Est. 1920

Our History

From a single printing press in Milford, New Hampshire to the nation’s leading awards company — over a century of honoring achievement.

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1920

1920s: Where it all began.

It was an unusually chilly morning in Milford, New Hampshire on September 18, 1920. The sun was bright, and a proud William Hodges stood in front of a red brick building with utter excitement. This was the beginning, where it all started, Hodges Badge founded by William Hodges.

William worked for another badge company that just recently closed its doors due to financial hardships, now stood unemployed for the first time in his life. With a family to feed, a dream and seeing the possibilities in front of him, purchased a printing press from his now defunct employer to start his own business. With much resistance from his wife and children, he forged forward with a promise to his family, that he would succeed. All he requested from them, was to be supportive in the beginning days. William would work long hours printing the ribbons, while his two daughters, Anna Marice and Emaline Genevive, stitched the ribbons. Word traveled fast that Hodges Badge was a reliable quality business to purchase ribbons. Business was booming.

Historic photograph of office buildings on Essex Street, Boston, MA, mid-1920s — ("Buildings South Side of Essex St., Buildings East Side Washington St., Boston, Mass., Undated.") Pictured are office buildings on Essex Street, Boston, MA, in the mid-1920s. Hodges Badge Company’s first location in Boston was at 166 Essex Street Boston, MA, and is shown among these buildings.

Vintage rosettes from William Hodges prior employer — The rosettes depicted are from the badge company that William Hodges worked for before he started Hodges Badge Company. These rosettes are still proudly displayed at the headquarters in Portsmouth, RI.

Many big events happened in the 1920s, better known as the “Roaring Twenties”. Social and political changes were all the topic at every event in the United States. Many more Americans were now living in cities. The nation’s economic growth more than doubled. Hodges Badge Company moved to the Greater Boston Area into a two-room loft space at 166 Essex Street Boston, MA. Frederick J. Hodges, William’s son and his oldest child, left the Boston Marine Railroad and joined the company as a full-time employee in 1924. The company was growing faster than William could have ever imagined.

In America

The Roaring '20s were a time of a booming stock market, speakeasies, short skirts, the Charleston, and jazz.
Women won the right to vote.
World War I ended.
Babe Ruth hit his home run record of 60 home runs.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse first appeared in a film.
The American Professional Football League was formed.
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean.

In America

The Roaring '20s were a time of a booming stock market, speakeasies, short skirts, the Charleston, and jazz.
Women won the right to vote.
World War I ended.
Babe Ruth hit his home run record of 60 home runs.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse first appeared in a film.
The American Professional Football League was formed.
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean.

1930

Becoming the Company you Know and Love!

The 1930s were a time of unrest for our great country. The Great Depression weighed heavily upon the economy, prohibition had ended, skyscrapers like the Empire State Building were becoming more popular and another world war loomed in the offing. The Hoover Dam was built, the Hindenburg exploded and the “War of the Worlds” was upon us.

Hodges Badge Company was fortunate to be busier than ever, as many family businesses were closing their doors. In fact, the Hodges family had to hire employees outside the family for the first time to keep up with demand.

Life in Boston was keen! The financial risk that William took to open his business was paying off. The Hodges’ family established themselves in the badge world. All the resistance that William had received from taking the risk to start the business had faded away.

Hodges staff at 166 Essex Street, Boston, 1938 — Photo taken in 1938 at 166 Essex Street Boston, MA, Hodges Badge Company’s first location in Boston. The photo features (right to left) William Hodges, Frederick (“Ted”) Hodges, and three of Hodges Badge Company’s first employees in Boston.

Handmade Hodges Beauty rosette, 1939 — Hand made Hodges Beauty rosette from 1939.

What other events and products could the Hodges’ cater to by supplying awards? Just like that, a huge opportunity appeared as horse shows gained popularity in the United States. William used the knowledge and skills that he had learned from his previous employer to fashion horse show ribbons and created the Beauty rosette.

