The Godwin Group

The Godwin Group is a truck equipment manufacturer headquartered in Dunn, North Carolina comprising nine subsidiaries: Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc., R/S-Godwin Truck Body Company, LLC, Galion-Godwin Truck Body Company, LLC, Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company, Champion Hoist and Equipment, Good Roads by Godwin, Godwin Import Export LLC, Godwin Aviation LLC, and Allied Mobile Systems. The company specializes in dump bodies, truck hoists, and snow removal equipment such as snow plows and salt spreaders. Founded in April 2004, the firm was created to centralize operations of each subsidiary.[1] The Godwin Group is one of the largest family-owned and operated truck equipment manufacturers in the United States.[2]

The offices of The Godwin Group are located at 200 Champion Drive in Dunn, a large manufacturing facility originally owned by sports apparel company Champion Products, Inc. After Champion relocated most of its operations to Mexico in March 1999,[3] the 250,000 square foot facility remained vacant until purchased by The Godwin Group in 2004. The facility houses both The Godwin Group offices and one of their subsidiaries, Champion Hoist and Equipment.

With six of the nine firms located in Dunn, the city has been dubbed the truck body capital of the world.[4]

Despite the residual economic woes of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Godwin Group posted a 13.1% YOY increase in sales in 2021 making it their most profitable year ever according to Pat Godwin, Sr.[5]

In 2022, The Godwin Group installed the world's most powerful CNC laser fiber machine, manufactured by German company Eagle Laser.[6] At the time of installation it was only the second of its kind in North America; the other was located in Pennsylvania.

Companies

Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. was founded on April 1, 1966 by Pat Godwin, Sr. in Dunn, North Carolina. Godwin, Sr. dropped out of school in sixth grade to work at his family's sweet potato farm in Sampson County, North Carolina.[7] Later in his twenties, Godwin worked as a Pepsi-Cola delivery driver until he left his job and started a welding business, Godwin Welding Service, in his back yard which would eventually grow into Godwin Manufacturing.[8]

References

  1. ^ "The Godwin Group". ForConstructionPros.com. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  2. ^ Futch, Michael (2014-04-23). "Godwin group buys truck equipment company in Utah". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. ^ WRAL (1998-10-20). "Dunn Plant Closes in March, 400 Employees to be Laid Off". WRAL.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  4. ^ "Godwin Manufacturing receives award from Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce". NTEA. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  5. ^ Farmer, Lisa (December 17, 2021). "Godwin Group marks best year yet". Daily Record. Scotland. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  6. ^ Shackelford, Jenna (September 1, 2021). "World's most powerful laser coming to North Carolina". Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  7. ^ Lisa, Farmer (2020-05-07). "Godwin Mfg.: 'We wanted to be the good guys.'". JoCo Report. The Johnston County Report. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  8. ^ Farmer, Lisa (2022-03-25). "Godwin Manufacturing Named Large Business Of The Year". JoCo Report. The Johnston County Report. Retrieved 2023-03-28.