BLADE Magazine

The ribbon was cut during the grand opening of Smith’s Abrasives’ new worldwide headquarters, warehouse and distribution center located in beautiful historic Hot Springs, Arkansas. A grand opening celebration was held on Friday, July 9, 2010 with a BBQ lunch for the employees following a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.
“Due to considerable growth and success in the mass, sporting goods and housewares markets, we needed to expand our operations and chose to renovate this 35,000 square foot manufacturing facility. It was important for us to keep the business here in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where the company was founded over 124 years ago” , said Dan Glidden, CEO of Smith’s. “The completion of our new building is a big step in our company’s progress and it is definitely something to be celebrated!”
The new facility not only serves as a warehouse and distribution center, it also headquarters the US and International sales team, customer service, and in-house marketing and product development personnel for the Smith’s®, Edgeware™, Edgesport™ and new Edgework™ product lines.”
“At Smith’s we are committed to providing innovative new products to consumers at a great value. This new facility helps us stream line our process under one roof.” said Richard Smith, President. “We are excited by the companies continued success and look forward to the future opportunities this new location will help us develop.”
In support of their company value of operating in an environmentally sustainable manner, the facility features energy efficient lighting options throughout, as well as a unique, environmentally-friendly warehouse cooling system. In addition, Smith’s reused as much material as possible in the renovation process.

About Smith’s® and Edgeware™
Widely regarded as a world leader for sharpening tools since 1886, Smith’s® lays claim to the design and manufacture of the broadest line of knife and scissors sharpeners currently available. The company’s product offering includes both manual and electrical sharpeners ranging from the very simple to the sophisticated. It incorporates a wide variety of abrasive materials including diamond, carbide, ceramic, bonded synthetic abrasives and natural Arkansas stones. For more information about the complete line of Smith’s® products visit www.smithsedge.com.
Smith’s new Edgeware™ brand offers Housewares retailers high performance edge sharpeners for the most discerning consumers, and beginning in early 2010, high-end food preparation kitchen tools synonymous with exceptional value, Edgeware™ is a brand marketed towards the high-end specialty retail market. For more information about the complete line of Edgeware™ products by Smith’s®, visit www.edgewareproducts.com or contact the company at: [email protected] or +1.501.321 2244. For media inquiries or additional images, please contact Melissa Moore at Smith’s (800) 221-4156 ex. 610 or [email protected].