Fisher-Barton
Fisher-Barton is an employee-owned US manufacturer of wear-resistant cutting and wear components, supplying proprietary metallurgical blades, industrial knives, thermal-spray coatings, and bronze gears to OEM customers across turf care, recycling, construction, and energy sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersWatertown, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Fisher-Barton does
Fisher-Barton is a privately held, employee-owned manufacturer specializing in metallurgical engineering and advanced heat treatment for high-wear and cutting components. Founded in 1973 by Richard (Dick) L. Wilkey and headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin, the company operates nine facilities across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Vietnam and is self-described as the world's largest manufacturer of lawn mower blades, producing over 900 unique OEM rotary blade designs annually. Core proprietary technologies include the MARBAIN austempering heat treatment process (48-52 Rc hardness), FluxFuse in-line thermal spray coating, and FUSIONbond post-coating heat treatment, which together underpin performance claims of up to 7-10x wear life versus competitive offerings across blades, shredders, and industrial knives.
The company operates through six core product divisions: Turf Care Products (LaserEdge, ELIMINATOR, TERMINATOR blades for residential and commercial mowers), Industrial Knives under the Zenith Cutter and Metkraft brands (corrugated, converting, recycling, tire and wire shredding, roofing, steel slitting, and wood processing knives), Engineered Coating Solutions via the TST division (FluxFuse and FUSIONbond thermal spray services), Wear Products for agriculture, construction, mining and energy, Bronze Gear Components through Accurate Specialties (centrifugal, continuous cast, and composite gear blanks), and Braking Technology including composite rotors and precision calipers. The portfolio is protected by multiple registered patents and trademarks and is ISO 9001:2015 certified across all facilities with ITAR compliance for defense work.
Fisher-Barton generates revenue exclusively through B2B channels as an embedded OEM supplier. Pricing is quote-based against customer specifications and volume commitments, typically structured as multi-year contracts, with no direct-to-consumer sales. Distribution is hybrid: OEM direct supply to manufacturers such as John Deere, Honda, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, Kubota, Toro, Bobcat, Ariens, and Scag, supplemented by aftermarket sales through OEM dealer and e-commerce networks; the Metkraft Vietnam division provides additional Asian manufacturing capacity. The company entered the industrial knives market via the 2011 acquisition of Zenith Cutter (founded 1923), transitioned to employee ownership in 2026, and received the 2025 John Deere Sustainability Award.
Fisher-Barton firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fisher-Barton
- Legal name
- Fisher Barton
- Website
- https://fisherbarton.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Fisher-Barton is an employee-owned US manufacturer of wear-resistant cutting and wear components, supplying proprietary metallurgical blades, industrial knives, thermal-spray coatings, and bronze gears to OEM customers across turf care, recycling, construction, and energy sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fisher-Barton industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Wear and Cutting Components Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216), Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328)
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Surface Treatment & Finishing Equipment (Coating, Plating, Deburring, Shot Blasting) (IMAHADAJ)
Keywords
Where Fisher-Barton is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Watertown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Fisher-Barton business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- OEM Component Manufacturing: Fisher Barton generates revenue by manufacturing and selling high-wear components (lawn mower blades, industrial knives, wear parts, bronze gear components, braking systems) directly to OEM manufacturers. The company operates as an engineering-driven manufacturing partner, supplying parts that are incorporated into OEM finished products. Pricing is negotiated through quotes for custom-engineered components.
- Thermal Spray Coating Services: The TST (Thermal Spray Technologies) division provides coating services to external customers, applying wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, dielectric, and thermally barrier coatings to customer-supplied parts. FluxFuse and FUSIONbond coating processes are offered both on internally manufactured products and on customer-provided components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | OEM direct supply — custom engineered components priced via quotation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Fisher-Barton product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fisher-Barton manufactures high-wear and cutting components, including lawn mower blades, industrial knives, wear parts, bronze gear blanks, and braking systems, using proprietary metallurgical processes such as MARBAIN® austempering heat treatment, FluxFuse® thermal spray coating, and FUSIONbond® coating technology. The company operates as an OEM supplier, embedding components into finished products of brands like John Deere, Honda, Husqvarna, and Cub Cadet, and also provides engineered coating services through its TST division.
