The History of Acme Electric Motor, Inc.

South 3rd Street... To The World

Acme Tools began in 1948 as Acme Electric Motor, Inc., founded by George Kuhlman. The company’s first location was a small 300-square-foot garage in downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota. Initially focusing on electric motor repair, George Kuhlman had a larger vision for the future of his company. He named the company "ACME" because of what the term means:

ACME – (noun) the point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful.

Founder George Kuhlman was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 1997. That induction posthumously recognized his achievements and contributions to the state, the industry, his company, and its customers.

George’s rural roots and strong work ethic sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. Born near Huron, South Dakota, in 1919, he was the youngest of nine children. Like many youngsters, he grew up on his family farm and attended country school when he wasn’t planting seeds or harvesting crops.

In the dry 1930s, the family moved to the Gaylord, Minnesota, area, where George completed school through the 8th grade. He continued working on the family farm until he was 18, when he moved to Grand Forks. He lived and worked with his brother, Rudy, in the motor rewinding business there. George achieved one of his first dreams when he opened his motor repair shop.

Acme Electric Relocates

George had a keen sense of growth and timing. By 1950, he had expanded into a complete electric motor repair and sales company.

In 1951, just three years after its founding, our company, led by George Kuhlman, moved to a new location at 402 South 3rd Street in downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota. This move responded to the influx of contractors in the 1950s tasked with building the Grand Forks Air Force Base and nearby missile sites, allowing us to serve the growing clientele better.

Expansion

Acme Electric Motor, Inc. moved again in 1955, signaling increased business opportunities. George was often at the shop by 3:30 AM, getting tools ready for customers to pick up on their way to work. He also prepared a cup of coffee for them. He was committed to customer service and kept his shop spotless, as the word ACME implies – something at its best, the peak, or the highest level. Each repaired motor or power tool that left the shop looked like new.

Blueprints For More Growth: Next Generation

Daniel Kuhlman, George Kuhlman's son, started working at Acme Electric Motor when he was 10. After graduating high school, Danny headed west to California, where he worked various jobs for two years. However, the economy there slowed. Dan recalled, "It looked promising to continue my career with Acme Electric, so I packed up my car and drove back."

Danny returned and rejoined the company, which was then expanding with more product lines, motor service experts, and sales representatives.

With Dan back, the company had eight employees, all focused on repairing power tools. Under George's guidance, Dan expanded Acme Electric to sell power tools to contractors and others. As the business grew into tool sales and service, it adopted the "Tool Crib of the North" name to reflect its expanding focus better.

The company didn't wait for customers to come to them. Acme Electric Motor, Inc. proactively contacted customers through their "outside sales" division.

Jerry Richholt was the company's first outside salesperson. Jerry's first task with Dan was acquiring product lines to stock its inventory and quickly fulfill customer orders. "Dan was very persistent. He wanted to make Acme Electric Motor, Inc. a distributor, not simply a dealer because distributors have more control over prices, shopping, and other details; customers should work with a tool distributor," Jerry explained. "It took us about six months, but Acme Electric became a distributor for many product categories, including ladders, shovels, electrical supplies, concrete-placing equipment, precise measuring tools, and more. Then the pressure was on. We had to sell products."

Beginning in 1964, Jerry traveled the state weekly, visiting mechanical, electrical, and general contractors. He took orders and delivered products. He developed a solid network of customers throughout North Dakota and parts of northwestern Minnesota.

By 1967, the construction climate in the Grand Forks area was booming. Contractors worked on significant projects, including a new Northern States Power (NSP) building, American Crystal Sugar beet processing plants, a City Boiler, and a steam heat system at the University of North Dakota (UND).

To ensure Acme Electric Motor, Inc. remained involved with this ongoing growth, George would visit these job sites early in the morning to pick up motors for rewinding or repair.

More Tools & More Business

In 1967, Dave Straus joined the company and, for many years, managed the Grand Forks retail store. He started as a bookkeeper and, along with other associates, provided strong customer service during solid growth. Acme Electric Motor, Inc. was involved in several unique projects, including work with government contractors who built the Air Force missile sites across the northern tier of North Dakota in the late 1960s.

