 Early
History
Like many long-established companies, Delta lives the
American dream that came true for Herbert Tautz, the
company's founder, back in 1919. Working out of his one-car
garage in Milwaukee, Wis., Tautz set out to design and build
new tools that solved the difficult challenges of
woodworking. He named his business, "The Delta Specialty
Company."
Just a few years later, Tautz invented Delta's first
breakthrough product in 1923. Labeled the "American Boy,"
this innovation was the world's first scroll saw. Although
it was built for hand-operated use in 8" and 12" sizes, this
unit paved the way for the electric-powered scroll saws in
the future.
 Delta
launched is second innovation in 1928. It was called the
HandiShop, which consisted of a Wagner-grade motor, a steel
bed lathe, a disc sander, and a scroll saw. This product
sold for $99.50 upon its introduction, which was a
significant investment for that day. Despite the cost, it
quickly became one of the most popular home workshop items
in America. A 4" jointer/8"circular saw combination unit
followed just one year later.
As the country reached the height of the depression,
Delta continued to forge ahead with new product
introductions. The early 1930s proved to be a critical time
in the company's history because Delta began focusing on
band saws as one of its core products. Its first band saw, a
12" unit, was launched in 1930. Shortly thereafter, the
momentum began as a 10" band saw rolled out, which was
followed by the introduction of the venerable Delta 14" band
saw. Although today's 14" band saws are more advanced, their
appearance is very similar to the original design, which was
launched in 1934.
During an era where woodworking publications didn't
exist, Delta found a way to connect with its end-users by
creating a journal called the Deltagram. This publication
contained woodworking plans, tool talk, and techniques for
aspiring woodworkers at all skill levels. Many of today's
woodworking magazines still publish original plans from this
journal, which was sent monthly for more than four decades.
Today, collectors search E-Bay for old copies while the
Smithsonian Institution collects them in its archived file
for the Science and Industry section.
Pioneering New Power Tools
Delta truly turned the industry upside-down in 1937 with the
invention of the world's first 10" tilting arbor saw.
Today's woodworkers know this product as the UniSaw. Setting
the standard for table saws, this model has become the most
coveted tool by woodworkers all over the world. It offered
precision, reliability, and unprecedented performance.
 History
proves that Delta was truly a pioneer of stationary power
tools, but the late 1930s yielded some of the company's key
product categories that still exist today. Moreover, these
categories have become staples of any woodworker's shop.
From 1930 to 1940, Delta launched such products as the 6"
jointer, the 8-speed wood lathe, the reversible wood shaper,
bench & floor grinders, the abrasive belt sander, and the
17" drill press.
The War Years
During the 1940s, Delta rolled up its sleeves as World War
II erupted. Few manufacturers played as big of a role in
defense production as Delta. The company turned down any
business that wasn't for Uncle Sam in his time of need.
Products like drill presses, band saws, floor grinders, and
abrasive belt sanders were required for almost every item -
big or small - manufactured to defend the country.
It is impossible to count the number of aircraft, ships,
weapons, and other war-related supplies that Delta helped
produce for the war effort. As a result, the U.S. Congress
held a ceremony to celebrate Delta's contribution and
express gratitude for the critical role it played in ending
the war.
Delta, The Rockwell Years
The Rockwell Manufacturing Company made a bold move by
purchasing Delta in1945. The company was renamed "The Delta
Power Tool Division of Rockwell Manufacturing Company."
Delta continued to manufacture its products out of Milwaukee
until its new plant was completed in Tupelo, Miss., in 1952.
The Tupelo plant still remains in production today as
Delta's primary manufacturing facility.
In 1948, Delta entered the radial saw market by acquiring
Red Star Products of Norwalk, Ohio. A string of acquisitions
followed with the purchase of the Ohlen Bishop Company and a
7" shaper design from AMMCO Tools of North Chicago. This
broadened the company's product offering, thereby
strengthening its position in the accessories market.
 As
Rockwell relocated its Delta-Milwaukee operations to
Bellafontaine, Ohio, in 1952, the acquisitions continued.
Rockwell entered the Canadian Market in 1953 by purchasing
Beaver Tools of Canada. The 1956 purchase of the
Walker-Turner division of the Kearney and Trecker
Corporation added 20" drill presses and radial-type drill
presses to the line.
By the mid-1960s, the name Rockwell had become synonymous
with top-quality stationary power tools and equipment. This
was largely due to a complete line of products that had
proven itself through years of reliable performance. As
sales continued to grow, Rockwell demanded a larger, more
centralized distribution center. As a result, a
230,000-square foot distribution center/service branch was
opened in 1966. The facility maintained an inventory of over
15,000 machinery parts.
