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A manufacturing company that is a "cut above"

Diamond Saw Works celebrating more than a century
Posted at 9:46 PM, Dec 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 21:46:32-05

This is a company that is on the cutting edge, and not just because they manufacture saw blades. Diamond Saw Works in Chaffee is one of the last of it's kind. Their Sterling Brand is sold to industries all over North America.

They started in 1890. In 1956 they relocated to Chaffee from downtown Buffalo. CEO Jim Ziemer considers himself one of the new guys, even though he's been there for eleven years. Jim says "I had to learn every job and also went to metallurgy school"

There is no assembly line here. This is precision work using the latest technology. They have a few artifacts from the good old days including a blade making machine that dates back over 100 years.

The company is about 60% employee owned and according to Jim Ziemer their goal is to eventually make that 100%,

One of their long term employees, accountant Sally Powell, has been here for 53 years and has no plans to retire.