Tim Leatherman's Success Story

Founder of Leatherman

Tim Leatherman is famous for being Founder of Leatherman Tool Group, a company based in Portland, Oregon, that specializes in multi-tool products. Timothy S. Leatherman is a mechanical engineer and together with his business partner Steve Berliner, founded the company in 1983.

While Tim and his wife were on a tour through the Middle East and Europe way back in the mid 70’s, he had to use his pocket knife on several occasions to repair his troublesome car and some leaky plumbing in his hotel room. This experience left him with a deep desire to develop a multi-tool like a Swiss army knife that could handle a number of jobs.

After several years of painstaking design and development, he came out with “Mr.Crunch” which was a pocket survival tool. The company sold almost 30,000 units the following year which led to massive growth and expansion plans. The company expanded to a 30,000 square foot manufacturing plant in 1992. Within two years, they again had to double the size of the plant. Again in 1996, the plant was expanded to 90,000 square feet.

The company introduced folding knives in the year 2005. The following year, pruning tools for the garden were included in the product line. Hunting knives were also added the same year. A year later, Leatherman also started manufacturing LED lights. Known as Monarch LED flashlights, these have an output ranging from 5 to 100 lumens. Accessories needed to carry and maintain the tools manufactured by Leatherman are also part of their product line. In addition to these products manufactured for general users, the company also develops a line of multi-tools specifically manufactured for law enforcement and military personnel. In recognition of the impact that Tim Leatherman had created on the history of cutlery, the Blade Magazine inducted him into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2007.

By June 2010, Leatherman’s line up reached 46 different products sold in 86 countries around the world. More than 50% of the sales are within the United States. Leatherman’s products are used by professionals like electricians, plumbers and carpenters. They are also very popular among emergency services personnel. Farmers, hobbyists, and DIY enthusiasts also find Leatherman’s products extremely useful.

Leatherman continues to lead the multi-purpose compact tool industry in terms of innovation, quality and sales. The attention to detail in each of their products and the high level of standards they maintain have become the hallmark of Leatherman products.

Leatherman says, “My name is on every tool. That's why I want to make each one perfect”. And Leatherman has stayed true to that promise!