The Coleman Company produces recreational equipment like camping gear, lawnmowers and other products. They are a well-known brand in the industry. They are the biggest outdoor products manufacturer in the world. They sell a variety of products including soft coolers and pop-up travel trailers as well as water skis.
Coleman was initially a small company selling gas lanterns. The company soon expanded and began to offer a wide range of products. By the 1930s, they had become the leading manufacturer of oil space heaters. They were also among the first to market portable, gasoline-burning stoves. These products had a reputation for being high quality.
In the middle of the 1960s, the company began to make tents, canoes and other camping gear. They expanded their line of products during the 1960s and became a trusted source for high-quality recreational equipment. In 1988, they made record sales. The Coleman family stopped investing in the company's expansion.
Coleman was bought by Mac Andrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. at $545 million in 1989 by a New York financier. He then merged Coleman with Sunbeam (a heating and cooling company owned by Jones). They developed a strategy to improve efficiency and reduce inventory costs together.
The company provides products for the industrial, residential, and resort-amenity market. They are able work with clients such FedEx, Landmark 24 Homes (Georgia Ports Authority), and Rolls Royce. They have offices in Chicago, Illinois and facilities in Texas and Wichita (Kansas). Their workforce is more than 4,000.
Coleman experienced a drop-off in sales due to the recession. The company was also saddled with huge debt. Their total debt reached nearly $586million in 1996. They also experienced poor overseas sales force integration.
Coleman manufactures heat pumps, hot water systems as well as air conditioners and other cooling and heating products. They are also focusing on Gen Z and younger consumers. They are known for producing durable products at affordable prices.
The company was a key supplier of heating equipment and air conditioning to the U.S. military during World War II. They were also the leading supplier of mobile homes' specialized furnaces. The United States military ended Coleman's contract for parts in the 1940s.
As a result of this, Coleman faced a decline in its gasoline-burning stoves and lights market. In 1960, the company suffered a 70% overall decline. Coleman was a significant player in the market for camping equipment and civilian products during the middle of the 1970s.
In the middle of the 1980s, the company started to focus more on the outdoor and camping market. It started to provide expert advice and suggestions for customers. The Outdoor Expert is a campaign that aims to educate customers about all aspects of camping. In addition, they have introduced hundreds of new products.