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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.


Today

Kusel Equipment Co. celebrates its 174th year in business with two prominent business lines:

> Cheese-Making Equipment
> Stainless-Steel Drains

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.