KBC Tools & Machinery Marks 60 Years of Service to the Metalworking Industry

This year, KBC Tools & Machinery reaches a significant milestone: 60 years in business since its founding in 1965 by Karel Bass in Detroit. What began as a 1,000-square-foot warehouse on 8 Mile Road has grown into a North American supplier with six branches across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 100,000 industrial SKUs from more than 600 manufacturers.

From Humble Beginnings

In 1965 the company—then known as “Kabaco Tools”—set out with a clear goal: sell the best tooling at the best prices. Over the decades, KBC has expanded both its product offering and geographic footprint. The company’s website states it is “Working to ensure that you get the best industrial metalworking tools & solutions for your job every day since 1965.”

Six Decades of Industry Evolution

To mark its 60th anniversary, KBC has highlighted a series of “fun facts” that compare the metalworking industry of 1965 with how things stand in 2025. Some key comparisons include:

Machines then vs. now: 1965 saw manual milling machines such as the classic Bridgeport; today CNC machines run around-the-clock, though manual machines still retain popularity.
Workforce evolution: In 1965, women made up less than 5% of the industry workforce; by 2025 that figure has grown to over 30%. KBC also notes its status as a women-owned business in the U.S. and Canada.
Precision advancements: Tolerances that were ±0.001 inches in 1965 have tightened to as little as ±0.0001 inches in modern shops.
Tooling technology: Where high-speed steel (HSS) tools dominated then, today carbide, ceramic and even diamond-coated tools are in wide use.
Manufacturing speed & process: What took hours or days in 1965 can now be achieved in minutes thanks to CNC and additive manufacturing.
Safety standards, material science, environmental impact, data-driven manufacturing, global connectivity, education & training, Industry 4.0 adoption, quality control and cutting-fluid technology have all evolved dramatically.
These changes highlight how the metalworking industry has embraced technology, sustainability and diversity while continuing to serve core manufacturing needs.

KBC’s Current Capabilities

Today KBC’s offering spans cutting tools, indexable tooling, cutting fluids, work-holding, abrasives, measuring and inspection equipment, toolroom accessories, hand tools, shop supplies, power and air tools, and machinery. The company holds certifications as a WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) in Canada and WBENC-certified in the U.S.

Its physical footprint includes three Canadian locations (Mississauga ON; Oldcastle ON; Delta BC) and four U.S. locations (Sterling Heights MI; Elk Grove Village IL; Fullerton CA; plus additional Michigan machinery showroom).

Looking Forward

As KBC Tools & Machinery celebrates 60 years, the company invites its customers and partners to reflect on the advances their own facilities have made over the past decades—from machinery upgrades to workforce diversity, automation and digital transformation. KBC expresses gratitude to its clients, team members and manufacturing partners for their support, stating: “We wouldn’t be here without you.”