Anna Marice and Emaline Genevive, both skilled seamstresses, hand made these Beauty rosettes. William created Hodges’ first one sheet mailers featuring their new rosettes, riders’ numbers, and judges forms to send out to event sponsors. Prior to this Hodges had never produced rosettes, they were solely a badge company. This was the beginning of the beginning to the company that you know today.

Vintage judges score cards from Hodges mailers — Judges’ Score Cards from the original one sheet mailers that William created and mailed out to event sponsors in the hopes of expanding into horse shows.

In America

The Great Depression hit the world hard in the 30’s.
Baseball legend Babe Ruth retired.
The Star-Spangled Banner named U.S. National Anthem.
Franklin Roosevelt elected President.
The Baseball Hall of Fame opened for business.
Prohibition ended.
The Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge were completed.
Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the New Deal to combat the effects of The Great Depression.
World War II begins with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland.
Scientists split the atom.

In America

The Great Depression hit the world hard in the 30’s.
Baseball legend Babe Ruth retired.
The Star-Spangled Banner named U.S. National Anthem.
Franklin Roosevelt elected President.
The Baseball Hall of Fame opened for business.
Prohibition ended.
The Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge were completed.
Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the New Deal to combat the effects of The Great Depression.
World War II begins with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland.
Scientists split the atom.

1940

Hodges Anticipates the Shortage of Supplies!

As we entered the 1940’s, the effects of World War II made it increasingly hard for companies such as Hodges to get supplies, as existing factories were fitted to produce goods to support the war effort. The years of expansion and bliss soon faded for the Hodges family as well.

Frederick was worried that supplies were going to be limited so he talked to William, his father, and convinced him to buy extra raw materials to keep in storage. William was so proud and excited that Frederick had anticipated the shortage of supplies and in turn ordered several bolts of uncut cloth for ribbon. This was the first time Hodges started to keep inventory versus just ordering what was needed to handle the orders in hand.

At the start of the war, printing leaf (actually thin sheets of real gold) was manufactured in Germany. After the outbreak of the war, Frederick wisely switched from a German gold leaf supplier to a Japanese supplier. All went well until December 7, 1941, when access to Japanese gold leaf was shut off and Hodges again was in search of a new supplier. They found a New Jersey company called Peerless Roll Leaf. They had a new printing press which printed using a new kind of foil that came in rolls, not sheets. Hodges bought a press and a supply of leaf in January 1942, enabling the continuation of business until the end of the war.

Hodges Badge Company’s new logo.

Vintage Hodges sash featured in a local newspaper — At top, a sash that Hodges Badge Company produced and was featured in the local paper.

Following the war, Frederick and William expanded the business and it was soon doing better than it had before the war. Increased sales called for new equipment but there was no return to gold leaf stamping with real gold. Peerless was improving the bronze leaf, which came in 200-foot rolls on a cellophane carrier. It speeded the printing process by a factor of 10 and eliminated the need for the very slow hand sizing of ribbon. Hodges soon acquired a second roll leaf press, new foot operated eyeleters, and additional sewing machines.

Following the success of the business after the war, the Hodges family also decided that it was time to revamp the logo for the company. A new logo was created to be used on all printed aspects for the company.

In America

A new house cost $3,920.
Mount Rushmore sculpture and Pentagon building is completed.
Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States into the War. Italy and Germany declare war on the United States.
The draft age in the United States is lowered from 21 to 18.
The famous and well-regarded film "Casablanca" premieres in New York City during the month of November.
President Roosevelt is elected to a fourth term in the United States, becoming the only person to ever do so. His fourth term does not last long however, as he died during the next year in April of 1945.
World War II ends as Allied and Soviet forces make their way towards Germany, liberating concentration camps along the way.
The United States drops two atomic bombs on Japan, bringing an end to the Pacific side of the war.
Department stores begin to sell Tupperware food containers.
The Polaroid instant camera is demonstrated.
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, creates Velcro but it is not formally patented until 1955.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is established.
45 RPM records are introduced.

