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ABOUT US
Our History
David Johnson founded the Company now known as OTA Company, Inc. in 1876, just 100 years after our country was founded. The Company was located on Main Street in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and named H. C. Johnson Company. Major products included horse blankets, wagon covers, hammocks, awnings, tents, sails, and flags. Subsequent ownership moved the business and changed the name to Oshkosh Tent and Awning Company Incorporated in 1914.
During World War II the company supported our GIs with portable gasbags, duffel bags, cots, hammocks, mesh concealment nets, and numerous other items.
In 1967 Richard E. Hegner Sr. purchased the business, and the Hegner family is now in its third generation of family ownership. Over the years new products such as athletic mats, banners and signs, and vinyl graphics were added. A new manufacturing facility was built in 1998 in the North Industrial Park in Oshkosh. This new facility allowed the company to consolidate manufacturing under one roof and expand their products line to include boat covers and awning services.
In 2001, OTA Company proudly celebrated 125 years of product innovation evolving along with the unique needs of their nationwide customers. OTA Company brought back one of its original products in 2006 with the addition of master sail maker, Jean Paul Jonet. In the same year, the Company added embroidery, screen-printing, and promotional products. These services provide corporate and athletic customers quality products at affordable pricing with the same tradition of family ownership and personal service customers have enjoyed for over 148 years.
MISSION
The OTA Company, Inc. blends the experience of manufacturing custom canvas products for over 148 years with the ever-changing markets and financial challenges of the future.
VISION
OTA will continue to develop products and services that build on our experience of custom manufacturing sewn products, while staying true to our Tent and Awning roots. Our Tent and Awning services continue to develop as we monitor the advances in technology in the industrial fabrics industry.
GOALS
To best serve our employees and our customers, OTA will continue to explore new products and services relative to the custom sewing industry.
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For 148 years, OTA has manufactured awnings in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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Construction is done entirely in our 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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OTA offers thousands of styles, fabric choices, colors, and graphic options.
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All facets of the awning construction are done in-house, including frame construction, welding, sewing, covering, graphics, and installation. As the manufacturer, OTA has the experience and control to guarantee the highest quality awnings in the industry.
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OTA has manufactured awnings for 148 years.
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OTA has been a member of the Industrial Fabrics Association for over 72 years.
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OTA has valuable relationships with many reputable contractors, architects, and engineers, and uses those relationships to generate quality designs and well constructed products.
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OTA has completed projects throughout the Midwest, including awnings at Chicago’s Navy Pier, Chicago's Fox and Obel, the Mall of America in Minneapolis, and throughout Door County, WI. OTA was a huge part of changing downtown Oshkosh for the movie Public Enemies.
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OTA has installed awnings throughout the Midwest. No job is too big or too small; our projects have ranged from a single dome awning to jobs with several 100 feet of awning.