Cheyenne, Wyoming – Governor Mark Gordon today announced that the Wright & McGill Company (Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle) has purchased 60 acres in Cheyenne, Wyoming to build a new manufacturing plant.
“Growing up fishing here in Wyoming, some of my first fishing tackle was Eagle Claw,” Governor Gordon said. “Having them locate in Wyoming is like a boyhood dream coming true. This is yet another example of an outdoor recreation business recognizing Wyoming as welcoming to businesses in this sector.”
The company plans to add to their manufacturing capabilities by building a state-of-the-art facility. The factory will take advantage of the latest technology to move processes from overseas while providing highly skilled jobs to the Cheyenne community.
Cheyenne LEADS began working with Wright & McGill in March of 2020. The company’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Drew McGill, made several trips to Wyoming before choosing the exact manufacturing site located in the Cheyenne Business Parkway.
The company has long ties to Wyoming with the founder having fished many times on the North Platte River. The company held annual sales meetings at the A Bar A ranch near Encampment, WY. The company’s current owner Lee McGill grew up fishing and working those events in Wyoming. When the time came for the company to expand, Mr. McGill turned to his son Drew McGill to find a location that was advantageous for the company. While proximity to Denver was important, no state was left out of the process. After over five years of research and site visits, Wyoming made the most sense to the company.
Wright and McGill chose Cheyenne due to its strategic location in relation to its current manufacturing facility in Denver, CO. They also see great opportunities to be involved in and contribute to the community. “As a family-owned business, we appreciate the independent, friendly, family-oriented culture we’ve experienced in Cheyenne, for both ourselves, and for future generations of our family and our employees,” Drew said.
“We appreciate that LEADS has been responsive and helpful from day one. They have acquainted us with the community. They’ve answered numerous questions and connected us to the resources necessary to make this move happen,” said Drew McGill. “Cheyenne LEADS has supported us by welcoming our key employees and giving them informational tours, which helped them feel comfortable with the move, all while helping us find the perfect location for our new facility.”
“This decision by Wright & McGill will continue to diversify the Wyoming economy with high-quality manufacturing jobs,” says Betsey Hale, CEO of Cheyenne LEADS. “We look forward to having them in our business park and working with them into the future.”
They plan to begin construction of their new facility in the Spring of 2023.
About the Wright & McGill Co.
Wright & McGill Co. has a rich history that dates back over 90 years and began when two young anglers Drew McGill and Stan Wright formed the Wright & McGill Co. in 1925. The innovative hook company that is now Eagle Claw all started when McGill was spending time doing what he loves most, fly fishing the upper Colorado River and saw two large eagles swoop down and catch fish with their large talons. That moment inspired the design of the eagle claw fishhooks. Today Eagle Claw is considered the most innovative fishhook company in the world and is the only fishhook manufacturer in the U.S.A
The company manufactures and distributes premium quality fishhooks, rods, reels, terminal tackle, and ice fishing products throughout the U.S. and in over 40 countries worldwide. It proudly outfit anglers with the Eagle Claw, Lazer Sharp, TroKar, and Wright & McGill brands. Eagle Claw is proud to continue its tradition and bring an additional manufacturing facility to Wyoming.
About Cheyenne LEADS
Cheyenne LEADS is a private, not-for-profit organization serving as the economic development entity for the City of Cheyenne and Laramie County, Wyoming. LEADS can assist businesses in all phases of relocation or expansion.
For questions and additional information contact:
Betsey Hale, CEcD CEO- Cheyenne LEADS
307-638-6000 betseyh@cheyenneleads.org
For more information about Write & McGill Co: https://www.eagleclaw.com/about-us/our-history