156 Years of Manufacturing Excellence. WH Bagshaw Company Continues a Legacy Built on Trust, Precision and People
By Arthur Field
Hudson, New Hampshire – One of the oldest pin manufacturers in the United States is celebrating an extraordinary milestone in 2026. WH Bagshaw Company, Inc. marks 156 years in business, continuing operations under the leadership of the fifth generation of the Bagshaw family.
The company’s remarkable history includes a staggering order from the early 1900s. 1,750,000,000 needles produced in a single order, a milestone that helped cement Bagshaw’s reputation as a world leader in precision manufacturing.
Recently, Arthur Field travelled to Hudson, New Hampshire alongside Ana Fernanda Melendez to experience the facility firsthand and document the operation. While many companies can be researched online or discussed in meetings, stepping onto the shop floor reveals the true culture behind long-term success.
Inside the Bagshaw facility, attention to detail is immediately clear. Fresh epoxy flooring, 32 CNC machines in operation, and meticulously organised shadow boards at every station demonstrate the discipline and pride embedded throughout the company’s manufacturing environment. Every tool has its place, reflecting a level of organisation and process control that underpins consistent quality.
During the visit, Arthur Field was filming a case study for 1factory, Inc., a digital quality assurance platform that was championed internally by Bagshaw’s production supervisor. Leadership empowered the supervisor to evaluate and select the right solution for the business. That same individual now manages the entire production floor, highlighting a culture where trust and responsibility drive growth from within.
This approach to leadership and operational excellence has been a defining characteristic of Bagshaw for more than a century and a half. While many organisations speak about empowering their people, Bagshaw has built it into the fabric of the company.
At 156 years strong, WH Bagshaw Company continues to demonstrate that sustainable manufacturing success is not simply about technology or scale. It is about culture, trust, and the people who carry a legacy forward generation after generation.
