Vaughan & Bushnell
American hammers and striking tools. Longtime competitor to Estwing in the traditional hammer category.
Status: Approved
- Founded
- 1869
- Website
- marshalltown.com
- HQ
- USA
- Manufacturing
- USA
- Ownership type
- Independent
- Parent
- Marshalltown Company (via Marshalltown Hammer)
- Acquired
- 2024
Ownership
Five generations of Vaughan family ownership ended in May 2024 when Marshalltown Hammer bought all assets after the company neared closure; the alternative was liquidation. Marshalltown is a privately held Iowa toolmaker founded 1890. A $5M Illinois grant (November 2024) locked in 100-plus Bushnell jobs and equipment upgrades.
Why Approved
The sale trigger fired, but the steward is like-for-like: a century-old private American toolmaker that kept the forge running, retained the workforce, and still marks the line Made in USA. Approved retained with new triggers.
Reversibility
What would change our verdict
Vaughan forging leaves Bushnell IL or offshores. Marshalltown sells to PE or a conglomerate. The Vaughan name gets licensed out.
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