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"You buy a machine and what you really get is satisfaction, entire satisfaction."
- R. E. DeWalt
Raymond E. DeWalt followed in his father's footsteps by holding mill and constructions jobs from the time he left school. No matter what the job, the question of high labor costs always concerned him. To help cut these costs, occasionally he rigged up a machine to meet some special need.
Eventually, Mr. DeWalt was offered a position as head of a woodworking mill that manufactured almost everything from boxes to full-fledged houses. There was more to do than could be done, and the President of the company would not allow an increase in payroll. He simply had to get more work out of his men. Mr. DeWalt designed a yoke and attached it directly to a motor and saw, then mounted it on a standard arm. The saw could be raised, lowered, slid back and forth, moved to any angle, or tilted to any bevel. It did the work of four men and cut his labor costs beyond his fondest dreams.
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1922
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Raymond E. DeWalt, then superintendent of Seabrook Farms, perfects the first radial arm machine for the purpose of providing more versatility in woodworking operations.
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1924
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DeWalt Products Company is formed with plant and offices located in Leola, Pennsylvania. Their product is an electric universal woodworking machine known as the
DeWalt "Wonder-Worker."
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1929
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DeWalt Products Co. moves to a new, and for those days, outstandingly modern plant and office building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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WONDER-WORKER
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DW746X
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1941
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The DeWalt firm begins a period of rapid expansion to meet the demands of government orders in connection with national defense and wartime machinery requirements.
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1947
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DeWalt Products Co. is completely reorganized and re-incorporated under DeWalt Inc.
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1953
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DeWalt Inc. extends operations into Canada through a wholly owned subsidiary known as DeWalt Canada Ltd.
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1955
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Over the next two years, adds 40,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space to the plant.
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1960
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Acquires United States and Canadian patent rights to Bennett Two-way Panel Saw from Richard C. Bennett Manufacturing Company, Laceyville, Pennsylvania.
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1961
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Adds 8,400 Sq. ft. storeroom to plant.
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1966
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Adds 16,000 sq. ft. warehouse to plant.
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1967
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Introduces bench grinder.
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1971
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Introduces metal cutting machines for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
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1989
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DeWalt stops production of radial arm saws in North America.
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FIRST "JOBSITE" CAR
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TODAY'S JOBSITE TRUCK
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1992
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DEWALT introduces its first line of portable electric power tools and accessories designed specifically for residential contractors, remodelers, and professional woodworkers.
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1994
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DEWALT launches a revolutionary system of over 30 new cordless tools, including the most powerful cordless tool at the time, the 14.4 volt cordless drill/driver and 5 3/8" cordless saw. DEWALT cordless system included drill/drivers, screwdrivers, impact drivers, impact wrench, saws, flashlights, and the first combination drill/driver/hammerdrill.
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1999
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Matt Kenseth joins DEWALT Racing as its driver in the NASCAR Busch Series.
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2000
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Matt Kenseth and DEWALT Racing move into NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
DEWALT purchases Momentum Laser, Inc. and the Emglo Compressor Company.
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2001
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Today the DEWALT Power Tools line consists of over 200 electric power tools and over 800 accessories including: drills and hammer drills; screwdrivers; circular, chop, miter, table, reciprocating, and jig saws; planers; impact wrenches; die, angle, and bench grinders; shears; nibblers; sanders; laminate trimmers; routers, and plate joiners. This year will be an exciting time for DEWALT as it offers its largest product launch ever--even greater than the initial portable product line introduction in 1992.
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