Rex-Cut Abrasives marks 90th anniversary

Fall River, Mass.-based Rex-Cut Abrasives is celebrating its 90th year in business in 2018. In 1928 Edward Hurst, MIT graduate and process engineer, invented the technique of embedding abrasive grain in nonwoven cotton fiber while working for United Cotton Products. When he retired from the company in 1960, his son, Robert H. Hurst, took over management. After the business changed hands several times, it became known as Rex-Cut Products in 1969.

In 1960 Edward Hurst retired from United Cotton Products and his son, Robert H. Hurst, took over management. After this transition, the business changed hands several times before officially being called Rex-Cut Products in 1969.

The company’s first finish products were Type 27 grinding wheels. Abrasive discs designed to sharpen gardening tools and lawn mower blades were second. Type 1 wheels followed, and mounted points began being manufactured several years later. In 1978 Rex-Cut built a 60,000-sq.-ft. facility located in the Fall River Industrial Park, where it still operates today. The firm began doing business as Rex-Cut Abrasives in 2011.