Rada Manufacturing is a manufacturer located in Waverly, Iowa. It is the maker of Rada Cutlery. The company has been manufacturing American-made cutlery since being founded in 1948 and manufactures their products 100% in the USA.[5] They are known for the solid aluminum handles on their cutlery,[6] their lifetime guarantee, and for their aid to fundraisers for over 70 years.[3]
As of 2020[update], Gary Nelson is chairman and CEO, and Phil Jones is president.[7][8]
Rada Cutlery was first produced in 1948, using surplus militaryknife blades then available at a fraction of their value. Early on, Rada utilized various buildings to meet their needs. One was a fortified military radar base used to monitor air space during the Cold War. In 1986, manufacturing operations moved to the current facility, which has since been expanded.
^Vansickle, Eric (November 13, 2019). "Lt. Gov. Gregg impressed with Rada operation". Waverly Newspapers. The cutlery maker has a steady workforce of nearly 100 employees from about a 25-mile radius to the east, west and north of Waverly who have been with the company for decades. ... The success of Rada attracted attention of Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, who visited the plant in the northwest quadrant of the Bremer County seat on Tuesday afternoon. ... The lieutenant governor said among the number of things that impressed him throughout the tour, where he saw how Rada's knives and other utensils are made, is the people who are part of the workforce. "Employing about 100 people, that means opportunity for the folks here in this area," Gregg said. "I was impressed by the quality that was done through a lot of, frankly, work that was done by hand, and some of it goes beyond just workmanship, but it's artistic."
