​​​​Further Development of Arkote​​

However, the future of Arkote has been even brighter. In 1979, Arkote acquired the long-established Sheffield cutlery manufacturer Samuel Staniforth Limited. Over the following two decades, Arkote became one of the leading manufacturers of professional knives for the foodservice and meat processing industries, a business that was sold in 1999.

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In 1985, a severe fire broke out at Arkote’s Hawk Works factory. The entire staff worked tirelessly to rebuild production, demonstrating the company’s strong cohesion and spirit of cooperation. Remarkably, the incident did not affect any customers, and very few people were even aware that Arkote had faced such a disaster. Arkote employees typically have long tenures; as one saying goes, “Arkote’s employees don’t leave—they retire.”

 

In 2002, Chairman John Osborne and Managing Director Joe Truelove decided to sell the company. In December of the same year, Arkote was acquired by Fi-Tech Inc., based in Richmond, Virginia, USA, which had long been Arkote’s representative in North America.

 

There was little change after the acquisition: John Osborne remained a director until 2007, when he formally retired. His contributions to Arkote remain clearly evident.

 

Fi-Tech is owned by the Bassett family and has been Arkote’s agent in the US and Canada since 1980. Chairman Lee Bassett began collaborating with Arkote as early as 1967.

 

Fi-Tech is a well-known supplier of “Adamantine” grinding wheels and abrasives, products introduced to the tobacco industry in 1967. These electroplated grinding tools, manufactured according to original specifications, contain high-quality industrial diamonds or Borazon® (a synthetic diamond material developed by General Electric in the US). They are widely used in cigarette manufacturing and assembly machinery. All grinding wheels and abrasives are produced using modern, environmentally friendly processes.

 

Fi-Tech Inc. is also a major supplier of equipment and parts to the nonwoven fabric and synthetic fiber industries. Today, Fi-Tech Europe is located within Arkote’s headquarters to serve spare parts and machinery needs in the UK and Europe.

 

In Sheffield, Arkote maintains close collaboration with special steel technology and rapidly integrates new technologies into its production process—one of the key factors behind its long-term success. Although modern technology continues to advance, the discerning eyes and skilled hands of artisans still play an important role in the final product quality.

 

Currently, Arkote’s factory utilizes rolled alloy steel, continuous electric furnaces, automatic grinding, and polishing equipment—markedly different from earlier production methods. Rigorous quality control throughout the process ensures consistent dimensions, hardness, and surface finish. Arkote’s products are renowned worldwide for their high performance and reliability.

 

In addition to manufacturing primary and secondary cigarette processing knives, Arkote supplies cigar cutters, special carbide tools, and consumable parts. The company also provides grinding consumables used in primary tobacco processing and manufacturing assembly areas.

 

Arkote offers original specification, high-quality combined grinding wheels for most tobacco cutting machines, along with diamond dressers required for grinding wheels. As the world leader in its niche market, Arkote exports up to 90% of its products to over 80 countries, offering fast and reliable global delivery services.

 

In response to business growth, Arkote decided to move from Hawk Works to a larger facility. The new factory is located beside Sheffield Parkway, adjacent to the UK’s main north-south motorway, the M1. Developer J F Finnegan agreed to build a custom facility to Arkote’s specifications, and the relocation was completed in October 2008.

 

The following year, Arkote expanded into a new business area. Joseph Pickering Ltd, founded in 1824, was originally a well-known manufacturer of Blanco metal polishes, later transforming into a packaging box manufacturer. Arkote was a customer for their “lined boxes.” After Pickering’s bankruptcy in 2009, Arkote acquired that division. Today, Arkote not only produces its own packaging boxes but also sells them to former Pickering customers and other well-known companies such as Selfridges and the UK National Archives.

 

In 2015, the Arkote Group further diversified beyond the tobacco industry by acquiring Hardy UK Ltd, located near the Liverpool port area. Hardy specializes in designing and manufacturing spiral blades for the global leather industry, used in peeling and fleshing processes. This acquisition integrated Hardy’s century-old brand reputation and injected new energy into technological innovation and sustainable manufacturing.

 

In early 2016, Arkote acquired HMK Ltd, based in Congleton, Cheshire. The two companies had long cooperated in supplying tungsten carbide tools for the tobacco industry. This acquisition not only expanded the product line but also provided HMK with a stable future.

 

With over 130 years of history, Arkote and its group companies continue to thrive and innovate well into the 21st century.