1953
April 1, 1953
Company formed on site in Yeadon, North Leeds.
1963
June 7, 1963
First sub-contract partnership agreement reached with local oil-field equipment manufacturer.
1965
January 1, 1965
Moved to its present location in Otley, West Yorkshire
1968
May 25, 1968
Range of Expanding Mandrels developed.
1971
March 1, 1971
1975
May 25, 1975
Chuck Jaws
1979
May 25, 1979
Due to the increased flexibility of machine tools we started specialising in bespoke fixturing
1981
May 25, 1981
1981
September 5, 1981
Installation of first CNC lathe.
1986
September 1, 1986
Introduction of the award winning Crafticube range of cube-type workholding
1987
January 1, 1987
Agreement to supply range of Mazak standard tooling
1992
May 25, 1992
Hydrostatic Pressure Testing was introduced to the company by request from Cooper Cameron
1995
January 1, 1995
Cellular manufacturing introduced on shop floor, creating 4 separate cells
1997
January 1, 1997
New office block built and in-house pressure testing facility added
1998
January 1, 1998
Worldwide licence to produce range of Sandvik Coromant Capto™ toolholders
1999
January 1, 1999
USA sales office – Chevin Tools Inc. opened in Chicago Illinois
2003
January 1, 2003
Three 3D CAD stations installed in design office
2005
January 1, 2005
3rd extension to shop floor opened, increasing working area to 25,000 sq.ft.
2006
January 1, 2006
Production of fully integrated Craftsman Capto™ turrets
2007
January 1, 2007
Opening of 5th manufacturing cell as annual turnover breaks £5M level.
2008
March 15, 2008
‘Crafticube’ system goes global
2010
February 15, 2010
Craftsman Tools Announces Partnership with the AMRC
2016
March 1, 2016
Global Supply Agreement with Sandvik Machining Solutions AB signed
2017
March 14, 2017
Craftsman Tools wins Innovate UK Grant for intelligent Toolholding
2020
March 10, 2020
Craftsman Tools joined the race to net zero emissions and is keeping a place on the innovations market by specialising in workholding for electric vehicles
2021
March 16, 2021
Craftsman and Linamar sign Global Agreement for supply of toolholders
2023
April 1, 2023
Here’s to 70 years of growth, innovation and success!
2023
May 12, 2023
Design for the EV Market - Craftsman Tools Ltd, in partnership with Sales Power de México S.A. de C.V., delivered in Mexico a Friction Mandrel for Electric Automotive Industry
