Corporate History

The roots of LINEMASTER® extend back to the great depression of the 1930's. With a generous gift of $500.00 from his Aunt, and a business machinery loan from the Reynolds Company in Providence, Rl, Albert Simonds, incorporated the Simonds Machine Company in Southbridge, Massachusetts in 1937. From this modest beginning, he produced the Lensmaster optical machinery line to grind lenses of all sizes. As his business grew, he found a need for a good, reliable foot switch to operate his equipment that required the operator to maintain hands-free capability at all times. Consequently, he invented the foot switch, and LINEMASTER® was born. His first foot switch, the Senior, came to fruition through the sale of Al's optical machinery to a company called New Era in Chicago. The management of a tool shop in the same building saw it and asked if they could acquire some of those switches. This request was forwarded back to Al at Lensmaster, and the ball began to roll.

The Second World War interrupted the growth of Lensmaster and delayed the development of LINEMASTER®; however, in the early 1940's, the Junior and Duplex models were added to the Senior family and expanded Al's offerings. The housings of the switches were made of cast iron manufactured by the Connecticut Foundry and the interior switching mechanisms were designed and developed by Arrow-Hart & Hegeman of Hartford, CT. The Treadlite, Compact and Electro-Lok followed in rapid succession at the close of the war and Mr. Simonds felt that LINEMASTER® was now capable of its own business destiny. Lensmaster was growing quickly and LINEMASTER® needed to move to a quieter, more desirable location. When Al Simonds married Nancy B. Blakely in Woodstock, CT during November 1951, they started to look for a future home for LINEMASTER® in the Woodstock area. Bald Hill Acres was available and on April 11, 1952 was purchased as their home, office and manufacturing facility. On May 1, 1952, Linemaster Switch Corporation was officially established as a privately owned and operated manufacturing facility in the state of Connecticut. Soon the Simonds family needed additional space and added the first of many structures to the small wooden carriage house on the property. The mansion remained Al's and Nancy's home and office until 1964.

LINEMASTER® acquired the components for the assembly operation from other small companies in the area. Connecticut manufacturers were favored, however, firms throughout the country aided the growth of LINEMASTER®. During the '50's, additional models were added to the foot switch family. Led by the burly Hercules, an onslaught of different designs and application specific switches were introduced to the American public. The Nautilus, Cadet, Clipper, Executive and Deluxe models, to name a few, increased the company's core product line. To this day, most remain the bread and butter of Linemaster Switch Corporation. Al Simonds' untimely death in 1966 left the company with a strong legacy that its employees have maintained. His wife, Nancy, who had been very active in the business since 1942 at Simonds Machine, became President and Treasurer and has carried on in the same manner until her retirement in 2002. Their daughter, Nancy Iris, has held many key positions with the company.

Joseph Carlone joined LINEMASTER® as Vice President/General Manager in April 1996, bringing to the company his knowledge and experience in manufacturing. He was named President in 1998, and is responsible for the engineering enhancements and cutting edge technologies that ensure Linemaster's continued growth and integrity. Mr. Carlone purchased Linemaster Switch Corporation in June 2002 and takes great pride in guiding "America's Foot Switch Leader" into the new millennium.

The growth of LINEMASTER® and its facilities is the story of a small business success that has repeated itself many times across America. Small business is the backbone of American industry that fires the ingenuity in all of us. Over the decades, LINEMASTER® has continued to grow while remaining faithful to its original small company focus of service, quality and integrity. America's Foot Switch Leader offers a complete range of electric, air-powered and variable speed foot switches. Today, the manufacturing facility is situated in the heart of the 91 acres that is still referred to as Bald Hill and has expanded to over 50,000 square feet. It produces over 200 standard catalog items featuring heavy, medium and light-duty switches. These switches are found in industrial, medical and commercial based applications of all types worldwide.

LINEMASTER® has become the foot switch of choice to those who require exceptional quality and engineered technologies that are uncommon and not standard. The changing needs of our customers have brought LINEMASTER® to new levels, embracing new technologies such as solid modeling design and stereo lithography. LINEMASTER® is currently able to design and test new foot switches in only a fraction of the time it took LINEMASTER® in the past. New models such as the Air Seal, Atlas and Aquiline are examples of foot controls designed to meet tomorrow's standards today. LINEMASTER® looks forward with great enthusiasm to the challenges of the new millennium, striving always to provide excellent service and uncompromising quality in its 50 year old tradition.

"Linemaster Switch Corporation's mission is to
provide a superior foot switch at an affordable
price without compromise."

Application Engineering

• Application Engineers with a combined 65 years of experience
• Unmatched ability to suggest proper foot control for customers' needs
• Second to none in offering custom products
• Daily interface between customers and vendors
• Agency expertise (UL, CSA, CE, WEEE, RoHS, FDA)

Customer Service

• Customer Service Representatives with a combined 55 years of experience
• Estimated 110,000 hours of direct interface with customers
• Servicing accounts worldwide
• Defined and dedicated territories to establish a rapport with the customer
• Direct human interface
• Real time data availability
• Most technical questions are answered on your first call

Information Systems (IT)

• 4 MIS Technicians with more than 90 years of combined experience
• 2 IT programmers
• 1 MIS Manager
• 1 Graphic Design/PC Programmer
• Custom Web design for ease of browsing & navigation
• Ability to generate product sheets for customers in PDF or hardcopy formats
• Custom E.R.P. System (Mfg. software)
• Fully integrated system which provides timely delivery and instant answers

