Watkins Incorporated

Watkins Incorporated, founded in 1868 by J.R. Watkins in Plainview, Minnesota, is a historic manufacturer of health remedies and baking products, now based in Winona, Minnesota. The company is notable for introducing the first money-back guarantee in the U.S. and played a significant role during World War II by producing essential goods for the war effort. Its headquarters, the J.R. Watkins Medical Company Complex, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its architectural significance and as the former largest direct-sales company in the world. In 2018, Watkins set a Guinness World Record for the tallest layer cake, celebrating its 150th anniversary with a 260-layer cake made with its own baking products.