Fisher Barton Renames Technology Center in Honor of Founder Richard L. Wilkey
Fisher Barton today announced that its Technology Center has been renamed the Richard L. Wilkey Technology Center, honoring the company’s founder and recognizing more than five decades of leadership, innovation, and commitment to metallurgy that helped shape Fisher Barton into a global manufacturing leader.
“With the announcement of our 100% Employee Purchase of the company in early June, we felt that it was important to honor the man who started our company 53 years ago to keep his memory going into posterity. The naming of the Richard L. Wilkey Technology Center is a fitting tribute to the man whose passion for metallurgy, innovation, and entrepreneurship created the foundation for everything Fisher Barton is today,” said Scott Hoffman, CEO of Fisher Barton.
“Dick believed that a deep understanding of materials could solve our customers’ toughest challenges, and that philosophy remains at the heart of our company. As we continue writing the next chapter of Fisher Barton’s story as an employee-owned company, this dedication honors our roots while inspiring future generations to build upon the legacy he created.” added Hoffman.
Founded by metallurgical engineer Richard L. Wilkey in 1973, Fisher Barton began as a small lawn mower blade manufacturer serving OEM customers throughout the Midwest. Under Wilkey’s leadership, the company grew from a start-up operation into the world’s largest manufacturer of lawn mower blades while expanding into advanced materials, surface engineering, industrial components, and manufacturing solutions that serve customers worldwide.
The newly renamed Richard L. Wilkey Technology Center stands as a symbol of the company’s enduring commitment to metallurgy, innovation, and customer-focused problem solving. Opened in 2015, the state-of-the-art facility serves as Fisher Barton’s corporate headquarters and houses its applied research and development team, metallurgical laboratory services, and advanced manufacturing and automation specialists. The center supports all Fisher Barton divisions by providing product development, testing, prototyping, process innovation, materials analysis, and engineering expertise that help customers solve complex manufacturing challenges and accelerate new technologies to market.
Located on the historic site that has been central to the company’s manufacturing heritage for more than a century, the Technology Center connects Fisher Barton’s present-day innovation efforts to a legacy dating back to the original Washington Cutlery operation established in Watertown in 1906. The facility embodies the company’s longstanding expertise in materials science and metallurgy while serving as a collaborative hub for advancing customer solutions across industries.
The naming also reflects Wilkey’s long-standing commitment to the Watertown community. His impact extends well beyond manufacturing, including support for local economic development, workforce advancement, and community initiatives. The Richard L. Wilkey Performance Plaza at Watertown’s Town Square serves as another lasting reminder of his family’s and Fisher Barton’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
“Employee ownership gives every member of our organization a direct stake in our future,” Hoffman added. “By naming this facility after Dick Wilkey, we reinforce the values that have guided Fisher Barton for more than 50 years—innovation, craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and a commitment to people. Those values were established by Dick and remain the driving force behind our success today.”
