This company's website says, "since 1963", which is likely the year that predecessor firm Fletcher-Tolbert Machine Co. was founded. In the late 1970s or early 1980s, Ray Fletcher bought out partner Dave Tolbert's share. Tolbert then founded a small machinery firm called Lexington Machines. That firm lasted a few years before shutting down.
Fletcher Machine Co. makes automated industrial woodworking machinery, especially sanders. They produced some of the physically largest woodworking machines ever seen. More recently, furniture manufacturing has mostly moved offshore, and Fletcher has adapted by producing smaller machines specialized for the remaining domestic wood manufacturing industries, especially flooring and door making.
Information Sources
- Correspondent Matthew Miller provided much of the information here.