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Worse on Purpose

DeWalt

American-headquartered power tools, a top-three pro cordless platform.

Status: Watchlist
Founded
1924
Website
dewalt.com
HQ
USA
Manufacturing
USA,Mexico,China,Czech Republic,Various
Ownership type
Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent
Stanley Black & Decker
Acquired
1960 (originally by B&D)

Ownership

Owned by Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK). Considered the strongest of SBD's tool brands by most tradespeople; quality has not visibly collapsed post-acquisition the way it has at Craftsman. Sister brands include Craftsman (Avoid), Porter-Cable (Former Great), Stanley, Black+Decker.

Why Watchlist

Owned by a conglomerate that has demonstrably degraded sister brands. Quality has held for DeWalt so far, but the structural enshittification risk is real and worth flagging.

Sister brands under Stanley Black & Decker

See all 10 sister brands

Read the full investigation

Investigation · March 31, 2026

Your Power Tools Got Worse On Purpose

Two conglomerates bought American power tools in the 2000s. One built Milwaukee into the dominant cordless platform. The other spent $6B+ hollowing out Craftsman, Porter-Cable, and more. Plus the brands that refused to sell.

Read the full investigation

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