Harbor Freight Tools

Infobox Company
company_name = Harbor Freight Tools
company_
company_type = Private
company_slogan = America's Favorite Tool Store
foundation = Los Angeles, California (1968)
founder = Alan Smidt
location = Camarillo, California
area_served = USA
key_people = Alan Smidt (Chairman)
Eric Smidt (CEO)
David Martel (EVP)
Robert Glickman (CFO)
industry = Retail
locations = 320
num_employees = approx 6,000
products = Tools
homepage = [http://www.harborfreight.com/ www.harborfreight.com] [http://www.harborfreightusa.com/ www.harborfreightusa.com]

Harbor Freight Tools is an American privately held company that runs a chain of discount tool retail stores. The company was founded in 1968, primarily selling through its mail order catalog, which still exists today. The Camarillo, California-based company offers more than 10,000 varieties of tools through its Web site, mail order catalog, and retail stores.

Harbor Freight has over 320 retail store locations in 42 out of 50 states. It has corporate offices in California, and South Carolina. It is one of the largest employers in Dillon, South Carolina with a distribution center spanning over 1,000,000 square feet.

Most of the tools found at Harbor Freight are sold under a variety of house brands with American-sounding names, such as Chicago Electric, Drill Master, Central Machinery, Central Pneumatic, U.S. General, and Pittsburgh Tools. Many of its tools are sold with different brand names by other tool vendors, usually at significantly higher prices.

The products are typically significantly less expensive than other brands making them a consideration for low-end hobbyist use. Some of the tools are decent, or at least adequate, while others may not have the same consistency or quality of higher-end tools, as might be suggested by the price difference. Expect a high level of customer service; warranties commensurate with the low prices, however, all of its Pittsburgh tools hand tools have a lifetime warranty.

Several of these products, such as the perennially available [http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93212 7"x10" metal-cutting] mini-lathe and the [http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93762 4"x6" horizontal/vertical] metal-cutting bandsaw, have achieved near-legendary status among metalworking hobbyists.

External links

* [http://www.harborfreight.com Harbor Freight Tools]
* [http://www.harborfreightusa.com Harbor Freight Tools Retail Stores]