Vermont American Gets To 60
MT. PROSPECT, Ill. – Vermont American, a brand that started with one customer, one product and one plant and became a major manufacturer of power-tool accessories, turned 60 last month.
The tool maker, now part of the Robert Bosch Tool Corp., produced its first product, a circular-saw blade, on Nov. 25, 1947, under the name of American Saw and Tool. Luckily, its initial and sole customer was a big catch: Sears, Roebuck & Co.
As one of the first exclusive “replacement tool” manufacturer, the company introduced steel dado blades, high-speed steel-router bits, and improved carbide-tool technology. In 1961, the company adopted its current Vermont American moniker.
In 2000, Robert Bosch bought the Vermont American brand, adding it to a lineup including Bosch®, Skil® and Dremel® products. This year, the company introduced its first line of diamond saw blades.