Saker mini chainsaws have become a popular tool for hobbyists and professionals alike looking for a compact, portable chainsaw. But where are these handy little saws manufactured? Let’s take a closer look at the origins of the Saker mini chainsaw.
Page Contents
Saker Chainsaw Company History
The Saker company was founded in 2004 by entrepreneurs John Saker and Paul Wilkinson in Hampshire, England. Saker and Wilkinson had previous experience working in engineering and product design, and wanted to create innovative new tools that solved problems for users.
After researching the power tool market, they identified a need for smaller, more maneuverable chainsaws that could be used for detailed cutting work. This led them to design and launch the first Saker mini chainsaw in 2005.
The lightweight, compact saw filled an important niche and quickly became popular with gardeners, hobbyists, and professionals. Saker expanded their lineup over the years to offer mini chainsaws in several different sizes and power levels.
By 2015, the company had grown to over 60 employees and opened their first manufacturing facility in China to meet demand for their products. Today, Saker continues to design and market mini chainsaws and accessories from their headquarters in England.
Saker Mini Chainsaw Manufacturing
Although Saker started out as a British company, their mini chainsaws are now manufactured in China. The company made the strategic decision to move production to China in the early 2010s.
This enabled them to scale up manufacturing faster and lower costs in order to meet increasing worldwide demand for their saws. It also gave Saker access to China’s well-developed supply chain for small engines and other power tool components.
Saker currently operates a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the city of Changzhou, Jiangsu province. This busy factory employs over 300 workers who handle assembly, quality control, packaging and shipping.
Raw materials and parts are sourced from various suppliers across China. The Saker facility then performs sub-assembly and final assembly to produce the full line of mini chainsaws.
Although Chinese-made, Saker states that all products undergo rigorous testing and inspection to meet the company’s high quality standards. According to Saker, manufacturing in China has allowed them to deliver affordable saws worldwide while maintaining dedicated engineering, design and customer service in the UK.
Saker Chainsaw Manufacturing Process
Producing Saker’s mini chainsaws involves an orderly progression from raw materials to final products. Here are the key steps:
- Aluminum die casting – The chainsaw housing components are cast from aluminum using high-pressure die casting machines.
- Plastic injection molding – Plastic parts like the handle and chain guard are formed using industrial injection molding.
- Engine assembly – The small gasoline engines that power each saw are assembled from internal components and checked for proper operation.
- Component manufacturing – Other critical parts like the chain, guide bar and sprocket are fabricated separately.
- Sub-assembly – The engines, plastic parts, housings and other components come together into semi-finished modules.
- Final assembly – Workers assemble all the finished components into the complete chainsaw model.
- Testing and inspection – Functionality, safety and performance are verified through manual and automated testing.
- Packaging – The chainsaws are packaged along with manuals, parts and accessories for retail sale.
- Shipping – Packaged units are loaded into containers and shipped worldwide via road, rail and sea freight.
This streamlined process allows the Saker factory to produce up to 10,000 mini chainsaws per month under normal operating conditions.
Saker Mini Chainsaw Models and Specifications
Saker currently manufactures five tiers of mini chainsaws ranging from light homeowner models to advanced professional tools. Here is an overview of the different models and their specifications:
Sentry 10
- Engine: 30cc, 1.5hp 2-stroke
- Bar length: 10 inches
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Intended use: Light home/farm use
Sentinel 14
- Engine: 38cc, 1.8hp 2-stroke
- Bar length: 14 inches
- Weight: 7.2 lbs
- Intended use: Farming/ranching tasks
Talon 16
- Engine: 45cc, 2.1hp 2-stroke
- Bar length: 16 inches
- Weight: 9.5 lbs
- Intended use: Firewood cutting, land management
Raptor 18
- Engine: 52cc, 2.7hp 2-stroke
- Bar length: 18 inches
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Intended use: Farming, ranch work
Widow Maker 20
- Engine: 62cc, 3.7hp 2-stroke
- Bar length: 20 inches
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Intended use: Forestry, tree servicing
This range covers all the potential applications for compact, portable chainsaws. Saker uses high-grade steel and aluminum alloys on all models for durability, with magnesium used for some engine components to reduce weight.
