Combined manufactured and marketed products include long handle tools, short handle tools, repair handles, pruning tools, wheelbarrows, lawn carts, hose reels, garden hose, snow tools, striking tools, decorative accessories, and planters. Ames True Temper is North America's largest manufacturer and marketer of non-powered lawn and garden tools. The company celebrated its 225-year anniversary in 1999 as the oldest continuing manufacturing business in the hardware and lawn and garden industry.
The Ames Company is recognized as the world's oldest manufacturer of shovels. The original business started in 1774 in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts by Captain John Ames. In 1808, Oliver Ames, the youngest son of Captain John Ames, moved the business to Easton, Massachusetts, and over a hundred years later, in 1932, the main office was moved to its current location in Parkersburg, West Virginia. True Temper Hardware Company dates back to 1808 when it began as "The Old Stone Forge," which later became The American Fork and Hoe Company. The company's name was changed in 1949 to True Temper reflecting the newly developed process of tempering steel. The company moved from Wallingford, VT, to Cleveland, OH, in the early 1900's and relocated to Camp Hill, PA, in 1981.The Ames and True Temper Companies merged in March of 1999 after U.S. Industries, Inc., Ames' parent company at the time, completed the purchase of True Temper Hardware Company from Huffy Corporation. The merger of these complementary lawn and garden product businesses made a positive impact on the industry by expanding product offerings and improving service and value to our customers. In January, 2002, WindPoint Partners, a private equity firm, purchased Ames True Temper from U.S. Industries. Since that time, three acquisitions have been completed to complement the Ames True Temper product portfolio and enhance sourcing capabilities. In November, 2002, Dynamic Design, the market leader in foam and plastic planters, was purchased. Outdoor Inspirations, marketer of garden hose featuring MicrobanTM antimicrobial protection, was acquired in May, 2003. And finally, Greenlife, a marketer of lawn and garden tools, was acquired in August, 2003. In June, 2004, Castle Harlan, a New York-based private equity investment firm, purchased Ames True Temper for a purchase price of $380 million (excluding fees and expenses), subject to working capital adjustments and certain other adjustments.Combined manufactured and marketed products include long handle tools, short handle tools, repair handles, pruning tools, wheelbarrows, lawn carts, hose reels, garden hose, snow tools, striking tools, decorative accessories, and planters. Ames True Temper is North America's largest manufacturer and marketer of non-powered lawn and garden tools. The company celebrated its 225-year anniversary in 1999 as the oldest continuing manufacturing business in the hardware and lawn and garden industry.