In America

A new house cost $3,920.
Mount Rushmore sculpture and Pentagon building is completed.
Japan launches a surprise attack on the U.S. base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States into the War. Italy and Germany declare war on the United States.
The draft age in the United States is lowered from 21 to 18.
The famous and well-regarded film "Casablanca" premieres in New York City during the month of November.
President Roosevelt is elected to a fourth term in the United States, becoming the only person to ever do so. His fourth term does not last long however, as he died during the next year in April of 1945.
World War II ends as Allied and Soviet forces make their way towards Germany, liberating concentration camps along the way.
The United States drops two atomic bombs on Japan, bringing an end to the Pacific side of the war.
Department stores begin to sell Tupperware food containers.
The Polaroid instant camera is demonstrated.
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, creates Velcro but it is not formally patented until 1955.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is established.
45 RPM records are introduced.

1950

Keeping it in the Family

When William passed in April 1947, he left the family business to his children to carry on his legacy and dream of growing the business. And they did just that! Fredrick’s wife Helen started to work at the business. She would sew Beauty and Ideal rosette tops at night to keep up with the growing demand. Fredrick II (aka Jim) started working for Hodges during the summer of 1951 when he was 12 years old. Jim was the messenger boy for the family in Downtown Boston.

The company acquired a second roll leaf press, new foot operated eyeleters, and additional sewing machines. Needing a larger space to support growth of the business, Hodges Badge Company, Inc. moved to 185 Summer Street, Boston. With this move came a few more changes, many of them technologically advanced for its time, like ribbons being "pleated" on a Singer sewing machine, sales were added up on an adding machine every day, invoices were typed. Do not be fooled, these were advanced for their time.

1952 Hodges medal flyer — 1952 Medal Flyer.

1954 Hodges stock ribbons flyer — 1954 Stock Ribbons Flyer.

Ribbons were manufactured with hand set moveable brass type, each letter set individually, foot powered punches to make holes in eyeletted ribbons, orders were handwritten, documents were filed in shoe boxes.

1959 Hodges rosette flyer — 1959 Rosette Flyer.

In America

The Korean War started and lasted 3 years.
Dwight Eisenhower elected President for 2 terms.
1950 census recorded over 150 million people, a 14% increase.
The UNIVAC is introduced as the first commercial computer.
XEROX introduces first commercial photocopier.
The Brown Vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision leads to desegregation of schools.
US launches first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus.
The Soviet Union launches first Sputnik satellite.
First color TVs went on sale.
Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.
Disneyland opened in California.
First Trans-Atlantic telephone cable began operating.
Interstate highways began to be built.

In America

The Korean War started and lasted 3 years.
Dwight Eisenhower elected President for 2 terms.
1950 census recorded over 150 million people, a 14% increase.
The UNIVAC is introduced as the first commercial computer.
XEROX introduces first commercial photocopier.
The Brown Vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision leads to desegregation of schools.
US launches first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus.
The Soviet Union launches first Sputnik satellite.
First color TVs went on sale.
Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.
Disneyland opened in California.
First Trans-Atlantic telephone cable began operating.
Interstate highways began to be built.

1960

The Winter Sale is Born!

There were many new and exciting things that happened in the 1960s for Hodges Badge Company. In the Spring of 1962, Ted, Jim’s dad, asked Jim if he would come work for the company. Jim agreed, but only for one year. That same year, Jim and his wife Sheila’s son, Frederick “Rick” Hodges was born. Jim decided to stay on at the company and never left. But he wanted to make some very big changes. He introduced quantity price breaks in catalogs and created our first ever Winter Sale. This event was appreciated by customers, helped to grow the Hodges business, and is still an event that customers count on today!

