arborist climbing gear

Joe Matthews, a Navy man from Grove City, PA, exceled at bringing ideas to life. Working for the W. M. Bashlin Company (now Bashlin Industries), he managed production and helped invent many products which are still used in the industry today.

The most important was the design and invention of the Shifting or Floating D-Ring Lineman's Belt. In 1946, Joe Matthews left his production job and moved his family to Fort Worth, TX to start his own business. Starting in a single car garage behind his house, Joe manufactured lineman’s belts, holsters, pole straps and accessories.

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