Dewalt Power Tools

The History Of Dewalt Power Tools:

"The foundation of Dewalt Power Tools is a success story in it's own right"

The story of the company starts with the original founder; a gentleman called Mr Dewalt.
Typical with the majority of employees working in industrial America in the early 1920's Mr Dewalt held several different positions mostly in timber woodworking mills and in general building construction.

His son who was named Raymond Dewalt followed in his fathers footsteps by also working in similar positions when he too left school. Raymond Dewalt had a mechanical mind as well as a business awareness. Throughout the different jobs he held he was always thinking of ways to cut labour and production costs, to the point where at several of his workplaces he even altered existing tools and machinery by setting up a "specialist" machine to handle a particular task.

During the course of his employment he was offered work as the manager of a woodworking mill that made nearly everything possible in wood, from boxes and crates through to timber houses and buildings. Having a business mind and an understanding of production Raymond was aware that the woodmill was not meeting it's production targets. The owner of the company would not increase it's workforce and it was up to Mr Dewalt to solve the problem and turn production around. Simply put somthing had to be done to increase woodworking capability of the sawmill.

Raymond Dewalt was now faced with a difficult task, how to cut more timber without increasing the companies workforce?

This is where his mechanical mind came into play. Experienced in using different types of tools and equipment and with his mechanical mind Raymond constructed a powerful and robust woodworking saw using three main components; an electric motor, a mounting yoke, and saw blade with spindle. This revolutionary saw was mounted onto a metal arm which allowed the unit to slide back and forth, be raised or lowered, the blade tilted to any required angle, and also adjusted to any bevel. This electric tool was so powerful it carried out the work of several men. Of course this meant labour charges could be reduced at the factory and overall production increased.

This revolutionary saw was the birth of the Dewalt Radial Arm Saw.

Over the coming years the History of Dewalt Power Tools is one success story after another, with changes in the ownership of the company and the introduction of groundbreaking technology in the design and versatility of power tools - all manufactured under the companies brand name.

Year: 1922
Raymond E. Dewalt, then general manager of a woodworking mill, perfects the first radial arm saw for the purpose of increasing production and more versatility in general woodworking operations.

Year: 1924
Dewalt Power Tools Company is formed with manufacturing facilities and offices located in Leola in Pennsylvania, USA. Their first product manufactured is an electric universal woodworking saw called the "Wonder-Worker."

Year: 1929
Dewalt Products Co. moves to a new modern manufacturing plant with office buildings and units in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.

Year: 1941
The Dewalt company begins a period of rapid expansion planned to meet the demands of government orders in connection with the countries national defense and wartime machinery requirements.

Year: 1947
Dewalt Products Co undergoes a complete reorganisation and is re-incorporated under the name of Dewalt Inc.

Year: 1953
The company extends it's manuafcturing and marketing operations into Canada through a wholly owned subsidiary of the business known as Dewalt Canada Ltd.

Year: 1955
Over the next two years, the Dewalt Power Tool Company adds an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing / factory space to the plant.

Year: 1960
The company acquires United States and Canadian patent rights to the "Bennett Two-way Panel Saw" from Richard C. Bennett Manufacturing Company in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Year: 1960
Perhaps the most memorable event in the history of Dewalt Tools. The company is acquired by the large Black & Decker company, renowned worldwide for quality and affordable cordless and electric powertools, lawnmowers, gardening equipment, and their famous workbench; the "Black & Decker Workmate".

Year: 1961
As production and sales increase the company adds an additional 8,400 Sq. ft. storeroom to the main manufacturing plant.

Year: 1966
As demand for the companies range of powered equipment increases the factory is expanded again with approximately 16,000 sq. ft. of space added to the factories warehouse.

Year: 1967
Introduction of the Dewalt bench grinder.

Year: 1971
Introduces metal cutting machines for cutting of ferrous(steel) and non-ferrous metals.

Year: 1989
The company stops production of it's radial arm saws in North America.

Year: 1992
The Dewalt Power Tools Company introduces it's first range of heavy duty portable electric power tools and accessories designed specifically for homeowners, builders, tradesmen and professional woodworkers.

Year: 1994
Dewalt launches a new system of cordless tools, including drill drivers, combination drills, circular saws, torches, and impact wrenches / drivers.

Year: 2000
The Dewalt Racing Team Racing move into the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
DEWALT purchases two additional companies; Momentum Laser, Inc. and the Emglo Compressor Company

Year: 2001
Further expansion by way of new tools and equipment aimed at the professional woodworker, plumber, electrician and builder. New tools such as powerful concrete breakers added to the product line up in addition to further development in cordless technology.

Year: 2007
Dewalt expands it's sales of power tools into the UK tool hire market. Popular tools such as it's cordless drills are now a favourite amongst tradesmen who recognise it's robustness, reliability, and overall performance.