About
Wilson Manufacturing
Wilson
Manufacturing Company was founded by Gail Wilson in
1952 in Pipestone, MN. Gail and his brother operated
an implement business in Pipestone. When Gail or his
brother sold a piece of farm equipment that required a hitch
pin to be hauled home, Gail would have to go to a competitor
and purchase a hitch pin. Gail was not satisfied with
the designs of the pins that were available. So Gail
constructed his own hitch pin from an old hay loader spring
tooth and then would give the customer a choice between the
pin he constructed or the pin he went and bought from his
competitor. Almost every farmer took the pin that Gail
constructed. Soon after this, Gail's brother went back
to farming and Gail started his new career.
Gail started the business in his garage, and worked only on
a part time basis in the summer. He developed his own
line of hitch pins, and many special tools that were used
to wind springs by himself. And some of these special
winding tools are still used today. The astonishing
part about all this, is that Gail was blind.
 Howard
Douty, an independent sales rep who lived in Pipestone, was
looking for a business that would allow him to stay home and
devote more time to his family. He knew of the business
and struck a deal to buy Gail Wilson Manufacturing in 1969.
At that time he moved the company to his garage and operated
the business there until he required additional space.
In 1975 Howard moved the business to its present site,
where it has grown to more than five times its original size.
Over
the years Howard was constantly challenged by the industry
to come up with new and more innovative ideas. To keep
up with this new demand Howard went out and purchased faster
and more precise machinery. Howard's background in sales
played a major part in the early growth and development of
the company.
In
the early 80s, Howard decided to change the name of the business
to "Wilson Mfg Co.".
During
this time of growth and development Howard's son Robert Douty
moved back to Pipestone with his family after serving 8 1/2
years in the military.
After 9
years of being the Plant manager Robert bought the business
from his father in 1990. He is currently the Owner and
President.
In
1997 Robert's son Joseph Douty moved back to Pipestone after
attending Mankato State University. Joseph is currently
the Vice President of Production.
In
addition to Robert and Joseph , Robert's
wife (Mieko) works in the Packing Dept, and Joseph's
wife (Alison) is the Office/Accounts Manager. Joseph's Father-in-law works in the Mfg Shop. So
we truly are a "Family owned and operated business".
During
the early years Wilson Hitch Pins were painted green, which
was a very time consuming process. Now all pins
are zinc plated.
Wilson
Manufacturing Co. has several salesmen who travel to various
buying group shows and also call upon individual stores promoting
Wilson Manufacturing Co. products. The increase in custom
orders, assisted by Computers, Fax machines, E-mail and our website allows faster and more efficient service for
filling orders, and completing quotes.
Wilson Manufacturing
Co. is proud to be a second and soon to be third generation
family owned and operated business. Wilson Manufacturing
Co. prides itself on quality and timely delivery of its products.
And we know without valued customers like yourself, there
would be no Wilson Manufacturing Co. |
