THE START OF
SOMETHING GREAT
The story begins in Rhode Island in the early 1960s with Kenneth LaFauci and his father Roger. There they started a toolmaking business to service local jewelry manufacturers called L&M Torsion Spring. As the jewelry industry gained momentum, L&M Torsion Spring flourished with the increased demand for tools and machinery.
A SOLID
PARTNERSHIP
By 1978, the jewelry industry was thriving in Rhode Island. It was during this time that Kenneth met fellow manufacturer Bob Gonzenbach, owner of Accutool. Together they had years of success and Bob would later form B&K Industries with Kenneth’s son Kenny, continuing the tradition of manufacturing high quality machines.
FOLLOWING
THE MARKET
In 2006, Rhode Islanders voted to legalize medical cannabis, giving way to a new industry taking the country by storm. Meanwhile at B&K Industires, Bob and Kenny had watched the jewelry industry dwindle as operations were sent overseas. Seeing the potential cannabis had to offer, Kenny began overseeing commercial grow operations at the Thomas C. Slater Center.
THE BUSINESS OF
MAKING MACHINES
Kenny saw a need to increase production and used his extensive manufacturing knowledge, paired with a deep understanding of the science and delicate nature of cannabis flowers. His research led him to design and manufacture The BudTender, a bucking machine designed to gently remove buds from the stem of the cannabis plant.
PROUD TO BE
AMERICAN MADE
TheBudTender brand comes with over 50 years of manufacturing expertise echoing the importance of keeping tradition alive and operations here, in America. This equates to delivering the highest quality product and an ability to oversee the production process from start to finish.
THE SOLUTION TO
KEEPING JOBS LOCAL
Any part of the BudTender production process that cannot be facilitated in-house is locally outsourced to a trusted partner. Tapping into a network of local businesses and fellow manufacturers, The BudTender is proud to help reignite this industry and keep jobs here in America. As TheBudTender business grows, the effects are far reaching.