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In the early 60’s Viking
Cue Mfg., Inc. founder Gordon Hart began making
two-piece pool cues in the basement of his poolroom
in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Gordon traveled to various
tournaments to sell his cues. In a short period of
time, Viking
cues became popular with many of the top players. Viking was
incorporated in 1965. By the late 1960s, Gordon spent
more time making cues, so he sold the poolroom and
moved the cue business to its present location in
Madison, Wisconsin. He expanded production capabilities
and began selling cues throughout the United States
and abroad.
Viking grew steadily
through the 1970s and
early 1980s. At that
time, Gordon’s
children, Robin, Barry
and Darcy became involved
with the business. Then
in 1986 the major motion
picture, The Color of
Money, was released and
created a boom in the
billiard industry. Sales
of Viking
cues skyrocketed,
and the company experienced
phenomenal growth as
a result.
As the 1980s came to
a close, Gordon began
updating machinery and
investing in state-of-the-art
equipment to ensure a
quality product. Promotional
efforts increased with
an extensive advertising
and public relations
program coordinated by
Gordon’s wife,
Nancy, which helped make
Viking a household name.
Vikings efforts coupled
with significant product
quality enhancements,
positioned the company
as a leader in the billiard
industry.
By the mid-1990s, Viking
hired a full sales staff
to handle the needs of
their constantly growing
list of distributors
and dealers throughout
the world. At the same
time, Robin and Barry
took over the day-to-day
operations, and granddaughter
Shawna became involved
with the company. Nancy
was very active in the
Billiard Congress of
America in the 1990’s,
serving on its board
of directors. Years earlier,
she served on the board
of the Billiard & Bowling
Institute of America,
and was their First Female
President. In 1994, Gordon
was honored with the
first-ever Lifetime Achievement
Award from the American
Cue Makers Association.
Viking is known for
its generous support
of various tournaments
and organizations including
Nationally televised
events, the Viking Nine
Ball Tour, Super Billiards
Expo, VNEA, BCA League
and National Wheelchair
Poolplayer Association
Inc.
In the 2000’s,
Barry became active in
the Billiard Congress
of America, serving on
its board of directors.
Grandson Justin joined
Viking to continue the
tradition of the family
business.
As one of the oldest
manufacturers of two-piece
pool cues in America,
Viking blends time-honored
crafsmanship with state
of the art machinery
to produce the flawless
addition to your game.
With our continued commitment
to the highest quality
standards in the industry,
you can be assured, that
when it's time to upgrade
or get service on your
current cue, Viking will
be there for you.
Viking
Cues are proudly and
exclusively made in
the U.S.A. |