JAWS Manufacturing, L.L.C., was born of a desire to find a safer and more efficient method of harvesting catalytic converters.

In the early 2000’s, a metal recycling company in Abilene, Texas, was harvesting catalytic converters using a hydraulic shear to remove them from salvaged vehicles. This shear, on the market for several years, performed significantly better than any other tool in the industry.

However, even with its superiority, there were drawbacks. The tool had a tendency to jam during the cutting process, had cumbersome controls, and there was a lack of readily available replacement parts.

The owner of the recycling company enlisted the help of his friend Wayne Newman to help keep the tool operational. Working part-time out of a storeroom, Wayne used his mechanical aptitude and knowledge of hydraulics to design a better tool.
Rigorous testing demonstrated that the new tool was decidedly better than anything else on the market. They formed JAWS Manufacturing, and in mid-2006 Wayne sold his existing business interests in order to devote his full time to JAWS.

The next year, Wayne formed a partnership with Dalton Hughes, opening a manufacturing site at 742 S. 11th St. in Abilene, Texas. With the use of CNC lathe and milling equipment and a streamlined assembly process, the new site has enabled JAWS Manufacturing to keep up with the growing demand for hydraulic shears.
Wayne and Dalton share a commitment to provide the very best quality products for use in the emerging catalytic converter recycling market.