Yo-Ho Tools: Iowa Time Machine December 4, 1941

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On December 4, 1941, Yeoman & Company (Yo-Ho) Tools announced an expansion and change in ownership. Known for its quality products, the company has stood the test of time, growing from a basement business to one of Iowa’s iconic brands.

William F. Yeoman of Monticello, Iowa, founded the company during the 1930s. Initially, Yeoman contracted local manufacturers to produce steel rake heads and shovel blades, which he later assembled into finished products in his basement. However, the business, known as YO-HO Tools because of a partnership with two local brothers named L.E. and R.E. Hoag, quickly grew. Expanding beyond the Yeoman home in 1935 and again into a larger plant in 1941, the popular tool brand emerged as a successful business.

World War II also offered Yeoman & Company the opportunity to continue its expansion. Designed and built to meet the needs of the agricultural and manufacturing industries of the upper Midwest, Yeoman & Company was designated an essential industry. The Monticello company produced tools for agriculture and heavy industry, snow tools to clear the decks of US Navy aircraft carriers, and everyday-use items for Victory Gardens.

For nearly 100 years, Yeoman & Company has continued to grow. The largest family-owned manufacturer in the industry, with a product line including more than 600 tools, Yeoman & Company is an iconic Iowa business. #Iowa #OTD #History #Tools #Industry