Wilsonart's History

Click on one of the dates in the Timeline to review that time period.
1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s

Timeline Details:

In April, RWP began production of laminate with a handful of employees. The company is the last manufacturer to enter the decorative laminate industry and has 16 larger competitors. Formica, the largest competitor, has 65% of the market. The plant consisted of a 40,800 sq. ft. building, one 4'x12' press and a sand and trim line.
The Southwest Region came into existence.
The first distribution center opens in Los Angeles in May. The first shipment, unloaded the day after Labor Day, was cut into sheets with a Skilsaw and delivered to customers in the back seat of a '53 Buick.
Within three months after the company opened its warehouse in California, the plant in Temple was running 24 hours a day.

The first two treaters arrive from Germany, one for phenolic resin, the other for melamine resin.
Mr. Ralph was an extremist on one subject: "customer service". He felt that "better service" was what allowed him to enter the business and what would allow him to grow in the business.
"Ten working days anywhere in the USA!" Ralph Wilson Plastics proceeded to buy trucks, each staffed by two over-the-road drivers for continuous operation.

Press No. 2, a 5'X10' Press, begins production. The building area increased by 40,300 square feet and the Temple plant had grown to 105,000 square feet.