Ralph Wilson, A Wilsonart Company

Ralph Wilson, Sr., a retired laminate industry executive, founded Wilsonart in 1956 in Temple, Texas as a producer of High Pressure Decorative Laminate (HPL). Surprisingly, WilsonÕs intent was never to build a major competitor, but rather to fill his free time. Today, we still honor his thoughtful approach to business: hire a dedicated local work force, produce high-quality products, and insist upon an old-fashioned commitment to top-notch customer service. Distribution: Wilsonart, first known as the Ralph Wilson Plastics Company, was founded on the promise to deliver Òlaminate anywhere in the United States in 10 days or less.Ó Today the company still maintains its own fleet of delivery trucks throughout North America. A warehouse system, now comprising 20 facilities across the country, responds to diverse market conditions and maintains a vast inventory of laminate within reach of our customers. The 1970s saw a real push to establish what has now become the worldÕs finest network of independent wholesale building materials distributors. Today, these distributors number more than 100 across North America and serve as the personification of Wilsonart, embodying the ideals and service-oriented philosophy on which the company was founded. Manufacturing: WilsonartÕs first manufacturing facility was built in Temple, Texas in 1956, directly across the street from our first customer, a major school furniture manufacturer. According to history, our original laminate orders were shuttled across the street on dollies to fill orders. By the end of the 1970s, Wilsonart¨ Laminate had become one of the nationÕs leading brands of decorative laminate. The Fletcher, North Carolina plant was added in 1979 to meet the increasing demand for product. Less than eight years later, ÒTemple-NorthÓÑthe worldÕs most efficient, state-of-the-art laminate production facilityÑ laid its roots in Texas. This facility has since doubled in size and is today among of the largest of its kind in the world. In addition to the wide range of laminate surface offerings, Wilsonart also produces and distributes its own brand of Wilsonart¨ Adhesives. The manufacturing facility in Temple, Texas produces a wide range of adhesive products for ever-changing market needs.