Leatherman
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
Privately owned US maker of multi-tools and knives.
There's no proof Leatherman pays more than the legal minimum, which in the United States is below a living wage.
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Graded higher than Leatherman, selling the same kinds of things.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Leatherman? Send a right of reply.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in the United States, China and Vietnam.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports. Leatherman makes its products in its own factories, but we haven't recorded its countries from it yet. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Owns or runs its own production
Research notes The vast majority of Leatherman's tools are made at its own factory in Portland, Oregon, by a workforce of over 540 across office and production. A small, unnamed share of products and parts comes from outside suppliers; their countries are not disclosed. Its California supply chain disclosure says it visits its largest suppliers several times a year and carries out its own announced audits, with no independent verification, supplier list or audit results published. No labour abuses tied to Leatherman have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess tool makers like Leatherman. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Where Are Leatherman Tools Made & Who Owns The Company? (SlashGear) · search the archive · Vast majority of tools made at its Oregon factory; owned by founder Tim Leatherman; over 540 employees (May 2026)
- Leatherman - Alliance for American Manufacturing · search the archive · Workers produce over 8,000 tools a day at the Portland, Oregon facility
- Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool - Bunnings Warehouse · search the archive · Leatherman tools sold at Bunnings in Australia
Published by Leatherman or its owner
- Legal Disclosures (California Transparency in Supply Chains Act) · search the archive · Supplier visits and own announced audits; no third-party verification or materials certification
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 540
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Leatherman ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/leatherman, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Leatherman.