As the years have passed, markets have evolved, technology has progressed, yet we have maintained a proactive focus on innovation and finding new ways to add value with and partner with our customers.
From humble beginnings as a ship chandlery serving ships on the Port of Milwaukee, to programmable, automated machines making products for MedTech, OEMs, and the government – if the company’s founding fathers could see us now!
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1844
Greenleaf D. Norris opened G.D. Norris & Co. as a ship chandlery and sail loft on the Milwaukee River.
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1869-1885
Norris employee, Andrew M. Joys purchased the company with Norris’ widow, Alice, in 1869.
In 1875 Joys’ brother, Captain John Joys, bought into the company. When Alice left the company in 1885, it was renamed Joys Brothers Co.
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1887
Richard T. Laacke, an 18-year-old steeplejack, sign hanger, and awning manufacturer founded the R. Laacke Co.
Laacke’s focus on sign work paid off and he was soon erecting the majority of signs in Milwaukee.
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1910s
The company expanded into making canvas products and eventually became a supplier to the U.S. military helping the country’s war effort.
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1912
Richard Laacke became a founding member of the National Canvas Association, known today as Advanced Textiles Association (ATA). Laacke & Joys Co. is the longest-standing continuous member of the ATA.
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1930s
The company expanded into awning manufacturing and acquired five different awning manufactures in the Midwest and Florida.
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1939-1945
During WWII the R. Laacke Company supplied extensive canvas products to the armed services. Tents, truck covers, and canvas water tanks were the primary products.
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1940s
The United States government presented the company with the Army Ordnance Award for exceptional achievement in the production of war material.
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1957
R. Laacke Company purchased Joys Brothers Co. and merged the two companies, which became the Laacke & Joys Company.
Richard Laacke’s son-in-law, H.C. Woehr became president and principal owner until 1979.
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1961
The company moved its retail and manufacturing divisions to 1433 North Water Street in Milwaukee, WI.
The family camping, tent, and awning business was expanded to include large circus-style tents. They also sold their own line of pop-up campers.
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1970
Awning and tent rental operations were discontinued to concentrate on commercial manufacturing and retail products.
The earliest years of Milwaukee’s lakefront Summerfest featured large circus tents manufactured by Laacke & Joys.
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1974
A retail store was added in Mequon, WI.
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1978
Laacke & Joys acquired Hall Saddlery, which featured equestrian supplies and equipment.
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1979
The Bank Products Division was added thanks to another acquisition.
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1982
The company was purchased by Ralph J. Wollmer, a long time employee, and Sargeant E. Joys, a fourth-generation family member working within the company.
The Industrial Division expanded its customer base to include many OEMs in Southeastern Wisconsin.
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1984
Hall Saddlery was moved to a new 10,000 ft² building in Brookfield, WI.
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1996
Marsha and Terry Mather and partner Steven Haas, acquired the company from Ralph Wollmer and Sargeant Joys.
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1998
The Mequon, WI store was moved to a 14,000 ft² facility which more than doubled the retail space.
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2003
Laacke & Joys Industrial Division was rebranded to Laacke & Joys Design & Manufacturing Division in 2003. The rebranding highlighted the combination of manufacturing and engineering for soft goods, sewn products.
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2006
Marsha and Terry Mather bought Steve Haas’ interest in the company.
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2007
The Hall Saddlery store moved to a new location in Sussex, WI. The Brookfield, WI store expanded its patio selection into the old Hall’s location and became Casual Living Furniture & Design.
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2011
Laacke & Joys Design & Manufacturing was rebranded as LJ Design & Manufacturing.
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2012
Laacke & Joys Co. acquired Concept Seating, a leading manufacturer of 24/7 office chairs.
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2014
LJ Design & Manufacturing division moved into a state-of-the-art 56,000 ft² manufacturing facility at 3205 N. 124th St. Brookfield, WI.
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2019
Laacke & Joys closed its retail division shuttering all stores including Hall Saddlery. The primary focus became the manufacturing divisions.
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2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laacke & Joys was considered an essential business and continued the manufacturing of medical device components, 24/7 chairs for the public safety industry, and more.
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2024
Greg Mather joined Laacke & Joys as its current president.
Laacke & Joys Co. celebrated its 180th anniversary.
