Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/141651
IDA MOVERS AND SHAKERS 12 Black Cat Blades on Scheduled IDA Pre-Tour October 7 Black Cat Blades began manufacturing cutting edges in Edmonton Alberta in 1968, originally as Delta Blades, a division of Union Tractor. The name was later changed to Black Cat Blades and in 1989 the division was purchased from the parent company by the current ownership and became Black Cat Blades Ltd. At that time the company was manufacturing in a small factory in Edmonton and distributing to a small network of dealers in western North America. In the years to follow aggressive expansion and distribution growth became the standard. In the 1970's and 80's, as machine size and horsepower increased, Black Cat invested heavily in the latest technology and equipment to produce higher quality, harder, tougher "Through Hardened" edges. Many other manufacturers during that time were clinging to the older technology, making their high carbon edges thicker to compensate for the lack of toughness. That dedication to being an industry leader fueled the company's growth and continues today. The first expansion of production capabilities came in 1993 when the first of two plants was opened in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. The 12,000 square foot "Main Street" factory, located four kilometers from the Gerdau Ameristeel steel mill, concentrates on producing the higher volume construction machinery cutting edges including grader blades, snow plow blades and carbide Black Cat Blades Ltd. Head Office & Factory Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Built in 1995, Expanded in 1999 36,000 square feet insert blades. Positioning a factory in close proximity to the prominent steel mill supplying the feed stock for these high volume products, removing the geographic disadvantage faced by the Edmonton factory, allowed for competitive distribution throughout eastern North America. This competitive positioning and low cost production was also the catalyst for a rapid expansion of the company's export opportunities outside of North America. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada remains the location of the corporate head office as well as a 36,000 square foot manufacturing facility the company built in 1995. Edmonton manufacturing is mainly responsible for processing heavy construction blades for bull IDA UNIVERSAL July-August 2013