West Bend Company.

ABSTRACT: Records of a West Bend, Wisconsin, manufacturing firm best known for its production of stainless steel cookware. Included are minutes; annual and other reports; financial records; union agreements; property, patent, and other legal records; materials on government production contracts; promotional materials; extensive product literature; other company publications; files on the Aluminum Wares Association; and photographs and films showing production processes, physical plant development, employees, sales techniques, and products. The records provide information on West Bend development of cookware, small appliances, outboard motors, military supplies, and other products; sex roles in advertising; marketing strategies; wartime conversion of industry; an employee home ownership program; and other topics. Also present is a scrapbook on the West Bend Country Club and home movies from 1948 trips to Cuba and Guatemala.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The records of the West Bend Company consist of thirteen series: Historical Materials, Administrative Records, Legal Records, Production Records, Sales and Marketing Records, Product Literature, Publications, Financial Records, Associations, Employee Records, Miscellaneous, Photographs, and Films.

The collection of West Bend Company records provides thorough documentation of an aluminum cookware manufacturer in Wisconsin, from its inception in 1911 to 1987. Of particular strength are the Product Literature and Sales and Marketing Records series which provide information on product development and advertising. The effects of World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict on the aluminum cookware industry are documented by government contracts in the series of Production Records. Images of war production are in the series of Photographs, Films, and Product Literature.

The records in the series Administrative Records, Legal Records, and Financial Records are less complete than the other series. Administrative Records does include a complete run of stockholders and directors meeting minutes. Although the Financial Records span the entire time of the company's existence, the runs of specific types of financial records (e.g. accounts receivable ledgers) are incomplete. Most of the Employee Records are printed materials such as union agreements and 25 Year Club programs.

The Historical Materials (1927-1968, 1986) series contains materials on company anniversaries, the Navy "E" Awards, and company open houses, as well as a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and journal articles documenting the company. Particularly summary are the anniversary publications and programs produced by the company. Although the historical materials span a large portion of the company's history, the bulk of the materials are from the 1940s and 1950s.

The series Administrative Records(1911-1971, 1984-1987) is comprised of not only the administrative records of the West Bend Company but also those of its subsidiaries and its eventual parent companies. The bulk of the materials document the period from 1920 to 1970. The materials include articles of incorporation and by-laws; stockholders and directors meeting minutes and materials; annual and quarterly reports; a complete documentation of the Rexall merger; stock records; and miscellaneous statistical reports. Also in this series are the administrative subject files which include information on acquisitions and divestments as well as documentation of individuals in upper management. The personnel documented in the subject files are James R. Brown, Arnold R. Finch, Robert H. Wentorf, Bernhard C. Ziegler, Bernard C. Ziegler, and R. Douglas Ziegler; materials include press releases and clippings, biographical sketches, and some correspondence and speeches.

The series Legal Records (1909-1963) contains the following sub-series: patents, agreements, legal cases, property records, and miscellaneous. The bulk of the materials document the years 1921-1945. The patent materials especially document the outboard motors and "Waterless Cooker" developed by the West Bend Company. The sub-series legal cases includes materials on litigation between West Bend Company and other national aluminum companies concerning the waterless cooker design, patent, and name. Also included in this sub-series are a Federal Trade Commission complaint case, 1941-1945; and Aluminum Wares Association activities regarding the establishment of tariffs on foreign aluminum ware in 1921. Materials in the property records sub-series include land purchases and sales agreements as well as building leases and construction contracts. Of special note in the miscellaneous legal records are the employees' mortgage and insurance papers, 1915-1952, which document the involvement of West Bend Company and B.C. Ziegler Insurance Company in home ownership by West Bend Company employees.

The Production Records series (1916-1922, 1941-1971) is almost exclusively composed of government contracts (1941-1956) detailing production of 20 mm cartridge cases, cartridge tanks, gas mask canisters, and other defense contract products. The sub-series government contracts is arranged by the alphanumeric identifiers assigned by the United States government. Material includes diagrams, correspondence, and cost information as well as the contracts themselves. The sub-series cost summaries provide a description of a product and its estimated total factory cost. The itemized costs include those for material, labor and factory overhead. The cost summaries are arranged by estimate number and span the years 1960 to 1970 with gaps for 1960 to 1970 with gaps for 1961 -1962.

The series Sales and Marketing Records (1920-1988) contains materials documenting sales and marketing techniques, promotional materials, and analyses. The bulk of the series documents the years from 1922 to 1941 and 1970 to 1988. The earlier materials include sales talks, brochures and pamphlets, and sales summaries. The later materials are comprised of consumer tests, advertising schedules and scripts, press releases, and other promotional material. The individual items in the folders labeled "Sales Talks, 1922-1924" and "Background Sales Materials, 1923-1927" were removed from a scrapbook for conservation reasons and stored in appropriate size boxes. The original order is reflected by the consecutive numbers assigned to the items.

