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I. The Early Days (1873-1896)
Like so many "brilliant" success stories, the development of John A. Wright's first product was the result of a rather accidental discovery. It all started in 1872.
While driving his buggy on a back road near Keene, New Hampshire, John A. Wright spotted a cow mired in a muddy bog. He enlisted a neighboring farmer to help free the hapless-and dirty-bovine. As the two men chatted, Mr. Wright noticed that the dark-colored mud on the animal's legs and flanks grew lighter as it dried. Wiping the mud from the cow's bell, he saw something remarkable: the metal of the bell appeared much brighter where the mud had been, as if polished. Intrigued, Mr. Wright had the mud analyzed and discovered that the substance was diatomaceous earth, or silicon diatomite, formed from the fossilized shells of microscopic, single-celled aquatic algae. High in silica, the "magic mud" seemed a natural for polishing metal.
Mr. Wright immediately purchased the land containing the silica diatomite and began marketing the substance under the brand names "Red Star Cleaning Powder" and "Golden Seal Metal Polish." Originally, the product was a fine, dry powder. By 1887, Mr. Wright had developed a more practical product, registering it under the name "Silver Cream." The business prospered.
II. Growth and Challenge (1896-1972)
In 1896, upon Mr. Wright's death, his sons Frank A. and Arthur L. took over. They continued to innovate, introducing glass jars (25 cents for a half pint) and an automated assembly line. The brothers sought out new sources of diatomaceous earth to satisfy demand.
By 1914, the company's annual advertising budget was an impressive $25,000. The company introduced a variety of innovative promotional techniques, including free samples, premiums, and prizes. The company grew steadily, and so did the compassion of Wright management. Frank introduced a five-day workweek, before Henry Ford.
Arthur's only child, John P. Wright, succeeded his father and uncle in 1929-just in time to face the challenges of the Great Depression. He responded to a 10 percent decline in sales with an aggressive campaign that included the company's first radio advertising in 1930. By 1937, all previous sales record were broken. John P.'s belief in the power of promotion never waned and in 1954, the Wright company ran its first television advertisements on Dave Garroway's "Today Show."
To accommodate expansion, in 1940 the company built a fully automated production facility on Dunbar Street in Keene. This location still houses all J.A. Wright and Co. operations to this day.
III. Expanding the Family (1972-1992)
The fourth generation of Wrights-John M. and Thomas P.-took the reigns in the early 1970s, as president and vice president, respectively. They expanded the product family, developing brass and copper polishes and jewelry cleaner. They christened the new and improved Wright product line "America's First Family of Metal Polishes."
Strongly committed to product innovation and quality, the Wrights created a modern in-house laboratory. In the 1980s, R&D efforts led to the replacement of diatomaceous earth with a natural clay that produced an even brighter finish.
To meet growing demand for its growing line of products, in 1983 the brothers expanded the Dunbar Street facility by 50 percent.
IV. The Fifth Generation (1992-Today)
In 1992 John B. Wright, son of John M., became the fifth generation of Wrights to preside over the company. Among John B.'s contributions is Wright's "liberal arts program of manufacturing" in which employees in production and customer service teams rotate duties and share job descriptions. The result: the best-trained, most highly skilled work force in the company's history.
Now well into its second century, J.A. Wright and Co. is as devoted as ever to maintaining its tradition of producing quality products with a keen sense of responsibility to its customers, its employees and the community.
"While other companies in our industry have become absorbed by giant conglomerates, J.A. Wright remains family-owned and -operated," John B. Wright says proudly, "Today, we have the same commitment to producing quality products, and to serving our customers, that has marked generations of Wrights before me."
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