America’s trowel maker since 1890
⚠️ Mostly Made in USA
Where Marshalltown products are made
Marshalltown, Iowa + Midwest
Five facilities forge and make trowels and masonry, concrete and drywall tools.
The trowel
US-forged since 1890; by 1930 the largest masonry-tool maker in the world.
Broad catalog
Across ~10,000 products and many acquired brands, some items are imported — check the tool.
Marshalltown’s signature trowels and a large share of its masonry, concrete and drywall tools are US-made. With nearly 10,000 products across many acquired brands, some items are imported, so verify the specific tool’s country-of-origin marking.
The story
In 1890, brothers Jesse and Lester Williams ran a small machine shop in Marshalltown, Iowa. When a local plasterer asked them to customize a trowel, the improved tool was so good that word spread fast — and a masonry-tool legend was born. By 1930, Marshalltown was the largest exclusive manufacturer of masonry tools in the world, and its trowels became the gold standard for bricklayers, concrete finishers and even archaeologists.
Today Marshalltown remains a privately held, family-spirited American manufacturer with deep Midwest roots. Its core trowels and many masonry, concrete and drywall tools are still made in the USA. Through decades of acquisitions it has also become a family of well-known American tool brands such as VAUGHAN striking tools, DASCO PRO chisels and punches, and WAL-BOARD drywall tools. With a catalog now approaching 10,000 products, not every item is domestically made, so shoppers focused strictly on Made-in-USA should confirm the country-of-origin marking.
A plasterer’s custom-trowel request in 1890 grew into the world’s best-known masonry-tool maker.
Why they matter
Construction tools are widely imported, so a 135-year-old American forger of trowels is worth supporting.
Buying Marshalltown’s US-made tools backs manufacturing jobs across five Midwest plants.
Featured products
Browse Marshalltown tools available now in the Buy American store.
Frequently asked questions
Are Marshalltown tools made in the USA?
Many are — Marshalltown’s signature trowels and a large share of its masonry, concrete and drywall tools are US-made. But with nearly 10,000 products across many brands, some items are imported, so verify the specific tool’s country-of-origin marking.
How long has Marshalltown been making tools?
Since 1890 — more than 135 years — starting as a machine shop in Marshalltown, Iowa, founded by brothers Jesse and Lester Williams.
Where is Marshalltown made?
Across five Midwest facilities, anchored by Marshalltown, Iowa, with operations including Arkansas and Illinois locations tied to its acquired brands.