Product overview
Fisher Barton is an employee-owned, engineering-driven manufacturing company that develops advanced technologies, surface solutions, and precision components to deliver high-performance products across a wide range of industries. The company's product portfolio centers on six core offerings: (1) Turf Care Products including rotary and reel mower blades marketed under brands like LaserEdge® Eversharp™, ELIMINATOR®, and TERMINATOR™; (2) Industrial Knives through Zenith Cutter® and Metkraft® divisions for corrugated, converting, recycling, roofing, wood products, and steel slitting applications, including the proprietary Shredzilla® and Wolverine™ blades; (3) Engineered Coating Solutions via the TST division providing Fluxfuse® and FUSIONbond® thermal spray coating technologies; (4) Bronze Gear Components through Accurate Specialties offering centrifugal cast, continuous cast, and composite gear blanks; (5) Wear Products utilizing patented MARBAIN® material technology; and (6) Tension Brake Systems for industrial applications. Key proprietary technologies include MARBAIN® (patented heat-treated material at 48-52 Rockwell C), Fluxfuse® (thermal coating process), and FUSIONbond® (metallurgical coating bonding). The company operates nine facilities across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Vietnam with in-house capabilities spanning heat treating, machining, laser welding, coating, and packaging.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zenith Cutter: Industrial knife division providing corrugated, converting, recycling, roofing, and wood products cutting solutions
- Metkraft
- Accurate Specialties
- TST Thermal Spray Technologies
- Shredzilla
- LaserEdge Eversharp
- ELIMINATOR
- TERMINATOR
- MARBAIN
- FluxFuse
- FUSIONbond
- Wolverine
- Tension Brake System
Products and services
- Turf Care Products Rotary and reel mower blades, mulching blades, shredding blades, and electric mower blades for residential and commercial lawn mower OEMs. World's largest manufacturer of lawn mower blades.
- LaserEdge® Eversharp™ Self-Sharpening Mower Blades
Quantifiable outcome
- MARBAIN blades are 7-12 Rc points harder than industry norm, improving wear resistance by 33% over conventional austempering processes
- +13 more outcomes
Companies that use Fisher-Barton
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fisher-Barton technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Fisher-Barton partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- John DeerecoreFisher Barton is an OEM direct supplier of lawn mower blades to John Deere. Fisher Barton blades are incorporated into John Deere lawn mowers and golf course equipment, with replacement blades sold through John Deere's dealer network and e-commerce storefront.
- HusqvarnacoreFisher Barton supplies lawn mower blades, including LaserEdge Eversharp self-sharpening blades, to Husqvarna for incorporation into their mower products. Replacement blades are available through Husqvarna dealer channels.
- Cub CadetcoreFisher Barton supplies lawn mower blades including LaserEdge Eversharp blades to Cub Cadet. Replacement blades are sold through Cub Cadet's dealer network and online storefront.
- KubotacoreFisher Barton supplies OEM lawn mower blades to Kubota. LaserEdge blades are available through Kubota's dealer network and online channels.
- BobcatcoreFisher Barton supplies replacement lawn mower blades to Bobcat. LaserEdge blades are available through Bobcat's dealer network and e-commerce channel (shop.bobcat.com).
- ArienscoreFisher Barton supplies OEM blades to Ariens, including LaserEdge self-sharpening blades. Replacement blades sold through Ariens dealer network and online parts portal.
- GravelycoreFisher Barton supplies Gravely with OEM lawn mower blades including LaserEdge. Replacement blades available through Gravely dealer network.
- FerriscoreFisher Barton supplies replacement mower blades to Ferris through Ferris' dealer network and FerrisPartsDepot.com e-commerce channel.
- GrasshoppercoreFisher Barton supplies LaserEdge blades to Grasshopper. Replacement blades available through Grasshopper dealer network and online storefront.
- ExmarkcoreFisher Barton supplies OEM mower blades to Exmark. Replacement blades available through Exmark's dealer network and shop.exmark.com e-commerce channel.
- TorocoreFisher Barton supplies OEM blades to Toro. Replacement blades sold through Toro dealer network and Toro dealer website.
- SnapperProcoreFisher Barton supplies OEM blades to SnapperPro. Replacement blades available through SnapperPro dealer network.
- ScagcoreFisher Barton supplies OEM mower blades to Scag. Replacement blades sold through Scag's dealer network.