"Those contractors needed massive amounts of product," Dave recalled. "To meet their needs, we expanded our warehouse space and added power tool lines, hand tool lines, and other items."

By 1971, Wendell Sorlien was working alongside Dave in bookkeeping. Wendell "took care of the books" until his retirement in July 1998.

"Back then, we hand-wrote each invoice. It's been amazing to see the growth with contractors and individuals through the years," Wendell said. Wendell's bookkeeping work allowed Dave to transition into the new and expanding purchasing area.

Dave recalled, "If a contractor needed something, I'd find it. 'I can't get it' was not an answer. We located the tools and equipment they needed and delivered them on time. That built incredible customer loyalty. Today, that's still how we do business."

In 1970, Acme Electric Motor adopted a new name, "Acme Electric Tool Crib of the North," which it would use for 35 years. The company also adopted the slogan "Tool Crib of the North" from this name. This change marked a significant shift in the company's branding and identity.

Recognize Good People

Dan Kuhlman explained one of his key steps in the company's continued growth: "You must know how to recognize good people – people who understand customer service and our industry. We will teach them the business if we find someone strong in service. I think we've been successful at that. It shows in our many longtime employees (a dozen or so 20+ year employees) and loyal customers."

One of those people was Dave Winge. In 1975, Dave managed the company that occupied the other half of the building where the Acme Electric of Grand Forks store was. Danny soon hired Dave, who initially helped with front-counter sales. Like others, Dave did whatever was needed to help customers, whether ordering products, stocking shelves, or delivering orders.

With Dave's help, the company expanded to even more retail store locations.

Bismarck's Opening: September 1976

In the late 1970s, construction around Bismarck, North Dakota, the state's capital, was booming. Electric power companies built and expanded coal power plants near abundant coal reserves. They also constructed hundreds of miles of power lines and towers to carry electricity from the plants. Additionally, near Bismarck, the nation's first coal gasification plant was under construction.

Enlisting Loyalty

During one of their first visits to Bismarck, George, Danny, and Dave visited the Adams Inc. store. Adams was a key competitor at the time, but they had recently closed their Bismarck store. Meanwhile, Acme Electric was negotiating to purchase Adams' operations in Fargo. That day in Bismarck, Dave noticed a man sweeping the floor of the Adams shop.

He approached him and asked who he was. "I'm the shop guy," the man replied. Recalling George's success with clean operations, Dave hired him.

With Bismarck's expansion and operational successes, the company focused on Fargo, North Dakota. In November 1981, the Tool Crib of the North acquired the assets of Adams Inc., a local, well-established industrial tool distributor. Over the winter, the Tool Crib of the North constructed a new building on Interstate Boulevard in Fargo, which opened in April 1982.

Who knew how to start up a new store? Dave Winge. He moved from Bismarck to become the Fargo store manager. "Our entire market changed in the 1980s," Dave said. "When we opened in Fargo, some contractors considered us their 'secret source.' We worked hard to prove we could serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself individuals." Since then, they've succeeded.

As the retail buying habits of do-it-yourselfers shifted in the mid-1980s, visibility became increasingly important. To respond, Tool Crib of the North purchased a fully renovated new location on 36th Street in Fargo, on the front road next to the main interstate highway. In December 1993, the company moved to this site, which helped the company expand its retail business with existing and new customers.

The Tool Crib of the North's mail order division, one of the industry's largest, and its 116 pages filled to the brim with tools – began rather humbly with single pages and mimeographed sheets. It then expanded into a small advertisement and a revolutionary idea.

Jerry Richholt started it in the mid-1970s, initially targeting the local region. He cut and pasted product drawings and prices onto sheets, mailed them directly to customers, and dropped them off on his sales routes throughout the state. This approach helped sell more tools to more customers.

Daniel Kuhlman recalled, "The key was that customers could see the product selection, features, and prices without visiting the store."

By the mid-1980s, the company recognized even more potential. Mike Lucht, the sole employee in the mail order division in May 1985, explained: "Dan's original idea was to get customers to call us with orders instead of using telemarketing to reach them. We ran a black-and-white, 1/8-page ad in Fine Woodworking magazine for a Rockwell 13-inch planer that featured a factory rebate. One line in the ad said, 'Call toll-free for Mike at Tool Crib of the North,' our toll-free number was listed. Amazingly, the same issue had a review of small planers. Rockwell was rated the best in the 13-inch category. The phone started ringing off the hook. We ordered 80 of those planers. By the time they got to our warehouse, we had sold almost all 80."

