This year, Zippo Manufacturing Company commemorates the 25th anniversary of its acquisition of the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company brand, a moment that marked the unification of two iconic American manufacturers rooted in Bradford, PA. On Saturday, July 21, Zippo and Case will host a day-long Silver Anniversary Celebration of this momentous occasion at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford. The event is free and open to the public.
The day-long Silver Anniversary Celebration festivities will include:
· Guided museum tours, led by Zippo & Case Historians Shirley Evers and Katie Shonts-Saar
· The chance to win a ride around town in the Zippo Car, which also celebrates its 20th birthday this year
· Free Zippo lighter repairs and Case knife cleanings and blade sharpening by onsite technicians
· Street Dreams Car Club Show displays in the museum field to check out the impeccably restored vintage automobiles
· Kids & Cancer Benefit Run booth with a charity raffle ticket drawing for a one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson® “Harley of Hope” motorcycle
· Case Generation XX one-of-a-kind knife and sterling silver lighter raffle to benefit the McKean County SPCA
· Food and beverages from local Bradford eateries
· Variety of fun activities including prize wheels, contests, lighter design sessions and so much more!
To mark the milestone, the companies have created an extremely limited edition Zippo/Case Silver Anniversary Knife and Lighter Collectible set, which will be available on a first-come, first-sold basis at the museum. The store will also offer a limited production run of event and museum-exclusive collectibles from both Zippo and Case. Furthermore, a select number of lucky attendees will win exclusive “Out from the Archives” Case knives as part of Case’s Generation XX tour, a series of nationwide events that bring Case Collectors together for exclusive products, signings, and giveaways at their favorite Case retailers.
“Twenty-five years ago, we united two brands that represent the essence of what it means to be proudly made in America,” said Mark Paup, President and CEO, Zippo and Case. “With more than two centuries of history between them, Zippo and Case have been intertwined into some of this country’s most significant moments, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the future has in store as both brands continue to grow.”
Since joining the Zippo family of brands, Case has seen numerous significant and notable landmarks. In 2014, the brand celebrated its 125th anniversary with a nearly $10 million renovation of their Bradford-based factory. The renovations included a complete remodel of the factory that was originally constructed in 1975, including new equipment and floor configurations that allowed for better efficiency, productivity and quality.
In May 2018, Case unveiled its new website, caseknives.com, to help create a seamless user experience and offer expanded e-commerce opportunities for consumers. In addition to significantly enhanced search capabilities, the new website also provides a level of personalization not previously offered by the brand.
For event updates and Zippo/Case Museum news, visit zippocasemuseum.com or follow the museum and the event page on Facebook (@ZippoCaseMuseum). To learn more about Zippo, visit zippo.com or follow the brand on Facebook (@Zippo), Instagram (@OriginalZippo) and Twitter (@Zippo). To learn more about Case, visit caseknives.com or follow the brand (@WRCase) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.