CALABASAS, CA — Harbor Freight today celebrated the official opening of its new research and development (R&D) lab in Piedmont, South Carolina — a major milestone in the company’s commitment to quality, innovation and customer value.
The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for advanced product testing, engineering and quality assurance, enabling Harbor Freight to accelerate innovation and deliver even greater performance and reliability across its product lines. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the lab will support current categories such as power tools, generators and power stations, while paving the way for expansion into outdoor power equipment, power tool accessories and corded tools.
The new facility employs approximately 20 associates, with the capacity to expand in the coming months and years ahead. It replaces an existing facility in the area with a smaller footprint and capabilities and complements Harbor Freight’s existing presence at its headquarters in Calabasas, California.
“This new Product R&D Lab is more than an investment in infrastructure — it’s an investment in our people, our customers and our future,” said Allan Mutchnik, President of Harbor Freight. “This state-of-the-art facility will give the exceptionally talented team that works here the ability to innovate faster and test more rigorously. It will help Harbor Freight develop the next generation of tools for professional technicians and contractors that will offer the performance, features and durability they demand at prices that are truly disruptive.”
The Piedmont lab will foster collaboration across engineering, QA, operations, and global sourcing teams, creating an environment designed for precision and continuous improvement. This investment strengthens Harbor Freight’s leadership in generators and supports its rapid growth in cordless power tools and outdoor power equipment.
“Our Product Development team plays a critical role in ensuring every tool we develop meets the highest standards,” said Jason Sprong, EVP Product Development, Quality and Global Sourcing. “This R&D lab gives our incredible team the tools and technology to do that better than ever before.”
The opening of the Piedmont R&D Lab underscores Harbor Freight’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its mission to provide professional-grade tools at unbeatable prices.
