Watkins Celebrate 140 Years
Last Updated on Saturday, 29 November 2008 18:28 Written by Craig Whitley Monday, 11 August 2008 01:12
Watkins was founded in 1868 by Joseph R. Watkins. Thus, 2008 marks the 140th birthday for this great American company that has become an American instiution. Staring with a single product (Dr. Ward's Red Liniment) made from Mr. Watkins home in Plainview, Minnesota, Watktins has grown to become one of the largest employers in the state of Minnesota and manufacturer of 350 outstanding products that cover a wide range of products for home cleaning and cooking, beauty and personal care, supplements and vitamins, weight loss products, and much more.
2008 also marks the 30th anniversary of Mr. Irwin Jacobs ownership of Watkins. Mr. Jacobs son, Mark Jacobs, serves as President and CEO of Watkins, making the ownership of Watkins a family tradition for 140 years. The first 110 years of the company's life the company was always owned and operated by Mr. Jacobs (until his death in 1911) and his descendents, and then by the Jacobs for the past 30 years.
Although Mr. Watkins and his nephew Paul accomplished remarkable feats in building Watkins to an international company and one of the few that actually prospered during he great depression, it has been the leadership and business savvy of the Jacobs that has resulted in Watkins shattering annual sales records, expanding the product line and guiding Watkins to becoming the oldest network marketing company in the world that has made the company stronger today than it ever has been in its history.