Our History
A timeline of significant events in Kusel History.
1848
Wisconsin becomes the 30th state in the union.
1849
Daniel Kusel Sr. immigrates to the U.S. from Grabow, Germany and settles in Watertown, Wisconsin.
June 23, 1849
Daniel Kusel Sr. opens a tinware business in Watertown, Wisconsin.
1863
Daniel’s son, Captain Fredrick Kusel, serves in Watertown’s Company E, 20th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.
1864
Daniel Kusel Sr. helps establish Northwestern College in Watertown, known today as Luther Preparatory School.
Daniel Kusel Sr. retires from family business.
Daniel’s sons, Fredrick and Daniel Jr., take over business and rename the company D. & F. Kusel. They expand with a focus on manufacturing and hardware sales.
1897
D. & F. Kusel incorporates.
1905
Daniel Kusel Sr. passes away.
1938
The company separates into two entities, the hardware store, Kusel Hardware, and the manufacturing business, renamed Kusel Dairy Equipment.
1949
Kusel Hardware and Kusel Dairy Equipment celebrate 100 years in business
1960
In response to a booming food processing industry, Kusel Dairy Equipment begins to provide sales and service to businesses within this channel.
1973
The Kusel family sells Kusel Dairy Equipment to Robert Elfline and Gary Smith.
1975
Kusel Dairy Equipment becomes Kusel Equipment Co.
1976
Gary Smith becomes President of Kusel Equipment Co.
1977
Gary and Jan Smith acquire 100% ownership of Kusel Equipment Co.
1978
Kusel Equipment Co. moves to its current location at 820 West Street in Watertown, Wisconsin.
1970s & 1980s
Kusel Equipment Co. is awarded numerous patents for its A-Frame and Longhorn Pressing cheese-making equipment.
1984
Kusel Equipment Co. introduces its stainless-steel floor drain product line.
1985
Kusel Hardware closes its doors after 136 years in business, the longest operating hardware store in the state of Wisconsin.
1994
Kusel Equipment Co. acquires food processing equipment manufacturer Starr, Inc.
1998
Gary and Jan’s son, David Smith, joins Kusel Equipment Co.
1999
Kusel Equipment Co. celebrates 150 years in business.
2003
Kusel Equipment Co. acquires meat smokehouse manufacturer Vortron Smokehouses.
2006
Gary Smith named Chairman and David Smith named President of Kusel Equipment Co.
2008
Kusel Equipment Co. divests from food processing product line.
2009
Kusel Equipment Co. divests from the smokehouse product line.
2014
Kusel Equipment Co. Chairman Gary Smith passes away.
2016
Kusel Equipment Co. Chairman Gary Smith is posthumously awarded the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his significant role in building the success of the U.S. Dairy Industry.
2018
Kusel Equipment Co. completes brand and logo refresh.
2024
Today
Guided by our brand pillars of honesty, responsibility, service, and quality Kusel Equipment Co. is ready to provide you with trusted solutions for any of your project’s needs.