The Beginning:
The Watson Company Inc. was founded in 1957 by Bob Watson. Bob returned from World War II in 1946 after his National Guard unit was activated in 1940. Bob spent 3 years of his service in the European Theater Of Operations and attaining the rank of First Sergeant with Patton’s Third Army. Bob was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the Croix deGuerre by the French government.

Brief History:
Bob began working for Associated Distributors in 1946 running a cash wagon. Bob would stop at the customer’s location, go in, get the order, go out to the truck, put it up and deliver it.

In 1957 Bob bought his truck and the inventory. After paying for the truck and inventory Bob had $105.00 to work with.

The company’s area of distribution at that time was roughly a 30 mile radius of Cambridge MN.

Bob’s warehouse was his one car garage at his home in Cambridge. The location was 839 S. Ashland, and the single car garage is still there today.

Products were candy, tobacco and snacks. With determined effort and a “nose to the grindstone” work ethic the business grew to the point were another truck could be added.

Bob’s nephew George Nold handled the second route for several years. George eventually went to work at the Regional Center in Cambridge. Bob’s son Steve joined the company in 1967 taking over the truck and routes that George had been running.

In 1963 a larger warehouse was built east of Cambridge. This warehouse was added onto twice over the next few years.

In 1973 Bob’s son Jim joined the company and the company switched from cash trucks to pre-selling with next day delivery. At this time Bob had 4 employees.

In 1980 Bob and his wife Jeanne retired and began spending winters in Arizona. Bob passed away in 2004 and Jeanne today spends her time with her grandchildren and friends of which she has many.

Today:
The company is fully computerized and operates of out a 20,000+ sq. foot warehouse located on the south end of Cambridge, and deliveries are by modern multi-temp trucks.

Products now cover 15 major categories including grocery, dairy, institutional foods, concession supplies, frozen foods and equipment.

The company delivers all orders with it’s own fleet of modern multi-temp trucks.

Various types of equipment are also provided for use by qualified accounts.

The company currently services customers from Albert Lea to Duluth and the Wisconsin border to west of St. Cloud.

The Watson Company offers some unique products and services along with the traditional wholesale lines expected. Included in these are the Good Humor Ice Cream Freezer Program and Slush Puppie Products, which include Slush Puppie, Pacific Bay and Thelma’s Old Fashioned Lemonade.

THE FUTURE:

1. The Watson Company is dedicated working closely with its customers.
   
2. Continuing to provide quality products and services at an excellent value.
   
3. Maintaining a strong commitment to customer service
   
4. Remembering that we can be no more successful than our customers.