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MAKER: Texas Basket Co. in Jacksonville

 PRODUCT: Texas Basket Co. makes 5,000 to 12,000 baskets per day and sells them to every state in the country, as well as overseas. The company makes 500 types of baskets but when it started, it only sold to farmers. Now, its customers include Williams Sonoma, The Container Store, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Brookshire’s Grocery Co., Whole Foods Market, Dollar Tree, Pier One, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Bath & Body Works, Pottery Barn, LL Bean, Princess Cruises and Petco. Local customers include Halbert Mill, Tigerlillies, Gourmet Garden, Country Charm Candles, KE Cellars, Tyler Candy, Timberline Nursery and, of course, local farmers.

 

AWARD: The Texas Historical Commission, along with Sen. Robert Nichols and Rep. Travis Clardy, recognized the Texas Basket Co. on Thursday with the Texas Treasure Business Award. The award pays tribute to businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for 50 years or more. Created by the Texas Legislature in 2005, the program recognizes well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions to the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

 

BACKGROUND: Texas Basket Co. owner Martin Swanson believes the business was around before 1919, but how long is unknown. The earliest baskets were used to tote fruits and vegetables. Trains transported baskets full of tomatoes from Jacksonville to destinations nationwide. The company has been owned by four different families over the past nine decades. The first family was Newton, followed by Slover, Shank and then Swanson.

Martin Swanson’s father, J.C., bought the business in 1977. He died in 1991. Today, Martin Swanson and his wife, Jackie, own the business. Martin Swanson’s son, Moon, a farmer and rancher, helps out with the company.

Texas Basket Co. has 80 to 130 employees. The business opened a retail store at its Jacksonville factory after an article in Southern Living magazine featured Texas Basket Co. in the early 1980s.

At 100 Myrtle Drive in Jacksonville, the company can be reached at 903-586-8014 or www.texasbasket.com.