Buck Knives facility in the works in Post Falls, ID

Executives of Buck Knives Inc. signed documents on Thursday to start construction on its 128,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Riverbend Commerce Park.

The maker of sport and utility knives is moving from El Cajon, Calif., to Post Falls in early 2005.

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"This is one of the most significant steps in our company’s history," said CJ Buck, president and CEO of the family-owned, 102-year-old company. "Everything about this business-friendly region offers perfect opportunities for us to make our greatest strides forward in years."

The new plant has been designed to meet the needs of Buck’s "lean manufacturing" system.

Working with the Buck group, headed by Phil Duckett, vice president of operations, is the development team of G. L. Voigt Development Co., Idaho Falls, and Riverbend Commerce Park; general contractor Steed Construction Inc., Eagle, Idaho; architect Habitec Inc., Eagle; and engineering by Synergy Electrical Engineers, Boise, and Air Tech Mechanical Engineers, Coeur d’Alene.

The facility is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2005, Duckett said. Marketing and sales offices will remain in the San Diego area.

Chairman Chuck Buck said from the start of exploring relocation sites, Post Falls delivered the most advantages Buck was seeking.

"We are excited that the final steps are now under way," he said. "We expect to hire about 150 people when the move is complete, and we plan to offer factory tours beginning next summer."

Chuck Buck is the third generation in the firm, which began in 1902 when Hoyt Buck made his first knife in Leavenworth, Kan.

Al Buck, Hoyt’s son, was instrumental in creating the famous 110 Folding Hunter in 1963, the knife considered by some to revolutionize the knife industry.

Start of construction on the Buck plant comes on the heels of the Sysco Corp.’s groundbreaking across Interstate 90. The Houston-based food distribution giant is building a 146,000-square-foot facility.

Sysco — an acronym for Systems and Services Company — will hire about 100 from the local area to complement its existing sales staff.

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