Connecticut news outlet have reported that Stanley Black & Decker is closing a USA manufacturing facility in New Britain, CT.
I have not yet found any official announcements from Stanley Black & Decker.
According to one news channel, Stanley Black & Decker is closing the factory because of “a structural decline in demand for single-sided tape measures.”
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An additional statement attributed to a Stanley Black & Decker rep explains that such “products [single-sided tape measures] are quickly becoming obsolete in the markets we serve.”
The closure is said to affect 300 workers.
It is unclear whether Stanley Black & Decker will be discontinuing production of single-sided tape measures, or if they are only closing their USA factory that manufactures this type of product.
From what I have seen SBD has multiple sourcing options for many of their tape measures. Their Stanley PowerLock tape measures, for example, have been produced in the USA and Thailand.
Shown above are imported Stanley tape measures on display at Home Depot from the last holiday deals season.
I saw similar for Stanley FatMax tape measures last year – see Stanley FatMax Tape Measure Deal at Home Depot isn’t USA-Made.
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It is also unclear which brands this will impact. I presume it will affect select Stanley, Craftsman, and maybe Dewalt tape measures.
Local government officials issued statements about the closure, saying they will do everything in their power to help support affected workers.
Thank you to Fred for the heads-up!
UPDATE: I found an SBD investor reference that says “CRAFTSMAN tape measures made in Sedalia, Missouri.” It is possible that SBD will continue to make some Stanley, Craftsman, or other tape measures in the USA. I also found reports from mid-2025 that say SBD was restructuring their Sedalia factory, cutting production shifts as part of the process.
John
That’s a shame. The basic Stanley tape measures have been my go to for decades. The most consistent tapes as far as I’m concerned.
TomD
It’s pretty obvious to everyone that they could relatively easily retool the tapes to be printed on both sides. There’s more than just “reduced demand”.
Rog
That was my thought too. You’re a global manufacturing company, SBD, you can’t figure out how to retool the factory?? 🤨
Bonnie
While I don’t doubt it would be possible to do so, I think you underestimate the cost of revamping a production line like that.
Colin
Well my next tape won’t be a Stanley if it isn’t made here.
Kind of a shame, I’ve only used Stanely tapes since I was a kid.
Michael
I take it, they deemed it too expensive for them to retool to be able to print on both sides, or they felt it just made sense to consolidate and make all of their tape measures in Thailand. Either way, I think that is a bad decision to make.
The major reason, I brought Stanley tape measures, is because they were made in the USA and good quality. Other tape measures are also of good quality and this would mean that there would be no reason to go for a Stanley over a Milwaukee or Fastcap, or any of the other brands.
Luckily I was able to find some US made Stanley FatMax 2 pack deals in 2021, so some were out there, but by far there were way more of the made in Thailand 2 packs.
Looks like I might need to pick up a few US made Stanley’s and Craftsman’s while they are still available.
If anyone is interested in quick view of the New Britain factory, they did a video about if for Craftsman’s social media.
Bonnie
I think unfortunately it’s becoming clear that not a lot of people do prioritize made in america to this degree.
Ciccio
Real estate market is declining month after month. Contractors start to feel the pain, less house sold mean less roofs to replace, less renovations less work in general. Also mean less “money circulation” not only for workers but also for title companies, realtors, staging companies, furniture shops, appliances stores and real estate photographers. This is also impacting all companies that work in service and construction business. Less money mean less investments, and of course, no money for new tools as well. A small saving? Probably, but on a large scale could be significant, causing declining in sales and revenue of a tool company. That old tape measurement is old but still ok and working, so is the drill or the ladder or any other tool for what that matter. No need to be replaced at least for now or until it break. And don’t even think to buy a new truck LOL
I want be surprised if more closing, or layoff, will be planned in the near future.
I don’t want to sound too pessimist but i am afraid we just getting started.
Norse
The Fatmax is basically the gold standard on all of the residential construction sites that I have been on since about 2005. I think they are using the retool as an excuse. I did appreciate that they were made here. I probably wear out at least 2 a year. More if we are framing in the wet. Less if I am on trim jobs. I can think of about 4 times when I have wished for a double sided tape in 25 years in the business. Would it be handy? Sometimes. Would the bottom side wear off way before the top? Absolutely. Pros use the tapes that are accurate, durable, and user friendly. The Fatmax is all of that in a fairly well valued package. I am bummed to see them close a factory that produced a useful, quality product at a competitive price here in the USA.
Nathan
It’s getting harder and harder for me to support and in general anymore. Where are the new DeWalt tools made? Not in America I see
And closing factory’s. Just really hard to give them a dollar.
Tony
Here’s my Stanley tape measure story. In the early 1990’s (before the internet), Stanley sent me two copies of my favorite tape measure after I sent a letter saying this particular model had a weak break as did all the new ones in the stores.
My favorite model was the 16’ lever lock with numbers printed right-to-left. This let you pull the tape with your left hand while your right hand marks with a pencil and read the numbers right side up rather than upside down. I explained that I used this tape in a cabinet shop to layout parts for a dozen cabinet makers. A Stanley foreman wrote a note on my letter instructing someone to send me two tapes measures with good breaks. Wow! That level of customer service builds brand loyalty. It’s a loyalty that runs deeper than “tools of a particular color are better all others” kind of loyalty.
Here’s one more from the ‘90s. I called their New Britain, CT phone number to order a spare part for my jack plane. A woman took my order without asking for payment. She said to mail them a check after the part was received. That kind of trust is gone in our world and I miss it. Stanley was a company with very good people back then.
Kentucky fan
The USA made fatmax was literally the industry standard. It’s amazing how stupid these companies can be