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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | Los Angeles, California (1968) |
| Founder(s) | Alan Smidt |
| Headquarters | Camarillo, California |
| Number of locations | 330 |
| Area served | USA |
| Key people | Alan Smidt (Chairman) Eric Smidt (CEO) Robert Rene (COO) |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Tools |
| Revenue | ▲$1.5 billion USD (Estimated) |
| Employees | approx 6,000 |
| Website | www.harborfreight.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 330 retail store locations in 43 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 (93,000 m2).
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, but are typically made in China, rather than the U.S. Many of the tools sold at Harbor Freight are sold with different brand names by other tool vendors, usually at significantly higher prices.[citation needed]
The products are typically significantly less expensive than other brands making them a consideration for low-end hobbyist use.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Expect a high level of customer service, when available, as stores are chronically understaffed.[citation needed] Warranties are commensurate with the low prices; however, return policies are fairly generous,[citation needed] and all of its Pittsburgh hand tools have a lifetime warranty.
External links
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