1927

Our Founder - C. Nelson Wright

From selling tools out of the back of his car to establishing our Barberton-based company.

A one-time tool salesman, Mr. Wright established our Barberton, Ohio-based company in 1927. Under his direction, Wright expanded to become a nationally and internationally known manufacturer with distribution to hardware, automotive and industrial markets.

1940

Hot Forging Sockets

Higher toughness, longer wear and better reliability.

Barberton, Ohio begins production on hot forging sockets in their plant. By going to a hot forge process, it keeps materials from strain hardening at high temperature, which results in optimum yield strength, low hardness and high ductility.

1967

Our Innovator - Richard “Dick” Wright

“Always remember, we are not here for our satisfaction, we’re here to serve the customer. That must come first, if we serve the customer well, we will be served.”

Following in his father's large footsteps in 1952, Dick spent his entire career at Wright. Starting as an engineer, he eventually was promoted to Chief Engineer, then Purchasing Agent and later becoming Vice President. Finally, in 1967 he was able to fill his father's shoes and became President. For almost four decades and into the new millennium Dick led Wright. In January 2007, he retired from his position yet still remained Chairman of the Board until 2012.

1974

Wright Improvment Teams

"We have been a company that has constantly put our customer on the forefront of our minds and our innovations. We continually ask ourselves how we can make our products better, the experience better, and our processes better for you, our customers.”

Since 1968, Terry Taylor has promoted employee participation and engagement which led to the activation of our internal quality program, W.I.T. While in this program, employees pledge to do their part to provide our customers with the highest quality products and best service.

1987

Wright Drive®

More strength. More torque. More tool-to-fastener contact.

The Wright Drive® was created and patented by the Wright Tool Company taking full advantage of advanced CAD/CAM technologies.

1998

New Ownership

Rooted in Barberton OH, USA and privately-held.

Terry and Patricia Taylor and Tom Futey become new owners of the Wright Tool Company continuing to be a management-owned, privately-held company in Barberton, Ohio since 1927.

2002

Wright Grip®

More torque. Longer life. Higher strength.

Wright Grip is a design evolution for open-end wrenches similar to what the Wright Drive® was for sockets and box wrenches. The design utilizes advanced CAD/CAM technologies to improve the wrench-to-fastener contact areas.

2007

Our Culture - Pat Taylor

Perfecting Performance is written in Pat’s own signature and the mission of our company.

Perfecting Performance is a culture that Pat established her entire career, and it continues on into our future. She was a trailblazer before there were trails and to this day, her words to each new employee still ring true throughout our factory and offices, “don’t let me down.”

2021

New President

“Our vision has always been to ensure confidence and protect those that are building our tomorrow. When we do that, we’re forging more than just tools. We’re forging partnerships. We’re forging respect. Something we don’t intend to lose any time soon."

On February 22, Tom Futey was named by the Board of Directors to President of the Wright Tool Company. In the company’s nearly 100-year history, Tom is only Wright's 4th President.