Top drawer welcome
The ribbon was cut with a one-of-a-kind 2-foot blade.
But did anyone expect anything less grand when Buck Knives staged a ribbon-cutting at its new manufacturing plant in Post Falls?
“I was asked, ‘Why didn’t you guys come up here a long time ago?’ ” said company chairman Chuck Buck, 69. “I wish I had.”
The residents of Kootenai County gave Buck and his company a big, better-now-than-never welcome as approximately 500 people turned out for the ceremony on a breezy, but sunny, Saturday morning. Many stayed for a tour of the plant and were wowed by the roomy reception area that is part museum, part hunting lodge with mounted sheep, boars, antelopes and other animals throughout.
Buck’s son, company president and CEO CJ Buck, Sen. Larry Craig and Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin were among those who spoke at the 40-minute ceremony.
“I really think it’s great to be in a state whose governor’s first name is Dirk,” CJ Buck, 44, said before reading a letter from Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.
Since the 1940s, the 103-year-old, family-owned business had been based in Southern California, most recently El Cajon. However, after growing up in Kansas in the early 1900s, founder Hoyt Heath Buck moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, so moving to Post Falls is a homecoming of sorts.
The decision to leave California came about three years ago. The family said it selected Post Falls – over strong contenders Bend, Ore., and Liberty Lake – because it was sold on the state’s legislative climate.
Steve Griffitts, second-year president of Jobs Plus, the area’s economic development corporation, said 81 companies have relocated to North Idaho since 1987, translating into 4,700 jobs. Most of the credit for the push to Post Falls for Buck Knives was given to past Jobs Plus president Bob Potter, who spoke, along with Griffitts, at Saturday’s ceremony.
“We need the work in the area,” said Jason Herr, 25, of Post Falls.
Herr, who previously worked in telemarketing, was hired as an assembly worker in April. About 50 employees from the California plant relocated to North Idaho, and another 175 people have been hired. The company – whose signature product is the 110 folding knife – manufactures hunting, fishing, outdoors and other sport knives.
Chuck Buck, who moved his family to Coeur d’Alene, said the local work force could reach 300 employees.
“It depends on business,” he added, “and right now business is growing.”
One reason for the boom is because competitor Imperial Schrade closed on July 30, 2004, after 100 years of business. Buck’s biggest competitor is Gerber Legendary Blades, headquartered in Portland.
Buck Knives’ 128,000-square-foot factory, at 660 S. Lochsa St. in Riverbend Commerce Park, will manufacture half of the company’s knives, Chuck Buck said. Some of the company’s 80 products are made overseas.
The company’s factory store will open Monday. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are available Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended and closed-toe shoes are required. Call (208) 262-0500.