is a family-owned and operated manufacturing company which produces boat paddles, canoe paddles, kayak paddles, rafting paddles, safety paddles and oars for the marine, fishing tackle, canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting industries all over the world. The company was founded in the late 1940s by the late James T. “Jimmy” Caviness and became incorporated in September 1954. Initially, the comp
any produced wooden furniture parts and brooms as well as paddles and oars. North Mississippi includes Grenada, Sardis, Enid and Arkabutla Reservoirs and their tributaries, With this enormous amount of fishing habitat, Jimmy Caviness saw the need for good-quality, low-cost john boat paddles. He retired in 1972 at the age of sixty-eight and died in January of 1989. In 1961 James B. “Jim” Caviness, son of James T. Caviness, purchased shares of the company and began his business career. Jim Caviness expanded the business from local markets into international markets. In the late 1980s, he also initiated Caviness Woodworking Company’s successful venture into the whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and outfitting industries with a new product line of synthetic paddles and oars. Jim Caviness is currently the Chairman of the Board of Caviness Woodworking Company, Inc. In 1980 James D. “Don” Caviness, son of James B. “Jim” Caviness and a member of the third generation, entered the family business. He has actually been exposed to the business since the age of eleven and learned the business from the ground up. Don Caviness has guided the company as president since 1986. In the mid 2000s, he and his brother Mike ventured into canoeing, kayaking and outfitting retailer market by introducting a new line of products branded CavPro that consists of both wooden and synthetic products. Don Caviness has continued the tradition of excellence in manufacturing and marketing which had been put forth by his family members. In 1990 Michael E. “Mike” Caviness, another member of the third generation and also a son of James B. “Jim” Caviness, entered the company. Mike has three children; Darby, Cooper, and Conner. Mike’s main emphasis is on govermental regulations, EDI implementation and administration, and computer automation of manufacturing machinery. Mike is also responsible for the procurement of all materials equired to manufacture the synthetic products as well as all corrugation for the company. Mike is Vice President of Caviness Woodworking Company, Inc. In 2008 James K. “Kris” Caviness, the son of James D. “Don” Caviness and a member of the forth generaltion of Caviness manufacturers, began full-time in the family business. Kris has also been around the family business from a young age working summers and after school while in high school. Currently Kris’ main responsibilities are to perform many of the accounts payable functions of our day-to-day business, marketing, new product development, purchasing various components, various levels of production, and maintenance of the company website. Finally, Kris has been extremely instrumental in the development of our new CavPro product line as well as our new website and catalog. Just in case your are wondering.......yes, there is a fifth generation. James H. “Henry” Caviness, son of James K. “Kris” Caviness, was born in November 2010, and Kristopher H. “Holt” Caviness, also son of James K. “Kris” Caviness, was born in March 2013. During almost 70 years, Caviness Woodowrking Company, Inc. has grown from a “backyard” operation into the world’s largest manufacturer of paddles and oars. This growth can be directly attributed to the hard work and dedication of its
