1886: A humble beginning

George B. DeArment, a blacksmith from Evansburg, Pa., began hand-forging farrier's tools in a small factory. Then he would sell them from town to town out of the back of a wagon. Eventually, the business became known as the Champion Bolt & Clipper Company.

Mr. DeArment founded the company on four guiding principles that still have served us well over the ensuing years:

• Good management is never far from the factory floor
• People are more important than machines
• Bigger doesn't always mean better
• Dedication to excellence is the surest way to surmount adversity and to prosper

1893: Darn bankers

The company lost all of its cash assets when a local bank teller stole the bank's funds; however, DeArment raised enough capital to get the company up and running again by 1894.

1902: The royal treatment

The company received an order for a complete set of farrier's tools from the royal horse-shoer for England's reigning monarch, Edward VII.

1904: Meadville or bust

The company moved to a 12,000 square-foot facility in Meadville, and expanded its product line to include nippers, pinchers and open-end wrenches.

1911: The boys on board

George B. DeArment's two sons, Almon W. and J. Howard DeArment, became partners in the company, and took over after George B.'s retirement. Under the brothers' management, the product line expanded to include hammers.

1923: Home sweet home

The company moved into a 33,000 square-foot facility at its current location on South Main Street in Meadville. Four years later, J. Howard passed away, and Almon changed the name of the company to Champion-DeArment Tool Company.

1933: A legend is forged

This was a breakthrough year for Champion-DeArment as Chief Engineer Howard Manning developed the concept of multi-position, tongue and groove, slip-joint style pliers. The pliers were named "Channellock," and a patent and trademark protection were granted in 1935.

1950: Success runs in the family

J. Howard's sons, George S. and William A., took over the company after the passing of Almon. The brothers reduced the hammer line and placed more focus on pliers, which were growing at the rate of 10 percent per year. When the patent on the tongue and groove pliers was about to expire, Champion-DeArment revealed its two newest concepts: an undercut tongue and groove design that reduced slippage and a reinforcing flange that reduced stress breakage, resulting in new patents being granted.

1963: New name.
Same commitment.

With the risk of the words "channel lock" becoming synonymous with the product, the DeArments changed the company name to CHANNELLOCK^® to protect its valuable trade mark. Over the years, Channellock, Inc. obtained several patents including one in 1965 for the conical surface created on the cam side of the tongue and groove pliers.

1980: A new generation

William S. DeArment, son of William A., became the next Channellock, Inc., president when William A. and George S. became co-chairmen of the company's board of directors.

1984: Innovation upon innovation

Over the years, Channellock, Inc. obtained several patents including one in 1965 for the conical surface created on the cam side of the pliers when undercut. In 1984, Channellock obtained a patent for the PermaLock fastener for their Tongue and Groove Pliers and continues to add to it's product line including patents for the 369CRFT™, Air brake tool 444, Locknut plier 960, and patents pending on the new Rescue Tools 88 & 89.

1993: Taking the checkered flag

Steve Grissom won the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Championship driving the CHANNELLOCK^® #31 Monte Carlo. Two years later, Sammy Swindell won his third World of Outlaws Championship in a CHANNELLOCK BLUE^® Sprint Car.

Today: A CHANNELLOCK BLUE^® company

Channellock, Inc. is now run by the fifth generation of the DeArment family with William S. DeArment serving as President and CEO. Leading the company’s growth well into the 21st century are Joan DeArment Sweeney serving as Director of Corporate Development; Jonathan S. DeArment as Vice-President of Manufacturing and Engineering, and Ryan DeArment as Vice-president of Sales and Marketing.  The company is based out of two facilities, equaling a total of 230,000 square feet, in Meadville. With nearly 400 full-time associates, Channellock, Inc. is among the largest employers in Crawford County, PA. The company manufactures more than 120 different sizes and types of pliers and hand tools. All Channellock^® pliers are still made in Meadville. Channellock, Inc. has more than 4,000 U.S. wholesale and retail customers and ships to customers in 45 countries.