In 2000, Techtronic purchased North American power tool operations previously owned by Japan-based Ryobi Limited.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports

Similar to Home Depot, Techtronic has seen increased demand for tools and power generators after Hurricane Sandy.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports

Techtronic is best known for brands like Milwaukee Electric Tools, Homelite outdoor products, and Dirt Devil and Hoover vaccum cleaners.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Techtronic maintains manufacturing and research facilities in Asia and North America, as well as a customer servicing network in North America, Europe and Australasia.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports

In 1985, along with business partner Roy Chung Chi-ping, he founded Techtronic Industries in Hong Kong, which had six employees and focused on producing rechargeable battery packs in hand tools.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports

Horst Julius Pudwill, chairman of Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, has emerged as a new billionaire as shares of the power equipment supplier surged by more than 100% in the past year.

FORBES: New Hong Kong Billionaire Horst Pudwill Emerges As U.S. Housing Recovery Boosts Power Equipment Exports