History
1999
John Strasheim and a partner had some revolutionary ideas for the archery industry. They never had the intention of building bows themselves because they knew that their technology was going to change the way existing manufacturers made bows.
Now, old habits die hard and the trade only accepted change a little bit at a time, but Strasheim knew they were on to something big. So, they built a few bows, and BowTech was born.
2000
With the release of the 2000 model year, a new generation of bows was born. In the line-up that first year included the Black Knight. Marketed as “the fastest bows in the world,” BowTech took their first archery trade show by storm, challenging the competition to shoot their bows through a chronograph next to BowTech’s Black Knight. That first model year, sales were 10 times more than anticipated.
2002
BowTech consolidated its corporate offices and all manufacturing facilities into a 60,000 square foot building on the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon. The relocation brought all of the operational and administrative functions of the company under one roof. Located on 14 acres, the corporate building also sports a Factory Pro Shop. At the time, it seemed as though there was too much room and nothing to do with the empty space… if we would have only known…
2004
The year 2004 brought much growth to BowTech. Technological innovations continued at a rapid pace with the debut of BowTech’s new, state of the art dipping facility. The high-end hydrographic transfer facility was, and still is, the only dipping facility of its kind on the West Coast. Named WaterDog Surface Technologies (link), the dipping facility uses a unique ink coating process to apply colors and patterns to a wide variety of surface materials including plastics, fiberglass, composites, leather, aluminum and other metals.
In the same year, BowTech entered a new market niche with its acquisition of Diamond Archery. The additional asset allowed a strategic expansion to BowTech’s plan for growth and was the next logical step to reach a broader audience. Today, Diamond boasts the best single cam bows on the market.
2005
You know the saying, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” BowTech’s motto is Refuse to Follow. Driven with a constant focus toward developing new ideas and creating new products, the motto is not only a clever tag line, it’s a corporate philosophy. Radical new thinking that completely revolutionized the product line is introduced as the patent pending Binary Cam System.
2006
In 2006, the Binary Cam System is introduced on all BowTech models. The new cam system, unlike any other on the market, gained wide market acceptance in a very short time.
2007
In true BowTech style, 2007 brings many more changes to the company. Once again, BowTech takes the archery industry by storm and introduces the revolutionary Center Pivot riser technology in two models; the Guardian and Commander. Regardless of mixed reactions from the industry, the ultra-quiet bows quickly gain momentum.
A 25,000 square foot expansion project, announced in November 2005, is completed. The addition adds a state of the art machining facility production and a brand new pro shop boasting a 30-yard indoor range. Not only did the company expand on its 14-acre lot, it also added two near-by manufacturing facilities, totaling another 55,000 square feet.
In October of 2007, the BowTech family of products was purchased by Savage Sports Corp enabling the company the continuation of growth in the industry.
2008
With growth in mind, 2008 marks another big year for BowTech. At the annual Archery Trade show in January, the company launches a high-end accessory line called Octane. In July that same year, BowTech begins manufacturing a completely redesigned line of Ross bows. 2008 proved to be BowTech’s biggest year yet shipping a record number of bows.
In just 9 short years BowTech has grown from 3 to over 350 employees. For years, BowTech has been known as the leader in technology and 2009 will continue to build on that reputation.