Kobalt Tools Exclusively Available at Lowe's Due to In-House Partnership
Kobalt tools are exclusively available at Lowe's stores and its website. The brand was launched in 1998 by Lowe's as an in-house line of mechanics' tools, but it has since expanded to offer a wide range of products.
To ensure the initial quality standards were met, Lowe's partnered with J.H. Williams, a historic manufacturer that had been owned by Snap-On Tools since 1993. However, Kobalt no longer relies on J.H. Williams for production and many of its tools are now made by Chervon, a Chinese company responsible for various familiar products in the US.
Chervon also owns the Ego, Skil, and Flex tool brands, which it acquired in 2017 and 2013, respectively. This highlights that Kobalt is far from the only store-exclusive tool brand, with several manufacturers partnering with specific retailers. Milwaukee, Husky, and Ridgid are affiliated with Home Depot, while Ryobi is a Home Depot exclusive brand.
Kobalt offers over 1,500 items across various categories, including lighting and lawn mowers, making it a popular choice for buyers at Lowe's stores.