BOOKER & WALLESTAD

The following information comes from the ITT Thermotech News, November 1970.  We think Booker & Wallestad and Thermotech were some kind of divisions of Rodgers Hydraulic.

In the late forties, Bob Booker started the Booker Co., which made plastic fish baits.  He was joined by Vick Wallestad and for awhile they operated as Juno Tool Co.  This company was sold in 1951 and in 1952 they formed the Booker & Wallestad Co., manufacturing custom molded parts.  They leased space in the rear of Rainbow Plastic's building on Wayzata Blvd. and used a single car garage for grinding and storing material.  The company did thermoplastic and thermosetting molding, manufacturing bobbins, hearing aids, and components for fishing equipment. 

In 1954, the company built a plant at 3326 Gorham Ave. in St. Louis Park.  Thermotech Plastics was formed and located in an addition to the building.  In the '50s, B&W developed their specialization in intricate and delicate component parts.  In 1970, Manager Chuck Eitel said "B&W today produces parts that are used in applications from nuts and bolts to pieces that have round-trips to the moon." 

In 1969 the company moved to new facilities in Hopkins. 

3326 Gorham Ave., 1970

Home    St. Louis Park History    History Index    About the Society    Research Resources
Brookside Timeline    Something In The Water    The Re-Echo    Contact Us

This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.