The world of power tools was changed forever in 1966 when
Rockwell invented the world's first motorized miter saw.
This introduction offered a more compact & portable solution
(not to mention added precision) to the task of making
crosscuts at the jobsite and other remote locations.
A New Era
Rockwell sought suitors for its power tool division in the
early 1980s. As a result, Pentair acquired the company in
1981 with one goal in mind-reviving a once strong brand
name. Pentair wasted no time investing in the business.
Appreciating its heritage, Pentair made a good move by
renaming the company with its original moniker, "Delta."
With its headquarters located in Pittsburgh, Pa, Delta
began expanding its consumer market by launching a complete
line of bench-top tools such as the 8" drill press, the 6",
8", and 10" grinders, and a 10" band saw. This launch made
Delta a household name by offering more affordable, lighter
duty power tools to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers.
In 1992, Delta introduced the Sidekick 10" motorized
miter saw, the first in a series of jobsite tools for
builders, contractors, and remodelers. Since then, the line
has grown to include a full selection for a variety of end
users.
Continued Growth
As new products continued to flow, Delta Machinery's sales
continued to grow. This was largely due to the explosion of
the home centers and the popularity of how-to television
programming. Delta took advantage of this by becoming a
sponsor of public television's The New Yankee Workshop in
1993. The company's association with host Norm Abram helped
Delta fortify its position in the minds of woodworkers
everywhere.
As Delta increasingly became a leader in accessories for
stationary power tools and equipment, its acquisition of
Biesemeyer was grist for the mill. Biesemeyer is known as
the "crème of the crop" when it comes to precision T-square
saw fence systems. Located in Mesa, Arizona, Biesemeyer has
integrated its product offering into Delta's existing line
of stationary power tools and equipment as well as a line of
stand-alone products that complement Delta's line perfectly.
During this time, Delta launched a special edition
product offering that included more than a basic unit.
Labeled the "Platinum Edition Line," the company featured
over 15 product arrangements that provided add-ons such as
Biesemeyer fences, mobile bases, free accessories, and other
value adds. This launch was extremely successful because it
offered a significant savings to end-users who were
previously unwilling to make the investment.
Evolution Of A Strong Brand
In 1999, Delta began consolidating its operation with
Porter-Cable Corporation, a sister company that manufactures
portable electric & cordless power tools, air nailers &
compressors, generators, and pressure washers. This decision
led to a complete relocation of its headquarters and a new
425,000-square foot distribution center to Jackson, Tenn.,
where both companies are now based. The Tupelo manufacturing
plant still remains operational.
During 2001, Delta stepped up its new product development
by launching over 20 new products. Introductions included a
13" two-speed bench-top planer, an 18" x 36" two-speed drum
sander, the midi-lathe, a complete line of ambient air
cleaners, and a dual bevel miter saw. More than 12 new
product awards from leading industry publications touted
Delta's achievements in new product innovation shortly after
the introduction.
 Delta
wasted no time re-inventing its brand during 2002. As a
result of Delta Machinery's new branding strategy, the
company launched a line of products for the advanced and
professional woodworker called DELTA Industrial as well as a
line of products for the Intermediate and Novice woodworker
called DELTA ShopMaster. Both DELTA ShopMaster and DELTA
Industrial are dedicated to the same high quality standards
of materials and construction. This new launch marked a
clearer distinction between truly industrial products and
those more applicable to the home workshop setting.
 Delta
remains the most powerful name in quality woodworking
equipment. Customer research and focus group studies
revealed that Delta's products are widely used by all user
segments. This master brand approach will put the weight of
the DELTA brand behind each product. It will clarify and
simplify the purchasing experience, make new product
introductions easier and provide a clear framework for
product development.
Since the launch of Delta's new brand strategy, more than
35 new products have rolled off the production line. As for
quality, the awards in 2002 speak for themselves. More than
16 awards - ranging from Popular Mechanics Magazine's
Editor's Choice award to Handy Magazine's Innovation Award -
honored Delta's quality and innovation after the re-launch
of the brand.
Today's Delta Machinery brand offers more than just
stationary power tools and equipment. It includes air
compressors, cordless drills, pressure washers, and related
accessories.
A Look Ahead
No one can anticipate the future; however, one prediction
can be made with certainty - Delta Machinery's tomorrows
will center around quality, innovation, and people. The
spirit of Herbert Tautz will live on through the company
well beyond 100 years. It is a safe bet that Delta will
continue to pioneer the breakthroughs that make woodworking
a little easier. |
