Stanley Black & Decker commits $1 billion to U.S. manufacturing and R&D through 2028

New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) announced on 12 August 2026 that it will invest $1 billion across its U.S. operations through 2028, targeting research and development, domestic manufacturing capacity, and skilled-trades workforce development.^[1]

How the money is split

The company has divided the commitment into two roughly equal halves:

• ~$500 million for R&D - accelerating next-generation tools and solutions for trades professionals^[1]
• ~$500 million for capital expenditure - strengthening the U.S. manufacturing footprint and supporting new product development^[1]

On top of the $1 billion, Stanley Black & Decker has committed a separate $60 million through 2030 to its DEWALT Grow the Trades initiative, of which $27 million has already been deployed, to expand training programs and open pathways into skilled-trades careers.

The workforce gap driving the decision

The investment is framed explicitly around a labour shortage. The company cited an industry projection that nearly 500,000 additional skilled trades workers will be required by 2027, a figure consistent with data from the Associated Builders and Contractors, which estimates the U.S. construction industry alone will need to bring in 456,000 new workers in 2027 to meet demand. The shortage has been compounded by an aging workforce and tightening immigration policy.

Stanley Black & Decker's DEWALT Grow the Trades initiative awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 40 students across the U.S. and Canada this year, covering fields including welding, electrical, and carpentry. The broader grant programme has supported 150,000 people through high school, trade school, and apprenticeships.

Domestic manufacturing context

Stanley Black & Decker employs approximately 41,000 people globally and produces power tools, hand tools, storage, and digital jobsite solutions under brands including DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, and BLACK+DECKER. The investment comes as a broader wave of domestic manufacturing commitments takes shape: in May, General Motors pledged $830 million across three U.S. factories, and semiconductor firm Micron announced plans to spend more than $250 billion through 2035 to fortify its U.S. supply chain.

CEO Chris Nelson framed the programme as going beyond factory investment: "Our U.S. investment strategy has multiple dimensions and goes far beyond expanding manufacturing - it's about igniting innovation, building world-class capabilities, and redefining the future of work in America."

What to watch

The split between R&D and capex is notable: half the spend is pointed at product innovation rather than pure manufacturing scale, which suggests the company sees tool technology - digital jobsite solutions, productivity-enhancing hardware - as at least as important as factory output. Watch for specific facility announcements and new product lines tied to the capex tranche as the 2028 deadline approaches, and for whether the DEWALT workforce programme scales its scholarship and grant activity in step with the $60 million commitment.