Serious do-it-yourselfers put their kids to sleep with bedtime stories from the catalogs of Northern Tool & Equipment. Stocked with more than 40,000 products, the family-owned company offers an assortment of heavy-duty tools as well as construction and industrial equipment (such as air compressors, power generators, and pressure washers). Its primary customers include building contractors, automotive shops, and the do-it-yourself crowd. Northern Tool rings up revenues via catalogs (biggest sales channel), websites, and some 90 retail stores in more than 15 states.
Operations
The hardware retailer appeals to shoppers with a wide array of products that include over 1,500 brands, such as
The firm also operates sporting goods brands.
Geographic Reach
Minnesota-based Northern Tool operates stores in 17 states. Its largest markets are Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, which together are home to nearly half of the company's stores. Northern Tool also serves customers outside the US. The company ships to most countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico, and the UK.
Sales and Marketing
The company markets its products through stores, catalogs, and online.
Strategy
Expanding its retail presence in the South and Midwest, Northern Tool continues to steadily build its store network.
Company Background
In 2012 it entered two new states: Mississippi and Nebraska, and continued to add to its store count in Texas. Previously, the chain strengthened its existing base in Texas -- where there are now more than 15 locations -- opening its first store in Austin in 2011.
Extending its reach beyond hardware, Northern Tool in late 2012 acquired direct merchants
Northern Tool was founded in 1981 as a mail-order shop by its CEO Donald Kotula.
2800 SOUTHCROSS DR W
Burnsville, MN 55306-6936
Phone: 1 (952) 894-9510
Employer Type: Privately Owned
Chairman: Chuck Albrecht
CEO: Donald L. Kotula
Senior Director Information Technology: Dennis Rouland
Employees (This Location): 400
Employees (All Locations): 3,000
Burnsville, MN
Vestavia, AL
Fern Park, FL
Fort Myers, FL
Melbourne, FL
Miami, FL
Miami Gardens, FL
Ocala, FL
Opa Locka, FL
Orlando, FL
Pompano Beach, FL
Tampa, FL
Tarpon Springs, FL
Macon, GA
Marietta, GA
Snellville, GA
Stockbridge, GA
Davenport, IA
Des Moines, IA
Lenexa, KS
Wichita, KS
Buford, MN
Burnsville, MN
Faribault, MN
Hermantown, MN
Hopkins, MN
Huntsville, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Rochester, MN
Rogers, MN
Saint Paul, MN
Savage, MN
Waite Park, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
Arnold, MO
Independence, MO
Asheville, NC
Burlington, NC
Colfax, NC
Concord, NC
Fayetteville, NC
Hickory, NC
Matthews, NC
Raleigh, NC
Fargo, ND
Omaha, NE
Oklahoma City, OK
Tulsa, OK
Columbia, SC
Fort Mill, SC
Greenville, SC
Rock Hill, SC
Spartanburg, SC
Sioux Falls, SD
Johnson City, TN
Knoxville, TN
Memphis, TN
Murfreesboro, TN
Austin, TX
Beaumont, TX
Bedford, TX
Conroe, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
El Paso, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Garland, TX
Grand Prairie, TX
Houston, TX
Lewisville, TX
Mcallen, TX
Meadows Place, TX
Odessa, TX
San Antonio, TX
Tyler, TX
Fredericksburg, VA
Glen Allen, VA
Hampton, VA
Norfolk, VA
North Chesterfield, VA
Salem, VA
Grand Chute, WI
Madison, WI
Milwaukee, WI