Number of employees
210
Annual revenue
$21000000
Hedahls, Inc. became an auto parts wholesaling company by accident. Ed Hedahl, the founder, started by selling new cars, first Fords in his Mercer, North Dakota hardware store, then Durants in Bismarck. When Durant went broke, Ed was left with spare parts and used cars. He sold what he could, restocked, expanded his lines, and continued through the 30s, selling product from a van throughout southwestern North Dakota, based in Bismarck. By the late 30s, business had improved to such an extent that Ed expected to have to pay income tax for the first time.