sale. The Sportsman's guide also operates websites including BoatingSavings.com and WorkWearSavings.com. The Golf Warehouse, commonly referred to as TGW, was founded in 1998. It maintains a retail store in Wichita, Kansas with the majority of its sales coming online. In 1999, IMG Sports Capital invested in 70% of the company. IMG sold its interest to The Sportsman's Guide in 2003 and the company was sold to the European distributor PPR in 2005, adding baseball items to its offerings through the website BaseballSavings.com. The company sells name brandgolf equipment and promotional golf items through online ordering and catalogues.
Sponsorship
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.