Product Literature, the largest series in the collection, consists of dated materials including scrapbooks, product catalogs, materials on specific products and lines, and cookbooks and instruction booklets. The scrapbooks, which provide documentation of the period 1924-1938, have been disassembled for conservation reasons, but the individual items have been consecutively numbered to reflect original order. These materials include advertisements, circulars, and pamphlets. The sub-series product catalogs is arranged alphabetically and chronologically thereunder. Specific product line as well as general merchandise catalogs are included. The bulk of the series consists of product literature for individual products and lines. These materials have been arranged alphabetically and chronologically thereunder, and are almost exclusively advertisements and carton labels. The oversized materials in this category are stored separately and are only arranged alphabetically. The sub-series distributor sales pertains to West Bend's home party sales operations. The sub-series of cookbooks and instruction booklets is comprised of the printed information packaged with the products.

Included in the series Publications (1941-1988) are company magazines, newsletters and booklets. The company publications provide information on new products, the manufacturing process, and employees. Of particular note is Contact, formatted like a news bulletin, which provided information to former employees who were in the service during World War II.

The series Financial Records (1911-1970) contains the sub-series accounting reports, payroll, cashbook, journal, general ledgers, accounts receivable ledgers, factory ledgers, and correspondence. Although the records are bulky and span a large part of the history of the company; there is little continuity in individual sub-series, and little summary documentation. The accounting reports document the period from 1913 to 1960 and include financial statements, balance sheets, and audit reports. The bulk of the sub-series payroll contains materials from 1953 to 1970. Various ledgers document the years 1911 to 1964.

The Associations series (1922-1965) contains records of the Aluminum Wares Association, an aluminum wares manufacturers association, and documentation of the Metal Cookware Manufacturers Association. The bulk of the materials pertains to the Aluminum Wares Association for the periods 1926-1928 and 1936-1938. The Aluminum Wares Association materials consist of constitutions and by-laws, membership lists, minutes, correspondence, financial data, and subject files. Topics documented by the materials include standardization of aluminum ware, fair and unfair competition and selling techniques, the discrediting of anti-aluminum propaganda, and effects of federal legislation on the aluminum ware industry. Prominent correspondents include A.C. Kieckhafer, a West Bend Company executive and president of the association from 1936-1938, and Stuart J. Swenson, vice-president of the association in 1936.

The series Employee Records (1928, 1946-1982) includes union agreements, employee handbooks, accident reports, and publications. Documented in the publications are West Bend Company's industrial pension plan, idea award plan, and 25 Year Club. The bulk of the materials are from the 1960s and 1970s.

The series Miscellaneous (1918-1941) consists of scattered property records, including insurance appraisals and inventories as well as a few maps of company property dated 1925-1926.

The series Photographs contains images of the interior of the factory, construction of the physical plant, the Navy "E" Award ceremony, company personnel, and products. Of particular note are the photographs depicting women operating machinery and working on assembly lines, especially during World War II; and the photographs documenting the process of manufacturing various products, including outboard motors, coffee urns and 20 mm cartridge cases.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The West Bend Aluminum Co. was incorporated on September 27, 1911 by Bernhard C. Ziegler, Stephen F. Mayer, Martin Walter, and Andrew and Edwin Pick of West Bend, Wisconsin; and Carl and Robert Wentorf, previously of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The company rented an old button factory located on the west bank of the Milwaukee River in West Bend, Wisconsin. Robert and Carl Wentorf, who had been foremen at an aluminum plant in Two Rivers, managed production for the new company, and began production of the tools and dies on October 17, 1911. The company's first products were a frying pan, a pie pan, a water dipper, and sauce pans. In April 1912 Ziegler and Andrew Pick participated in a hardware association show in Milwaukee where they obtained the first large orders for the new products.

During 1912 and 1913 sales representatives established the company's products with Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Wanamakers; Gimbel Brothers; and other large department stores and mail order firms. At the third annual Board of Directors meeting in 1914, the directors convinced Ziegler of the need for a general manager of the growing company. Ziegler had previously been reluctant to accept this position due to his involvement in his investment and insurance business. Ziegler, as general manager, instituted a perpetual inventory and cost system, and began construction of a 14,000 square foot building across the river from the company's original location.

After briefly experiencing a slight recession at the onset of World War I, the West Bend Aluminum Co. began preparations for limited war production of mess equipment in addition to its civilian operations. About the time West Bend began producing the equipment, the war ended.

West Bend introduced its famous "Waterless Cooker," a large aluminum pot with inset pans designed to cook an entire meal over one burner, in 1920. The lid of the cooker was fitted with clamps that prevented the escape of steam during cooking, enabling meals to be cooked without the addition of water. Advertising for the cooker illustrated the convenience, healthfulness and economy of waterless cooking. The new product was marketed coast-to-coast and world-wide. The "Waterless Cooker" evolved into Flavo-Seal ware, which adapted the cooking method to roasters, skillets and sauce pans. During the 1920's, West Bend Aluminum Co. won lawsuits that granted West Bend exclusive right to the trade name "Waterless Cooker," and upheld patents for its detachable cover. The success of the product allowed the company to continue expansion. Company histories state that the success of the "Waterless Cooker" allowed the company to remain open during the depression while still making a profit; and permitted the introduction of a successful new line of copper giftware in the fall of 1932 which included beverage sets, ashtrays, serving trays, lamps and mugs.

