A modest-sized manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan is home to the world's toughest shovels.
I'm on a personal quest to find truly American-made products. As President Trump's tariffs begin to take shape, the era of outsourcing jobs for cheap labor may finally start to fade—and that's a good thing for small towns like Holland, Michigan. Naturally, I'm interested in who's already making products in America, and who's working to bring manufacturing back under an America First approach. For too long, small towns have been hollowed out by the loss of good-paying jobs shipped overseas. In too many places, all that remains are Dollar Generals, weed shops, and fentanyl.
I walked into Wolverine Hand Tools uninvited—like in the old days, when people didn’t text ahead or call first, they just showed up. I knew nobody, but yet I was immediately greeted by friendly employees who were more than happy to talk shop. They were a pleasure to talk with, especially for someone who knew nothing about manufacturing hand tools. But looking around, one thing was clear: craftsmanship still matters here, and pride in American manufacturing runs deep. We talked about shovels, steel, and the state of American tariffs. And for a moment, the future of American industry didn’t feel like a distant hope—it felt like it was already here.
.jpg)
Sean, a soft spoken professional and long time employee of Wolverine Products gave me a tour of their facility.
We left the corporate lobby and stepped onto the shop floor, walking and chatting about their process. The steel shovel blanks are stamped next door, and the tube steel arrives by the truckload. The tubing is cut to length depending on the product. Spades are then welded to the tubes, and depending on the model, a D-handle may be added. After assembly, the shovels are sent out locally for painting. Once they return, rubber grips are applied—something Sean demonstrated for me. He even designed and built a custom grip applicator himself.
Contractor-grade, all-steel shovels are made right here in the USA. Each one is finished off with a proudly displayed "Made in the USA" chrome sticker—just the way it should be.
.jpg)
These shovels are heavy—and that's actually a good thing. "Shovel smarter, not harder" is one of their marketing messages, and it holds true. The weight helps the blade penetrate the ground more effectively, and for edging work, that extra heft is essential.
In a 2023 video shared on the company's Facebook page, owner Roger Blauwkamp celebrated 30 years in business and reflected on the history of Sure-loc Edging and Wolverine Products. He thanked God for guiding the company through economic challenges, including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. His steady, positive leadership is evident in the quality of the products they continue to produce and ship.
While Wolverine Products manufactures their all-steel shovels, aluminum landscape rakes, and landscape ball carts right here in the USA, they do offer entry-level options sourced globally—out of necessity, to stay competitive. But I'll tell you this: their pride and joy is the American-made steel shovel. If you're in the market for one, you should spring for the all-steel, heirloom-quality shovel. It'll be around long after your time on earth.
Wolverine's hand tools are premium products, built for serious diggers and contractors. They're not cheap—but they're built to last. You won't find them in big-box stores, but they are available locally at places like Chips and other regional suppliers. Their marketing centers on quality and durability. Online, you can find videos of bobcats and heavy equipment rolling over their all-steel shovels without leaving a mark.
After my tour with Sean, I met Tara—Roger's daughter—who spoke with me about their marketing strategy. I asked her point-blank if she or the company had any concerns about the impact of tariffs on their business.
.jpg)
Tara was optimistic about the future of America—and Wolverine's ability to adapt to a changing landscape. She said that if tariffs shift, they'll adjust, just as they always have. In her words, tariffs are ultimately a good thing for the country, even if there are some bumps along the way. She expressed strong confidence in the company's resilience and agility.
I asked Sean, Tara, and Ben about the possibility of expanding their American-made product line. Their answer was direct and clear: for Wolverine to grow its U.S.-made offerings, “the tooling would need to return to the States.” For the more complex shovel designs, the tooling and dies have been overseas for years. Still, it's something they’re hopeful will eventually happen.
To find a local retailer of Wolverine Hand Tools, visit their retail locator tool.
https://wolverinehandtools.com/find-a-retailer/
.jpg)
.jpg)
Eric McKee is a lifetime resident of West Michigan. Married with two energetic boys, he spends his days balancing work with dad life. Also, a firm believer that Almond St. Claus Windmill Cookies are the ultimate snack (and maybe a little too good).
Copyright © 2025 Hollander Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written authorization. By providing your email or phone number, you are consenting to receive emails, calls, and SMS/MMS messages from The Hollander and affiliates. Msg & data rates may apply.
