A bunch of news went up late last week about Stanley Black & Decker is selling the Delta brand, which will then move its operations to Anderson, S.C. We initially got our notice from the The DeWALT Owners Group Team, but a press release followed quickly afterward and revealed more info. Stanley Black and Decker has so far issued no official comments on the deal. The purchaser is named as Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturing company, but the location and inclusion of Bryan Whiffen, who has been named President & Chief Executive Officer, indicates that Delta now falls, more or less, under the purview of Techtronic Industries (TTI North America) – parent company to Ridgid, Ryobi, and Milwaukee Electric Tools. Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd. is the Taiwanese company that currently produces many benchtop tools for Stanley Black & Decker, Craftsman and Ryobi among others.
The report claims that the new company will be called Delta Power Equipment Corporation and will be headed by Bryan Whiffen, who is also currently the senior vice president for product development at Techtronic Industries North America Inc. As we mentioned, the new Delta Power Equipment is going to be located in Anderson, SC – the same city as TTI. All we can say is – it’s a small world.
A press release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce touted that Delta Power Equipment will invest over $3.6 million and expects to generate 40 new jobs. The new facility should be up and running by April. According to an internal document obtained by Popular Woodworking Magazine, the transition of ownership will take place over the next four months. They also claim that the Delta Unisaw will continue to be manufactured in the United States.
“Until further notice, nothing will change with ordering product, freight terms, pricing, product availability, service parts, etc. For the short term, it will be business as usual.”
– Memo obtained by Popular Woodworking Magazine
This isn’t the first time Delta has changed ownership. In fact, it’s only been with Stanley since July of 2004. Originally, the company was founded by Herb Tautz in 1919 in Milwaukee, WI. What’s unsure is whether or not the new company will alter any of the operational methods used to manufacture tools like its well-regarded, and USA-made Unisaw. If the company is associated with another manufacturer, then there also exists the possibility of maximizing production and developing the brand further through new product introductions beyond its current line.
From the official press release:
“The new facility will allow Delta Power Equipment to continue its tradition of providing top-notch woodworking equipment to our customers. We look forward to establishing our new operations in Anderson County,” Whiffen says in the press release. “South Carolina provided us with the positive business environment and market access we were looking for when deciding where to locate. We appreciate all the support we have received from state and local officials.”
And Joe Taylor, the secretary of commerce for South Carolina, added this (per the release):
“Delta Power Equipment Corp. has a long history as a leading producer of woodworking tools and we are pleased to have them as a part of South Carolina’s business community. The company’s decision to locate its new operations in South Carolina is another indication that our state’s business-friendly climate, talented workforce and exceptional market access are working to attract new investments that create jobs for South Carolinians. We recognize that Delta Power Equipment could have made this investment anywhere and thank them for choosing to do business in South Carolina.”
The full release is below:
Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturing company, has agreed to purchase the Delta brand of woodworking equipment and machinery from Stanley Black & Decker. The deal is expected to close on February 4, 2011.
The new, independent company, Delta Power Equipment Corporation, will be based in Anderson County, South Carolina and led by Bryan Whiffen, who has been named President & Chief Executive Officer. Norm MacDonald has also joined the company as an Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Both Whiffen and MacDonald have years of experience in the power tool industry, and have been responsible for manufacturing and marketing such brands as Ryobi, Homelite, Milwaukee and Ridgid.
The new Delta company will continue to provide a complete line of professional woodworking equipment and machinery, and will continue to build the world-class Unisaw, as well as the Biesemeyer accessories, in the United States. Plans are to move the manufacturing equipment from Jackson, Tennessee to the company’s facility in Anderson.
Once fully operational, the Anderson facility will include manufacturing, R&D, engineering, sales and administrative functions.
“We are pleased to be able to say that the Unisaw will continue to be made in the USA,” said Whiffen. “We are also excited for this opportunity to invest in the great Delta brand so that we can bring high quality, innovative woodworking equipment to Delta’s loyal customers.
Delta Power Equipment Corp. is working to ensure that the fine sales and service that Delta dealers and woodworkers have come to expect will continue.
“Stanley Black & Decker has been very supportive of this sale and have agreed to help us make the transition as seamless as possible for our dealers and our customers,” added Whiffen.
Customers and dealers can continue to obtain information on sales and service for Delta woodworking equipment at www.deltamachinery.com.
