Does Home Depot Own Ryobi? (Not What You Think)
As a home improvement expert with over 20 years of experience, I‘m often asked whether Home Depot owns Ryobi tools. While they have an exclusive partnership, Home Depot does not actually own the Ryobi brand.
In this article, I‘ll share key details about Ryobi tools, including who really owns the brand, how their relationship with Home Depot works, and whether Ryobi makes quality power tools for DIYers on a budget.
The Evolution of Home Depot and Ryobi
To understand their partnership today, it helps to know the origin stories of the two iconic brands.
Home Depot was founded in 1978 and has grown to become the largest home improvement retailer in the world. They now have over 2,000 stores across North America.
Ryobi originated in Japan in 1943 as a die casting company. They began producing power tools in the 1960s and were known for innovations like the first cordless drill. Ryobi was acquired by Techtronic Industries in 1986 and evolved into a DIY tool brand.
Ryobi and Home Depot likely first partnered in the early 2000s when Ryobi entered the North American market. At the time, Ryobi was seeking a retail partner to help them scale quickly in North America. Home Depot was looking to compete with Lowe‘s line of Kobalt tools.
Exclusive Partnership: Retailer vs Brand Owner
Many consumers assume Home Depot owns Ryobi since they‘re intrinsically linked. However, Ryobi is owned by Techtronic Industries (TTi), not Home Depot.
Here are key aspects of their exclusive partnership:
- Retail exclusivity – Ryobi tools are only sold at Home Depot in the U.S.
- Joint marketing – Home Depot collaborates with Ryobi on promotions and branding
- Manufacturing – Ryobi tools are designed by TTi and made in China
- Inventory – Home Depot purchases and owns Ryobi inventory to resell in stores
- Pricing – Home Depot determines retail pricing of Ryobi tools
This allows Home Depot to offer affordable power tools with strong brand recognition. Meanwhile, Ryobi benefits from Home Depot‘s distribution reach and retail expertise in promoting their products.
Ryobi‘s Growth at Home Depot
The partnership has clearly been a success, with Ryobi growing to become one of Home Depot‘s top selling brands.
Some statistics on Ryobi‘s growth at Home Depot:
- Annual sales up 97% from 2016 to 2021
- 300+ Ryobi products available, up from ~100 in early 2000s
- Makes up over 15% of Home Depot‘s power tool sales
- Top seller in lawn & garden power equipment
As a preferred brand for DIYers, Ryobi has filled an important niche at Home Depot between consumer and pro products.
How Ryobi Compares to Premium Brands
Ryobi is positioned as an affordable DIY brand, while Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita are considered "pro-sumer" or professional brands. Here‘s an overview of how Ryobi tools compare:
| Feature | Ryobi | Premium Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Lower | 2X+ more expensive |
| Target customers | DIY / Homeowners | Professionals / Tradespeople |
| Power & performance | Good for most DIY tasks | More power for heavy duty use |
| Durability | Decent, lighter duty | Heavy duty for daily pro use |
| Innovations | Focus on convenience features | Cutting-edge pro features |
| Warranty | 3 years (battery 1 year) | 3+ years, better battery warranties |
The price difference comes down to factors like higher-end motors, sturdier materials, and advanced features. Ryobi aims to deliver good enough quality for the average DIYer.
Are Ryobi Tools Any Good?
Based on my experience, Ryobi delivers very good value and performance for most homeowners‘ needs. While they may not have all the latest pro-level tech, their tools are affordable, reliable, and full of innovations focused on convenience and ease of use.
Some benefits homeowners appreciate:
- Expanding battery platform with over 175 tools
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Enough power for most common tasks
- Excellent for homeowners who occasionally DIY
Ryobi also receives above average reviews from sites like Home Depot and Amazon. Many DIYers love that they can afford to buy Ryobi tools vs. costlier pro brands.
Of course, professionals and serious DIYers may be better served investing in pro-grade tools. But for most homeowners doing the odd project, Ryobi is a great budget-friendly choice.
The Bottom Line
While Home Depot has an exclusive retail partnership with Ryobi, they don‘t actually own the brand – it‘s owned and manufactured by Techtronic Industries.
The Ryobi-Home Depot partnership has been a huge success, with Ryobi becoming one of Home Depot‘s top selling tool brands. Ryobi offers an affordable range of innovative, handyman-focused tools for DIYers.
So next time you need a quality tool on a budget, take a look at the Ryobi selection at your local Home Depot. With their exclusive retail partnership, you won‘t find Ryobi products anywhere else!
