Sturgis, Michigan, Sept. 1, 2009 -- MIDWEST TOOL AND CUTLERY COMPANY of Sturgis, Michigan has acquired the business and certain assets of Retterer Manufacturing Co. and its parent company Claridon Tool and Die, Inc. of Caledonia, Ohio. Retterer Mfg. Co. designs and manufactures specialty hand tools used by siding, fence, and HVAC installers and technicians. The company's products are known for high quality and work saving innovations and will compliment Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company's Midwest Snips® core products used by tradesmen in these same industry channels.

Mr. Todd Retterer has been retained as manager of the new Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company Tool and Die Division which will remain at its present location in Caledonia, Ohio. A feature capability of the company's newly acquired tool and die division is water jet cutting. Mr. Retterer will continue to be involved in new product development which has been key to the continued growth of Midwest Tool & Cutlery Company and its Midwest Snips® brand of metal cutting snips and tradesman hand tools.

About Midwest Tool & Cutlery
Midwest Tool And Cutlery Company produces the Made in the USA Midwest Snips® brand of aviation and tinner snips at manufacturing operations in Sturgis and Kalkaska, Michigan. Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company produces the only full line of hot-drop forged aviation and tinner snips Made in the USA. Hot-drop forged blades are virtually unbreakable, cut better and hold an edge longer than cast or stamped blade snips. The company also produces a full line of folding and bending tools, cable cutters and other specialty tools for the HVAC/R, construction, siding, roofing and sheet metal industries. Midwest Snips® are available at HVAC/R and industrial wholesale distributors in North America and worldwide and at selected retail outlets.

Application Notes for Editors:
Midwest Snips® aviation and tinner snips and associated specialty tools are widely used in the following trades/applications:

- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC/R) and refrigeration installation and repair
- General construction, maintenance and repair
- Exterior remodeling industry (roofing, siding, gutter and down spout installation and repair)
- Floor covering installation
- Metal building construction and maintenance
- RV/Motor home/trailer manufacturing
- Auto body repair
- General sheet metal cutting
- Industrial /MRO applications

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