After almost half a century with the company and 30 years of cutting improbable things in half, Lee “Hackman” Breton is putting away his trusty saw after 48-years as the face of Lenox, manufacturer of power tool accessories, hand tools, torches, solder and bandsaw blades based in East Longmeadow, Mass.
Breton started at Lenox in 1962 on the manufacturing floor, where he was credited with manufacturing the first bi-metal reciprocating saw blade entirely by hand. Breton's career made a dramatic change in 1981 when the Lenox sales team asked him if he thought he could cut a car in half with the new Hackmaster Hacksaw blades to show off their strength and durability. He accepted and made what turned out to be the first of hundreds of car cuts — earning him the nickname Hackman. From that day forward, being Hackman became his full-time job. Over the years, Breton traveled the world as Hackman, cutting apart over 500 cars and other items, including an oil tank truck, cargo plane, box car, house, armored car and even a bus at the 1999 Super Bowl XXXIII.
“Being on the road and talking directly with our users brought my experience full circle,” Breton said. “I have demonstrated Lenox products to the people who use them and helped make professional tradesmen do their jobs quicker and easier. They truly appreciate the hard work and quality that we put into each and every one of our products.”