About Us
Our Story
William (Bill) E. Crawford was born in Fyffe, Alabama and moved to Detroit, Michigan in November of 1954. He met Willodean (Dean) Martin, who was born in Waynesboro, Tennessee and had moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1950. They were married in 1955 and had 2 children - James A. Crawford and Nancy C. Black. Bill worked in various auto plants until 1957 when he went to work for Rotary Tool in Detroit, Michigan. He left Rotary Tool in 1964 and went to work for Special Carbide in Warren, Michigan.
Bill moved the family in the fall of 1970 to Greer, South Carolina to work for Amamco Tool. Bill and Dean started their business, Crawford Saw & Tool in 1982 working out of the basement of their home. Bill made tools, sharpened tools and saw blades, picking up and making deliveries. Dean worked at Belk full time while handling the invoicing, accounts payable, ordering and other office duties for Crawford Saw & Tool.
In 1992 they built the shop on Biblebrook Drive in Greer, South Carolina and moved out of their basement into the new building. Through the years the business was blessed and continued to grow from Bill and Dean to a staff of nine. Over the years the employees helped contribute to the company's growth in many ways and Bill and Dean will forever be grateful for all of their hard work and loyalty.
In 2003 the shop building was expanded to include a showroom, storage room and garage. Bill started working with one hand grinder and a Foley Bell Saw machine. He also progressed to Robotic C & C Wright machines and the NC3 & NC5 Walter Machines. Over the years Bill was able to have a shop full of machines and equipment that helped with expanding as technology continued to change. This became even more necessary for him as Bill's specialty was making new tools to meet customer's unique needs.
In July of 2020, Bill passed away from complications due to COVID. Dean ran the business for a short period of time and decided to sell the company to her grandson Erick C. Black, native of Greer, South Carolina. Erick is a long time employee of Crawford Saw & Tool and Bill's planned successor of the company. Through the years Bill spent time with Erick teaching him the in's and out's of the business as well as tips and tricks of Bill's speciality of making new tools. With Erick as the new owner he wants to continue all his grandparents started and keep Bill's legacy alive.