The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board of directors has announced Acme Tools as the 2020 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award recipient. The board annually recognizes an outstanding business or individual making a positive impact on economic growth and prosperity in the Grand Forks region.
Headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., Acme Tools is a major industrial tool distributor and one of the premier retailers of tools and equipment. They have 10 retail stores located in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, a direct mail catalog division, and an Internet sales division for online sales. They stock over 180,000 products from 3,500 manufacturers to meet the building, remodeling, woodworking and landscaping needs of its customers – contractors, woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers.
“Thank you for recognizing Acme Tools’ contribution to the economic growth and prosperity of the Grand Forks region,” said Steve Kuhlman, vice president of corporate operations at Acme Tools. “We are proud to be a Grand Forks and North Dakota-based company, and proud of our 70-plus year history.”
In 1993, Acme Tools’ first direct mail catalog led to record company growth and expansion. Acme Tools was one of the first to start an Internet business when it launched ToolCriboftheNorth.com in February of 1999. Their industry reputation and online sales success resulted in its Tool Crib of the North online and catalog sales divisions being acquired by Amazon.com in October of 1999. Acme Tools reentered Internet retailing with the successful launch of AcmeTools.com in 2010 and today is a leading authorized online retailer offering more than 85,000 products. The company opened a new distribution center in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 2014 to support its growing e-commerce business. Construction of an addition to double the size of the distribution center from 40,000 to 80,000 square feet was completed in September 2020.
“Acme Tools is being recognized for their ongoing commitment to and investment in the Grand Forks region. They could have made their corporate headquarters and distribution center investments anywhere, but they chose to grow here, and for that, they are deserving recipients of this award,” said EDC President and CEO, Keith Lund.
“As an existing business, the EDC has been a valuable partner for Acme Tools as we’ve expanded in Grand Forks. Keith Lund and his outstanding team do an excellent job driving economic development and recruiting new businesses and talent to the region. In our case, they have supported our growth plans to expand our facilities and employment in Grand Forks,” said Kuhlman.
Acme Tools is a privately held, family-owned business founded in 1948 by George Kuhlman as an electric motor repair shop known as Acme Electric. They first expanded into tool sales and service in 1962 when current Acme Tools President Daniel Kuhlman joined the company. The Tool Crib of the North name was added to the Grand Forks retail store in 1970 and the company started to rebrand itself as Acme Tools in 2005.
“My grandfather and father are true entrepreneurs. Their business acumen is widely recognized in the industry and most importantly they taught all of us at Acme Tools how to take care of our customers,” said Kuhlman.
The EDC’s board of directors chooses an individual or business to honor with the Klaus Thiessen Impact Award annually. The 11-member board provides direction for the region’s economic development strategy to support the growth and diversity of the region’s economy. Priorities identified include business recruitment and retention in primary sector industries including agri-business, autonomous systems, manufacturing, and high-tech services, as well as workforce development and entrepreneurship.
The Grand Forks Region EDC works collaboratively to foster an environment that attracts innovative people and business investment to Grand Forks County and the surrounding region, enhancing economic vitality for long-term prosperity and growth.
