For nearly 140 years, Dutton-Lainson Company has been manufacturing high quality products across a variety of categories, designed to help hard-working men and women get things done. The company was born out of the pioneering spirit of the late 19th century. It grew into one of the largest collar and harness manufacturers in the U.S. as it supplied goods to the pioneers during the westward expansion. Through grit and determination, the company survived countless economic swings. Early in the 20th century, D-L would be called upon to manufacture military goods and hardware for two world wars, twice earning the military’s highest honor for manufacturing excellence. D-L is honored to still manufacture specialty product for the U.S. military to this day.
During the 1950’s post-war era, the company began to shape into its current form. While hardware and agricultural products had always been a part of the D-L fabric, Dutton-Lainson got its start in the marine industry by making the “Golden Rod” boat trailer for Montgomery Ward in the 1950s. Each trailer needed a winch and a coupler (tongue jacks were not yet common on trailers). With the company’s modern manufacturing capabilities at hand, they realized that D-L could make better winches and couplers than the market currently had available.
Through engineering and painstaking detail, the company launched the “Golden Rod” line of winches to be the best in the market. Design and sales efforts were so successful that by 1965, D-L was the largest manufacturer of manual hand winches in the world. We still operate with the same drive and standards today.
D-L is now in the process of optimizing its company and product lines for the future. As decisions are made each day, management and employees are still guided by the long-standing heritage of the company. While a segment of the market has moved to (often substandard) import products in recent years, D-L has remained committed to truly dependable products and service from right here in the central U.S.A. As the last domestic manufacturer left for several major product lines, you can count on Dutton-Lainson Company to do things the right way.
D-L… still made in the U.S.A., since 1886.
