Rex-Cut Abrasives celebrates 90 years in business
Leading abrasives manufacturer was founded in 1928.
FALL RIVER, MA — Rex-Cut Abrasives, a premium abrasives manufacturer, is celebrating its 90th year in business. Rex-Cut’s specialty abrasive material was invented in 1928 and over the following 9 decades the Massachusetts based company engineered, refined, and customized cotton-fiber abrasive products for metalworking industries.
HISTORY
In 1928 Edward Hurst, MIT graduate and Process Engineer, invented the technique of embedding abrasive grain in non-woven cotton-fiber while working for United Cotton Products in Boston, MA. United Cotton Products was a division of Rexall Drug and Chemical Company operating out of Fall River, MA. The original product was named “Fluff-Tex” and a patent was filed for the manufacturing process in 1935.
In 1960, Edward Hurst retired from United Cotton Products and his son, Robert H. Hurst, took over management. After this transition, the business changed hands several times before officially being called Rex-Cut Products in 1969.
Up until the early 1970’s, Rex-Cut manufactured and sold only bulk rolls of fabric for conversion to large abrasive companies. At this time Robert H. Hurst began purchasing equipment and converting the Rex-Cut abrasive material in-house. Rex-Cut’s first finish products were Type 27 Grinding wheels. Abrasive discs designed to sharpen gardening tools and lawn mower blades were second. Type 1 wheels followed and Mounted Points began being manufactured several years later. In 1978, Rex-Cut built a 60,000 square ft. facility located in the Fall River Industrial Park where it still operates today.
In 2008, Rex-Cut was sold to the employees as a 100% ESOP company, making it one of roughly 7,000 Employee Owned businesses in the United States today. In most recent news, the company began doing business as Rex-Cut Abrasives in 2011.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Rex-Cut is the oldest and primary manufacturer of cotton-fiber abrasive grinding and finishing products in the world. Over the years the small line has expanded to serve metalworking industries globally. Rex-Cut’s first international account was set up in the late 1970’s, and now the company ships to 54 countries.
The product line has grown and evolved to match cutting-edge applications and industries as well. Rex-Cut currently manufactures products for innovative applications such as jet engine turbine blade profiling, automotive braze blending, and 3D printing finish work.
PARTNERS
Rex-Cut began establishing its own network of industrial distributors to sell the Rex-Cut brand of finished abrasive products in the 1970’s. This network was and still is instrumental in spreading the Rex-Cut name and products throughout the United States and worldwide.
“At our 90 year mark we are reflecting on our history, dedicated team, and recognizing our loyal business partners,” said Bob Costa, President of Rex-Cut Abrasives. “We have a total of 228 Distributors that have been with us for over 20 years and we wouldn’t have reached this milestone without their help.”
To celebrate 9 decades in manufacturing, Rex-Cut will be selecting 9 of their long standing distributors to receive a gift. A celebration with all employee owners will take place in the fall.
“We want to thank our dedicated distributors and employees for their years of partnership and service,” said Bob Costa, President of Rex-Cut Abrasives. “We are looking forward to many more years of providing safe and efficient products for metalworking industries.”
Learn more at www.rexcut.com
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The April/May 2024 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
This digital edition is sponsored by BECK AMERICA Inc.
Our cover story, Masters of Fasteners, visits Interstate Screw Corp. of metro Miami, which serves the fastening needs of south Florida, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Also in this issue,our Industry Updates cover Adhesives, Tapes and Sealants, Anchoring Systems and Safety and PPE.
This digital edition is fully searchable and contains live links to every advertiser and new product listing. Click away!
