1953

April 1, 1953

1953

Company formed on site in Yeadon, North Leeds.

1963

June 7, 1963

1963

First sub-contract partnership agreement reached with local oil-field equipment manufacturer.

1965

January 1, 1965

1965

Moved to its present location in Otley, West Yorkshire

1968

May 25, 1968

1968

Range of Expanding Mandrels developed.

1971

March 1, 1971

1971

1975

May 25, 1975

1975

Chuck Jaws

1979

May 25, 1979

1979

Due to the increased flexibility of machine tools we started specialising in bespoke fixturing

1981

May 25, 1981

1981

1981

September 5, 1981

1981

Installation of first CNC lathe.

1986

September 1, 1986

1986

Introduction of the award winning Crafticube range of cube-type workholding

1987

January 1, 1987

1987

Agreement to supply range of Mazak standard tooling

1992

May 25, 1992

1992

Hydrostatic Pressure Testing was introduced to the company by request from Cooper Cameron

1995

January 1, 1995

1995

Cellular manufacturing introduced on shop floor, creating 4 separate cells

1997

January 1, 1997

1997

New office block built and in-house pressure testing facility added

1998

January 1, 1998

1998

Worldwide licence to produce range of Sandvik Coromant Capto™ toolholders

1999

January 1, 1999

1999

USA sales office – Chevin Tools Inc. opened in Chicago Illinois

2003

January 1, 2003

2003

Three 3D CAD stations installed in design office

2005

January 1, 2005

2005

3rd extension to shop floor opened, increasing working area to 25,000 sq.ft.

2006

January 1, 2006

2006

Production of fully integrated Craftsman Capto™ turrets

2007

January 1, 2007

2007

Opening of 5th manufacturing cell as annual turnover breaks £5M level.

2008

March 15, 2008

2008

‘Crafticube’ system goes global

2010

February 15, 2010

2010

Craftsman Tools Announces Partnership with the AMRC

2016

March 1, 2016

2016

Global Supply Agreement with Sandvik Machining Solutions AB signed

2017

March 14, 2017

2017

Craftsman Tools wins Innovate UK Grant for intelligent Toolholding

2020

March 10, 2020

2020

Craftsman Tools joined the race to net zero emissions and is keeping a place on the innovations market by specialising in workholding for electric vehicles

2021

March 16, 2021

2021

Craftsman and Linamar sign Global Agreement for supply of toolholders

2023

April 1, 2023

2023

Here’s to 70 years of growth, innovation and success!

2023

May 12, 2023

2023

Design for the EV Market - Craftsman Tools Ltd, in partnership with Sales Power de México S.A. de C.V., delivered in Mexico a Friction Mandrel for Electric Automotive Industry