Jim expanded the Hodges Badge Company brand. The Ideal Rosette was redesigned using box pleated ribbon. The first Ludlow as well as the first automatic press was purchased for Hodges Badge Company. With all the success that the business received, buttons were then added to the product line.

1961 equestrian flyer from Hodges Badge Company — A 1961 Flyer that was mailed to all equestrian customers.

Example of how orders were placed at Hodges in the 1960s — An example of an order how orders were placed.

The Company, which has been a partnership of F.J. Hodges, Emaline G. Hodges, and Anna M. Hodges, incorporates in 1965. Once again, space was getting tight at 857 Boylston St., so Hodges negotiated a lease agreement for 53 Smith Place, Cambridge a 5,000 sq. foot building moving there at the end of 1965.

Heidelberg printing press at Hodges Badge Company — Heidelberg Machine that was purchased in the 1960s and is still used today.

In America

John F. Kennedy elected president.
The Berlin Wall is built.
The Peace Corps was established.
John Glenn is first American to orbit the earth.
Kevlar was invented.
Wal-Mart founded.
John F. Kennedy is assassinated in 1963.
Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered to freedom marchers in Washington, DC.
The first Super Bowl was held.
The Beatles release first album.
President Johnson greatly increases troop levels in Vietnam as US enters Vietnam War.
Thurgood Marshall becomes first African American Supreme Court Judge.
Robert Kennedy assassinated.
Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated.
US Civil Rights Act passed.
Apollo 11 reached the moon and Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon.

In America

John F. Kennedy elected president.
The Berlin Wall is built.
The Peace Corps was established.
John Glenn is first American to orbit the earth.
Kevlar was invented.
Wal-Mart founded.
John F. Kennedy is assassinated in 1963.
Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" speech delivered to freedom marchers in Washington, DC.
The first Super Bowl was held.
The Beatles release first album.
President Johnson greatly increases troop levels in Vietnam as US enters Vietnam War.
Thurgood Marshall becomes first African American Supreme Court Judge.
Robert Kennedy assassinated.
Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated.
US Civil Rights Act passed.
Apollo 11 reached the moon and Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon.

1970

Change is on the Horizon

The 1970s was another decade of change for Hodges Badge Company. Hodges’ first automatic ribbon eyeleters were purchased in 1971. It was truly a love-hate relationship. They were controlled by reed switches and relays. Three days a week it eyelets a lot, and I mean a lot of ribbons. The other two days, you repair it.

The first computer was purchased in 1972. It stored data on magnetic cards which were hand inserted in a slot to read the customers’ - name, address, account balance, etc. information. The company now had a real time, once a month, accounts receivable balance and the shoebox was no longer needed!

October 1974 Hospital Holiday flyer — October 1974 Hospital Holiday Flyer.

Hodges employees at Schoolhouse Lane, Portsmouth, RI — Hodges Badge Company Employees working hard at Schoolhouse Lane in Portsmouth, RI.

The lease at 53 Smith Place, Cambridge was ending in 1975, and Jim started looking for a new and bigger location in the beginning of 1974. After considering many locations, Newport County, Rhode Island was chosen. Hodges built its very first Company owned building. In November of 1975, construction was finished on a 10,000 sq. ft. building on Schoolhouse Lane in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

By 1977 we had purchased three automatic presses and a second Ludlow to keep up with demand. Hodges hit $1 million in sales for the first time and the mag card computer couldn’t keep up. Jim bought our first Basic Four computer.

Hodges Badge building on Schoolhouse Lane, Portsmouth, Rhode Island — Hodges Badge Company’s new Location, Schoolhouse Lane in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Marketing overhead artwork for Hodges flyers and magazines — This is an example of an overhead that was used to print flyers and magazines. Sheila Hodges, Jim’s wife, who was in charge of marketing would create these and bring them to the printer to be used for Hodges Badge Company’s marketing.

