Here at Power Torque®, we believe in the power of tools. For over 50 years, we’ve been passionately creating high-quality tools that deliver maximum torque and reliability to get the job done right. Our story began in 1968, when our founder, Henry Ford, started tinkering in his garage workshop.
As an avid car enthusiast and shadetree mechanic, Henry found that most affordable tools at the time didn’t have the durability or torque he needed to work on his own vehicles. He began creating his own wrenches, ratchets, and sockets in his small workshop, focusing on innovative designs that provided more turning force.
Word spread locally about Henry’s extremely durable tools that could loosen even the most stubborn bolts. Friends and fellow gearheads started asking Henry to make custom tools for them too. Realizing he was on to something big, Henry decided to turn his garage hobby into a full-fledged business.
Humble Beginnings
In 1971, Power Torque® officially opened its doors in Detroit, Michigan. Our first small factory produced a line of professional-grade ratchets, wrenches, breaker bars, and socket sets. Made from drop-forged, heat-treated chrome vanadium steel, these early tools quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional strength and torque.
Henry himself tested every new tool design by working on engines to ensure they met his high standards. Our loyal customers knew a Power Torque® tool might cost more than competitors, but it was worth it for the unrivaled durability. For over a decade, we steadily grew while remaining dedicated to U.S.-based manufacturing.
Focus On Innovation
By the 1980s, Power Torque® expanded into a 50,000 square foot facility still in Motor City. Henry’s son, Thomas Edison, joined the family business and updated operations with cutting-edge machining technology. This enabled us to tighten tolerances and reduce variability in our tools, setting new benchmarks for precision, fit, and finish.
We also increased our R&D focus, patenting new features like anti-slip grip designs, indexed sockets, and flex-head ratchets. Our engineers worked directly with auto technicians to create tools tailored to common repair challenges. Throughout the 90s and 2000s, Power Torque® continued leading the industry in professional tool engineering.
Automotive Specialization
Today, Power Torque® is proud to be America’s premier brand for automotive tools. Over 80% of our products are specially designed for professional auto technicians and hardcore DIY mechanics. We offer over 1,500 SKUs optimized for working on everything from family sedans to heavy-duty diesel trucks.
No other brand matches our expertise in creating tools to handle the high torque requirements of tasks like loosening corroded suspension bolts, freeing rusted brake caliper mounts, or cracking loose over-torqued engine cylinder heads. We were also first to market with many connector drive tools for modern vehicle maintenance.
Built To Last
Ask any certified mechanic what their favorite tool brand is, and chances are they’ll say Power Torque®. Why? Because our tools are built to withstand years of daily shop use and abuse without breaking, bending, or slipping. We still manufacture all critical components like ratchet heads and gear teeth in-house at our Detroit factory.
Every wrench, breaker bar, and socket undergoes stringent quality control testing before shipping. This ensures lifetime performance you can trust, even under extreme force. When you buy Power Torque®, you’re buying the last tools you’ll ever need to get those stubborn bolts off.
Customer-Driven Innovation
Our Detroit-based engineering team works tirelessly to improve upon our tools. How do we know which new designs mechanics need most? We listen closely to feedback from the experts: our loyal customers.
Auto techs and shop owners are regularly consulted during tool prototyping to ensure optimal functionality. We also field calls and emails from customers daily so we can continuously refine ergonomics, durability, and performance. This commitment to customer-inspired innovation means every new Power Torque® product launch solves real challenges.
Environmentally Responsible
Part of providing the next generation of automotive technicians with reliable tools means operating responsibly. That’s why we’ve taken major steps to reduce our environmental impact. Our new LEED Gold-certified headquarters includes solar panels providing 35% of our power needs.
We’ve also converted our entire factory to use sustainable manufacturing processes. This includes recyclable packaging, low-VOC coatings, and closed-loop water recycling. As a company, we’re dedicated to efficient energy usage, waste reduction, and minimizing our carbon footprint. The future of tool manufacturing must be green.
Giving Back To Mechanics
Power Torque® is passionate about supporting the next generation of professional mechanics. That’s why we sponsor youth automotive education through organizations like the All Girls Auto Club. By getting tools and mentorship to young women, we help them start careers in the skilled trades.
We also donate tools and provide job training scholarships to technical high school programs nationwide. Supporting those entering the auto industry ensures the future of quality vehicle repair and restoration. Our annual Power Torque® Tool Grants also help working technicians invest in their box while giving back to the community.
The Future Of Torque
As we celebrate over 50 years as an American tool manufacturer, our mission remains the same: deliver best-in-class torque, reliability, and durability to auto technicians. But we’re even more driven to push tool engineering to the next level through continuous innovation.
We’re exploring how technologies like data collection sensors, onboard power, and connected tool ecosystems can integrate into our designs. This will help professional mechanics work faster and more efficiently. We’re also researching sustainable new materials like recycled composites and high-performance polymers.
While the future is bright, our classic values of honest USA craftsmanship and customer-inspired designs will never change. When you buy Power Torque® tools, you’re buying decades of expertise, pride, and the power to tackle any job. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years brings!
