If Block Division Inc. isn’t the best kept secret in Wichita Falls, it has to be close.

Block Division is a third generation, locally owned company. It sells more than 450,000 state-of-the-art pulley parts and accessories nationwide and to numerous countries abroad. Want more?

Block Division products are labeled “Made in the USA.” That can be tweaked a bit here in North Texas and boast, “American Made and assembled in Wichita Falls, Texas.” How many knew this?

It would be a feel-good fairy tale if it weren’t true.

In 1959, Lloyd Sutton, a soft-spoken man with a gift for vision, was approached by a friend in the oil and gas business. The friend was in need of some mechanism that would assist him in retracting drilling rods from deep in the ground. Sutton listened and said, “I may be able to help you. Give me a week or so to work on it.”

Sutton created a small batch of wire rope blocks for the man who essentially became his first customer. More than 100 blocks were produced and sold through a regional hardware supply house. Block Division incorporated in 1960 and rather than saying, “The End,” the story only gets better.

Sutton’s grandson, Matthew White, now manages the company along with President and CEO Scott Poenitzsch. White actually became the third-generation owner when he replaced his uncle, Mark Sutton, in 2011. Today, Block Division, with White, Poenitzch and eight employees, has a strong national presence with growing worldwide interests.

“We supply 280 industry entities and 100 percent of what we do is assembled and shipped from our office here,” White said. “Through the years, we have developed a niche market that knows us and counts on us to provide their needs in proven quality and timely fashion. We know our market and we have no desire to step on the toes of larger companies.”

The technical side of the business involves products labeled as follows:

● Swivel Eye Blocks: A swivel eye pulley is the perfect option when an application requires slight rotation in picking up a load. Swivel eye blocks can be used as lifts for personal watercraft involving boat lift, cradle, rigging, docking or commercial fishing. It is also used in farming, logging, oil and gas and ranching.

● Flat Mount Blocks: This block is usually mounted to a wall, ceiling or any flat surface to insure stability. Its many uses involve stage and scenery curtains and wall dividers; flag pole manufacturing; commercial carpet cleaning; sports and athletic equipment like basketball goals, batting cages and applications in other sports like football, soccer and tennis.

● Fixed Eye Blocks: Can be used for wire, fibrous or nylon rope. It helps in areas of construction, cranes and hoists as well as gates, garage doors and personal or professional workshop applications.

There are many other products and explanations for applied weight and measurement usage. A catalog listing all products and applications is available at http://www.blockdivision.com/flipcatalog/.

Block Division is located at 618 Front St. in downtown Wichita Falls. For questions regarding possible solutions, call toll free, 800-433-0321.