Founded by Cyrus Wakefield in 1851 in South Reading, Massachusetts (now Wakefield), it perfected machinery for working with rattan, developing looms for weaving chair seats and mats.

The company also successfully found uses for previously wasted portions of the plant, using shavings to create baling fabric and floor coverings.

When Wakefield died in 1873, his company employed 1,000 workers at an 11 acres (4.5 ha) site just outside the town center.

The manufacturing facilities were updated after several fires did significant damage to the plant.

[citation needed] In 1989, those buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.