Patrik Orcutt 05.19.25
Rising up in Maine, you’re by no means removed from a water supply. Whether or not it’s on the rocky coasts, the speeding rivers, or the calm lakes, there’s all the time an outside exercise involving water available. I keep in mind my first journey with my dad and mom the the Outdated City Canoe facility again after I was a child. We picked up three of their Otter Kayaks and would use them for a few years. In reality I’m fairly positive my dad and mom nonetheless us them to at the present time, practically 20 years later. For sure, think about my pleasure after I heard again from Outdated City they usually wished to provide me a Facility tour and present me among the magic that goes into their watercraft.
Watercraft Protection on AllOutdoor
A Transient Historical past of Outdated City Canoes
Earlier than we get into the tour, we have to go over the lengthy an interesting historical past of Outdated City Canoes. Based in 1898 in Outdated City, Maine, the Outdated City Canoe Firm started as a modest enterprise when brothers George and Herbert Grey added canoe making to their present companies. Their first canvas-covered picket canoes, impressed by the birchbark vessels of the Penobscot folks, have been crafted in a shed behind their ironmongery store. These early canoes rapidly gained recognition amongst native lumbermen and sporting guides, and by the early twentieth century, Outdated City’s merchandise have been being bought throughout the USA and even internationally
In 1901, the corporate was integrated, and by 1916, it boasted the biggest canoe manufacturing unit on the planet, using Japanese cedar sourced from the Penobscot River. Outdated City canoes have been so famend that they have been bought in main retailers like Macy’s and exported globally. In 1927, the corporate’s annual gross sales surpassed half one million {dollars}, marking a big milestone in its progress.
Within the post-World Battle II period, a rising American center class, elevated leisure time, and increasing car possession led to a surge in outside recreation, together with tenting, fishing, and paddling. Nationwide parks and wilderness areas grew to become extra accessible, and the concept of reconnecting with nature gained cultural significance. Canoeing, as soon as a utilitarian exercise, developed into a well-liked spare time activity. This societal shift tremendously benefited Outdated City Canoe Firm, as demand for inexpensive, sturdy, and leisure watercraft elevated. The corporate responded by increasing its product line and ultimately embracing new supplies like fiberglass to satisfy the expectations of a brand new technology of out of doors lovers, serving to Outdated City keep its market management and enhance gross sales throughout this era.
In 1974, Outdated City was acquired by Johnson Outside, a Wisconsin-based firm with a portfolio of out of doors manufacturers. Johnson was an avid outdoorsman, and after visiting the previous Outdated City Facility in Maine, he determined to purchase the corporate. This acquisition allowed Outdated City to increase its choices, together with the introduction of the Discovery collection in 1984, which grew to become a best-seller and helped the corporate regain its place because the world’s largest canoe producer. Outdated City would as soon as once more see a surge of gross sales post-COVID when the world wished nothing to do with the indoors and lusted for the outside. This was just like the post-war increase seen within the late Nineteen Forties.
Right this moment, Outdated City continues to function out of Outdated City, Maine, sustaining its dedication to high quality and innovation. The corporate employs numerous locals, a lot of whom are a part of multi-generational households working within the canoe and kayak business
The Tour
My tour information for the morning was Ryan Lilly, a Advertising Director for Johnson Outside, an avid outdoorsman and Registered Maine Information who actually is aware of his means across the waters of the Pine Tree State. After a fast introduction and a rundown on the corporate’s historical past, Ryan started displaying me round Outdated City’s new entrance workplace, together with their Analysis and Growth space. It was tremendous attention-grabbing to stroll via these rooms and take a look at among the cool stuff they’re tinkering with round with however sadly, I can’t share something I noticed and was not allowed to take any pictures.
That is the Finish of Half One of many Manufacturing unit tour. If you wish to maintain studying and see extra of the Manufacturing unit Tour (and belief me, you do) simply click on HERE! I need to thank Ryan and all the good guys at Outdated City Canoe for making this go to occur!
