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THE EARLY
YEARS
The story of Stearns Inc. actually goes back several years before the
company’s formation—to a man named William P. Hilger and his Minnesota Sales
Corporation.
THE FUTURE LOOKS
CLEARER
One of the product lines the Minnesota Sales Corporation developed was an
automotive accessory: frost shields. A frost shield was a clear sheet
affixed to the window of a car in colder climates. It prevented condensation
and frost and thereby allowed the driver to see. Frost shields were applied
to the windshield, both front side windows, and the rear window. They were,
basically, “storm windows” for the car.
The company, now renamed Hilco, became known for exciting innovations in
frost shield technology like pre-glued gaskets and the "electric sleet
shield." By the end of 1936, Hilco had manufactured one million frost
shields!
EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
Despite an explosion at the plant on June 13, 1938, the company continued to
grow at an impressive pace. When America entered World War II, resources
became scarce, but fortunately, Hilco's quality and efficiency resulted in a
defense contract supplying frost shields for trucks and construction
vehicles.
The frost shield product line was sold to two former employees of the
company, B. Howard “Pat” Flanagan and Maurice O’Link. The two named their
new endeavor Stearns Manufacturing Company.
By 1945, the frost shield business tripled in size and was employing 40
employees. However, as the automobile manufacturers were beginning to
develop and produce more effective heaters in their cars, the frost shield
business was doomed. Maurice O’Link then began to focus Stearns’ efforts on
developing products for outdoor activities.
FINDING THEIR NICHE
So, Stearns, with O'Link at the helm, began to focus its efforts on
developing products for outdoor activities. Their first breakthrough? An
innovative gun case – the first full-zipper-opening case, using vinyl as
simulated leather and a newly developed simulated sheepskin lining. That one
idea opened the corral and the new products came stampeding out. Products
like sportsman's luggage, sleeping bags, boat seats and lounges, and
cold-weather outerwear – down and polyester-filled jackets, vests, parkas
and suits.
KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE
WATER
But, it was in the 1960s that Stearns really hit stride. The company began
to develop stylish and comfortable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) as an
alternative to the orange "horse collar" preservers then in use. When the
Federal Boat Safety Act was passed, allowing private industry to manufacture
new PFD designs under U.S. Coast Guard guidelines, Stearns introduced its
innovative Type III PFD in 1973. This tremendously successful product
quickly gained popularity and its widespread use by consumers is credited as
an influence in the continuing decline in boating fatalities.
High-quality water safety products are still a mainstay of the Stearns line:
ship abandonment survival suits, deck suits, flotation jackets, inflatable
life rings, flotation cushions, and water sport PFD's.
STEARNS TODAY
Today, the Stearns product line continues to grow. Currently, Stearns
distributes:
• Personal flotation devices (life vests)
• Wetsuits
• Inflatable towables
• Inflatable boats, kayaks, and canoes
• Marine cordage and accessories
• Self-inflating sleeping pads
• Waterproof, floatable dry bags
• SunShower® products
• Portable water filters
• DryWear® rain jackets and pants
• Mad Dog Gear hunting packs and accessories
• Work vests
• Flotation jackets and coveralls
• Ice rescue suits
• Cold water immersion suits
• Waders and boots
Stearns Inc. has two manufacturing facilities located in Minnesota. That
centralization and high-quality workforce provides the core which permits
the company to establish and maintain consistent standards for quality. So,
98.8% of Stearns products stay in the field.
SPREADING THE WORD
Thanks to Stearns' multi-dimensional marketing approach, the company is a
leader in both consumer recreational and industrial markets. Stearns does
this with a mix of consumer magazines, trade magazines, national spot TV,
syndicated TV shows, direct mail, radio, and dealer co-op advertising.
Stearns has been ranked as a top 5 marine brand by an independent consumer
research firm, and enjoys a #1 worldwide market share in its core product
line, personal flotation devices (PFD’s).
Stearns' innovative active water sports, outdoor, industrial, and military
products are recognized by users worldwide for quality and performance.
"Quality Is Our Tradition. ®”
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