MinnKota - History in the Making

An excellent article on the history of MinnKota from www.classicbass.com Minn Kota: History In The Making Jack | November 13, 2015 MINN 2 By: Dan Johnson Trolling motors are ubiquitous tools of the bass fishing trade, appearing from coast to coast on fishing platforms of all shapes and sizes. Yet few bass fans know the full story behind the undisputed industry leader. From its world headquarters in the bustling, blue-collar city of Mankato, Minnesota, Minn Kota quietly continues its more than 80-year-old tradition of building the world's most reliable and diverse lineup of boat positioning systems. Along with a full suite of bow-, transom- and engine-mounted trolling motors, the company also offers the Talon family of best-in-class shallow-water anchors, plus onboard and portable battery chargers, drift socks and more. Throughout its history, Minn Kota has grounded its growth on the cornerstones of innovation, tireless dedication to quality, and an unwavering commitment to the craftspeople who create its products. Attention to detail is paramount at all steps of the production process. Attention to detail is paramount at all steps of the production process. Looking Back Minn Kota is the oldest manufacturer of electric fishing motors in the world. Throughout its history, the company has led the way in product innovation and industry leading technology. The story begins in 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota, where inventor O.G. Schmidt connected a Ford starter motor to a flexible shaft and propeller to configure the first electric trolling motor. A man of many ideas, Schmidt had already invented, produced and sold a copper-soldering torch from his home in Wheatland, North Dakota. Due to the torch's success, he moved his manufacturing operations to Fargo, where the Minn Kota Manufacturing Company was born. While its name (coined for the company's close proximity to the North Dakota-Minnesota border) is synonymous with trolling motors, Minn Kota also manufactured a variety of other products in the early days, including straw choppers, rock pickers and vacuum cleaners. During World War II, the company even joined the war effort, producing critical components for automatic pilot systems used in Allied fighter planes. In 1965, upon Schmidt's death, Ole Rommesmo took over Minn Kota Manufacturing Company and focused on the electric trolling motor market. In 1969, Johnson Reels of Mankato, Minnesota, purchased the company; trolling motors opened an exciting new product line for Johnson Reels, which was already renowned for rods, reels and lures. Then, in 1970, Johnson Reels and Minn Kota trolling motors were acquired by a subsidiary of Johnson Wax”Johnson Diversified Inc.”which is now known as Johnson Outdoors. In 1979, Minn Kota motor production moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where it is still based today in a pair of state-of-the art facilities. First Impressions Staying true to Schmidt's penchant for invention and also the Johnson Family's passion and love for the outdoors, Minn Kota has ushered in a long string of industry innovations, including the first gear-driven electric trolling motor back in 1934. Ensuing breakthroughs include: 1935: first flexible cable-driven electric trolling motor 1965: first electric trolling motor with forward and reverse switch 1968: first foot-operated electric-steer remote control 1985: first battery-saving, electronic variable speed control, sold as an accessory (Maximizer) 1986: first built-in battery-saving variable speed control 1987: first space-saving, compact bow-mount with built-in variable speed control 1987: first low-profile, cable-steer, foot-control trolling motor 1987: first mass-produced, foot-operated, electric-steer, remote-control trolling motor 1991: first indestructible fiberglass composite shaft 1991: first microprocessor-controlled, self-steering trolling motor (AutoPilot) 1992: first weedless propeller (Weedless Wedge) 1995: first all-direction, impact-absorbing breakaway mounting system (Bowguard 360⁰) 1999: first auto stow/deploy and power trim trolling motor (Genesis) 2000: first auto-stow/deploy, transom-mount, hand-control trolling motor with 4:1 steering ratio (Vantage) 2002: first electric trolling motor with integrated, protected sonar transducer compatible with major fishfinder brands (Universal Sonar) 2003: first trolling motor with wireless remote control (CoPilot) 2004: first 3:1 steering ratio hand-control trolling motor (3X Steering) 2005: first cable-steer trolling motor with gas-charged spring (Lift-Assist on Maxxum Pro) 2007: first trolling motor with integrated dual-beam sonar transducer and temperature sensor (Universal Sonar 2) 2009: first one-hand-stow transom trolling motor (Traxxis) 2009: first Mono-Arm bow-mount (Fortrex) 2010: first wireless, remote-control GPS-based navigation system (i-Pilot) 2011: first auto-deploy/retract, electro-mechanical shallow-water anchor (Talon) 2013: first wireless, GPS-controlled trolling motor navigation system that communicates with Humminbird fishfinder (i-Pilot Link) 2014: first 112-pound-thrust trolling motor 2014: First electro-mechanical shallow water anchor with selectable anchoring modes (Talon 10 and 12) 2015: First auto stow/deploy bowmount with integrated GPS navigation (Ulterra) Minn Kota ships trolling motors, shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and other products to destinations around the world. Minn Kota ships trolling motors, shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and other products to destinations around the world. People Power Of the company's 200 full-time workers, nearly 30 percent have been with Minn Kota more than 20 years. In fact, more than five percent have 30 years or more of service, and one employee recently celebrated five decades with the company. In exchange for such loyalty, workers enjoy a range of benefits and special activities, along with a comforting sense of job security that's sadly lacking in many modern workplace environments. For Minn Kota, the return on investment is priceless. "People care about the company and take pride in their work, says pro staff manager Tim Price, who has 24 years with the company. As a result, support for Minn Kota's obsessive commitment to quality is widespread. From the moment a trolling motor's power plant takes shape until it leaves the warehouse, continual quality checks ensure reliable performance for the end user. And when consumers do have questions about their products, a group of veteran customer service agents are standing by”onsite, not somewhere on the other side of the globe”ready to help. Collectively, Minn Kota's strategies fuel the development of products that help anglers catch more fish and have more fun, and help explain why the majority of bass boats on the water today sport the company's iconic logo. They also offer assurance that bass anglers worldwide will reap the rewards of this dedication to excellence for many seasons to come.