In July, 1995, Atlas Copco AB purchased Amstar, the parent corporation that owned Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.
The acquisition by Atlas Copco, a global group of industrial companies headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, meant increased financial support and opportunities for Milwaukee to compete in the international power tool market.
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) purchased Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation from Atlas Copco in January, 2005.
Founded in 1985, TTI is a leading marketer, manufacturer and supplier of home improvement and floor care products, employing over 20,000 people worldwide.
TTI's global brand portfolio includes Ryobi®, Milwaukee® and AEG® power tools, DreBo® carbide drill bits, Homelite® and Ryobi® outdoor power equipment and Royal®, Dirt Devil®, Regina® and VAX® floor care appliances. The acquisition takes advantage of TTI and Milwaukee’s marketing and distribution networks and enhances Milwaukee’s ability to expand its markets and product portfolio world wide.
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PORTER-CABLE and DELTA began early in the 20th Century (1906 and 1919 respectively) and were direct results of fulfilling the American Dream. For both companies, the principals had one goal in mind: to provide quality tools and products that made the work of journeymen and professional craftsmen easier. Their tools were of the highest quality and reliability. It was not uncommon for a single power tool to cost a month’s wages. The added production and efficiency afforded by the innovative offerings made this a relatively easy sale. Tasks that once took weeks or months were now reduced to hours or days.
DELTA and PORTER-CABLE have common roots that date back to 1960. This was the year PORTER-CABLE and DELTA became a part of the same company. The combination of PORTER-CABLE and DELTA gave the company a wealth of patents and combined intellectual property from over 50 years of excellence in woodworking power tools.
Toward the end of the 1980s, there were various joint projects between the DELTA and PORTER-CABLE brands. Both brands have long been the leaders in their respective categories of stationary and bench top woodworking equipment and portable woodworking power tools. By the end of the 1990s, both companies became more closely aligned by sharing the same manufacturing and distribution facilities in Jackson, Tennessee.
This company began in 1906 as a machine shop; the founders were R. E. and G. G. Porter and F. E. Cable. Their first tool was an electric pencil sharpener. Their first portable power tool was made in 1920.
The company was purchased by J. R. Ridings in 1914, and he grew the company into one of North America's large makers of portable power tools. But this web site is only interested in their stationary or benchtop machines.
The book Forty Years of Porter-Cable History says that "in 1922 Porter-Cable bought Syracuse Sander Mfg. Co., thus acquiring a line of belt sanders and a partially developed spindle sander. The sander line was developed rapidly and in a short time P-C introduced both spindle and belt sanders which won immediate acceptance in factories, foundries, and even book binderies."
At some point between 1956 and 1986 the company name changed to Porter-Cable Corp. Porter-Cable's "Speedmatic" brand goes back to 1928, but it may have belonged to someone else first.
Porter-Cable was purchased by Rockwell Manufacturing Co. in 1960, and then sold to Pentair Inc. in 1981. In 2004 the power tool divisions of Pentair were purchased by Black & Decker.
Porter-Cable no longer makes any stationary woodworking machines in North America, and has not done so for many years.
Part Sources
* Stationary belt grinders were sold to Sunstrand then subsequently sold to other concerns. The current location for parts and service is Acme Manufacturing Co.
4240 N. Atlantic Blvd.
Auburn Hills, MI 48326 USA
(248) 393-7300
248) 393-4060 (fax)
www.acmemfg.com
* A Porter-Cable enthusiast, collector and parts dealer (primarily portable equipment) is **** Jarmon, 38217 Huron Point, Harrison Township, Michigan 48045, phone: 586-463-5556.
Information Sources
* A 1925 catalog shows sanding machines and a 20" bandsaw from "Syracuse," but does not mention Syracuse Sander Mfg Co. or Porter-Cable.
* Catalogs from 1931, 1933, and 1934.
* A 1931 brochure and letter from "Porter-Cable-Hutchinson Corp." of Syracuse. The letterhead says "The Porter-Cable Machine Co." but the title under the signature says "Porter-Cable-Hutchinson Corporation".
* The 1931-1934 catalogs show products labeled Syracuse, Hutchinson, Beaver, Ever-Ready, Speedmatic, and Take-About. See also the entries for Hutchinson Manufacturing Co., Syracuse and Engelberg, Inc.
* In the Photo Index you can see pictures of a Porter-Cable 12" bandsaw that is labeled, "Porter-Cable / London, Canada / Craftmaster Tools". This bandsaw was manufactured for Porter-Cable by the Canadian firm Henry Power Tools, Ltd.
* Address (1949 Popular Mechanics): 1984 N. Salina St, Syracuse 8, New York.
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Black & Decker. Batory lists this firm as established in 1909. The founders were Samuel Duncan Black and Alonzo Galloway Decker, of Baltimore, MD. They were early innovators in handheld power tools. Some DeWalt radial arm saws were branded with the B&D name. We also have a report of a B&D bandsaw.
