| 1940 |
The Wisconsin Marine Company formed. It manufactured boat hoist equipment, floating docks and piers and underwater salvage equipment. |
| 1950 |
The first BOB-CAT 2 Stage Snowthrower was built. This was the sole power product for 20 years. |
| 1958 |
Wisconsin Marine moved from Pewaukee WI to Lake Mills WI. |
| 1972 |
The designs, machinery and inventory of Wisconsin Marine were purchased and a new company was formed under Wisconsin Marine. |
| 1974 |
Wisconsin Marine is dealt a severe blow when a fire destroyed a major portion of the factory. |
| 1975 |
Wisconsin Marine rebuilds and launches a 12” trimmer, 21” push mower, 32”, 36” and 48” midsize walk behind mowers and full range of riding mowers. |
| 1978 |
Extreme growth of the company demanded more manufacturing and warehouse space. 3 locations were leased in Lake Mills, Helenville and Madison WI. Employment grew to 90 people. Ransomes Sims and Jefferies bought a minority interest in the company and were awarded the distribution rights for Europe. |
| 1979 |
Wisconsin Marine bought 40 acres of land in neighboring Johnson Creek WI and built a 90,000 square foot manufacturing facility. All four of the facilities moved under one roof in Johnson Creek. |
| 1981 |
Ransomes Sims and Jefferies buys the remaining shares in Wisconsin Marine and forms a new company called Ransomes America. The Johnson Creek WI facility is called Ransomes Inc. |
| 1982 |
A 23,000 square foot warehouse was added in Johnson Creek WI. |
| 1985 |
A 48,000 square foot manufacturing expansion was added in Johnson Creek Wi |
| 1988 |
Ransomes America purchased Steiner Turf in Dalton Ohio |
| 1989 |
Ransomes America purchased Cushman Inc. which included the Ryan Turf Renovation Products and Brouwer Turf in Keswick Ontario Canada. |
| 1992 |
The Brouwer plant in Keswick Ontario was closed and all the manufacturing was moved to the Dalton Ohio plant. |
| 1997 |
Continued growth and new products required additional space and a 38,400 square foot manufacturing addition was completed. |
| 1998 |
The Ransomes plc worldwide group was purchased by Textron Inc. and formed a division called Textron Golf, Turf & Specialty Products. In late 1998 the Bunton product line was moved from Louisville KY to Johnson Creek WI plant. |
| 1999 |
In August of 1999 a 19,720 square foot addition along with a new state of the art powder paint and wash system were completed. |
| 2002 |
The Steiner and Brouwer plant in Dalton Ohio is closed and the products are moved to Johnson Creek WI. |
| 2006 |
August 19, 2006 Textron sold the Johnson Creek facility along with 5 brands including BOB-CAT, Bunton, Brouwer, Ryan and Steiner to JEP Management. They formed a new company called Commercial Grounds Care, Inc. In October the Brouwer brand and all of its products were sold to Kesmac of Keswick Ontario Canada. |
