Established in 1946 by Les Wilson, L. Wilson and Co. started as a small manufacturing business that turned out swivels on the kitchen table of the family home. Recognising a need for rod building components and being a fitter and turner by trade, Les began production of ferrules, screw winch fittings and guides for Butterworth rods. During this period, between the late '50s and the late '60s, L. Wilson and Co. were the largest manufacturer of rod building components in Australia and where one of Australia's largest buyers of brass tubing. It was also during this period that Les developed the much-copied rolled ferrule, a ferrule design that had a rolled lip to allow easier insertion of the male portion of the ferrule.

Throughout this period Wilson's grew, changing premises on many occasions from the start at their family home in East Brisbane, to the Manilla Street operation (1972), and finally to their current premises at 63 Proprietary St, Tingalpa (1992). During the last move Les officially retired from the business, but he tells me that his favourite hobby since retirement is Wilson's! He likes to keep the young blokes in line by turning up to Wilson's and working, more often than not, three days a week. To quote Les, "I'd rather be messing about with these young guys than hanging around with a bunch of old people waiting to die." And it is Les' dry and infectious humour that sets the trend for this company of 45 staff.

From Managing Director Graeme Wilson down to the part-time rod builders, the workforce is happy. And they're not just putting on a happy face - they actually feel that they are a valued part of the company. This working environment is very different from that of many other companies, where workers are treated as product to be used and replaced.

During these developmental years, Wilson's became a well known industry name. Even while they were manufacturing most of the fishing rod components for Butterworth, as well as most other rod makers, the crew at Wilson's were out there doing the hard yards that have seen the company develop into a large business. As part of that growth, Wilson's has also become an agent for many of today's popular fishing brands to make them a one stop fishing shop for over a thousand fishing and leisure retailers throughout Australia and a large scale supplier of equipment to the recreational and commercial fishermen and women of Australia.