Chris Azur, owner and president of Warwood Tool, says his company is celebrating its 172nd anniversary this year.

WHEELING — Chris Azur, owner and president of Warwood Tool, says his company is celebrating its 172nd anniversary this year and is still growing while staying true to its roots.

“We don’t look at innovation as reinventing tools that already work. Instead, we focus on expanding the catalog by adding tools that fit the same standards Warwood has always been known for – reliable and purpose built,” he said.

“For much of our history, Warwood shipped large volumes to railroads and industrial buyers. Today, we still serve those customers, but we’re also shipping thousands of tools every month directly to individuals across the country and around the world through our website. As that customer base has grown, our product line has grown with it — guided by real needs, not trends — while staying true to how these tools are supposed to be made.”

What makes Warwood Tool special is its long history.

“Warwood Tool is a historic, working manufacturer that’s been part of Wheeling for generations — and it’s still doing real work here today,” he said. “This isn’t a brand built somewhere else and marketed as heritage. The tools are forged here, by local people, in a neighborhood that’s known this company for a long time.”

Azur noted that long history “creates accountability.”

“When the company name is tied to a place and a community, quality matters,” he said. “The people here take pride in what they make because they know it represents more than just a product — it represents where it came from.”

Azur said that some people may not know that Warwood Tool is the “oldest continually operating hand tool manufacturer in the United States.”

“One thing that surprises people is how far Warwood tools travel today,” he added. “While the company built its reputation supplying railroads and industry by the pallet, we now ship individual tools every day to customers across the country and around the world – many of whom are discovering Warwood for the first time.

“Another lesser-known fact is that many of the tool designs we still make today are tied directly to professional and government standards. These aren’t decorative or novelty tools – they’re built to do demanding work, the same way they always have. What’s changed is visibility, not the product itself.”

Azur said the company’s future is about “growth and visibility.”

“More people than ever are finding the brand, and we’re reaching customers we never could have reached before,” he said. “Every day, tools forged in Wheeling are being shipped out to people who want something built right and built to last.

“We’re expanding our reach, strengthening the brand and making sure Warwood is visible in places it hasn’t been before – all while keeping manufacturing rooted here. The goal is to grow without losing what makes us Warwood, and to build a brand that’s positioned for long-term success.”

Azur said his family took ownership of Warwood Tool in 2020.

“And from the beginning, I understood the responsibility that came with that,” he said. “This wasn’t just acquiring a business – it was taking stewardship of a company that’s been part of Wheeling for generations.

“Since then, I’ve taken a hands-on role in making sure Warwood has what it needs to last another 170 years. That means investing in people, strengthening the brand, modernizing where it makes sense and making sure the company is visible, competitive and stable. The goal has always been the same – protect what makes Warwood special while setting it up for the future.”

Warwood Tool is located at 164 N. 19th St., Wheeling.