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Fisher Barton Nominated for TOP 16 Cool Things Made In Wisconsin

Fisher Barton’s LaserEdge^® Lawn Mower Blade Chosen as a Top 16 Contender in the 2023 Coolest Things Made In Wisconsin Contest

Watertown, WI – September 27, 2023 – Fisher Barton, the world’s leading manufacturer of lawn mower blades, is thrilled to announce that its innovative LaserEdge Lawn Mower Blade has been selected as one of the Top 16 contenders in the prestigious 2023 Coolest Things Made In Wisconsin contest. Organized by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) in partnership with Johnson Financial Group, this annual competition celebrates the outstanding manufacturing achievements in the state of Wisconsin.

The Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin contest, which has been in operation since 2016, has become a beloved tradition in the state, with Wisconsinites casting over 1.1 million votes since its inception. Last year alone, more than 150 remarkable products were nominated, and the contest garnered over 150,000 votes to determine the ultimate winner.

“We are immensely proud to have our LaserEdge Lawn Mower Blade recognized as one of the Top 16 contenders in the 2023 Coolest Things Made In Wisconsin contest,” said Scott Hoffman, CEO of Fisher Barton. “This achievement is a testament to the innovative spirit and the expertise in materials science that drives us to create products that truly stand out in the industry. We are excited to compete against the best in Wisconsin and demonstrate the remarkable qualities of our LaserEdge blade.”

Fisher Barton’s LaserEdge^® Lawn Mower Blade stood out among 100 other remarkable products nominated earlier this month. The competition begins with a popular vote to determine the top contenders, which then proceeds to the Manufacturing Madness tournament-style bracket. In this thrilling head-to-head competition, the Top 16 Wisconsin-made products vie for the coveted title of the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.

Today, it was announced that Fisher Barton from Watertown, WI has secured the #16th seed in the Manufacturing Madness Bracket. The company will face off against the formidable #1 seed, Plexus, based in Appleton, WI. This exciting matchup promises to showcase the incredible innovation and craftsmanship that Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector has to offer.

The winner of the 2023 Coolest Things Made In Wisconsin contest will be revealed during Manufacturing Month in October. Fisher Barton’s LaserEdge Lawn Mower Blade is honored to be among the elite group of contenders, and the company looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its commitment to excellence in manufacturing.

Fisher Barton invites everyone to participate in the upcoming voting rounds at: https://www.madeinwis.com and support Fisher Barton’s LaserEdge Lawn Mower Blade on its journey to become the Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin. Stay tuned for updates as the competition progresses.

For more information about Fisher Barton and all our cool products 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.

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.

Bentzin Town Square Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Fisher Barton Plaza

“There are so many people who played a role in making this possible. That’s why it is the power of ‘we.’ We have done it. We can do it. We will do it. That’s an important message for our community,” Salas said. “We need to keep moving forward. This is not a park. This is an event space where people can come together.” Fisher Barton Board Chair David Wilkey said the Square — much like Fisher Barton — will be a place where families can gather, share and grow together.

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Fisher Barton Expands and Builds The Turning Center of Excellence

WAUKESHA, WI, March 14, 2023 —

Fisher Barton has selected MSI General Corporation for the design and construction of our new industrial building and site development for Accurate Specialties’ Turning Center of Excellence on Bluemound Road. To kick off construction, a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Tuesday, March 21 at 10:00 AM.

Accurate Specialties, Inc. (ASI), a division of Fisher Barton, is North America’s leading manufacturer of bronze gear blanks for power transmission and agricultural applications. With innovative and integrated manufacturing techniques, they specialize in precision machining, chill casting, centrifugal casting, and spun-cast gear blanks. As a full-service bronze foundry with automated machining capabilities, ASI delivers complete, fully machined, ready-to-hob bronze gear blanks and shafts made to exact customer specifications.

Scott Hoffman, CEO of Fisher Barton states, “We are expanding our capacity with this high-speed, fully automated 56,000 sq.ft. facility adjacent to our Accurate Specialties division to offer our customers additional manufacturing capabilities for close tolerance components, shafts, and bearings that compliment Fisher Barton’s already robust offering.”

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. For more information, visit www.fisherbarton.com.

MSI General is a premier DESIGNBUILD construction company located in Oconomowoc and founded in 1957. Our talented, award-winning architectural design team is supported by our construction team of experts. We strive to work collaboratively with our clients and partners to deliver commercial construction projects within budget and on time. Our five core values of integrity, commitment, trust, passion, and teamwork are integrated into every partnership we establish and maintain. MSI General is proud to be a privately held, third-generation, veteran-owned firm. Learn more at www.msigeneral.com.

LaserEdge® Featured Blade on AriensCo New Walk Behind Razor Lawn Mower

This new design brings excellent cut quality, adding a premium feel, and features LaserEdge®, Fisher Barton’s self-sharpening lawn mower blade. This spring, LaserEdge is making its first production model debut on the Razor mower. LaserEdge is the premium blade for landscape professionals because of its MARBAIN® durability and ability to ‘cut itself sharp’ even in the most extreme conditions. This is the first time LaserEdge comes standard on an AriensCo mower. “The four-model Razor lineup includes a push; a front-wheel-drive self-propelled; a rear-wheel-drive self-propelled model with Reflexspeed-control technology; and a high-end Reflex model featuring a dual cutting blade with LaserEdge EversharpTM self-sharpening technology,” says Nicholas Ariens, executive vice president of the Americas region for AriensCo. Fisher Barton is thrilled to be the blade provider for AriensCo on this premium walk-behind mower. Learn more about the Razor mower featuring LaserEdge.

Zenith Cutter Celebrates 100 Years of Industrial Knife Manufacturing

WATERTOWN, WI, January 20, 2023 — – Zenith Cutter, a Division of Fisher Barton, the leading manufacturer of industrial knives celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Founded by Richard Blazer, Zenith Cutter was established in Loves Park, Illinois, in 1923, as a manufacturer and distributor of cutters for the woodworking industry. In 1953, Zenith Cutter began expanding its product lines and entered the corrugated industry. In 1958, Cedric Blazer, son of Richard, assumed leadership of the company.

Zenith Cutter continued to look for new ways to expand its reach globally, acquiring Vietnam manufacturer Great Knives LTD in 1997 and later opening a new 135,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The acquisition of Zenith Cutter in 2011, by Fisher Barton, the world largest manufacturer of lawn mower blades, infused Zenith Cutter with additional metallurgy expertise, advanced engineering, research, and development capabilities from Fisher Barton’s state-of-the-art technology center in Watertown, Wisconsin.

Throughout the years, Zenith Cutter expanded into new markets and continued to grow its market share by manufacturing blades for the recycling industry. In addition to knives, they began producing plastic recycling granulators, blocks and screens. Zenith Cutter brands are known for their high quality and dependability, Shredzilla® and Wolverine™ are industry standards in recycling tires and corrugate.

Today, Zenith Cutter is the leading industrial knife partner for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the globe in the corrugated, converting, plastic, tire and wire recycling, industrial wood chipping, roofing, and textile industries. As we look back fondly over the last 100 years, we look forward to continuing to lead the industrial knife market with further innovative products for the next 100 years.

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. For more information, visit www.fisherbarton.com.