Rollin Bohning, a chemist, started the Bohning Company Limited in 1946 after retiring from one of the automotive companies in the Detroit, Michigan, area. Rollin's retirement years were far from inactive. He continually explored, investigated and created new products and items to solve every day problems. Most of these items were simply for his use.
One of these investigations led to the founding of the Bohning Company. As an avid archery he found, like many other enthusiasts of the sport, a lack of suitable adhesives for the very rudimentary equipment of the day. Putting his chemical background to work he developed several specialized adhesives, hot melts, paints and waxes for his own needs. As others used his product they recommended he market them for the benefit of the entire sport. Many of these products are still the archery and bow hunting industry's standard of today. The Bohning Company was born.
The Bohning Company was next approached to help the Christmas Tree industry. In the early 1970's local scotch Christmas tree growers needed a means to maintain a very lush green color of their trees while retaining the needles on the branches. Soil quality, the effects of pesticides and herbicides, and the weather were all significant complications in the development of the first batches of tree colorant. With the first successful batches and the continued development and improvement of the products the Bohning Company is now one of the leading manufacturers of this product in the world.
Changes in the poultry raising presented the Bohning Company with its next significant opportunity. Turkey farming initially allowed turkeys to "free range" in open fields or fenced enclosures. With modern poultry farming methods of keeping birds in small pens, the archery industry lost its primary source of straight feathers. These feathers allow the archer's arrow to fly straight to the target.
A replacement had to be found. The Bohning Company began development of its first plastic extruded vane in the late 1970's. Within two years it had produced a successful vane. Following this success, customers approached the Bohning Company for other plastic products, primarily injection molded items. As our reputation and expertise grew in the field of plastics we added an internal mold making operation to guarantee our ability to product the finest quality molds for our customers and ourselves.
Further expansion into new markets added to the Company's wealth of knowledge in both manufacturing and marketing. Support for and development of products for paints and coating for the sport fishing industry and plastic parts and tools for the kite industry have all added in the growth and abilities of the company.
Bohning entered the golf industry in 1989 through the acquisition of the Bly Corning Company and Putt-Z-Parts Corporation, which manufactured golf ferrules used in golf club building. A vigorous program was begun to update machinery and retool molds. Through continuous research and testing we have enhanced our ability to manufacture rings and ferrules while providing a stronger bond to our ferrule assemblies. The products are a natural fit for the Bohning Company.
Originally a sole proprietorship, the Bohning Company eventually progressed over the years to a partnership and then in 1974 to a class C corporation. As one of the few 55 plus year old companies still found in this country it has grown from one plant having two employees and 1000 feet of production space to a company with over 35 employees, two plants and 35,000+ square feet of production space. The company has followed a financially conservative path of minimal debt. Investments are made using funds from operations or a line of credit, which is renewed yearly. Gross sales from all markets have doubled in the last 10 years to approximately 4 million dollars.
With the wide range of products we realize there are significant differences in the marketing and sales of items. Many of our products are for the consumer while others are for other equipment manufacturers. Distribution channels, advertising, use of independent versus in house sales people are just some of the areas we specifically look at when we investigate new markets.
Many of the markets we serve are seasonal in nature. This company realized long ago the only way we could best serve our customers was to insure we had a stable, strong and highly trained work force. The people in this company are what make it different from so many others.
The Bohning Company, Ltd.
7361 N. Seven Mile Rd.
Lake City, MI 49651
1.800.253.0136
1.231.229.4247 (local)
1.231.229.4615 (fax)
info@bohning.com
Customer Service
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST