Fisher Barton Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Excellence
Watertown, WI – September 13, 2023 – Fisher Barton, a leading manufacturer of lawn mower blades and industrial components, proudly announces its 50th-anniversary celebrations, commemorating half a century of groundbreaking achievements in the manufacturing industry. The celebrations will take place on September 16 across the company’s divisions, including those in Sun Prairie, WI, and all three facilities in Watertown, WI, where Fisher Barton’s remarkable journey began in 1973.
Fisher Barton’s story began in humble surroundings in 1973 when the company started manufacturing lawn mower blades in a modest 2,400-square foot rented building in Oconomowoc, WI. Fast forward to October 26, 1973, when Fisher Barton shipped its first lawn mower blade to Bolens in Port Washington, WI, marking the beginning of a legacy built on quality and innovation.
Fisher Barton outgrew the Oconomowoc building in 1974 and relocated to the former Village Blacksmith location in Watertown. Fisher Barton Technology Center sits on that same site today.
Throughout the 1980s, Fisher Barton underwent significant growth and transformation. The company’s commitment to product excellence led to partnerships with the University of Wisconsin and groundbreaking research, enhancing the quality and performance of lawn mower blades.
The 1990s saw Fisher Barton expand its horizons, diversifying into new industries and acquiring companies like Accurate Specialties Inc. (ASI) and Fountain Industries. This expansion included the establishment of Thermal Spray Technologies (TST) in Sun Prairie, WI, and the introduction of patented MARBAIN® material to the mower blade market.
As the 21st century dawned, Fisher Barton continued to thrive, reaching milestones such as shipping its 200 millionth lawn mower blade in 2012 and being named John Deere Agriculture and Turf Division Supplier of the Year in 2014.
In 2015, the company opened the state-of-the-art Fisher Barton Technology Center, solidifying its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. This center paved the way for advancements like LaserEdge® mower blades, offering customers a cutting-edge solution for their mowing needs.
In 2022, Fisher Barton marked the shipment of its 350 millionth lawn mower blade, a testament to the company’s enduring legacy of quality and excellence.
As Fisher Barton celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023, the company looks ahead to a promising future. Ground has been broken on a new industrial building and site development for Accurate Specialties’ Turning Center of Excellence, expanding its manufacturing capabilities to better serve its customers with close tolerance components, shafts, and bearings.
Additionally, the 100-year anniversary of Zenith Cutter, a Division of Fisher Barton, is celebrated in 2023. This subsidiary, founded in 1923, has played a pivotal role in the recycling and corrugated industries.
Fisher Barton remains committed to its core values of innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction. The company’s CEO, Scott Hoffman, expressed his excitement about the upcoming celebrations, stating, “This 50th-anniversary milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, past and present, and the trust of our valued customers. We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Join Fisher Barton in celebrating this historic milestone and looking toward a future filled with innovation, growth, and continued success.
For more information about Fisher Barton and its 50th-anniversary celebrations, please visit www.fisherbarton.com. About Fisher Barton — Fisher Barton is a metallurgical innovation partner for high wear and cutting components. Our expertise stems from our world-class talent who understand the behavior of material and the application of proprietary heat treating and thermal spray solutions that reimagine a component’s lifespan beyond the core manufacturing capabilities of stamping, bending, forming, cutting, welding, machining, and casting. Eight locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Vietnam innovate blades and turf care components, bronze motion control products, industrial knives, and various other wear components. Fisher Barton is more than a source for high-quality parts; Fisher Barton is your partner for the highest quality solutions found —anywhere.