"Call Mike or Tom"

The mail-order division grew quickly. Soon, Tom Leier joined Mike to take orders. The company's national ads also expanded, growing from a quarter-page to a half-page, and then to a full-page, with color.

"We answered many questions like 'Who are you?' and 'Where are you?'" Mike recalled. "But as soon as a customer received their first order from us – promptly and at the best price – they became a loyal, long-term customer. Customers also grew to appreciate our technical expertise. They could call us to determine the best tool for their needs."

The agricultural-driven economy near Minot, North Dakota, presented a unique opportunity and market for Acme to capitalize on. However, during his travels, Jerry Richholt's breakthrough with Minot area contractors ultimately led to the decision to open a retail store in Minot.

With support from vendors, existing customers, and Dave Winge, who managed both the Minot and Fargo stores, the Tool Crib of the North's presence grew more than ever.

Dan's sons, Steve and Paul, grew up working at the Grand Forks retail location. Alongside their father and grandfather, they cleaned what needed cleaning, fixed what needed fixing, and learned the business from the ground up.

Steve attended the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, earning his BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) in 1989. While at UND, he majored in aviation, earned his commercial pilot's license, and considered an aviation career.

When Steve Kuhlman chose to join the company full-time in 1989, he spent the first four years learning the tool product lines and understanding what information customers needed to make informed buying decisions. By 1993, Steve used this knowledge to expand the marketing department. He also brought expertise in promotional timing and mailing lists. From their first advertisement run, the Tool Crib of the North began collecting the names and addresses of customers who ordered and purchased products at retail locations, compiling them into a database.

"We knew there was a peak in the amount of results-driven advertising we could do through catalogs," Steve explained. "The idea was to expand and publish our catalog, getting it directly to customers. Our database was invaluable."

A Sticky situation

Then, various postmasters started calling the Tool Crib of the North to report a problem: the labels hadn't been appropriately adhered to, causing many to fall off before the mail service could deliver them. As a result, about 30% of the catalogs were not delivered.

"Even so, it was a very successful first catalog. Our response rate was way above what we had projected and exceeded the industry average for mail-order catalogs," Steve said. "We've learned a lot since that first catalog, and those lessons paid off."

"If you move to Grand Forks, you’ve got a job with us."

That's how Mike Carlson's career with Tool Crib of the North began. The words came from Dan Kuhlman in 1987, when Mike, having recently finished working for a competing company based in Duluth, Minnesota, called Dan from Bemidji.

By 1991, Mike, Wes, and the rest of the team had built a solid customer base in the "Iron Range" area, located west and northwest of Duluth. Their customers included iron ore, taconite mines, paper mills, and major contractors. "We had brands no one else carried, and we could deliver items directly to job sites, mines, and mills," Mike explained. The company recognized an even larger potential market in the area.

In 1994, the company began preparing to open a Duluth retail operation. The store opened in partnership with Jamar Company. Jamar provided the building and employees, while Tool Crib of the North supplied the tools, products, and Mike's expertise. Mike went on to become the Regional Operations Manager for Acme Tools.

"The most exciting thing about our retail operations is that we can react faster than many in the industry," said Dan Kuhlman. "We're always looking for tools and products to make the job easier and offer a high return on investment. For example, in our mail order division, we frequently introduce products from manufacturers. This gives them a significant advantage and presents an exciting opportunity for us."

Initially, Tool Crib of the North customers could rent nearly any equipment they needed. Gary Ford, who began at the Grand Forks location in 1975 and later worked in the service department in 1989, remembered, "At that time, we'd rent out a few drills to area contractors." As demand for rentals grew, so did the rental business.

By 1995, Tool Crib of the North established a dedicated rental division called Acme Rents.

Duster

Duster has proudly served as the mascot of Acme Tools since his debut in 1997 at the 4th Annual Woodworking and Power Tool Show in Duluth, Minnesota. Over the years, Duster has become an iconic figure for the brand, frequently appearing online and on various social media platforms, solidifying his place as a beloved symbol of Acme Tools.

