Nearly a Century of Innovation and Craftsmanship

Since 1927, Wright has been forging respect—all the way from the founders to our current production team. At Wright, we never settle for second-rate. We keep the wheels in motion to make sure each hot-forged steel tool won’t crack under pressure. And the same steady quality holds true for every tool that bears our name. Wright is used to build or repair nearly every sports venue, casino, power plant, bridge and dam (including Hoover Dam) in America. Under one roof, Wright forges its tools in Barberton, OH. Let’s look back at the last century and how it has shaped Wright.

1927: Humble Beginnings

The story of Wright starts with C. Nelson Wright, who began selling tools out of the back of his car. A passion for quality products and a strong work ethic laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse in the tool industry. Wright tools also started to serve the military in all global conflicts.

1929: First Patent—Socket Holder

Just two years after the company’s founding, Wright earned its first patent for its socket holder. The patent marked the beginning of Wright’s continuous focus on creating high-performance tools.

1940: Hot Forging Sockets

In 1940, Wright began hot forging its sockets. Hot forging is the process where a malleable metal part is shaped by one or more processes such as hammering, pressing and more. On average, forging is 15 to 20 percent stronger than machining. During the forging process, Wright has built-in stringent quality inspections to ensure that its tools uphold their high standards.

1958: Large Ten-Point Socket

In 1958, Wright introduced the large ten-point socket, further demonstrating Wright’s dedication to innovation.

1967: Richard “Dick” Wright Becomes Second President

In 1967, Richard “Dick” Wright becomes the company’s second president. Under his leadership, Wright would continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing needs of the industry.

1974: Wright Improvement Team (W.I.T.)

In 1974, Wright introduced the Wright Improvement Team (W.I.T.), an initiative focused on continuous improvement in all areas of the company. This approach would become a key part of creating Wright’s products to maintain the high standards of quality and craftsmanship.

1987: Invention of Wright Drive

The invention of Wright Drive in 1987 improved the performance and durability of sockets, allowing Wright to remain at the forefront of the industry.

1998: Ownership Transition

In 1998, a new chapter began for Wright with Terry Taylor and Tom Futey becoming shareholders with Dick Wright, which initiated the succession plan.

1999: Terry Taylor Becomes Third President

In 1999, Terry Taylor becomes the third president of Wright, leading the company for over 20 years through a period of innovation and growth.

2002: Wright Grip

The introduction of Wright Grip in 2002 brought precision and grip to its wrenches, ensuring that Wright’s wrenches can handle the most demanding jobs.

2007: “Perfecting Performance”

In 2007, Pat Taylor joined Terry and Tom as shareholders for Wright and spearheaded with its mission of “Perfecting Performance.” Written in the signature of then-owner Pat, this motto would guide the company’s approach to innovation, continuous improvement, and craftsmanship for years to come.

2017: Celebrating 90 Years and the Launch of Wright Grip® 2.0

In 2017, Wright celebrated its 90th anniversary with the launch of Wright Grip® 2.0, further refining the technology behind their patented Wright Grip.

2021: New Generation of its Leadership

In 2021, Tom Futey became the fourth president of Wright Tool, ushering in a new era for the company. Under his leadership, Wright continues to evolve while staying true to the core values of craftsmanship and quality.

2023: Wright Square

In 2023, the patented Wright Square was introduced. The design provides 10 times more contact area than conventional designs. By relocating load and stress away from the corners, it enhances performance and increases socket life.

From its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the tool industry, Wright has always believed in forging quality and respect—both in the products they make and the people they serve. As the last privately owned, US hand tool manufacturer, Wright enters its next century with a continued commitment to delivering the highest-quality tools.