About Us
Dependable, Reputable, Recognizable, Uncompromising Quality, the Standard in Wood/Metal Sanding.
The Oakley Company is recognized throughout the world for superior wood/metal sanding equipment. Its legacy continues and we would like to thank you all for your business!
Our History
Driven by passion since inception...
The Oakley Company, Inc. was founded by David S. “Sam” Oakley in 1933, during the Great Depression, for the purpose of designing and building the double belt stroke sander that he had envisioned as a young boy working in the furniture plants of North Carolina. He selected Bristol, Tennessee as the site for his new business, because of its proximity to the Carolina and Virginia furniture manufacturing hubs. Also, at that time, Bristol was known for its many cast iron foundries and steel and electrical supply houses, facilities that were a must for supplying the needs of the operation that Mr. Oakley had planned.
Before his untimely death in 1939, David S. Oakley had designed and built not only the single and double belt stroke sanders for which the Oakley Company has become so widely known, but he also introduced the first Oakley Edge Sanders and the primitive predecessor of what is now the modern Oakley Semi-Automatic Drawer Sander. C. S. Oakley, Sr., the youngest son of “Mr. Sam” assumed the management of the company at the age of 21 and retained the position of President and General Manager until his death in 1972. During “Charlies” 33-year management of the firm, the vertical and horizontal belt sanders were introduced into the line and the many types of edge sanders that the company now manufactures were expanded and perfected.
C. S. “Sid” Oakley, Jr. became the President and General Manager of The Oakley Company following his father’s death and continued in this position until 1979. During this seven-year period, the Edge Sander Line was expanded to become the most complete and varied line of edge sanding machinery in the world, including the increasingly popular Oscillating Case Goods Sander and the new steel-base heavy duty oscillating edge sander.
On June 19, 1987, The Oakley Company, Inc., was purchased by James A. Combs of Bristol, VA. In May of 1988 the company was relocated to a larger, more modern facility in Bristol, VA. With the addition of a new experienced Engineering Department, The Oakley Company improved and expanded its product line.
In 2005, Colonial Machinery Sales, Inc. acquired The Oakley Co, Inc. with the goal to provide existing and rebuilt machines as well as parts to the many of our current and future customers. Since 1933, Oakley has built a brand reputation having presence in companies and manufacturing facilities worldwide.
