began manufacturing wooden legs and shaped arm parts for companies such as Schultz and Hirsch, Ryan Brothers, A. Brandawine, Inland Bedding and Sealy Bedding. Day beds were very popular during that time since they served as both a couch and a bed. The company was started as a family business and a place of employment for Mr. Wicklund's relatives (Swedish immigrants) to work during the Depression years.
The company was very successful and relocated several times with its last manufacturing facility being located on Park Avenue in Harvey, Illinois. The day bed lost its popularity during the mid-1960's and in 1969 the manufacturing facility in Harvey was closed.
Mr. Robert Brainard, a son-in-law of Mr. Wicklund, assumed ownership of the company in 1970. His expertise in the bedding industry allowed him to expand the business into supplying cut-to-size box spring frame lumber into bedding manufacturers such as Sealy, Simmons, Spring Air and Serta nationally. In addition, Mr. Brainard also supplied cut-to-size and assembled furniture parts for sofa sleepers, sofas and chairs to such companies as Sealy, Simmons and Jamison Bedding.
During the early 1970's the company diversified into other industrial areas. Mr. Brainard developed close relationships with hardwood sawmills and started supplying low grade hardwoods into the steel industry. At the same time, Wentworth Wood Products also brokered pallets into the steel industry and food industry and also developed several good plywood sources to produce cut-to-size plywood material.
At the present time, Wentworth Wood Products, Inc. is a full-service lumber wholesaler.