Park Tool

Park Tool is an American bike tool manufacturer based in Oakdale, Minnesota. The company leads the way when it comes to designing and manufacturing high-quality tools that are built to last. Popular amongst professionals and home mechanics alike, the company now has a range of over 500 products.

History

Park Tool was born out of two men’s endeavours to build tools that allowed them to fix bikes in a world where cycling technology was becoming more and more complex. Owners of Park Schwinn bicycle shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Howard C. Hawkins and Art Engstrom first moved into tool manufacturing in 1963 when they designed a rudimentary bike stand that quickly caught the eye of bicycle companies keen to get their hands on a production model.

Park Tool continued to expand its range of bicycle tools alongside running three Schwinn dealerships during the 1970s. It ranked in the top 10 for Schwinn bike shops for 15 years in a row and was even named the nation’s most successful dealer in 1977.

Nevertheless, by the early 1980s, the company decided to sell their three dealerships and focus solely on tool production. It swiftly became the bike tool brand to have for any bike shop or budding home mechanic. The company prided itself on high-quality service, from the products to the delivery time.

Park Tool celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013 by moving into its fourth home, a purpose-built 80,000 sq. ft. factory that houses design, testing, production, and marketing all under one roof.

Co-founder Howard sadly passed away in 2015, with his son Eric taking over as CEO and owner. Despite having a workforce of just sixty employees, Park Tools continues to build thousands of tools each year, reaching bike shops and mechanics around the world.

Key Moments

1963 - Park Tool launch its first bike stand

Immediately catching the attention of bike companies in the area, Howard and Art’s rudimentary bike stand paved the way for 60 years of high-quality long-lasting bike tools. The stand was built from part of a dining room table, an empty shell casing and a 1937 Ford truck axle.

1981 - Park Tool sells its Schwinn dealership

A major sign of intent, Park Tool sold its three Schwinn dealerships in 1981 as it set its sights on becoming a world-leading bike tools manufacturer.

2013 - Park Tool moves to its fourth site

The company moved into their fourth different site since its inception during their 50th year of business. The 80,000 sq. ft. factory ensures that its high-quality tools will be able to solve the world’s bike maintenance problems for years to come.

Park Tool's products

Park Tool has a range of over 500 tools, covering the following areas.

• Repair Stands
• Storage & Measurement
• Hex & Torx®-Compatible Wrenches
• Multi-Tools
• Torque Tools
• General Shop Tools
• Cleaning Lubrication & Assembly Compounds
• Tool Kits
• Truing Stands & Wheel Tools
• Tube & Tire
• Hub & Axle
• Pedal
• Brake
• Crank & Bottom Bracket
• Cassette & Freewheel
• Chain
• Frame & Fork
• Headset

Did you know?

Pro cycling

Current team sponsorships

• Jumbo-Visma
• Jayco-AlUla
• L39ION
• dsm-firmenich
• EF-Tibco-SVB
• Human Powered Health
• Orion Racing
• Giant Factory Off-Road Team
• KHS Pro MTB