In America

Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
President Nixon orders invasion of Cambodia, widening the war in Vietnam.
Anti-war protestors threaten to shut down the government.
Star Wars premiered to great acclaim and box office records.
The Beatles break up.
Apollo 15 lands on the moon.
The microprocessor, the foundation of today's computers, was introduced.
The Watergate scandal dominates the news.
US signs peace pact and pulls troops out of Vietnam.
The Supreme Court rules on Roe Vs. Wade, legalizing abortion.
The mobile phone is invented.
US celebrates 200 years as a nation.
Sadam Hussein becomes president of Iraq.
Apple Computer founded by Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak.
Exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran and declares Islamic republic.
Iranian militants sieze US embassy in Tehran and holds hostages.

In America

Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
President Nixon orders invasion of Cambodia, widening the war in Vietnam.
Anti-war protestors threaten to shut down the government.
Star Wars premiered to great acclaim and box office records.
The Beatles break up.
Apollo 15 lands on the moon.
The microprocessor, the foundation of today's computers, was introduced.
The Watergate scandal dominates the news.
US signs peace pact and pulls troops out of Vietnam.
The Supreme Court rules on Roe Vs. Wade, legalizing abortion.
The mobile phone is invented.
US celebrates 200 years as a nation.
Sadam Hussein becomes president of Iraq.
Apple Computer founded by Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak.
Exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran and declares Islamic republic.
Iranian militants sieze US embassy in Tehran and holds hostages.

1980

Washington Missouri here we come!

Ted continued working at Hodges until 1980 when he retired at 80 years old. The growth of the business in the 1980s was rapid and soon exceeded the manufacturing capacity in Rhode Island. Our rapid growth was not compatible with our limited space and the difficult hiring situation in New England (unemployment was 2.4% in Rhode Island back then!) Jim Hodges now realized that he needed to expand the workforce beyond the labor market available in Portsmouth alone.

Jim and Sheila Hodges set out to find an additional location for Hodges. Armed with lots of promotional flyers from regional development groups, they took a driving tour of the Midwest. In 1987, Jim signed a deal with the Washington (MO) Civic and Industrial Development Board to purchase a 12,000 square foot building in the Town and Country industrial park.

Ribbon cutting at Hodges Missouri facility — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Washington, Missouri.

Hodges family and employees in front of Schoolhouse Lane, Portsmouth, RI, 1985 — 1985 Employees in front of Schoolhouse Lane in Portsmouth, R.I. From left to right: Jim, Sheila, Sally and Rick Hodges.

Joining the family business in 1989, Rick was instrumental in getting the new Missouri operation up and running. Thanks to the LeMaires, who moved from RI to run the new operation, production was soon humming along, and Rick immersed himself in the technology end of things. Getting computers in RI and MO to communicate was a huge challenge. Armed with Rick's hardware expertise and Jim's software programming skills, they built an advanced computer system which ran the company until 2018!

1989 Hodges school catalog — 1989 School Catalog.

Jim, Sheila, Sally, and Rick Hodges — From left to right: Jim, Sheila, Sally and Rick Hodges.

In America

United States defeated the Soviet Union in Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey in the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Ronald Reagan nominates Judge Sandra Day O'Connor as first woman on the Supreme Court
Iranian hostage crisis ends with 52 hostages released.
IBM introduced the first personal computer.
First version of Windows operating system was released.
Apple launched their Macintosh computer.
Xerox markets first computer mouse.
MTV is launched.
The Berlin Wall is torn down.
Astronaut Sally Ride becomes first woman in space.

In America

United States defeated the Soviet Union in Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey in the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Ronald Reagan nominates Judge Sandra Day O'Connor as first woman on the Supreme Court
Iranian hostage crisis ends with 52 hostages released.
IBM introduced the first personal computer.
First version of Windows operating system was released.
Apple launched their Macintosh computer.
Xerox markets first computer mouse.
MTV is launched.
The Berlin Wall is torn down.
Astronaut Sally Ride becomes first woman in space.

1990

Expanding is the Name of the Game!

The 1990s were all about expansion for us at Hodges Badge Company. Our Missouri manufacturing facility and Rhode Island office were getting cramped on space, again. Computers were becoming more pivotal to business and everyday life.

In 1993, we enlarged the Missouri facility to a total of 22,500 sq. feet. This gave us enough space to spread our wings into other product lines. With this expansion completed and operations running smoothly, it was time to turn our focus onto Rhode Island. The next two years were spent with more planning and development.

1996 Rhode Island customer service team — 1996 Rhode Island Customer Service Team.

Hodges manufacturing plant in Washington, Missouri — The plant in Washington, Missouri.

In 1996 Hodges purchased a vacant 45,000 sq. foot building in Portsmouth, Rhode Island at 1170 East Main Road. This allowed our Rhode Island offices and Rhode Island manufacturing facility to be combined under one roof again. The move was not without some hiccups as the move occurred during a major blizzard, typical New England weather! Shortly after the move was complete, we were tapped to creating the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games rosette and medals for the 1996 Para-Olympic games.

Hodges building in Portsmouth, Rhode Island — The new plant in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Hodges Badge Company’s new logo.

In America

East and West Germany are reunited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Internet becomes available for unrestricted commercial use.
The Mall of America opens in Minnesota.
The Hubble Telescope is repaired in space by a crew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Nelson Mandela becomes the President of South Africa after being elected in the country's first multi-racial elections.
The online auction website eBay is founded.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles get divorced.
The first Harry Potter book is published by author J.K. Rowling.
The search engine Google is founded.
Y2K problem and the millennium bug were the most important thing on most companies minds in 1999. Critical industries (such as electricity or financial) and government functions could stop working at 12:00 AM, January 1, 2000. This fear was fueled by the press coverage and other media speculation, as well as corporate and government reports. All over the world, companies and organizations checked and upgraded their computer systems.

In America

East and West Germany are reunited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Internet becomes available for unrestricted commercial use.
The Mall of America opens in Minnesota.
The Hubble Telescope is repaired in space by a crew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Nelson Mandela becomes the President of South Africa after being elected in the country's first multi-racial elections.
The online auction website eBay is founded.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles get divorced.
The first Harry Potter book is published by author J.K. Rowling.
The search engine Google is founded.
Y2K problem and the millennium bug were the most important thing on most companies minds in 1999. Critical industries (such as electricity or financial) and government functions could stop working at 12:00 AM, January 1, 2000. This fear was fueled by the press coverage and other media speculation, as well as corporate and government reports. All over the world, companies and organizations checked and upgraded their computer systems.

2000

Back to Basics

After making many technological advancements within the company in the 90s, the 2000s we decided to go “Back to the Basics”. Time and energy were now being focused on expanding our award product lines and catalogs. It was agreed we needed to create new market specific catalogs geared to help customers make the best award decision based on their events and award needs. By 2002, sales had passed $10 million, we employed over 170 people in Rhode Island and Missouri and produced 4 catalogs and 14 flyers. Before the decade was over, we would add catalogs for Dog Shows (2002), Gymnastics, Cheerleading, and Dance (2006), and Swim (2007).

With the growing sales we needed to expand again. We purchased a 20,000 square foot building in Washington, MO, adjacent to our existing facility. Moving our warehousing operations to 12 Chamber Drive, keeping our manufacturing operations at 3 Chamber Drive proved to be the right move.

Hodges market-specific award catalogs — From left to right, dog awards, gym, cheer and dance awards and swim awards catalogs.

Rotary engraving a silver award at Hodges — Rotary engraving one of our silver awards.

As the winter of 2003 approached, we continued expanding our line of engravable items, and started offering a variety of silver, nickel plate and copper items. This was so successful that we purchased four more engraving machines and watched sales of engraved products take off. Ribbon rolls were added to the school market and Horse Show in a Box was created for the special needs of our beginner horse show mangers. In addition, we developed a line of full color ribbons and began offering colorful ribbons as side streamers on rosettes, rolls of ribbons and promotional ribbons. In 2005, trophies were added to the ever-expanding Hodges product line as well as acrylics and plaques in 2006. With the success of the new product lines, we decided to add Crystal to the list of products offered.

Wind turbine at Hodges Portsmouth, Rhode Island location — Wind turbine at our Portsmouth, Rhode island location.

In America

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 11,722.98 in January 2000 (at the peak of the Dot-com bubble).
The American Kennel Club Rally competition began.
September 11 attacks: Al-Qaeda terrorists crash planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane is downed on the outskirts of Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania; 2,996 people die in the attacks.
The Euro enters circulation.
Space Shuttle Columbia is destroyed on re-entry.
Facebook is formed by Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes.
Israel withdraws from Gaza.
Twitter is launched.
Introduction of the iPhone.
Stock markets plunge around the world in 2008, signaling the start of the Great Recession.
Swine flu pandemic began in North America.

In America

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 11,722.98 in January 2000 (at the peak of the Dot-com bubble).
The American Kennel Club Rally competition began.
September 11 attacks: Al-Qaeda terrorists crash planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane is downed on the outskirts of Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania; 2,996 people die in the attacks.
The Euro enters circulation.
Space Shuttle Columbia is destroyed on re-entry.
Facebook is formed by Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes.
Israel withdraws from Gaza.
Twitter is launched.
Introduction of the iPhone.
Stock markets plunge around the world in 2008, signaling the start of the Great Recession.
Swine flu pandemic began in North America.

2010

Building Anew

Every year we turn more than 12 million yards of satin ribbon into rosettes, flat ribbons, and neck ribbons for medals. 2010 rolled round and found us looking at ways to continue our long-term promise of providing top quality awards, one-stop-shopping all at affordable prices.

Hodges decided to add UV printers for product decorating. Within a year, we had 3. More engraving machines and printing presses were added. In 2011 we acquired Melrose Ribbon of Fresno, CA.

Turning gears towards our employees, in 2013, we looked for ways to better their work experience at Hodges. Knowing our employees are our best asset, Hodges invested in our people with training classes. Classes covered topics in lean manufacturing, supervisor skills, basic and advanced computer skills. In early 2014 we purchased Southeast Ribbon and Badge and then in December we purchased Garden Spot Ribbon. We also redesigned our Recognition catalog, featuring a full line of recognition products. Rick, realizing we were once again running out of space on the factory floor, began planning a larger factory in Washington, MO.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for new Hodges facility, fall 2015 — The ribbon cutting ceremony in the fall of 2015.

Hodges Badge Company sign in Missouri — Hodges Badge Company signage at the Missouri facility.

During 2015 we built an 87,000 sq. ft. building in Washington, MO. By the end of 2015 we sold and moved out of our two existing buildings. For the first time in many years all our manufacturing activities were efficiently contained under one roof. The factory was finished just in time, as website sales zoomed past $1 million. We redesigned our medal lines and increased the product offering to include lead crystal and glass.

In 2018 we consolidated our manufacturing operations in Washington Missouri. It was difficult to say goodbye to so many great employees in Rhode Island – some with more than 40 years of experience! The new building in Missouri has proven itself to be very efficient and we love our new home.

In addition to the other facility and technology changes occurring during this time, our new, custom designed Hodges Order Process System (HOPS) was implemented. It provides capacity and tools to manage the growth of the business through the next decade.

Hodges manufacturing facility on Enduro Drive, Washington, Missouri — The new facility on Enduro Drive in Washington, MO.

Aerial view of Hodges facility in Washington, Missouri — Aerial view of the Washington, Missouri campus.

