History
Sawyer was founded in 1948 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a manufacturer of pipeline equipment. Over the past 70-plus years,
we have grown from a regional manufacturer into a global provider of pipeline and welding equipment, and
custom fabricated components for the oil and gas industry.
Explore Key Moments in our History:
SAWYER HISTORY
Moving to Tulsa
Red Sawyer is employed by Manning, Maxwell and Moore and transferred from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Exploring opportunities
Red Sawyer begins exploring several business opportunities around Tulsa, including refinery work. He leases a building on King Street to refine and refurbish valves and fittings.
Supplying Pipeline Equipment – Compact and Large Manual Internal Clamp
Whitey Crose, Crose Manufacturing, approaches Red Sawyer about fulfilling the equipment needs of pipeliners. Red Sawyer and engineer AB Jensen form a partnership, Sawyer-Jensen Company, with their first location at the intersection of First and Lewis in Tulsa. To meet the basic pipeline requirements of aligning pipe and cutting and..Read More
Coupon Cutter
The Coupon Cutter is developed and manufactured to cut a consistent, quick sample for testing welds. On the pipeline, welders require an AC power source for the jobsite. Sawyer Manufacturing Company introduces Power Buggies, an AC generator. Slag Busters to clean welds between passes are also developed and released.
Thomas G. Sawyer on the Pipeline
Thomas G. Sawyer, son of Red Sawyer, at age 14, begins working on the pipeline as a laborer. This time spent working on the pipeline would later prove beneficial when designing equipment for the pipeline.
Equipment Lines Expand
As the demand for oil grows, so does the pipeline size and infrastructure along with environmental regulations. Sawyer Manufacturing Company diversifies alongside the increasing demand, developing more than 25 equipment solutions for the expanding industry.
Elizabeth Login Joins the Team
Sawyer Manufacturing Company welcomes Elizabeth Logan, Office Manager, to the team.
Thomas G Sawyer Joins the Team
Thomas G. Sawyer began working full-time at Sawyer Manufacturing Company handling service and equipment design.
Pipe Bending Machines
Sawyer Manufacturing Company continues to diversify and designs a revolutionary approach to the manner in which cylinders are used on pipe bending machines. As a natural progression to building cylinders and bending machine components, Sawyer Manufacturing Company also begins manufacturing bending machines for Mid-Continent Pipeline Equipment Co (MidCon).
Sawyer Brand Equipment
Sawyer Manufacturing Company expands its distribution and begins to manufacture and sell equipment under the Sawyer brand.
#3 Quick Set Beveling Machine
Sawyer Manufacturing Company develops and manufactures the internal workings for side booms. Draw Works, a Double Spool Winch, is manufactured for MJ Crose Manufacturing to be used on an Alice Chalmers Pipe Layer.
Second Facility
Sawyer Manufacturing Company expands to its second facility, located at 1031 N. Columbia Place.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is built to combat the sharp rise in oil prices after the 1973 oil crisis. During this time, Sawyer Manufacturing Company continues to produce innovative pipeline equipment and expand its product line.
George Bright Retires
George Bright, Shop Manager, retires after 27 years with Sawyer Manufacturing Company.
Red Sawyer Retires
Red Sawyer retires after 31 years; his son, Thomas G. Sawyer, succeeds as President.
Richard Mason Joins the Team
Richard Mason, Shop Manager, joins the Sawyer team to supervise the manufacturing of Sawyer equipment.
Improved Coupon Cutter
Sawyer Manufacturing Company develops and manufactures an improved design of the Coupon Cutter.
Scott Persson Joins the Team
Scott Persson, the grandson of Red Sawyer, starts working at Sawyer Manufacturing Company.
Tulsa Fast 40
Sawyer Mfg. Co is included in the Journal Record – Tulsa Fast 40. A list of the 40 fastest growing companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Richard Mason Retires
Richard Mason, Shop Manager, retires after 32 years with Sawyer Manufacturing Company
John Morelock Joins the Team
John Morelock, Shop Manager, joins the Sawyer team to supervise the manufacturing and development of Sawyer equipment and fabrication.
Manufacturer of the Year
Sawyer Mfg. Co is awarded the Manufacturer of the Year award from the Tulsa Regional Chamber
Tom Sawyer Retires
Thomas G Sawyer, President and son of founder Red Sawyer retires after over 50 years of service
Oklahoma Small Business Exporter of the Year
After being named as the Region VI Exporter of the Year, the U.S. Small Business Administration elects Sawyer Mfg. as the Oklahoma Small Business Exporter of the Year and sends them on to the national level award.
Region VI Exporter of the Year
The U.S. Small Business Administration names Sawyer Mfg. Company as the Region VI Exporter of the Year. As the regional winner, Sawyer is sent on to the state competition.
National Exporter of the Year
Sawyer Mfg. Company wins at the national level and is named as the 2015 National Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting
Sawyer Mfg. Co is awarded the 2018 Oklahoma Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting
INC. 5000
Sawyer Mfg. Company is included on the Inc. 5000 list – #3384 – a list of the fastest-growing privately owned business in America.
INC. 5000
Sawyer Mfg. Company is included on the Inc. 5000 list – #3886 – a list of the fastest-growing privately owned business in America.
Manufacturer of the Year
Sawyer Mfg. Co is awarded the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year award from the Tulsa Regional Chamber
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting
Sawyer Mfg. Co is awarded the 2021 Oklahoma Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting
The Cowboy100
Sawyer Mfg. Company is included in The Cowboy100 – recognizing outstanding entrepreneurship throughout OSU’s alumni base.
Oklahoma Manufacturer of the Year
Sawyer Mfg. Co. is awarded the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year award for the state of Oklahoma from the U.S. Small Business Administration
INC. Regionals: Southwest – #160
Sawyer Mfg. Co. is awarded the INC. Regional award for the Southwest Region.
Oklahoma District Export Council – Export Champion
Sawyer Mfg. Co. is recognized as the Export Champion by the Oklahoma District Export Council.
The Cowboy100
Sawyer Mfg. Company is included in The Cowboy100 – recognizing outstanding entrepreneurship throughout OSU’s alumni base.