Carris Reels History - Over a Half Century of Quality Reels

Henry M. Carris started Carris Reels in 1951 with two employees in Rutland, Vermont. Henry had grown up on a farm in Iowa, and his first experience in Vermont was as a summer camp counselor.

Henry had learned the basics about wood manufacturing at several different jobs he held before he started his own business.

His fledgling reel company was a success from the start, rapidly growing in size and profitability.

In fact, Henry Carris was to have a profound influence on development in the Rutland area in the years after World War II, as the increase in demand for reels to carry all kinds of wire-from thin strands for electronic transmissions to large cables on telephone poles-increased markedly.

In 1980, Bill Carris bought the successful plywood reel company from his father and grew it even more dramatically as he and his management team introduced new product lines.

Today, Carris includes 8 divisions nationwide-including our newest plant in Monterrey, Mexico-in addition to 11 assembly/warehouse sites.