Starrett Tools - Company History & Lore

In this video we do a deep dive into the history of the L.S. Starrett Tool company, known for their precision measuring tools.

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From Laroy Starrett's beginnings with Athol Tool & Machine, to going public on the New York Stock Exchange, acquiring numerous other business and expanding to a worldwide company, to a failed hostile takeover attempt in 1964, and a raid by the FBI over allegations of fraud, Starrett has survived for over 100 years, and was recently acquired by MiddleGround Capital,
a private investment firm.

Free Starrett Literature:

More Starrett History:

Starrett History Book:

Merger Announcement:

Starrett Patents:

Old Starrett Catalogs:

1913 Athol Machine catalog:

00:00 Intro
00:21 Early Days
01:41 Depression & WWII Era
02:28 Starrett Goes International
03:01 Hostile Takeover Attempt
03:53 70's & 80's
04:28 Raided by the FBI
05:28 Outsourcing & Factory Closures
06:03 MiddleGround Merger
08:07 My thoughts on Starrett Tools
09:05 Outro

[ballinator]

Update: The latest SEC filing on 4/12, says the shareholders will be voting on the merger on May 21st.

[jm]

Private Equity is the kiss of death for every business they acquire. Load up the debt, sell off the most valuable parts, then bankrupt the residue.
We must admit that there is major competition these days in this industry.

[MegaGeorge]

As a retired machinist, most all of my micrometers and other measuring tools were Starrett made. Good tools.

[catsupchutney]

Private equity firms have a reputation not much better than the mafia. In other words they'd slowly liquidate the assets and leave a husk of a firm.

[BruceAllgire]

Hopefully, the Starrett brand will continue! I've had some of my products for decades! my Dial vernier caliper works as well today as it did in the 70's. That, and a few other products that I have. Great quality.

[pbslab]

I've got loads of Starrett tools I've bought from retiring guys during my 45yrs in the trade. The latest generations don't even know what half the Starrett measuring instruments are or how to use them. Everything is designed by CAD, to be made by CAM, and measured by a CMM. Starrett digital tools are being made in China. The Model 799 digital caliper my company bought me was a $159 piece of junk!

[BruceWSims]

STARRETT was almost legendary to me growing up in the 50-s and 60-s. as it seemed that there was nothing better when it came to measuring or tolerances. Business models have changed, though, and the idea of commanding a presence in a particular field seems to have fallen victim to short-term gratification and international business forces. If they go, STARRETT will definitely leave a whole in the American tool industry. FWIW.

[geraldf.]

PRIVATE EQUITY = BYE, BYE AMERICAN JOBS AND AMERICAN QUALITY.

[AB-bsoh]

Thanks for the heads up on the free literature, I had no idea!

[Traderjoe]

Athole!! 😂Imagine yelling that out to some guy in their warehouse looking for a part?

[djsit]

Some of the finest tools on the market anywhere in the world...and going back so far in time that I have nothing but respect for the brand...being from nearby in massachusetts..

[theprof]

My mother's family is from Athol and I know it well. My grandfather was a master machinist. This is truly sad.

[drengskap]

That Arts & Crafts style catalogue cover at 0:45 is really beautiful. Sorry to hear about Starrett's problems, I have lots of their punches, scribes etc and I've always respected the brand.

[insomniak]

Quickly fell in love with the channel. Kudos

[danohstoolbox]

starrett has been a great company and there older tools do comand a premium in the used market

[randyshoquist]

So Gordon Gecko was an early investor.🤣 I love your "reenactments." I enjoy the info, too.

[eddietapp]

If the financial problems are true I agree the sale will more than likely take place, great video I learned alot 👍

[Dan-wtjx]

I am always wary of PE buyouts, but the note about re-shoring does give me some hope. There are definite quality differences in US amd EU maxe stuff vs Asian made tools, and Starret being a premium brand can definitely capitalize on demanding higher prices for more US made products. I have trusted them and B&S for my entire career

[mattstarr]

use their products and makita when i was a steel worker

[stringlarson]

I've got quite a few Starrett mics., compasses, etc., from the 40s-50s. Can barely read the markings.
Priv. Eq. ?! Bummer. Maybe I'll go on McMaster-Carr or ? and splurge on something.