Where It All Began
In the 1970s, the Sheffield Razor Company held the national contract to supply double-edged razor blades to the Australian Navy. This marked the beginning of a journey that saw the company evolve significantly.
By 1985, the business had expanded its product line to include trimming and heavy-duty blades, prompting a rebranding to Sheffield Blades. The company’s product range grew, eventually incorporating knives and cutters for diverse markets such as carpet laying, plasterboard, engineering and industrial applications.
The Sterling brand was created in the early 90s, which proved successful, with Sterling quickly becoming known for its high-performing hand and cutting tools. Today, Sheffield Blades operates as Sheffield Group and Sterling products are available at over 3000 distributors and stores across Australia.
The Birth of Black Panther
In 1999, Sterling identified a demand for a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional industry cutting knives. Recognising that while knives are valuable tools, products like snips, safety cutters and scissors offer safer and more convenient options for precision cutting, Sterling set out to create the ultimate knife replacement tool. The result was the Black Panther Industrial Snips, designed to withstand harsh environments and provide exceptional cutting performance.
The industrial and mining workforce quickly embraced these snips, earning them the nickname, 'miner’s best mate'. The success of the Black Panther Industrial Snips led to the development of a full range of Black Panther products.
Today, the Black Panther range includes 37 products, from snips and shears to scissors, suitable for various tasks onsite, in the garden, workshop, home and kitchen. The Black Panther range has evolved beyond industrial use, becoming a trusted tool for almost all trades and applications!
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence
Now, 25 years later, Sterling remains committed to delivering top-notch Black Panther cutting tools known for their superior quality and performance. Sterling’s dedication to innovation ensures that they will continue to offer cutting-edge solutions, setting new standards for excellence well into the future.
Looking Ahead
The popularity of the Sterling Black Panther Range is undeniable, as evidenced by the sustained growth over its lifetime, with even more growth anticipated. This success is a testament to the excellence and performance of the product lineup.
To uphold its commitment to quality, Sterling is also introducing new eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging. This change not only reflects the dedication to the environment but also represents a holistic approach to sustainable packaging, design and production.