Engineering

• Approximately 170 years of Engineering experience accounted for
• 1 Software Engineer
• 1 Senior Design Engineer
• 2 Mechanical Engineers
• 1 Draftsman
• 2 Document Control personnel
• 1 Component Compliance Engineer
• 1 Project Leader
• 2 Electrical Technician
• 1 Engineering Manager
• Maintenance of approximately 12,000 drawing library, ISO documentation & Work Procedures
• Leaders of product enhancement projects
• Direct customer and Engineering interface (if required)
• Custom designing to satisfy customer needs
• UL, CSA, CE certifi cation for LINEMASTER® product
• FDA approval for IR Wireless products
• RoHS Compliant

Manufacturing

• Manufacturing Managers with a combined 50 years of manufacturing experience
• 50,000 sq. foot facility under one roof
• Certified Training; verified through training matrix
• Currently 1.5 running shifts; 3 shift potential (growth potential)
• Label Department
  • Custom labeling
  • Majority of standard labeling done in-house
  • Ability to produce serial and barcode labels
• Cord Department
  • Custom cable assembly design (specific per customer requirements)
  • EPTAC certifi ed (solder)
  • Completely lead free solder
  • In-house molding capabilities (grommets/phone plugs)
• Drill Department
  • Secondary machining
  • Automated multi-head drilling capability
  • C.N.C. machine centers
• Paint Department
  • In-house paint shop
  • Custom colors available
  • Textured finishes available
  • Durable water base paint
  • Conveyer belt oven bakes on paint in less than 1 hour
• Assembly
  • 5 operating cells by switch family, potential of 15
  • First piece inspection on all items for maximum quality
  • Light duty assembly
  • Long term experienced employees
  • Strategically placed departments for proper work flow

Quality

• Quality department consists of 7 people (2 Quality Engineers and 1 Quality Manager)
• 66 years of combined experience
• ISO 9001:2000 Certified since 1997 (continuous certification)
• FDA audit for IR Wireless product
• CSA, UL, TUV, CE, VDE audits of LINEMASTER® product
• On-site water testing (submersion) lab – hypot immersion testing
• Handles semi-annual ISO audits and various customer audits
• Internal Audits performed throughout the year to monitor quality
• Automated testing machines assures reliability
• Capable of performing full dimensional inspections
• Calibration of all testing and measuring tools yearly
• Highly recognized for quality product by top OEMs
• RoHS compliant on all standard products
• Completely compliant per the WEEE Directive

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LEGAL NOTICES

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS SITE.

USER SUBMISSIONS:

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Copyright Notice

Trademarks

"LINEMASTER" and all product names appearing in type form different from that of the surrounding text are trademarks owned by or licensed to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.

The LINEMASTER GLOBE LOGO is a trademark owned by or licensed to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.

The LINEMASTER "L" Mark is a trademark owned by or licensed to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.

"AQUILINE" is a trademark owned by or licensed to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.

All trademarks are the exclusive property of LINEMASTER Switch Corporation and shall not be reproduced or used without the express written consent of LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.

Other product or company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Effective: September 21, 2006

Terms and Conditions Policy

1. DATA - All the data published in this schedule is subject to change without notice
2. MINIMUM ORDER CHARGE - $100.00
3. SHIPMENTS – All are F.O.B. Woodstock, CT USA
4. TERMS OF PAYMENT – Net 30 days – U.S. Funds. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex. FOREIGN SALES by pro-forma invoice or credit card unless other arrangements have been authorized
5. CREDIT DEPARTMENT APPROVAL is required for all new accounts
6. TAXES – Any applicable taxes are added in addition to the prices and terms stated

One Year / One Million Cycle Limited Warranty

LINEMASTER Switch Corporation warrants each new product against defects in material and workmanship for one year after date of purchase. The owner of the equipment will be responsible for removing and returning any defective unit(s) to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation. LINEMASTER Switch Corporation will repair or replace defective product without charge at its discretion. All transportation charges for confirmed defective product will be borne by LINEMASTER Switch Corporation. If the products are determined not to be defective or beyond the warranty period upon inspection by LINEMASTER, the customer may be held responsible for transportation charges. Exclusions from this warranty are abuse to the finish and any condition(s) determined by LINEMASTER Switch Corporation to have been caused by abnormal use or service. This warranty shall not apply to any LINEMASTER Switch Corporation product that has been improperly installed or altered from its original state.

LINEMASTER Switch Corporation reserves the right to discontinue or change specifications, designs, or materials on standard catalog items without notice. All product changes will be consistent with sound engineering principles and modern practices; such that fit, form, and function are not significantly altered. Changes made to custom special items will be communicated in advance to all relevant customers.

Important: Any product purchased that was not RoHS Compliant at the time of shipment cannot be returned to LINEMASTER Switch Corporation for stock rotation.

Company Policy on Returned Merchandise

1. Returns of properly filled stock orders will be allowed only with the consent of LINEMASTER Switch Corporation and an authorized Return Material Authorization (RMA) form and designated RMA number.
2. If contents of permitted returns are in perfect condition a re-handling charge of 10% - 25% will be made ($25.00 minimum)
3. If contents of permitted returns are NOT in perfect (resalable) condition, repair charges will be added to the re-handling charge.
4. SPECIALS DESIGNATED BY A "SP" PART NUMBER AND POTENTIOMETER SWITCHES ARE NOT RETURNABLE UNLESS FOR WARRANTY REWORK OR IF AUTHORIZED BY LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.
5. Misrepresentation or excessive claims against this warranty may be prohibited at the discretion of LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.
6. Any specialty rework will need to be negotiated with LINEMASTER Switch Corporation.
7. If the product has been used in a medical application, a certificate of decontamination will be necessary prior to the issuance of the RMA authorization number.

There are no warranties, expressed or implied (including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness), which extend beyond this warranty period. Loss of use of the product, loss of time, inconvenience, commercial loss or consequential damages is not covered.

Linemaster products are MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and qualify for NAFTA preferential duty treatment if exported to Mexico and/or Canada. Certificates of origin will be provided upon request.