Established in 1910, The Black & Decker Corporation has become one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of power tools and is counted among the prestigious Fortune 500 companies in the USA.
The Black & Decker Corporation’s long history can be traced to two young and innovative entrepreneurs, S. Duncan Black & Alonzo G. Decker, Sr., who founded a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland.Today, the Corporation has manufacturing operations in ten countries, and its products and services are marketed in more than 100 countries.
Throughout its businesses, Black & Decker has established a reputation for product innovation, quality, end-user focus, design, and value.Its international network of manufacturing facilities is one of the most advanced and cost-efficient in the world.Its strong brand names and new product capabilities enjoy worldwide recognition, and its global distribution is unsurpassed in its industries.
In addition to industrial and consumer power tools and accessories, Black & Decker today manufactures and markets security hardware, plumbing products, and technology-based fastening systems.Main brands include:Black & Decker, DeWALT, Kwikset, Baldwin, Weiser, Price Pfister, and Emhart Teknologies.
Black & Decker in China
In 1995, Black & Decker decided to locate an Asian manufacturing base in Sino-Singapore Industrial Park in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, and, in the same year, Black & Decker (Suzhou) Power Tools Co., Ltd. was established.
In 1998, Black & Decker Suzhou began its manufacturing operations, producing six categories of power tools, including small and medium angle grinders, electric drills, tile cutters, chopsaws, and electric hammers.Approximately 260 thousand units were produced .
In 1999, three new products were added - the Mouse sander, a 1/3rd sheet sander and a multi-cutter.Due to its unique 3-D design and novel function, the Mouse earned the Y2000 USA Best in Industry Design Award.In the same year, Black & Decker Suzhou manufactured 2.8 million power tools.
In 2000, manufacturing was expanded with the addition of Compact Thunder drills, Typhoon routers, and hedge trimmers.At the end of the year, production volume was over 4.25 million units, and more than 1,000 associates were employed by Black & Decker Suzhou.
In 2001, production continued to grow.To improve market competitiveness and sustainable development, the Corporation established a research & development center at Black & Decker Suzhou, which remains the manufacturing and R&D base of Black & Decker Asia and is a key link in the Corporation’s manufacturing network.
In 2002, Black & Decker Suzhou was recognized as one of the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises engaged in import and export.
In 2003, Black & Decker Suzhou generated the highest level of production volume, production value, and profit in its history and became not only Black & Decker’s biggest manufacturing plant, but also the largest power tools producer and one of the 200 largest exporting enterprises in China.
In order to meet the demands of continued production expansion in 2004, Black & Decker Suzhou has moved, without interruption to production, into a new 30,000 square-meter plant located in the Export Processing Zone in Suzhou Industrial Park.Meanwhile, land for a second new plant has been reserved.This major relocation to the EPZ will be a milestone in Black & Decker Suzhou’s history and a signal of confidence in its future prospects. |