In 1997, George Kuhlman, founder of Acme Electric Motor, Inc., was honored with a prestigious recognition for his entrepreneurial achievements. He was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and named North Dakota Business Innovator of the Year by the University of North Dakota's Center for Innovation.

In memory of our founder George Kuhlman - (1919 - 1995)

In 1998, the mail-order catalog department employed over 120 people. The catalog's mailing list reached more than six million recipients annually, with new catalogs sent out every six weeks. The company's print ads were fully colored and covered two full pages in nationally distributed magazines such as Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, Wood Magazine, American Woodworker, and others. The catalog was 116 pages, featuring approximately 2,400 products, primarily the best-selling tools and items.

"We have our address on the ads now, and sometimes, we even have mail-order catalog customers visiting our Grand Forks store to see where we are. It's been exciting to witness our company's growth," said Mike Lucht. "We now receive about four to five weekly international orders from countries like Japan, Saudi Arabia, and more. It's advantageous to take care of customers from around the world right here."

Steve Kuhlman added, "We've been growing at about 25% annually, but now, we're focusing on targeted growth. As with our retail and other operations, we aim to continue providing the best possible service for our mail-order customers. Calculated growth is key to achieving that."

In 1998, the vision of a woodworker's dream became a reality. Rows upon rows of shelves, stacked 16 feet high and filled with thousands of power tools, created an impressive sight. This was no ordinary space – over 2,400 tools filled 50,400 square feet of the Noah's Ark building in the Grand Forks Industrial Park.

For nearly 100 employees working in the building, pickers, packers, and shippers, this was more than just a job; it was a dream come true, and it paid off. The bustling activity inside was a testament to the success of the Tool Crib of the North’s expansion. You could almost hear the familiar jingle echoing through the high-tech maze of equipment: "Acme Electric/Tool Crib of the North."

Ken Solom, then Delta International representative, said, "I remembered the first time I called on Tool Crib in Grand Forks. It was about 1983, and I was preparing to take over their account from the current Delta representative, who was retiring. A guy who looked like a janitor was walking around the offices. He came over with scissors and cut my tie off about halfway up. 'We don't need fancy things like ties. We need good business partners,' he said. It was George Kuhlman. It gave me an immediate strong desire to do well for Tool Crib. That desire has only grown over the years."

Long-time Black & Decker Representative Ed Scanlon echoed Ken. He said, "We'd always been treated like part of the Tool Crib family. They understood the business and shared that knowledge, which became a high-quality benchmark against which we measured our success. Working together, we achieved great results." At the time, Ed was the vice president of sales for a significant portion of Black & Decker's U.S. business. And yet, he said, "Some of the best days of my career were the years I spent based in Fargo, learning the business from Dan, Dave Winge, Mike Lucht, and Dave Straus. They were a major part of my career advancement, and I'm happy we keep in touch today."

Bob Swank, then DEWALT Tools representative, characterized the Tool Crib of the North as a true partner. "We'd been able to grow in local and national markets through our service to Tool Crib," he said. "They knew our tools as well as we did. They cared about quality, and they cared about taking care of the customers. We shared those objectives, which made DEWALT a stronger company. They were very receptive to new ideas, which was enjoyable and paid off for our team."

John Bailey was a second-generation Tool Crib vendor. His father, Dave, was a Black & Decker representative based in Kansas City, Missouri. Dave built a close relationship with George Kuhlman and then Dan Kuhlman, partly through business and memorable fishing trips to Lake of the Woods.

In the early 1990s, the World Wide Web was in its infancy, but it rapidly gained public and business attention. The new technologies of the time, such as web browsers like Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer, made the internet more accessible. This opened the door for businesses to pursue eCommerce opportunities and allowed more people to browse websites than ever before.

By 1994, the potential of the web as a sales channel became apparent, and Jeff Bezos, an entrepreneur with a vision, launched Amazon.com as an online bookstore. Amazon quickly became a leader in eCommerce, building its reputation on fast, reliable service and competitive pricing. By the late 1990s, the company had established itself as a significant force in online retail, and Bezos was eager to expand beyond books into other product categories like music, electronics, toys, and more. He was laying the groundwork to turn Amazon into a one-stop shop for a wide range of consumer goods.

In February 1999, after months of preparation, ToolCriboftheNorth.com officially launched. This was a landmark moment for Acme Electric, making it one of the first companies in the tool industry to embrace eCommerce. Customers could now browse Tool Crib's extensive catalog of tools and equipment online and place orders directly through the website. Moreover, the website's launch was a success from the start.

The site quickly generated substantial online sales, building on the company's existing customer base and industry reputation. In just a few months, 70,000 people visited the website weekly, and online sales accounted for 5% of the company's direct sales. This rapid growth positioned Tool Crib as a trailblazer in the tools and equipment sector, earning the attention of major players in eCommerce, including Amazon.

Acme acquired Dakota Fastening, a fastener business focused on the nail and staple industry.

Acme Acquires Rental Store in Bemidji

Acme acquired equipment and rental stores in Bemidji, Minnesota. The Bemidji store was the third location in the state of Minnesota.

Bismarck's Store Relocation

In addition to expansion, the Bismarck location moved to a more prominent spot on the Bismarck Expressway.

Acme Electric had always been the company's namesake and was the origin of rebranding Tool Crib of the North as Acme Tools, along with other Acme brands like Acme Rents and Acme Equipment.

Plymouth's Opening

Acme Tools introduced its new store brand by opening its most prominent retail location, a 13,600-square-foot showroom, in the Twin Cities suburb of Plymouth, Minnesota, along busy Interstate 494.

This marked the company's 8th largest store and the first to be branded under the Acme Tools name.

The Duluth store moved to its present location, allowing for more retail and service space. This became the second location to be named Acme Tools.

Acme Equipment was established to meet the growing demands of contractors and businesses in the region, offering an extensive range of products and services designed specifically for construction projects. The new division quickly became a go-to destination for reliable, high-performance machinery. Customers can explore a wide selection of equipment, including forklifts, aerial lifts, compact equipment, excavators, light towers, skid steer loaders, snow removal equipment, and tractors.

Acme Equipment proudly carries products from top-tier brands like JLG, Skid Steer, Skyjack, GENIE, and Kubota, ensuring customers access to the best project tools. As a Kubota Elite Award of Excellence dealer, our equipment division provides a full-service department with factory-trained technicians and a service department stocked with Kubota Genuine parts, optimizing performance and reliability.

Acme Tools continued its legacy of growth and service by opening its fifth North Dakota location in Williston. Strategically positioned near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 85, the new 20,000-square-foot store features a showroom, warehouse, and office space to serve customers in the region better. With an initial team of twelve employees and plans for further expansion, the store was designed to support the Bakken area’s booming construction, home improvement, and oil and gas industries.

Recognizing the growing demand for eCommerce, Acme Tools prioritized optimizing its distribution operations to serve customers better nationwide. "The online marketplace continues to record rapid year-over-year growth rates," said Steve Kuhlman, Vice President of Corporate Operations. "Completing the new distribution center centralizes our Internet sales operation and increases fulfillment efficiency, which will benefit our web customers and retail operations, ensuring timely order processing and fast, on-time delivery."

The expansion also replaced the previous warehouse space to create additional parking and green spaces, enhancing the surrounding area. "The additional space will allow us to have the entire corporate staff in the same building and provide for improved communication at all levels," said Vice President of Corporate Operations, Steve Kuhlman. "This expansion provides much-needed space for all departments, particularly to accommodate the growth of our call center staff and the increasing number of buyers supporting our online business."

In 2020, Acme Tools reached another significant milestone, doubling its eCommerce distribution center, underscoring its commitment to meeting the growing demands of online sales. The 40,000-square-foot expansion, completed in mid-September, dramatically boosted the company's fulfillment capacity.

This expansion allowed Acme Tools to expand its product selection, adding thousands of new products to its online platform. With this enhanced facility, Acme Tools continued to support the increasing demand for online shopping, notably as the pandemic accelerated eCommerce trends.

"eCommerce continues to provide sales growth due to increased product selection online and has accelerated during the pandemic," said Paul Kuhlman, vice president of merchandise operations. "The number of products available to order online has surpassed 80,000, and the additional distribution center space will allow us to continue to grow our online product offering."

