The Coleman Company produces recreational equipment like camping gear, lawnmowers and other products. They are a trusted brand in the industry. They are actually the largest outdoor product manufacturer in the world. They offer a wide range of products, including soft coolers, pop up travel trailers, and water skis.
Coleman began out as a small firm that sold gas lanterns. They soon expanded to other products. They were the largest manufacturer of oil space heaters by the 1930s. They were also among the first to market portable, gasoline-burning stoves. These products had a reputation for being high quality.
The company began manufacturing tents and canoes in the mid-1960s. They extended their product lines in the 1960s and became a trusted supplier of high-quality recreational equipment. They achieved record sales in 1988. However, the Coleman family stopped investing and decided to stop supporting the company's growth.
A New York financier purchased Coleman through Mac Andrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. in 1989 for $545 million. He then merged the company and Sunbeam, a Sunbeam heating and air conditioning company owned by Jones. Together they devised a strategy to increase efficiency and decrease inventory costs.
The company offers products for the residential, industrial, and resort-amenity markets. They are able work with clients such FedEx, Landmark 24 Homes (Georgia Ports Authority), and Rolls Royce. They are headquartered near Chicago, Illinois. They have over 4,000 employees.
As a result of the recession, Coleman began experiencing a drop in demand for its products. The company was also saddled with huge debt. Their total debt reached nearly $586million in 1996. They also suffered from poor integration of their overseas sales force.
Coleman produces a range of home heating and cooling products, including hot water systems, generators, air conditioners, and camping equipment. They now target Gen Z consumers and have shifted their focus to younger consumers. The company is known for its durable products and reasonable prices.
During World War II, they were a major supplier of heating and air conditioning equipment for the U.S. Military. They were also the biggest supplier of mobile homes with specialized furnaces. The United States military ended Coleman’s plane parts contracts in the late 1940s.
As a result of this, Coleman faced a decline in its gasoline-burning stoves and lights market. It suffered an overall loss of 70% in 1960. 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. The company started to focus on offering expert advice and recommendation for customers. They have developed a campaign called the Outdoor Expert, which aims to educate customers about various aspects of the camping experience. They also have hundreds of new products.