The Coleman Company manufactures recreational equipment such as camping gear and lawn mowers. They are a respected brand in this industry. They are the largest manufacturer of outdoor recreational products worldwide. They offer a wide variety of products, such as soft coolers or pop up travel trailers.
Although Coleman started off as a small company that sold gas lanterns, they soon branched out into a variety of other products. They were the largest manufacturer of oil space heaters by the 1930s. They were also amongst the first to manufacture portable, gasoline burner stoves. They were known for their high quality products.
In the middle of the 1960s, the company began to make tents, canoes and other camping gear. They extended their product lines in the 1960s and became a trusted supplier of high-quality recreational equipment. In 1988 they achieved record sales. The Coleman family stopped investing in the company's expansion.
In 1989, a New York financier bought Coleman through Mac Andrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. for $545 million. He then combined the company with Sunbeam Heating and Air Conditioning, which Jones owned. Together they created a strategy that would improve efficiency and reduce inventory cost.
The company provides products for the industrial, residential, and resort-amenity market. They are able to work with clients such FedEx and Landmark 24 Homes as well as the Georgia Ports Authority and Rolls Royce. They have offices in Chicago, Illinois and facilities in Texas and Wichita (Kansas). They have an employee base of over 4,000.
Coleman noticed a decrease in demand for its products due to the recession. They also found themselves in huge debt. Their total debt reached nearly $586million in 1996. In addition, their overseas sales force integration was poor.
Coleman manufactures heat pumps, hot water systems as well as air conditioners and other cooling and heating products. They now target Gen Z consumers and have shifted their focus to younger consumers. The company has a reputation for making durable products at reasonable prices.
During World War II, the company was a major supplier of air conditioning and heating equipment for the U.S. military. They were also the leading supplier of mobile homes' specialized furnaces. In the late 1940s, Coleman's aircraft parts contracts were ended by the United States Military.
Coleman saw a drop in the gasoline-burning stoves market and lights. The overall percentage of its gasoline-burning stoves and lights market also declined by 70% between 1960 and 1960. In the mid-1970s, Coleman was a major player in the civilian product lines and camping equipment industry.
In the middle of the 1980s, the company started to focus more on the outdoor and camping market. It began to focus on providing expert advice and recommendations 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.