When it comes to cordless power tools, you have several excellent options to choose from.But did you know that most brands are manufactured or owned by just a handful of companies? If you're a Milwaukee owner who constantly pokes fun at Ryobi tools, slow your roll, because both brands come from one large parent company named TTI, and they aren't the only ones.Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover The company is Techtronic Industries (TTI), a large, multibillion-dollar global powerhouse that quietly dominates your favorite hardware store aisle and job sites everywhere.
Here's what you need to know.The tool brands under TTI's umbrella Your cordless setup might belong to the same family Close Whether you are a weekend DIYer or a long-time contractor, there is a good chance many of the power tools you or your crew rely on belong to TTI.While Milwaukee and Ryobi are two of the biggest names, the company has control over far more than just those.
Before I get into things too much, it's worth noting that Techtronic Industries owns several of these brands, like Milwaukee, and holds licensing rights to others, such as Ryobi and RIDGID, for Home Depot.There's a clear difference, but the end result is the same: TTI manufactures all the power tools for those respective brands.Here are all the common tool brands from TTI: Milwaukee Ryobi RIDGID HART Tools AEG Empire Kango Tools Homelite Hoover Vacuums Dirt Devil Oreck Imperial Blades Stiletto Vax As you can see, several popular power tool brands, outdoor power equipment, and floor care brands are all under one umbrella.
Fascinating, right? It's worth noting that this is the current list, as some have come and gone.Additionally, you might notice the brand HART Tools here, although it's not mentioned on the TTI website.Several years ago, HART Tools was a popular up-and-comer, found at Walmart and often considered a Ryobi with a different coat of paint, but TTI abandoned the brand in late 2025 to focus on Milwaukee and Ryobi.
TTI also owns Homelite, a small tool and outdoor equipment brand known for red tools you'll occasionally see at Home Depot.Naturally, the most notable brands on this list, at least for the U.S., are Milwaukee, RIDGID, and Ryobi.Those neon-green Ryobi tools The 18V ONE+ line, and more Close The Ryobi brand was founded in 1943 and quickly became popular for its die-cast products in the 80s.
In 2000, Techtronic Industries (TTI Group) acquired the licensing rights to the Ryobi tool name and branding for North America and select other regions, along with all its facilities and operations.Eventually, TTI turned Ryobi into a powerhouse with its 18V ONE+ battery promise, partnered with Home Depot, and the rest is history.The actual trademark for the Ryobi name still belongs to Ryobi Limited of Japan, a separate industrial printing manufacturer.
Today, TTI operates the power tool brand we all know and love under a long-term global licensing agreement.Related Are Ryobi Power Tools at Home Depot Worth Buying? What DIYers need to know about these neon green tools.Posts 22 By Cory Gunther Ryobi's expansive selection of 18V and 40V tools, yard care equipment, accessories, camping gear, fans, lights, and more is widely considered the best for homeowners.
They're affordable, powerful, and dependable.Ryobi makes a little bit of everything, and a single 18V ONE+ battery pack can power over 350 different products, and it's why I've been buying Ryobi tools for over 20 years.The same company owns Milwaukee Tool TTI turned Milwaukee into the best in the business Close Yes, the same company that makes those Ryobi tools you're constantly bashing on Twitter, Reddit, or the job site also makes your premium Milwaukee tools.
Jokes on you! The Milwaukee tool company was founded in 1924 by Albert F.Siebert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Its major break and big innovation was when the company made the first industrial drill light enough to use one-handed, named the "Hole-Shooter," for Henry Ford to use at automotive assembly plants.
Fun fact: Milwaukee invented the Sawzall, and owns the trademark for the name.Everything changed in 2005 for two main reasons: Milwaukee was credited with introducing the first major commercial lithium-ion battery system, and TTI acquired the company.However, it's important to note that while TTI owns Milwaukee and makes most of its tools in locations throughout China, Japan, Mexico, and the US (just like Ryobi and RIDGID), the company itself still operates somewhat independently for research and development, including one of its major facilities still based in Wisconsin, USA.
Related Milwaukee Tool M12, M18, and MX Fuel: Explained There are important differences between all three of Milwaukee's tool lines.Posts 6 By Cory Gunther With TTI's help and funding, Milwaukee continued to invest in its lithium-ion technology and, in 2008, followed in Ryobi's footsteps by releasing the M18 platform.A unified battery system to power hundreds of tools.
That choice proved wildly successful, and it's the brand many people love today.A few years later, the M12 lineup arrived, and the company remains one of the biggest power tool brands around.Milwaukee makes everything from drills and drivers to fasteners, specialty tools, trade-specific tools, industrial MX FUEL products, and more.
RIDGID Tools at Home Depot This one is a bit different Close The next brand that will surprise you, even though it's no longer listed on the TTI website, is all those orange RIDGID tools you find scattered throughout Home Depot.These come from TTI, even though the company doesn't actually own RIDGID tools.RIDGID tools began in 1922 as the Ridge Tool Machinery Company, making pipe wrenches, pipe threaders, and other tools.
The company was acquired by Emerson Electric in 1966.The RIDGID trademark and brand still belong to Emerson Electric, which continues to make powerful red tools for plumbing, pipe fitting, pipe cutting, drains, and home inspection, not to mention other equipment.However, in 2003, TTI licensed the RIDGID name strictly for the manufacturing of power tools.
The main draw here is its partnership with Home Depot, where you'll still find most RIDGID power tools today.And that includes the new RIDGID Nuke Subcompact lineup.While I could ramble for hours about the many brands owned, operated, or licensed by Techtronic Industries, these three are the important tool brands in the United States.
That said, it's neat to know TTI also owns so many vacuum brands.Does this mean Milwaukee and Ryobi tools are the same? Those who already know that Milwaukee and Ryobi are part of the same brand often use that as a talking point to back up their reason for buying Ryobi.And while that's certainly a strong point, it's more nuanced than that.
Techtronic Industries operates worldwide, with R&D and manufacturing facilities in dozens of regions.They maintain separate research budgets, internal design teams, and distinct production lines.While some components or manufacturing regions may overlap under the TTI umbrella, the tools themselves are engineered and built to completely different standards.
Before you go, here's some additional reading for DeWALT, Makita, Craftsman, and many other tool companies.Related Here's who actually makes your favorite power tool brand The 3 companies that own most of the world's power tools.Posts 6 By Cory Gunther
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