Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is the retail division of Rockler Companies, Inc., a privately held woodworking supply firm based in Medina, MN. The company currently operates 31 stores in 19 states, including four in Minnesota. Focusing on the needs of hobbyist and professional woodworkers, Rockler offers a range of products, including lumber, veneer, cabinet doors and drawers, tools, hinges, knobs, fasteners, glues and finishes. It also operates an extensive retail website and a print catalog division, with a distribution of nearly 10 million catalogs per year.
Company History
Rockler was founded in the fall of 1954 by brothers Nordy and Bill Rockler, along with two others, under the name Minnesota Woodworkers Supply Company. It began as a primarily mail-order business, but later opened its first major retail outlet, the Woodworkers’ Store, in Minneapolis in 1977.
In 1989 the corporate name officially changed to Rockler Companies, Inc. By then, the company had added the publication Today’s Woodworker Magazine to its ranks. Throughout the 1990s several more stores opened under the retail division’s new name, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. In 1998, Rockler Press acquired the Woodworker’s Journal magazine, doubling their print magazine circulation. Today’s Woodworker Magazine became the Woodworker’s Journal.
Rockler Companies, Inc. has been family-owned since its foundation. Nordy Rockler bought out his brothers’ shares in the 1960s and assumed full control until 1989, when he became Chairman of the Board of Directors. At that time the presidency began alternating between two of Nordy’s children, Ann and Gary. Ann Rockler-Jackson continues to operate the company today as CEO.
Product Line
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware carries a variety of specialty woodworking tools and equipment. Its notable areas of focus include router accessories, jigs, exotic and domestic lumber, woodturning supplies, hinges, drawer slides, and specialized hardware items.
The company carries tools and equipment from several well-known manufacturers, including Festool, Delta, Porter-Cable, Jet, Powermatic, DeWalt, Kreg, Freud, Irwin, Robert Sorby, Blum, Salice, among others.
Rockler also manufactures its own brand of products, specializing in tools and accessories for a range of woodworking applications, with a focus on solutions for common woodworking challenges. Rockler brand products include (among others) router tables, router bits, drill bits, woodworking jigs, hardware and storage devices.
Retail Stores
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware operates stores throughout the United States. Each of the stores is supported by Rockler’s print and online catalogs.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Store Locations:
Arizona: Phoenix
California: Ontario, Orange, Pasadena, Pleasant Hill, San Diego, Torrance
Colorado: Denver
Georgia: Sandy Springs
Illinois: Schaumburg
Indiana: Indianapolis
Maine: South Portand
Mass.: Cambridge
Michigan: Royal Oak
Missouri: St. Louis
Minnesota: Burnsville, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka
New Hamp.: Salem
Maine: S. Portland
New York: Buffalo
Ohio: Cincinnati
Oregon: Beaverton
Penn.: Pittsburgh
Texas: Arlington, Houston, Mesquite
Washington: Seattle, Tukwila
Wisconsin: Milwaukee
Websites
The following websites are owned and operated by Rockler Companies, Inc.
- Rockler.com
- Woodworking.com
- Routermania.com
- Womeninwoodworking.com
- Woodworkersjournal.com
References
Johannes, Amy. "Rockler Launches Loyalty Program", Promo Magazine, June 27, 2007.
Rockler Companies Inc.Company Overview. Business Week Business Exchange.
Siwicki, Bill. "Internet Retailer Hot 100 Retail Web Sites", Internet Retailer, December, 2007.
Tellijohn, Andrew. "Rockler expands appeal to do-it-yourself woodworkers", Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal, August 20, 2004.
Vomhof, John Jr. "Rockler gains an edge against big-box rivals: loyalty program", Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal, August 17, 2007.
External links
- Rockler Woodworking and Hardware official website