Highway Products Revenue and Competitors

Highway Products, Inc. is located in southern Oregon just 37 miles north of the California state line in the small town of White City. The area is called the Rogue Valley and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the winter and by the mesa-topped basalt buttes of Upper and Lower Table Rocks. Nearby is the City of Medford and world-renowned Crater Lake. In the 1970s, owner Gene Gros worked in the Rogue Valley as a welder for Willie Boats, Inc., a local manufacturer specializing in white water raft frames, boat and welding repair. Next-door was a trucking outfit that would often contract with Willie's to do repair work and to weld boxes for trucks. Soon Gene was in charge of the "truck department" and word got out to semi drivers that you could get a great toolbox made at Willie's. When Willie's business picked up for boat work, he had to start turning away the box business. Gene saw a great opportunity. With Willie's blessings and encouragement, Gene started a new business with a focus on making toolboxes for trucks.