Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop, a business in rural Letcher, was honored as the South Dakota Small Business Administration’s Small Business Exporter of the Year. The shop was recognized for its “unique and exceptional” work building custom wagons and coaches. Doug Hansen, the business’ founder, accepted the award.
Wagons and stagecoaches that are built at Hansen Wheel and Wagon are on display at Disney theme parks and at Knott’s Berry Farm in California. The company also services the Budweiser’s fleet of operational vintage wagons, maintains Wells Fargo stage coaches and build sleighs used in Macy’s holiday displays.
One hundred projects per year, that are produced by the shop, are sent to countries around the world, including Mexico, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.