Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 24, 1991

Expansion of the Wood-Link Ltd. plant in Mount Ayr has been announced this week by Link Nylen, president of the firm. Work is underway on a 5,000 square foot expansion for the 15,000 [sq. foot] building here which houses the firm which builds quality cedar bird houses, bird feeders and planters.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 02, 2008

A new line of plastic bird feeders and bird houses from WoodLink, Inc. the Mount Ayr-based outdoor products company, is getting good press.

The Going Green line of recycled plastic feeders and houses is part of the line officially licensed by the National Audubon Society.

The feeders and houses are comprised of more than 90 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. A single house or feeder contains as many as 30 recycled milk jugs and the entire line is made at the company's Iowa plant.

By licensing and adding the National Audubon Society name to its packaging, WoodLink immediately gained credibility with more of their consumers.

"Being involved with the environmental organizations and making a product that won't hurt the environment is very important to us," said Melinda SKELLENGER, national sales manager for WoodLink.

The line was so popular at this year's National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, NV, that it was awarded the Retailers Choice Award, which recognized a handful of products from thousands appearing at the show.

The houses are safe for birds and protect the environment by using the recycled plastic, according to SKELLENGER. "We would never build something used by birds that would cause them to suffer," she said.

In 2002 WoodLink approached the National Audubon Society about licensing rights and was granted the use of the society's name in exchange for a percentage of each sale. The Audubon Society licenses to create a store within a store that can be used in Ace Hardware stores to provide a place to sell birdhouses, bird feeders and seed and accessories.

"We're reminding retailers with our shared display that with consumer going green and with bird watching being the number two hobby in the country, we've got excellent products that consumers want," SKELLENGER said.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 16, 2011

WoodLink of Mount Ayr has merged with Kay Home Products of Antioch, IL, positioning WoodLink as one of the country's largest manufacturers of bird feeders, houses, hardware and accessories.

This merger became official earlier this month.

"Our plan is to build on our prior success and expand the number of brands under the WoodLink and Audubon umbrella," said Link NYLEN, who will serve as president of the new firm.

"We look forward to adding exciting new items from Kay Home Products to our product offering, including Made in USA Heritage brand, metal and bird and squirrel resistant feeders, Artline hummingbird brand feeders, oriole houses, purple martin houses and nectar."

As a result of this merger, WoodLink will now be a complete one-stop shop for birding retailers.

The impact on the local level should not be major for now, according to company officials. All employees will be retaining their positions and the same wage and benefit plan will continue.

The stable workforce (with over 75 percent of employees working for the company for 10 years or more) had helped in the decision to continue operating the plant in Mount Ayr, officials noted. Kay Home Products also liked having the access to additional land for more warehousing and the like.

"There is a chance for growth here, but that remains to be seen. We'll take it a day at a time," NYLEN said.

"We see tremendous positives in teaming up with WoodLink," said Jack MURRAY, CEO of Kay Home Products. "Our products compliment each other and there is great strength in our brands. WoodLink enjoys a well-earned reputation that is second to none when it comes to the development of innovative and high quality products. Like Kay Home Products, WoodLink really shines in their outstanding customer service."

The merger positions the firms to be able to build their business more aggressively by bringing the power of the brands together to gain market share with the new firm's expanded capabilities. It will be able to sell and service larger customers while still manufacturing the focus on service the core business of independent birding stores.

WoodLink was founded in 1988 by James Link NYLEN and began operations out of a 6,000 square foot facility located in Mount Ayr, Iowa. With the business growing, the facility was expanded in 1990 and 1991 with the addition of 15,000 and 5,000 square feet respectively. Another 30,000 square foot addition was completed in 1996, and a 6,000 square foot addition in 2000. In 2011, WoodLink manufactured over 200 traditional cedar and Going Green recycled bird feeders and houses in its 60,000 square foot facility in Mount Ayr.

WoodLink started marketing their products in January 1989. WoodLink produces cedar and recycled plastic bird feeders, birdhouses and planters which sell to markets across the country. WoodLink employs 20 people [2014].

Source: www.woodlink.com/history.aspx

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2012