Porter-Cable
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Power tools |
| Founded | January 1, 1906 in Syracuse, New York, United States |
| Founder | R.E. Porter, G.G. Porter, F.E. Cable |
| Fate | Acquired by Rockwell International (1960); acquired by Pentair, Inc. (1981); acquired by Black & Decker (2004) |
| Headquarters | Jackson , United States |
Key people | Art Emmons (Chief Engineer, historical) |
| Products | Power tools, including portable belt sander, helical-drive circular saw, portable band saw, electric random orbital sander, air compressors, pneumatic tools, generators, pressure washers |
| Owner | Stanley Black & Decker |
| Parent | Stanley Black & Decker |
| Website | www |
Porter-Cable is a U.S.-based producer of power tools, noted for groundbreaking products such as the portable belt sander, the helical-drive circular saw, and the portable band saw. The company functions as a subsidiary under Stanley Black & Decker.
History
Established in 1906 in Syracuse, New York by founders R.E. Porter, G.G. Porter, and F.E. Cable with a starting capital of $2,300, the business began as a machine and tool workshop.
By 1914, the firm had shifted focus to power tools, initially producing lathes. In 1917, it expanded its operations by acquiring a manufacturing facility on North Salina Street in Syracuse.
In 1926, led by Chief Engineer Art Emmons, Porter-Cable introduced the first portable electric belt sander, marketed as the Take-About Sander. Three years later, Emmons engineered the lightweight helical drive circular saw, which gained widespread acceptance.
The company was acquired by Rockwell International in 1960. Rockwell gradually discontinued the Porter-Cable brand, relocated production to Jackson, Tennessee, and launched budget-friendly tools aimed at competing with Black & Decker. These lower-tier products adversely affected Porter-Cable’s market reputation.
In 1981, Pentair, Inc. purchased Rockwell's power tool division—including both Porter-Cable and Delta Machinery—and revived the Porter-Cable brand. The emphasis returned to professional-grade equipment while consumer product lines were phased out.
Porter-Cable launched the first electric random orbital sander in 1989 and re-entered consumer retail through outlets such as The Home Depot and Lowe's, leading to significant sales growth.
In 1996, the Smithsonian Institution assembled a collection chronicling Porter-Cable’s legacy—the first such archive dedicated to any power tool manufacturer.
By 2000, Porter-Cable merged operations with Delta Machinery, moving Delta’s headquarters to Jackson. Following Pentair’s acquisition of DeVilbiss Air Power Company, product offerings expanded by 2002 to include air compressors, pneumatic tools, generators, and pressure washers.
In October 2004, Pentair Tools Group—which comprised Porter-Cable, Delta Machinery, among others—was acquired by Black & Decker, now integrated into Stanley Black & Decker. Porter-Cable’s headquarters remain in Jackson while most manufacturing has transitioned to facilities in Mexico and China.
See also
References
- "History." Delta Machinery/Porter-Cable website. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
- Berger, Matt. "Dick Jarmon: Ultimate Tool Collector." Fine Woodworking. January 8, 2008.
- Hicks, Jennifer. "Tool Collector is Porter-Cable's Top Fan." Woodshop News. October 2007.
External links
- Delta Machinery/Porter-Cable website
- DeWalt ServiceNet (parts and service)
- "Vintage Power Tools To Smithsonian" (Popular Mechanics December 1997)
- Articles with short description
- American companies established in 1906
- Manufacturing companies established in 1906
- Manufacturing companies based in Tennessee
- Woodworking hand-held power tools
- Power tool manufacturers
- Pneumatic tool manufacturers
- Stanley Black & Decker brands
- 1906 establishments in New York (state)
- Jackson, Tennessee
- 1960 mergers and acquisitions
- 1981 mergers and acquisitions
- 2004 mergers and acquisitions
- Tool manufacturing companies of the United States