FEATURED BUSINESS

The Worth Company

The Worth Company is a privately-owned, third-generation manufacturer of fishing lure components, outdoor consumer products, split key rings and industrial machinery. Started in 1941 by Joseph Worth as a fly-tying operation, The Worth Company grew to employ over 200 workers in the mid-1950s tying flies. Paid by the piece, employees had the choice of picking up their materials weekly and working from home while others chose to complete their work at the plant allowing them to work and converse with others at the same time.

With the decline of fly-fishing in the 1950s, The Worth Company changed its production emphasis to spinning lures and casting/trolling spoons. At the same time, the company expanded its production of split rings for use as key rings and other connecting applications. In 1959, Joseph Worth passed away with sons Robert and Joseph Jr. taking over the company operations.

The 1960s brought about the introduction of the first boating accessory – the Anchormate® anchor winch. This product, along with two additional models is still in production today. During that same time, The Worth Company began producing small quantities of fishing lure components for other fishing-lure companies.

In 1973, Joseph Worth Jr. passed away and one year later, Robert’s son David joined the company. Throughout the 1970s, American lure manufacturers were faced with the issue of foreign competition. At the same time, bass fishing was quickly becoming the largest segment of the US market. The Worth Company met these changes head on and introduced its product line of bass fishing lures – the Tournament Series® that includes soft-vinyl injection molded worms, crawfish, frogs, eggs and bass fishing jigs.

After expanding its component fishing items to competitive lure manufacturers, it became apparent that the success of The Worth Company was in its production of component parts for the fishing industry.

David Worth purchased the business from his father Robert when he retired in 1986. In the late 1980s the company discontinued production of all completed fishing lures and focused all of its efforts into the production of component parts for the fishing industry. The plant went through major renovations including the replacement and upgrade of all equipment and machinery.

Since that time, the company has expanded its line of component fishing-lure parts to include spinner blades, lure bodies, swivels, casting spoons, trolling spoons, split rings and more. Tackle Talk, a quarterly industry newsletter was developed and is distributed to the 4,000 lure manufacturers worldwide. The company also began producing larger key rings for the automotive and aerospace industries as well as other connecting ring users.

With concerns for the environment, The Worth Company developed, constructed and installed a wastewater treatment facility in the plant 13 years ago that remains in full operation today.

Today The Worth Company is one of the largest producers of fishing lure components in the world with 18% of their sales being exported to Europe, Asia and South America. They produce more than a billion parts annually in a highly automated facility and ship parts to 4,000 lure manufacturers worldwide. The Worth Company strives to give their customers the best quality, lowest prices and best customer service. The company’s 80 dedicated and hard-working employees are proud of their facility and the components they produce.

You can expect to see David Worth in the office on a daily basis. While he doesn’t get involved in much of the day-to-day operations, he is the primary data-processing “employee” on staff, maintaining the entire computer system including The Worth Company website, an important sales tool used in the success of their business.

While deeply rooted in the community, David prefers to maintain a low profile. However, his generous gift of time and financial contributions continue to be valuable to the growth and success of our community.

Facts Worth Noting
The Worth Companyߪ

supplies a billion parts a year to 4,000 lure manufacturers globally.
is the only company in the world to make the perfect split ring.
supplies sterling silver split rings to Tiffany’s for use in jewelry production.
has never had an employee layoff since its founding in 1941.