We have survived two world wars,
a depression, recessions and a myriad of SCAMS. You be the judge. Everything in our timeline can be easily checked and verified.
"Jim Martin - Independent Watkins Associate"
1868 – Twenty-eight year old J.R.
Watkins founds J.R.
Watkins Medical Company in Plainview, Minn.
1869 – America’s
first money-back guarantee is
introduced.
1885 – Company is moved to Winona,
Minnesota.
1895 – Watkins enters the gourmet
Specialty Food
Market.
1901 – The Watkins Almanac, Home
Doctor &
Cookbook are published.
1912 – Watkins completes a 1.2 million
dollar
Administration
Building.
1913 – Watkins opens the Winnipeg
office in Manitoba
Canada.
1915 – Watkins becomes world’s
largest direct selling
company.
1920 – Product line reaches 100 selections
1922 – Herbal vitamin tablets are
introduced.
1928 – Watkins receives Gold Medal
Honors at Paris
International Exposition
1940 – Product line reaches 200 selections
1942 – 90% of capacity dedicated
to war effort
1955 – Launches first national advertising
campaign
1960 – Watkins is on NBC’s
Today Show
1978 – Ownership transferred to Irwin
Jacobs & family
1990 – Watkins introduces customer
direct delivery.
1997 – Product line is refined and
expanded
1999 – Product line reaches 350 selections
2003 – Made for T.V movie about Watkins
Associate
Bill Porter wins six Emmys.