- HondacoreFisher Barton supplies OEM replacement blades to Honda. Replacement blades available through Honda power equipment dealer network and online portal.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fisher-Barton competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stens Corporation: Stens is a leading distributor and brand of aftermarket replacement parts for outdoor power equipment, including mower blades. It competes directly with Fisher Barton's aftermarket blade business across dealer, distributor, and e-commerce channels.
- Simonds International: Simonds is a long-established manufacturer of industrial saws, knives, and cutting tools for woodworking, metalworking, and processing industries. It directly competes with Fisher Barton's Zenith Cutter industrial knife business across converting, paper, and wood products.
- Arnold (The Arnold Company): Arnold is a major manufacturer of replacement lawn mower blades, cutting attachments, and outdoor power equipment consumables. It competes directly with Fisher Barton in the aftermarket replacement blade category sold through dealer networks and e-commerce.
- Hyperion Materials & Technologies: Hyperion manufactures cemented carbide, diamond, and cubic boron nitride products including cutting tools and wear parts. It competes with Fisher Barton's industrial knives, carbide-capped shredder blocks (Shredzilla), and wear-resistant components in processing and recycling applications.
- Blount International (Oregon): Blount's Oregon brand is a leading manufacturer of cutting consumables for outdoor power equipment, including lawn mower blades and chainsaw products. Oregon competes directly with Fisher Barton's turf care blades business across the same OEM and aftermarket channels.
Broad incumbents
- Kennametal: Kennametal is a large, diversified manufacturer of metal cutting tools, wear parts, and engineered components serving industrial and infrastructure markets. It is a broad incumbent competitor to Fisher Barton's industrial knives, wear products, and engineered coating offerings, with a much larger global footprint.
- Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde): Praxair Surface Technologies (now part of Linde) provides thermal spray coatings and surface engineering services to aerospace, industrial, and energy customers. It competes with Fisher Barton's FluxFuse and FUSIONbond coating services, particularly in aerospace, energy, and large industrial OEM accounts.
- Sandvik: Sandvik is a global engineering group with a major metal cutting tools and industrial knives business. While not focused on lawn mower blades, Sandvik competes with Fisher Barton's Zenith Cutter industrial knives division in corrugated, converting, and processing markets.
- Bodycote: Bodycote is the world's largest commercial heat treatment and thermal processing services provider. It competes with Fisher Barton's TST division and in-house heat treatment capabilities for outsourced heat treating and surface engineering work from OEMs across industrial verticals.
Regional players
- Wallwork Heat Treatment: Wallwork is a UK-based commercial heat treatment and surface engineering services provider serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial OEMs. It competes with Fisher Barton's TST thermal spray coating and heat treatment services, primarily in European markets where Fisher Barton's direct presence is more limited.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fisher-Barton social profiles
Digital presenceFisher-Barton compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Fisher-Barton financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fisher-Barton leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Fisher-Barton subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Fisher-Barton funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fisher-Barton M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fisher-Barton
What does Fisher-Barton do?
Fisher-Barton manufactures high-wear and cutting components, including lawn mower blades, industrial knives, wear parts, bronze gear blanks, and braking systems, using proprietary metallurgical processes such as MARBAIN® austempering heat treatment, FluxFuse® thermal spray coating, and FUSIONbond® coating technology. The company operates as an OEM supplier, embedding components into finished products of brands like John Deere, Honda, Husqvarna, and Cub Cadet, and also provides engineered coating services through its TST division.
Is Fisher-Barton a public or private company?
Fisher-Barton is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Fisher-Barton founded?
Fisher-Barton was founded in 1973. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Fisher-Barton based?
Fisher-Barton is headquartered in Watertown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fisher-Barton make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. OEM Component Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are thermal Spray Coating Services.
Who are Fisher-Barton's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stens Corporation, Simonds International, Arnold (The Arnold Company), Hyperion Materials & Technologies and Blount International (Oregon). Broad incumbents are Kennametal, Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde), Sandvik and Bodycote. Wallwork Heat Treatment is listed as a regional player.
Does Fisher-Barton have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fisher-Barton.
What industry is Fisher-Barton in?
Fisher-Barton's product category is Industrial Wear and Cutting Components Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures), with a secondary code of IMAHADAJ, Surface Treatment & Finishing Equipment (Coating, Plating, Deburring, Shot Blasting). Its NAICS code is 332216 and its SIC code is 3420.