In 2022, Acme Tools continued to expand its equipment division by acquiring the assets of Fargo Tractor from Titan Machinery Inc. This strategic acquisition allowed Acme Equipment, a division of Acme Tools, to become the new Kubota dealer for the Fargo/Moorhead region. As a result, Acme Equipment now offers a broader range of products, including Kubota, Cub Cadet, Grasshopper, and Woods in the area.

Initially, sales and service for these new product lines will be offered at the existing Fargo Acme Tools location. However, Acme plans to break ground on a 28,000-square-foot Acme Equipment facility later in the year, further expanding its regional presence and capabilities.

Designed by JLG Architects, the two-story building will feature a spacious showroom, a warehouse, service bays, and office space, with natural daylight incorporated for employee comfort and a welcoming customer experience. During construction, Kubota sales and service continued at Acme Tools Fargo, ensuring seamless customer support.

"The new Acme Equipment facility is designed to provide award-winning service and an excellent sales experience," said Steve Kuhlman, co-president of Acme Tools. With additional Kubota locations in Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, and Bemidji, MN, Acme Equipment continues to be recognized with Kubota's Elite and Premier Awards of Excellence, solidifying its reputation for quality service and industry leadership. The new Fargo location officially opened in Fall 2023.

In 2023, Acme Tools was honored with a spot on Newsweek's Best Online Shops list in the DIY, Tools, and Supplies category. The award was based on a comprehensive evaluation of 51 criteria and feedback from over 6,000 shoppers assessing trust, usability, payment options, and delivery experience.

"I want to congratulate our eCommerce team and thank our customers for their support," said Shawn Herrick, eCommerce division manager. This prestigious recognition reflects Acme Tools' commitment to providing an exceptional online shopping experience, ensuring customers can quickly and reliably access quality tools and equipment. This accolade highlights the company's ongoing dedication to evolving its digital presence while maintaining the same level of service excellence that customers have come to expect.

Kubota Tractor Corporation had approved Acme Equipment as the exclusive dealer for all four Kubota product categories: Agriculture, Hay/Farm Implements, Construction Equipment, and Turf Products. The showroom and exterior display areas also featured brands such as Land Pride, Woods, Toro, Cub Cadet, Grasshopper, JLG, and Genie, with equipment available for sale and rental through Acme Rents.

"The expansion allowed us to offer a full line of equipment brands under one roof," said Alan Leno, Fargo General Manager. The Fargo location served contractors, farmers, landscapers, tradespeople, and DIYers, reinforcing Acme Equipment’s commitment to quality service and industry-leading products in the Fargo/Moorhead region.

"Opening the new facility in Burnsville improved our ability to keep pace with growing online order volume from all 50 states," said Paul Kuhlman, president of merchandise operations. "This was an important step in advancing our omnichannel capabilities while improving customer experience."

Designed for efficiency and scalability, the distribution center leveraged emerging technologies to optimize order fulfillment. Staff utilized handheld mobile technologies to improve picking accuracy, reduce processing time, and streamline shipments, ensuring Acme Tools provided fast and reliable service to its growing base of eCommerce customers.

In 2023, Acme Tools marked 75 years of growth and innovation, evolving from a small electric motor repair shop in 1948 to a premier omnichannel retailer of tools and equipment. Founded by George Kuhlman in a 30-square-foot garage in Grand Forks, the company expanded under Daniel Kuhlman, who introduced Tool Crib of the North in 1970, leading to retail growth, mail-order catalogs, and eventually Acme Rents and Acme Equipment.

After selling its eCommerce business to Amazon in 1999, Acme Tools relaunched its online sales in 2010, offering over 100,000 products from over 1,100 brands. The company built a new distribution center in Grand Forks (2014, expanded in 2020) and opened a 115,000-square-foot facility in Burnsville, Minnesota, in 2023 to support its growing online business.

"Thanks to our employees, customers, and industry partners for helping us reach this milestone," said President of Corporate Operations Steve Kuhlman. Today, Acme Tools operates more than 10 retail stores across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, employing over 600 people, and continues to lead the industry with innovation, dedication, and quality service.