Seven decades may seem like a long time, but not if you're Hodgdon, the preeminent supplier of gunpowder and blackpowder to handloaders and muzzleloaders. Although 2017 will mark the venerable company's seventieth anniversary, they're only just getting started. The Brand That’s True®, is pleased to recognize 2017 as the 70th Anniversary for the Hodgdon brand.
Bob Hodgdon, co-founder of the company, remembers, “Our first ad selling surplus powder appeared in American Rifleman magazine in November, 1947. Although we’ve grown over the last 70 years and our company has a lot of accomplishments to celebrate, in our hearts, we’re still a group of proud handloading shooters and hunters from Kansas. We are grateful to our employees who manufacture, package and ship the product and for our handloading and muzzleloading customers who appreciate what we do.”
The Hodgdon story is, in essence, the story of a family. In 1947, Bruce and Amy Hodgdon, along with their sons JB and Bob, launched the company. In the beginning, they offered the first surplus powder available after the conclusion of World War II. Seventy years later, the company's family beginnings are still remembered and cherished.
“Our father Bruce was drafted into the service during World War II, where he served as an aerial gunnery instructor for the Navy,” said JB Hodgdon, Hodgdon co-founder. “He used skeet to teach his students about the lead required to hit targets. He couldn’t get enough ammunition to teach skeet but could get components, so brother Bob and I would help him most nights loading shotshells so he could teach class the next day.”
Happy anniversary, Hodgdon—here's to many more!
