About the Nations Leading Manufacturer of Quality Paddles and Oars.

Caviness Woodworking Company, Inc. is a family owned and operated manufacturing company which produces boat paddles and oars for the marine, fishing tackle, canoeing, kayak and whitewater rafting industries all over the world. The company was founded in the late 1940’s by the late James T. “Jimmy” Caviness and became incorporated in September of 1954. Initially, the company made wooden furniture parts and brooms as well as paddles and oars. With the enormous amount of fishing habitat in North Mississippi, which includes Grenada, Sardis, Enid and Arkabutla Reservoirs and their tributaries, Mr. Jimmy Caviness saw the need for good-quality, low-cost john boat paddles. He retired in 1972 at the age of sixty eight.

In 1961 James B. “Jim” Caviness, son of James T. Caviness, bought into the company. Mr. Jim Caviness expanded the business from local markets into international markets. In the late 1980’s, he also initiated Caviness Woodworking Company’s successful venture into the whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and outfitting industry with a new product line of synthetic paddles and oars. Mr. Caviness is currently the Chairman of the Board of Caviness Woodworking Company, Inc.

In 1980 a third generation Caviness entered the family business in the person of James D. “Don” Caviness, the son of James B. Caviness. He has actually been exposed to the business since the age of thirteen and learned the business from the ground up. Mr. Don Caviness has guided the company as president since 1986 and 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. Caviness, entered the company.  Mike’s main emphasis is on governmental regulations, EDI implementation and administration, and computer automation of manufacturing machinery.  He is Vice President of Caviness Woodworking, Inc.

Over the past 50 years, Caviness Woodworking 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 employees and their determination to become not only the largest company in the paddle and oar industry, but also the best.