Fifty-Nine Years of Focus on Power Tool Accessories
When Lee B. Thomas Sr. founded American Saw & Tool Co. in November 1947, he was aware of the progress in the development and popularization of power tools and the inevitable need for replacement of cutting tools that did the job. Mr. Thomas, who had come to Louisville, Kentucky from Chicago a year earlier to manage American Elevator Co., had a long history in the hardware business. As a boy he worked in his father’s hardware store, and during college he studied merchandising. Afterwards he worked for the Ernst Hardware Co. and later became a buyer for R.H. Macy Co., as head of the hardware department. Later he spent 12 years with Butler Brothers in charge of merchandising. In addition, he also spent several years as President of Ekco Products, a manufacturer of houseware goods. These combined experiences equipped him with the knowledge and expertise to embark on his own major venture, the implementation of his “replacement tool” idea.
American Saw & Tool commenced business with one customer, Sears Roebuck & Co.; one product, a circular saw blade; and one plant, the old American Elevator plant in Louisville. The first shipment of saw blades left Louisville the first week of January 1948.
Assisting Mr. Thomas were two former American Elevator employees, W.E. (Gene) Cowley, handling the engineering functions, and John Beam, who managed administrative matters.
At first some of the old American Elevator equipment was used to develop a prototype saw blade. Later, grinders, gear cutters and war surplus machines were adapted to expand the business with its modest capital.