A new drip coffee maker, which did not require filter paper, was developed by West Bend in 1922. The popularity of the "Flavo-Drip" led to the development of the "Flavo-Perk," a range top percolator. In 1949 this design became electric; and in 1950, when it was converted to fully automatic operation, it was renamed the "Flavo-matic." In addition to percolators, West Bend Aluminum Co. introduced various sizes of portable coffee urns to its coffee maker line.

In 1941 aluminum was placed on the mandatory priority list which prohibited its use for civilian goods. But, in June, the West Bend Aluminum Co. was awarded a U.S. Navy contract to produce 20mm brass anti-aircraft cartridge cases. In recognition of the company's fast conversion to war production and exceptional productivity, the Navy presented the company with six Navy "E" Awards from May 1942 to March 1945. Throughout the war, West Bend Aluminum Co. produced over 300 different items under defense contracts, including powder tanks and rocket containers.

Before the end of the war, West Bend executives purchased the Kissel automobile plant in nearby Hartford, Wisconsin. Although the new plant was immediately used for war production, plans were made to use the plant to east the transition from war to peace-time production. Under an agreement with Sears, Roebuck and Co., West Bend Aluminum Co. developed the 1 1/4 horsepower "Elgin," the first air-cooled outboard motor. The "Elgin" name was sold exclusively through Sears; "West Bend" motors were sold by West Bend Aluminum Co. beginning in 1947.

The West Bend plant finished its conversion to peace-time production, with added facilities, in 1946. From 1946 to 1950, the company developed a line of small appliances including coffeepots, popcorn poppers, and skillets; and a color finishing process for aluminum. But in December 1950, due to the Korean conflict, aluminum, copper, and steel became controlled procurement materials. The company partially converted to war production while continuing limited manufacture for public consumption. Among the defense items produced by West Bend were cartridge cases, powder tanks, rocket containers, kitchenware and gas-mask canisters.

In 1957 West Bend Aluminum Co. began producing outboard motors in Barrie, Ontario for Canadian distribution. The Barrie plant operated as a division of the company until 1961 when it became West Bend of Canada. Simultaneously, West Bend Aluminum Co. changed its name to West Bend Company to reflect its use of materials such as plastics, copper, steel and brass in addition to aluminum. The company continued its expansion and its defense production, notably with an Army classified ammunition contract. In January 1965 the West Bend Company sold its outboard motor and industrial engine division including the Hartford plant, West Bend Company engine product line, and the machines and equipment located at Barrie, Ontario, to Chrysler Corporation. West Bend of Canada converted from a production facility to a distribution center for West Bend Company's Canadian sales.

During the 1960s West Bend Company expanded both its product lines and physical plant capacity. The company introduced Gem Coat and Teflon finished cookware products; buffet appliances, including the Kabob'n Grill, Automatic Buffet Chef, and Smokeless Broiler-Rotisserie; and a new line of decorative pantryware and insulated serveware. In 1965 the West Bend Company began a million dollar expansion program at the West Bend plant as well as construction of a new plant in Sheridan, Arkansas; and also acquired NFC Engineering Co. of Anoka, Minnesota, manufacturer of Thermo-Serv insulated plastic dishes.

In the 1970s the West Bend Company introduced a new line called "specialty electrics" which consisted of products like the electric pizza baker and grill, electric yogurt maker, automatic egg cooker, and the "Fryette" electric deep fryer. Additional products introduced at this time included drip coffee makers, an electric wok, microwave oven cookware, and vertical wheel humidifiers. In the 1980's West Bend Company divested its aluminum cookware and humidifier lines; and pioneered the home electronics industry. New products such as the "Kitchen Controller" electronic timer and calculator, stopwatches and distance calculators for athletes were developed and marketed. Also in the 1980's West Bend Company acquired Total Gym (exercise equipment), Borg (electronic scales), Precor, and Ekco Home Products.

The West Bend Company remained privately held until it merged with Rexall Drug and Chemical Company on July 23, 1968. Rexall Drug and Chemical company later changed its name to Dart Industries. In 1980 Dart Industries merged with Kraft, Inc. In 1986 West Bend Company became part of Premark International, Inc. a corporation which split off from Kraft, Inc.

For more information, visit the West Bend Company on the Web at www.westbend.com.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

West Bend Company. Records, 1911-1989. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 121 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 64. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by The West Bend Company, via Don F. Parlow of West Bend, Wisconsin in 1979 and 1988 (accession numbers M79-547, M88-265, M88-335, and M89-394).

PROCESSING: Processed by Debra Anderson and Ann Hokanson from 1988 to 1989.

The photographs and films are housed in the Wisconsin Historical Society's Visual and Sound Archives.

MARC SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

• Aluminum industry and trade--Wisconsin.
• Cookware industry--Wisconsin.
• Home ownership--Wisconsin.
• Household electronics industry--Wisconsin.
• Kitchen utensils industry--Wisconsin.
• Outboard motors.
• West Bend (Wis.)--History--Sources.
• West Bend Aluminum.
• West Bend Country Club (Wis.).
• Wisconsin--Manufactures.