Mac Tools® was founded in 1938 as the Mechanics Tool and Forge Company by seven men with a common goal to manufacture the finest tools in the world. On July 11, 1938, they signed the Articles of Incorporation in Ohio. The state issued 250 shares of no-par common stock of which the founding men could only afford 55 shares. The first president, Ralph McPherson, and Secretary, Otto Tucker, scraped up $5,000 to secure a building and used machinery to start production.

Prosperity came to the Mechanics Tool and Forge Company because of the sizeable government contract received in 1942, and they recapitalized in 1944 with the help of the Securities Commission. Shortly after, the company received a proposal from Clem Poole concerning the opening of a socket division. Though they recognized the need to introduce sockets into their product line, they did not have the means to finance the opening of the division at the time because of their recent investment.

Mechanics Tool and Forge decided to open an associate company rather than expanding the existing product line, so on October 30, 1944, the Clinton Tool Company was born. With Clem Poole as president, Clinton operated in the same building as Mechanics Tool and Forge and is the lineage from which the present-day line of sockets and accessories hail. In 1945, Russ Darrah, an industry veteran, presented Mechanics Tool and Forge with a program to buy an allied line of tools. This resulted in the formation of Mac Allied Tools and the collective product of all three companies was referred to as "Mac Tools."

Mechanics Tool and Forge officially changed its name to Mac Tools in 1963, leaving the association between Mac Tools and Mac Allied under the collective banner, though the association severed in 1979. Today, Mac Tools has a product line in excess of 42,000 items and still uses the direct sales approach with a mobile sales force of distributors. The philosophy of excellent quality, price, and service remains unchanged over the years, and the company spirit that made them successful in 1938 is the same spirit that makes Mac Tools a leader in the automotive tool and equipment business today.

At Mac Tools, we strive to be Great to Work With™. This includes delivering innovative solutions to technicians in the shop as well as providing support for our distributors in the field. From hand tools, toolboxes, and specialty items to a full range of power tools, electronics, and shop equipment, Mac Tools has it all.

Our company is committed to this shared set of values that drives our organization, defines our culture, and aims to empower every team member and technician.

Drive: You’re dedicated to the daily grind and so are we. Our tools and relationships are designed to set you up for success.

Trust: We deliver on our promises and work hard to solve problems through our best-in-class products and our people.

Quality: We are built to last. We focus on providing world-class products and service to professional technicians everywhere.