Boyds Gunstocks Receives Outstanding Employer Award

Boyds Gunstock Industries, a renowned manufacturer of hardwood stocks since 1981, was awarded an Outstanding Private Employer Award—in the large company category—by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Sept. 15. The honor recognizes the firm’s contribution toward improving employment opportunities and independent living for people with disabilities.

Each year, the South Dakota Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Statewide Independent Living Council accept nominations for the awards. Recipients in a variety of categories are honored at an annual event at the South Dakota State Capital Building in Pierre, SD.

Boyds Gunstock Industries is located in Mitchell, SD, and delivers gunstocks worldwide. It has more than 100 employees and produces some of the finest aftermarket laminate and traditional wood stocks available today.The founder of the firm, Randy Boyd, retired in January. Today, his son-in-law Rob Carstensen and Dustin Knutson—another longtime company employee—are the owner managers.

“The gun industry is very unique, and we have a lot of people here who share a passion for the custom gunstock industry,” Knutson told the Mitchell Republic shortly after the transition. “Randy trusts us and believes in us, but Rob and I had to earn this.”

Although the company may be best known for its finely crafted stocks, with fleur-de-lis checkering available, its At-One laminated model is thoroughly modern without abandoning wood’s familiar charm. It features convenient, push-button adjustments for length of pull and comb height. The hardwood is dried to exacting tolerances to ensure stability and rigidity, then its coated in a chemical-resistant finish for longevity and weather resistance.

The company’s facility covers 35,000-square feet and has the kind of machinery and veteran staff to crank out 1,000 stocks a day, when necessary. Since Boyds Gunstock Industries was founded it has designed more than 1,200 gunstocks.