Council Tool Co. Is Helping First Responders Help You
When firefighters or police officers or soldiers rush into dangerous situations to save lives, probably the last thing anyone is thinking about is where the tools they use were made.
But, if they did, they would learn that those tools likely originated here in North Carolina.
Specifically, they likely came from the town of Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County.
That is the home of Council Tool Co.
“What we do is cool,” said Cameron Council, president of Council Tool. “We make tools that save lives, that go into the hands of first responders, fire, police, military, SWAT teams, etc. We all have a good feeling about that.”
Those tools eventually find their way all over the world.
“We make everything,” said Marc Costin, floor leader with Council Tool. “Axes, hammers, bank blades, some military stuff, forestry stuff, shovels, a little bit of everything.”
Many tools were donated to groups helping in Western North Carolina deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“It’s good to know that our tools have a great use,” said Council.
Council Tool’s origins date back nearly to the Civil War.
John Pickett Council founded the company in 1886.
“He was a turpentine farmer,” said Council, his great-great-grandson. “That was really his beginnings. He was kind of a jack-of-all-trades guy. He was upset with the turpentine tools of the day, until he started making them himself. It obviously grew into a larger business, and it morphed into who we are today.”
Council is the fifth generation of Councils with the company.
“We are legitimately 100% Made in the USA,” he said. “It’s a selling point and a marketing point and everyone wants to support American jobs.”
While first responders are a significant portion of the company’s business, Council Tool also sells to the public.
“You would find our products at Duluth Trading or L.L. Bean or Great Outdoor Provision or brands like that,” said Council.
Many of Council Tool’s 48 employees have been with the company a long time.
Costin has been employed there for 17 years.
“I’ve grown a lot,” he said. “I started out running a furnace. I came through a temp agency, ran the furnace. I guess they liked me, so I moved up. I moved to the finishing department, grinding axes, hammers, machining hammers and axes.”
Costin said the company takes care of its people.
“It’s a good, family-owned, good-to-work-for company,” he said. “If something happens at home or whatever, they understand life is life. They look out for the employees.”
Council said that is something that fills him with pride about the company that bears his name.
“We like to think we take care of our people, first and foremost,” said Council. “We like to think that we’re a welcoming atmosphere. We like to think that we pay well, offer strong benefits, things that everyone wants.”
He added that employees work four ten-hour shifts a week.
But, before everything else, Council said, safety comes first.
“Safety is obviously paramount,” he added. “Our employees have to know how to safely operate the machines. We go into training how to run the equipment, how to lock it, how to start it, how to turn it off, how to operate it. They go through a training book. The safety manager is there, along with the floor leader and an experienced operator.”
Costin agreed, as a floor leader, saying, “I make sure all the parts are correct. I make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
As for challenges facing the company, Council said bringing in new, young employees can be a challenge for any manufacturing business.
“If we don’t keep getting really good, young, skilled workers, that can be detrimental,” he said. “So, there’s a big push on that.”
That is why Council Tool partners with Southeastern Community College in Whiteville and goes to high school job fairs.
“There are kids who want to stay local and who want to raise a family here and have a good job,” said Council. “We offer that. So, they don’t feel like they have to go to Raleigh or Wilmington or Charlotte to be able to live a life. They can stay here at home if that’s what they choose.”
Council added that it is also important to keep up with policy changes and current events.
That’s where, he said, Council Tool’s relationship with NC Chamber comes in.
“Obviously, their connections in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. can be very beneficial to us,” said Council. “It’s also good to know what’s going on in Raleigh and Washington D.C. that you may not see on the news. The NC Chamber has that information.”
NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido toured Council Tool in October 2024.
“What’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina,” said Salamido. “Here, what’s made in North Carolina saves lives in communities all over the country because of the tools that are made here that go with our firefighters and our first responders to take care and save people.”
He added, “Our role is to make sure that folks around the state know that manufacturing is alive and well. If you’re good with your hands and you want to work hard, there’s a job for you here in Lake Waccamaw making life-saving materials.”
Knowing that, Council said there is a lot to be excited about the company’s future.
“People like our history,” he said. “They like our story. We’re not corporate. This is it right here. There are a lot of people that like to buy from some companies that are family owned and have been doing the same thing for 138 years.”