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In 2002, Blount Canada Ltd. employees are proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of manufacturing quality cutting system products for professional, commercial and consumer wood cutters. This major milestone in company's history is an opportunity to thank our customers for choosing our products and our employees and retirees for their commitment to excellence and innovation. |
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| Blount Canada Ltd. has its origins in Portland,
Oregon U.S.A. where logger Joe Cox designed and patented a cutter for
a saw chain that led to a revolution in woodcutting. He had observed
timber beetle larvae and marveled at the efficiency of the little creature's
twin cutters. Thus inspired, he set about modifying a C -shaped cutter and tremendously increased the cutting efficiency of the chain saw. This new design of cutter, lead to the founding of the Oregon Saw Chain Company in 1947 in a modest basement shop. Cox's invention and the establishment of his company, had a profound impact on commercial and later, consumer saw chain users. Because of Cox's invention thousands of employees worldwide have had the opportunity to work, learn and grow in Oregon Cutting Systems and Blount manufacturing facilities.The Canadian manufacturing plant , named the Oregon Saw Chain Company, opened in December ,1952 in a modest building on Hayes Avenue, in Guelph, Ontario, with 18 employees. Joe Cox also had the foresight to hire John Gray who purchased the company from Joe in 1953 . In 1955 , the Oregon Saw Chain Company, Guelph had 88 employees, and a new 16,000 square-foot plant was constructed on York Road in Guelph. In 1956, the company was renamed OMARK and the company continued to manufacture woodcutting products under Oregon® brand name. The Oregon® product was so successful that the York Road plant was expanded to 24,000 square feet in 1956, and a further 20,000 square feet added in 1962. In 1965 a new building of 85,000 square feet was constructed on a 17-acre site on the present Edinburgh Road site. The new building won a national architecture award. Four expansions have occurred since 1965. With the most recent expansion in 1997, the plant is 294, 000 square feet. Today, Blount Canada Ltd, continues to manufacture under the OREGON® brand name and produces saw chain, professional solid, solid harvester and Pro-Lite guide bars and sprockets which are exported to over 130 countries. The company also manufactures for other brand names. In 1985, Omark Industries, was purchased by the Blount International Inc., of Montgomery, Alabama. Then in August 1999, Blount merged with an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners, the 88th largest U.S. company on the Fortune 500 list. None of the successful growth of Blount Canada Ltd. would have happened without people who believed in excellence and provided an environment and culture to demand quality in personnel, product, performance and service. The reliable, highly skilled, dedicated employees at Blount Canada Ltd are committed to quality in manufacturing and service. More than 750 people work at Blount Canada, with an average length of employment of 12 years. Employees are the key to Blount Canada's successful use of technology, statistical process control and process improvement. Blount Canada Ltd achieved the world renowned ISO registration in November, 1995 and continues to be ISO-9000 certified today. This achievement recognizes Blount Canada's commitment to quality and customer service. Our commitment to quality and innovative products has made Oregon® the number one brand name in saw chain, guide bars and accessories serving customers all over the world. |
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