Friday, August 10, 2012

Made in Liechstenstein?

I recently unearthed this unusual 5/16" carbide-tipped masonry bit.  It has a larger shank plus a depression on both sides of the shank for better gripping in a chuck.


Made by Hilti, a company founded in Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein in 1941 by Martin Hilti.  According to their  corporate website, from 1940 to 1945 they engaged in "Manufacturing on a wage basis for the Swiss textile industry and the German automotive industry."  Hmmm.  In any event, today they're a global company with offices across the world (in Canada since 1961).  Their primary product appears to be electric drills.

Out of Liechtenstein, a tiny country (62 square miles, 35,000 people) located entirely in the Alps!  Hilti is the country's largest employer, although Liechtenstein also leads the world in the production of false teeth.  True story.

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