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Tampa company loses grip to Asia

Hunt-Wilde Corp. says it will close, ending 55 jobs and more than a half-century of supplying grips for handles.

By HELEN HUNTLEY
Published December 10, 2005

A Tampa company that makes handle grips for power tools and wheelchairs is shutting down after a 59-year run, surrendering the market to foreign competitors.

Hunt-Wilde Corp. said Friday it will close early next year, eliminating 55 jobs.

"We have tried numerous efficiency improvements to compete with foreign manufacturers, such as waste reduction, streamlining operations and lean manufacturing," president Doug Hunt said.

"But many of the companies that use our grips have themselves moved production overseas, eliminating the need for our products."

Hunt-Wilde was founded in 1946, when friends Kenneth Hunt and H. L. Wilde pooled $1,000 to start the business in Dayton, Ohio. Hunt came up with his share by selling his 1941 Pontiac. Their first product was a frog-shaped fishing lure; handle grip production began in 1949. They moved operations to Tampa in 1978, when the business was in its heyday.

At its peak, Hunt-Wilde employed about 160 people and supplied handle grips for bicyclemakers such as Schwinn, Huffy and Murray. Now most bicycles and the grips used on them are made in Asia.

The company bills itself as the world's leading manufacturer of handle grips. Its grips are used on lawn and garden equipment, power tools, wheelchairs and walkers.

The business is owned and run by the founders' families.

Employees will be given help finding other jobs, but will not receive severance pay, the company said.

Helen Huntley can be reached at hhuntley@sptimes.com or 727 893-8230.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]