Supershear
Lister saves Supershear brand with acquisition move
With the backing of Wahl Clipper Corporation, Lister Shearing Equipment Ltd has announced that it has acquired the Supershear brand and assets.Supershear ceased trading earlier this year due to challenging economic factors and a strategic change in direction from its parent company, Tru-Test Group.
With over 100 years of servicing the rural communities the Supershear brand is very much part of Australia and New Zealand’s sheep shearing history.
Often still referred to as ‘Cooper-Stewart’ or ‘Sunbeam’ within the industry the story began in 1893 when Stewart & Clark founded the Chicago Flexible Shaft Company and began manufacturing flexible drive shafts and mechanical sheep shearing equipment. Eventually becoming Cooper-Stewart Sheep Shearing Machinery Co in1896 and then the Sunbeam Corporation in 1948, the Supershear brand name was eventually founded in 2001 whenSunbeam made the strategic decision to brand all its shearing products as “Supershear” before selling its rural division to the Tru-Test Group.
Alun Williams, the Managing Director of Lister Shearing Equipment Ltd said: “Originally known as Chicago Flexible Drives, Cooper-Stewart, then Sunbeam, the Supershear brand name has enjoyed a loyal following for many years and has managed to achieve an iconic status within the wool and shearing industries around the world. With over a century of association with the rural community, it would have been a significant loss to see this well respected name disappear.”
Mr Williams went on to say: “Our commercial intentions for the future of Supershear and its product portfolio are very clear. Supershear has a strong global foundation in the shearing and rural markets and our intention is to build on this reputation by continuing to manufacture products using the original Supershear specifications, designs and processes. Wahl Clipper Corporation has made significant investments to ensure that all the original Supershear machinery and tooling will be relocated to the UK, further demonstrating our commitment and dedication to the future of this celebrated brand.”
Now in its 91st year, Wahl Clipper Corporation is an international industry leader in the manufacturing of clipping products for the professional, consumer and animal grooming markets. Headquartered in Sterling, Illinois, Wahl currently employs some 2,200 people worldwide and Wahl products are available in 165 countries around the world.
Greg Wahl CEO/Chairman/President of Wahl Clipper Corporation added: ‘Wahl products remain the global standard for integrity, value and efficiency. Here at Wahl, we are proud of our heritage of excellence and we are committed to ensuring that the same traditions and values that are synonymous with the Supershear brand remain at the core of the Lister business. By combining the strengths of two world class manufacturing organisations into one focused supplier we will bring value-added benefits for everyone involved.”
Further information relating to Lister Shearing Equipments acquisition of the Supershear brand and assets can be found at: