W. C. Bradley Co.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer products, real estate, outdoor equipment |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Georgia , United States |
Area served | North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America, Middle East |
| Products | Outdoor cooking equipment, hunting equipment, lamp oils, real estate development |
The W. C. Bradley company is a United States-based producer of consumer products, consisting of four distinct entities that specialize in home and leisure goods and services: Char-Broil, Lamplight, W. C. Bradley Real Estate, and Badlands.
History
Established in 1885 and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, W. C. Bradley Co. remains a privately owned enterprise that originally began as a cotton factoring operation. Through the years, the company broadened its scope to include textiles, agricultural machinery, crop and livestock farming, wholesale supply for industrial and construction contractors, retail outdoor sporting goods, licensed sportswear, and the manufacturing of barbecue grills.
The company’s main office is situated in a former cotton warehouse along the Chattahoochee River within downtown Columbus. Early in the 1900s, W. C. Bradley collaborated with Ernest Woodruff and others to acquire ownership of the Coca-Cola Company based in Atlanta. As of 2022, the organization functions as a multi-brand provider concentrating on lifestyle products for home and leisure markets.
Char-Broil
Located in Columbus, Georgia, Char-Broil produces outdoor cooking equipment such as charcoal, gas, and electric grills, smokers, fryers, and related accessories distributed throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The brand oversees several outdoor cooking lines including Oklahoma Joe’s smokers (purchased in 1998), SABER grills (introduced as an independent brand in 2011 aimed at specialty outdoor retailers), and Dancook grills (added after acquiring Danish firm Kriswell A/S in 2011).
Badlands
Operating out of Sandy, Utah, Badlands focuses on hunting equipment including backpacks, clothing, and accessories. Founded in the early 1990s, it expanded its offerings from backpacks to a comprehensive selection of hunting and lifestyle apparel, binocular cases, luggage, and camping gear. In 2015, Badlands unveiled its exclusive camouflage design known as Badlands Approach. Currently, all items incorporate either this proprietary camouflage or solid color options.
Lamplight
With headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Lamplight became part of W. C. Bradley Co. in 1998. Since its founding in 1964, Lamplight has specialized in smokeless and odorless indoor lamp oils while extending its product line to include outdoor torches and citronella fuels. The acquisition of TIKI Brand in 2001 further enhanced its assortment of outdoor lighting products.
W. C. Bradley Co. Real Estate
For over five decades, W. C. Bradley Co. has been involved in real estate development within Columbus, Georgia. Significant projects include Synovus Centre, Riverfront building, Starrett-Bytewise offices, and the mixed-use Eagle & Phenix Mills complex spanning 13 acres along the riverfront in Uptown Columbus. Other riverfront developments feature Whitewater Express and the 11th & Bay restaurant. In 2017, the firm announced The Rapids at Riverfront Place with plans for opening in 2019.