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"You buy a machine and what
you really get is satisfaction, entire satisfaction."
- R. E. DeWalt
Raymond E. DeWalt followed in his father's footsteps by holding mill and constructions jobs from the time he left school. No
matter what the job, the question of high labor costs always concerned him. To help cut these costs, occasionally he rigged up a machine to meet some special
need.
Eventually, Mr. DeWalt was offered a position as head of a woodworking mill that manufactured almost everything from
boxes to full-fledged houses. There was more to do than could be done, and the President of the company would not allow an increase
in payroll. He simply had to get more work out of his men. Mr. DeWalt designed a yoke and attached it directly to a motor and saw,
then mounted it on a standard arm. The saw could be raised, lowered, slid back and forth, moved to any angle, or tilted to any bevel. It did
the work of four men and cut his labor costs beyond his fondest dreams.
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|
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1922 |
Raymond E. DeWalt,
then superintendent of Seabrook Farms, perfects the first radial arm machine
for the purpose of providing more versatility in woodworking operations.
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| 1924 |
DeWalt
Products Company is formed with plant and offices located in Leola, Pennsylvania.
Their product is an electric universal woodworking machine known as the
DeWalt "Wonder-Worker."
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1929 |
DeWalt Products Co.
moves to a new, and for those days, outstandingly modern plant and office
building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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| WONDER-WORKER |
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DW746X |
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| 1941 |
The
DeWalt firm begins a period of rapid expansion to meet the demands of government
orders in connection with national defense and wartime machinery requirements.
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1947 |
DeWalt Products Co.
is completely reorganized and re-incorporated under DeWalt Inc.
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| 1953 |
DeWalt
Inc. extends operations into Canada through a wholly owned subsidiary known
as DeWalt Canada Ltd.
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| 1955 |
Over the next two
years, adds 40,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space to the plant.
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1960 |
Acquires
United States and Canadian patent rights to Bennett Two-way Panel Saw from
Richard C. Bennett Manufacturing Company, Laceyville, Pennsylvania
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| 1961 |
Adds 8,400 Sq. ft.
storeroom to plant.
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| 1966 |
Adds
16,000 sq. ft. warehouse to plant.
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| 1967 |
Introduces bench grinder.
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1971 |
Introduces metal cutting machines for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
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| 1989 |
DeWalt stops production
of radial arm saws in North America.
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| FIRST "JOBSITE"
CAR |
|
TODAY'S JOBSITE TRUCK |
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1992 |
DEWALT
introduces its first line of portable electric power tools and accessories
designed specifically for residential contractors, remodelers, and professional
woodworkers.
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| 1994 |
DEWALT
launches a revolutionary system of over 30 new cordless tools, including
the most powerful cordless tool at the time, the 14.4 volt cordless drill/driver
and 5 3/8" cordless saw. DEWALT cordless system included drill/drivers,
screwdrivers, impact drivers, impact wrench, saws, flashlights, and the
first combination drill/driver/hammerdrill.
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| 1999 |
Matt
Kenseth joins DEWALT Racing as its driver in the NASCAR
Busch Series.
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| 2000 |
Matt Kenseth and DEWALT
Racing move into NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
DEWALT purchases
Momentum Laser, Inc. and the Emglo Compressor Company
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2001 |
Today
the DEWALT Power Tools line consists of over 200 electric
power tools and over 800 accessories including: drills and hammer drills;
screwdrivers; circular, chop, miter, table, reciprocating, and jig saws;
planers; impact wrenches; die, angle, and bench grinders; shears; nibblers;
sanders; laminate trimmers; routers, and plate joiners. This year will be
an exciting time for DEWALT as it offers its largest
product launch ever--even greater than the initial portable product line
introduction in 1992. |
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