In America

Apple released the iPad tablet.
Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and spewing oil into the Gulf for months.
Navy SEALs raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Re-election of President Barack Obama
A pair of bombs killed three people and injured more than 260 others at the Boston Marathon.
Saw the militant Islamic group ISIS proclaim the creation of a caliphate in captured territory both in Iraq and Syria.
The Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry.
Donald Trump defied the polls and predictions to win election as President of the United States.
Allegations of sexual abuse against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein ignited the #MeToo movement.
Mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 and led to the student March for Our Lives in Washington. The tragedies at the Aurora movie theater, Sandy Hook, the Pulse nightclub, the Las Vegas Strip, Texas Baptist Church, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School all took place over the last 10 years.
Going green movement gained in strength as warnings about climate change intensified.
Smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life.
Social media significantly changes the way that society communicates, gets their news, and becomes increasingly prominent factor in American political discourse.

In America

Apple released the iPad tablet.
Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and spewing oil into the Gulf for months.
Navy SEALs raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Re-election of President Barack Obama
A pair of bombs killed three people and injured more than 260 others at the Boston Marathon.
Saw the militant Islamic group ISIS proclaim the creation of a caliphate in captured territory both in Iraq and Syria.
The Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry.
Donald Trump defied the polls and predictions to win election as President of the United States.
Allegations of sexual abuse against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein ignited the #MeToo movement.
Mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 and led to the student March for Our Lives in Washington. The tragedies at the Aurora movie theater, Sandy Hook, the Pulse nightclub, the Las Vegas Strip, Texas Baptist Church, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School all took place over the last 10 years.
Going green movement gained in strength as warnings about climate change intensified.
Smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life.
Social media significantly changes the way that society communicates, gets their news, and becomes increasingly prominent factor in American political discourse.

2020

COVID, and other matters of interest.

2020 was undoubtedly a year filled with challenges for everyone. Not only did we face the difficulties of operating a business during the Covid pandemic, but it was also a year marked by a profound sadness within the Hodges family. We mourned the loss of our beloved Jim Hodges, who remained an active and vital member of our board until his passing. Jim's legacy will forever be cherished and admired.

On a brighter note, in 2022, we proudly introduced our second modern digital printing press, revolutionizing our ability to produce custom foil-printed ribbons with remarkable efficiency. By harnessing digital technology instead of labor-intensive metal typesetting, we significantly reduced the time and effort required. Furthermore, we invested in new machinery for rosette assembly, ribbon cutting, and button making. Despite the low unemployment rate, we managed to streamline our operations and maintain productivity with our existing workforce.

Building upon our successes, we installed a third modern digital printing press in 2023, effectively eliminating printing as a bottleneck. We doubled down on our commitment to sustainability, commissioning a huge upgrade to our solar power systems. Today, we are proud to generate almost all of our power renewably, thanks to over 1,300 solar panels. As far as we know, we are the only awards company with this level of commitment to the environment.

Hodges Badge locations in Portsmouth, RI and Washington, MO — Hodges Badge Portsmouth, Rhode Island and Hodges Badge Washington, Missouri.

Allow me to conclude by sharing some timeless wisdom from Jim Hodges himself: "As I reflect on our accomplishments, I am struck by one particular truth. Only one significant idea that propelled the growth of Hodges Badge Company was mine—the Winter Sale. Almost everything else was a result of listening, expanding upon, or encouraging somebody else's ideas. To foster growth in a company, all it takes is a willingness to listen to good ideas and ensure that the best ones are acted upon."

At Hodges Badge Company, we continue to honor Jim's philosophy by valuing the input and contributions of each team member. We remain dedicated to embracing innovation, overcoming challenges, and delivering the highest quality products and services to our valued customers.

Hodges staff in Rhode Island — Team members at Hodges Badge in Rhode Island.

From humble beginnings on a chilly New Hampshire morning in 1920 to a state-of-the-art facility powered by over 1,300 solar panels — the Hodges story continues.

Thank you for being part of our journey.