Stanley Black & Decker has announced they have sold the Delta American brand to Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd. (TOTY), a Taiwanese company that was established in 1989. The transition will be complete within the next four months.
Bryan Whiffen, former Vice President forTechtronic Industries North America(TTI) was named Delta Power Equipment Corporation’s President and CEO, the first of January 2011. Whiffen confirmed that Chang Type owns 100 percent of Delta Power Equipment and has named Norman MacDonald, former Techtronic Senior Vice President of Operations, as the Delta Chief Operating Officer. Techtronic Industries makes many power tool brands that woodworkers are familiar with, including Milwaukee and Ryobi.
Wiffen said “Delta will continue to make the Unisaw in the United States, but is moving the Delta and Biesemeyer production lines from their current facility in Jackson, Tennessee to the new facility in Anderson, South Carolina.” Bryan said, “Anderson County Officials were welcoming and supportive of the 55,000 square foot facility, which will include engineering, manufacturing and sales under one roof, maintaining product cohesion.” Bryan also stated that, “He intends to maintain the same guidelines and tight standards to ensure the 80% componentry level remains in the Delta Unisaw production.”
“Having the Unisaw made in the U.S. was a key point with Delta retailers,” said Whiffen, “And it’s important to us that the cabinet saw remains made in the U.S.A.”
The new owners, Chang Type, specialize in making universal motors, electronic controls, aluminum castings for miter saws and lasers. Chang Type and its 278 employees make products for TTI and Black & Decker.
Whiffen declined to talk about the company’s strategy at this time, citing employee and competitive concerns. Bryan commented that new products are forthcoming, stating, “There are some holes in the Delta line that need to be filled and we plan to keep Delta a woodworking equipment company.”
Whiffen also stated that the reason for moving the Delta production to Anderson, “Was that Black & Decker had other plans to utilize the Jackson facility with”, but did not elaborate.
Also affected by this announcement is Scott Phillips of The American Woodshop. Currently, season 18 of Scott’s PBS woodworking show is underwritten by Woodcraft, Delta, Porter Cable, and Gorilla Glue. Going forward with Season 19, Scott stated that, “The show will continue to be underwritten by the same companies, excluding Delta, but with DeWalt being a potential underwriter; so this situation does not create a concern about financial support for the show.”
Scott, always a very genuine human being, commented that, “It’s a personal choice for the American Woodworker in what kind of tools and machines they wish to use”, and that he and his show, “Is all about the American Woodworker, first and foremost.” Scott also pointed out that, “There’s no people on earth like the North American Woodworkers, and what they do.”
Here is Scott at IWF with the Delta Unisaw:
