Our History

THE HISTORY

 

1941

Wood/as! Machinery began on June 11, 1941, when two young toolmakers John Hagan and Bonar Powell established a small tool manufacturing

company in Woodville. South Australia under the name ‘P & H Tools SA’.

 

1944

The first woodworking machine a small belt and disc sander, was manufactured in 1944 and marketed under the trade name Woodfast. This

was followed by a 100mm (4") buzzer (Jointer) and later by a very successful 14" cast iron frame Bandsaw. It was this machine that laid the basis of an association

with McPhersons which was one of the company's largest customers for more than thirty years.

 

1946

In 1946, a 6" Jointer was added to the range and it was decided to discontinue the manufacture of engineer's hand tools and to concentrate on woodworking machinery. Also in 1946, John Hagan became the sale proprietor of the company which is still owned by his family.

1950

It was not until 1950, however, that the name of the company was changed to Woodfast Machinery Co. a reflection of the progress that had been made in serving the great demand for woodworking machinery after World War II. October, 1950, bought the Port Road property. Building extensions were made and by 1952,

 

1963

In 1963, extensions had given the factory a total area of 270,000 square feet and by June, 1965, the number of employees has grown to 61. Bythen, the firm, now Woodfast

Machinery Co. was producing 21 different machines. These not onlyenjoyed good sales throughoutAustralia but, in addition, 12% of thetotal production was being exported.

 

1980

By 1980, the factory floor space had grown to 360,000 square feet and plans were being made to design and erect a new showrooms and administration complex on the

Port Rd. frontage. This wascompleted in 1984 at a cost of $300 000

 

Whilst Woodfast continues to make a wide range of vvoodworking machinery including wood lathes, planer-thicknessers, circular sawsand dust extractors, the company also represents equipment from overseas manufacturers, notably from Italy, Germany and England. Recently, for example, Woodfast was appointed South Australian Agents for the highly respected range of

SICAR wood machines from Italy.

 

1984

In 1984, Mr. Hagan retired from the role of Managing Director having led the development of the company for more than 40 years. He was replaced by Mr Bronte Edwards.

 

 

1991

Today, Wood fast Machinery occupies its own two acre complex which includes a large, modern factory, office and showrooms.

 

1995

Dale Nish is shown here demonstrating a Woodfast lathe on the Craft Supplies USA stand at the 1995 Woodworking in American Show.Organised by the American Woodworker Magazine,

the Show was conducted between November 10 and 12 at Fort Washington. Philadelphia.

 

2004

In 2004 Woodfast Machinery Co sold to QCR China manufacturing company the following in total:

910. The design and manufacturing rights for two Woodturning lathes. Models C-1000 and M910.
911. Also the singular word only WOODFAST in horizontal font.

 

 

2014

WOODFAST was registerd as a trademark by Qingdao Jinling Electric Company (QCR) of Qingdao China.