Our History
1953
North States Wood Products, Inc. is founded by Everett C. Pennock in Minneapolis, MN. The company first started manufacturing products such as snow fences, dairy boxes, poultry floors, kids’ toy chests, doll cradles, step stools and doghouses at its factory in Nevis, MN. The products evolved over the years to include picket fences, trellises, birdfeeders and other lawn and garden items.
Founder Everett C. Pennock (second in from left) and other North States employees
1965
North States Wood Products, Inc. merges with Siren Corporation out of Siren, WI. The corporate headquarters remain in Minneapolis, MN and product production continues in Nevis, MN and now Siren, WI. There were 4 factories in and around Siren, WI, each designated by plant numbers 1 through 4.
The original Siren Corporation
1971
The company changed its name to North States Industries, Inc. (NSI), which it still holds to this day, as the manufacturing of plastic products was a growing part of the business. NSI’s main products at this time included paint brush handles, step stools, camp stools, cribs, potty chairs/seats, gates and yards. The baby gates NSI was making at the time were wire mesh and wood, and also scissor/accordion style gates.
NSI’s original Wire Mesh Wood Gate and Scissor/Accordion Gates
1988
NSI’s ownership changed with a purchase by brothers-in-law Donald Currier and Chris Dunlap. Don became President & CEO, while Chris served as Chairman of the Board. Don’s vision to shift the company’s focus to Baby and Pet safety products was instrumental in making North States the company it is today.
Don Currier, NSI President & CEO in the late 80’s to 2000
1993
North States becomes an employee-owned company (ESOP). Don felt that it was important for NSI employees to own part of the company they work for, in turn gaining retirement benefits, giving a sense of job security, and feeling more engaged and committed to the company’s success. North States remains an ESOP today.
Also, in 1993, the first version of Supergate® is created. The classic design elements of this gate were the building blocks of our Supergate® that is still being manufactured in Siren, WI today. The Superyard® play yards and pet yards followed in 1994.
The Supergate
2001
On June 18, 2001 at 8:20 p.m. an F3 tornado with winds over 200-mph ripped through the small town of Siren, WI, leveling nearly the entire town. NSI 2nd shift employees were working in the plant at the time and hid underneath large machines to stay safe as the tornado passed. Thankfully there were no injuries or fatalities of NSI employees. The Siren plant was back up and shipping out orders only a short 6 weeks later, a testament to the company’s resilience.
As plans to rebuild the plant were discussed, several feet were added to the height of the building over the production floor to allow for future growth. This gave North States the room that was needed to add robotics to the presses and led to the more modernized/automated production processes that the company uses today. It also allowed for the new “vacuum system” that would pull resin directly from the silos and feed it into the presses through large tubes. Prior to the tornado, the resin had to be hand-fed into the presses.
Siren, WI plant damage after the F3 tornado
2003
In Shawano, WI, 4 people from upper-management of a former wood gate manufacturing company purchased the building and equipment to form North States Wood Gates, Inc., which was created as a subsidiary of NSI. At this time, North States had plant operations in Nevis, MN, Siren, WI, and now Shawano, WI, with the corporate office in Blaine, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis, MN.
Shawano, WI plant and wood production
2020
Julie Yager Grad is appointed NSI’s 8th President & CEO, replacing Dean Weisbeck whom retired. Keeping homes safer and more enjoyable for children and pets remains the sole focus of product design and development. Toddleroo by North States® is our baby products brand, North States MyPet® is our pet brand, and our bird products are sold under North States Village Collection® and Nature’s Yard.
NSI’s brand logos: Toddleroo by North States, North States MyPet, Village Collection and Nature’s Yard
2023
North States observes 70 years in business! This is a huge accomplishment that we take great pride in, and are looking forward to celebrating.
In June, Tim Schmidt was promoted to President & CEO, the 9th in NSI’s history.