LEMMON, SD — April 1, 1946 was no joke.

It was the beginning of a business venture turned to a legacy that would sustain generations of a family and rise to become the largest supplier of jewelry in the tourism and travel industries. Wheeler Manufacturing is heading into its 80^th year of success.

Using the money they each saved serving in World War II, husband and wife, RB and Fran Wheeler, purchased a small jewelry shop on Main Street in Lemmon, S.D. Their first catalog was a small postcard showcasing several agate rings.

Business has certainly changed in the eight decades since the company’s founding, but the family ties still run deep. It’s not just a family business in title; RB and Fran brought their sons, Brad and Rob Wheeler, into the business after they finished college and graduate school in 1978. And grandchildren, Lyndsey and Lucas Wheeler, are now playing integral roles in the company as the third generation. Additionally, several community families in the area have generations who have made their careers with Wheeler as well. 

The place Wheeler Manufacturing inhabits is as charming as the close-knit company itself. The factory and offices still occupy a prominent place on Lemmon’s Main Street and employ more than 100 hardworking people. For a town of its population, approximately 1,200, it boasts a remarkable amount of options for dining, art, shopping and entertainment. It’s apparent that Wheeler and Lemmon maintain a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship. Wheeler Manufacturing has always been dedicated to including and improving the community, and Lemmon has been steadfast in providing a reliable workforce and building support for its residents.

While success of this nature could certainly result in a company resting on its laurels, Wheeler continues to broaden its offerings and carve new paths in the market. Their newest pursuit involves the acquisition of the States-side business of KC Gifts on January 1, a Canadian company that has successfully sold with retailers for several decades. Wheeler is now the owner and sole-proprietor of KC Gifts USAä, a new division that will sell and service the KC Gifts brand in the United States. Even with exciting growth and expansion, the company remains firmly dedicated to the quality that they’re known for. 

This September, Wheeler Manufacturing and Lemmon will host more than 50 of their sales men and women from all over North America to commemorate their 80^th Anniversary. The week’s plans consist of employee recognition, tours of the factory and Lemmon’s best sites, celebrating the contributions of a dedicated team and community, and, in the spirit of friendly competition, the first annual Salesperson Vs. Factory Classic where sales reps will face Lemmon-based employees in a fun-spirited basketball game. 

Some businesses manufacture products, but the best also build communities.