Quality Control and Testing
To ensure their mini chainsaws meet performance expectations, Saker utilizes the following quality control and testing processes:
- Incoming parts inspection – Raw materials and components from suppliers are tested to verify they meet specifications.
- In-process testing – Critical characteristics like engine power and guide bar straightness are checked during manufacturing.
- Finished product testing – Every chainsaw coming off the line is individually tested for proper operation.
- Quality audits – Regular audits are done to monitor processes and identify areas for improvement.
- Reliability testing – Life testing simulates hours of use to confirm durability of individual components and the full saw.
- Safety testing – Detailed analyses are performed to guarantee the saws meet all applicable safety standards.
This comprehensive testing gives Saker confidence in releasing their saws to the public while maintaining their 3-year consumer warranty. Several of their models have received quality certifications like UKCA, EAC and ROHS.
Saker Chainsaw Sales and Distribution
Although produced in China, Saker chainsaws are primarily sold through retailers in Europe, Australia and North America. Saker has distributors in over 50 countries that supply local dealers and hardware stores with inventory.
In the UK, the saws are available from retailers like Machine Mart, Tooled Up and SGS Engineering. Australian customers can find them at Bunnings, Sydney Tools and Total Tools. In North America, chainsaws are stocked by forestry suppliers like Baileys and Madsens1.
Saker also sells direct to consumers worldwide via their own ecommerce storefront. This online sales channel allows customers to purchase saws, parts and accessories directly.
The manufacturing facility in China enables Saker to control costs while providing widespread availability of their saws through both retail stores and online sellers. Consistent quality and competitive pricing have bolstered Saker’s reputation with professionals while opening the hobbyist market.
Saker Chainsaw Support and Warranty
To back up their products, Saker Chainsaw Company provides the following support services:
- Technical help desk – Consumers can call or email for troubleshooting help and repair advice.
- Service center – Saws can be sent to the UK facility for repair by experienced technicians.
- Online knowledgebase – The Saker website has an extensive library of videos, manuals and DIY articles.
- Social media help – Questions are answered promptly via Facebook and Twitter.
- Replacement parts – Common wear parts like chains and guide bars are stocked for fast fulfillment.
- Product registration – Registration activates the warranty and identifies owners for any notifications.
Saker provides a 3-year consumer warranty on all chainsaw models covering defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty provides repair or replacement during the term. Lifetime support is available for guidance even after the warranty expires.
Saker Chainsaw Company Outlook
Saker maintains their position as a leading mini chainsaw manufacturer thanks to their ongoing commitment to product innovation, quality and customer service. They continue releasing improved models while expanding their power tool lineup.
The company forecasts strong growth as demand increases for compact, fuel-efficient chainsaws. Their manufacturing scale and strategic presence in China gives Saker an advantage in the global market by allowing wide availability and competitive pricing.
Future opportunities lie in emerging markets where affordable, portable chainsaws can enable greater productivity. Saker is also developing battery-powered electric models and accessories to align with changing consumer preferences.
With almost 20 years in the business, Saker Chainsaw Company has proven their ability to evolve and adapt. Their mini chainsaws will likely remain a top choice with homeowner and professional users for years to come.
Conclusion
Saker mini chainsaws originated in the UK, but are now primarily manufactured in China to meet global demand. The Changzhou facility’s large production capacity and access to suppliers gives Saker the ability to produce quality saws at scale. Rigorous testing and inspection allows them to deliver reliable, durable chainsaws worldwide through retail and online sales channels. Saker maintains their focus on customer support and innovation while expanding their lineup. Made in China has been a winning strategy for Saker, enabling them to become a leading brand of compact chainsaws.