Blount, Inc.

Blount International, Inc. is a Portland, Oregon, United States-based company that manufactures saw chain and other equipment for the forestry, agriculture, and construction industries.

Blount International, Inc.
TypePrivate
Private
Founded1949 Montgomery, Alabama
HeadquartersPortland, Oregon,
United States
45.489144°N 122.672905°W / 45.489144; -122.672905
Key people
Paul Tonnesen
Chief Executive Officer
ProductsForesty, agriculture, and construction products
Websitewww.blount.com

History

Joseph Buford Cox founded Oregon Saw Chain Company in 1947.[1] Cox later founded Precision Castparts Corp.

In 1953, John D. Gray acquired the company and changed the name to Omark Industries.[2] In the 1980s, Omark began researching and adopting just-in-time manufacturing processes.[3] By visiting factories in Japan, Omark studied examples of lean manufacturing.[4] The concepts kept the saw chain products viable in the export market during a period with a strong dollar.[5] In 1985, Omark Industries was purchased by Blount Industries, Inc. and its founder, Winton M. Blount.[6]

In 1993, Blount Industries, Inc. was renamed Blount International, Inc., and shifted its focus from construction to manufacturing. In 1997, Blount purchased Frederick Manufacturing Corp. of Kansas City, Missouri and added lawnmower blades and garden products to its portfolio. In 1999, Blount was acquired by Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking.[7] In 2002, Blount's corporate headquarters moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Portland, Oregon. In 2004, it changed its NYSE symbol to BLT, which remained the company's ticker symbol 2015.

On December 10, 2015, Blount announced that it would be taken private by American Securities and P2 Capital Partners in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $855 million, or $10 a share in cash.[8]

On June 3, 2020, Paul Tonnesen was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Products and brands
Oregon saw chains

The company manufactures a variety of products for the chainsaw, agriculture, forestry, and construction industries. Blount manufactures and distributes products under the Carlton, Oregon, Woods Equipment, Kox, Speeco, Merit, Pentruder and ICS brands.

See also

References
  1. Blount International. Retrieved on July 22, 2015.
  2. John Gray, the Quiet Lion, Dies at 93. (2012. October 22) Willamette Week Retrieved: July 22, 2015. http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29348-john_gray_the_quiet_lion_dies_at_93.html
  3. Cuff, D. F. (1984, Sep 24). Market place; Omark trying new methods. New York Times
  4. STEVE LOHR, Special to The New York Times. (1983, Jun 04). HUNTING FOR LESSONS IN JAPAN. New York Times
  5. Waters, C. R. (1984, 03). Why everybody's talking about just-in-time. Inc, 6, 77.
  6. Omark-Blount Merger Set. (1984, November 28). New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/28/business/omark-blount-merger-set-omark-industries-a-leading.html
  7. Blount to be bought by Lehman partnership. (1999, Apr 20). New York Times
  8. Inc., Blount International. "Blount Enters Into Agreement to be Acquired by American Securities and P2 Capital Partners".
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