Most companies that market their products as “made in America” or “made in the U.S.A.” point out the higher quality and durability of their goods compared to imported rivals. This is especially the case when it comes to Bully Tools, a domestic producer of hand tools based in Steubenville, Ohio. Proudly promoting its products as “100% Made in the U.S.A.”, Bully Tools is known for showing its gardening tools being put through extreme tests of durability online. These tools hold their shape and functionality despite being subject to tremendous stress, which has likely contributed to their popularity.
This popularity has paid off with Bully Tools seeking to add 40,000 additional square feet of manufacturing space in 2025, coming just three years after a 20,000-square-foot expansion to its operations in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Although founded in 1994, growth skyrocketed after 2006, when the company moved into its own manufacturing space and was able to customize its production center and layout. It has expanded multiple times since 2006 and currently employs about 70 full-time workers. The 40,000-square-foot addition – an 80 percent increase in manufacturing space – will add many more workers to the local economy.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales May Help Domestic Small Businesses Compete
Starting five years ago, Bully Tools experienced rapid sales growth thanks to online, direct-to-consumer sales through its website and retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Amazon. Before this, sales were made through retailers. Relying solely on retailers may subject small, domestic businesses to tough competition from imported rivals. Lower-cost imports can fill more shelf space, literally crowding out domestic goods.
The Internet can be a great sales tool for domestic companies that appeal to consumers who value high quality and helping American employers and workers. Consumers can quickly research which companies actually make their goods inside the United States, while browsing products in a big-box retailer may be misleading. In-store browsing may reveal goods that appear to be American-made due to imagery and slogans, but are actually composed significantly of imported parts and/or foreign labor.
Market for Landscaping Tools Growing Significantly
Most of Bully Tools’ wares are landscaping tools, which are expected to enjoy a substantial increase in demand over the next five years. Whether interest rates increase or decrease in 2025, homeowners and home buyers will desire to make the most of their investments—this means developing their yards to maximize value. Complaints about inflation in food prices have spurred Americans’ interest in home gardening to grow some of their desired staples.
Overall, the entire Do-It-Yourself (DIY) market is expected to grow significantly between now and 2030. Economic concerns, especially inflation, have led more Americans to take on house and landscaping projects themselves, which has boosted the hand tool market. This is undoubtedly a factor in Bully Tools’ healthy growth over the last few years: more consumers want to invest in high-quality tools that will last for years and through multiple hefty projects. With economic forecasts still mixed for 2025 and beyond, look for continued high demand for quality, American-made tools.
Image credit: Bully Tools
