Black+Decker

History

Black & Decker, a globally recognized manufacturer of power tools and home equipment, was founded in 1910 by S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker. The company started as a small machine shop in Baltimore but quickly gained attention due to its innovation. In 1917, they patented the first portable electric drill with a trigger switch, a revolutionary power tool that laid the foundation for the modern tool industry. That same year, the first manufacturing plant opened in Towson, Maryland. Over the following decades, Black & Decker continued to grow. The acquisition of Van Dorn Electric Tool Company in 1928 and listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 1936 solidified its leadership in the power tool market. After WWII, the company received the Army-Navy E Award for excellence in manufacturing. By 1960, it had acquired DeWalt, further expanding its electric and industrial tool portfolio. From 1975, Black & Decker pursued major acquisitions, including the small appliance division from General Electric in 1984 and Emhart Corporation in 1989. Their innovation in cordless tools earned them a place in the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame. In 2010, the merger with Stanley Works created Stanley Black & Decker, a global powerhouse in tool manufacturing. Post-merger, the company continued to evolve. In 2012, it sold its hardware and home improvement division, and in 2014, rebranded to Black+Decker. The acquisition of the Craftsman brand in 2017 and a licensing deal with Stovekraft for Indian distribution further expanded the brand. By 2025, Indkal Technologies began manufacturing Black+Decker smart TVs for the Indian market.