Blog
Alumacraft - A brand with history
Your first new fishing boat is a purchase you don't want to make overnight; of course you don't want to make a bad purchase and therefore it is important to choose a brand with a good reputation. Alumacraft has proven for years that they are number one in the field of aluminum fishing boats.
History in a nutshell
What many people don't know is that Alumacraft is one of the oldest (since 1893) and biggest boat manufacturers in the world with currently 16 different models in multiple sizes. It all started in 1893 when Eugene Tetzlaff emigrated from Germany to America and settled in Minneapolis. There he opened a blacksmith shop under the name Flour City Ornaments Iron Company and made iron structures for construction. But with the outbreak of World War II, this changed and the forge switched to producing aircraft parts and aluminum pontoons to contribute to the war effort.
After the war, then director Harry J. Neils had the vision to produce aluminum fishing boats with the surplus metal and skilled sheet metal workers available. A year later, in 1946, the name and brand Alumacraft was born.
Production started small. The first boat was the 12-foot Model B. It was a standard aluminum rowboat that sold well in conjunction with a selection of canoes and duck boats. As the market became more complicated and consumers more demanding, Alumacraft began to make innovations.
Soon the Merry M was introduced in 14' and 16'. It was the first boat with the "drop deck" interior look. The boat had amenities that consumers wanted and sold well.
Then in 1957, the Super C was released, a larger boat that was available in three color combinations. It was an immediate success and led to the company outgrowing its current facilities.
Thus began a series of moves, ownership changes and the continued introduction of new boats. In 1970, the company was purchased by Timpte Industries, Inc. It then moved to a brand new 100,000 square foot plant in Saint Peter, MN.
1970 - A new home
It has been the home of Alumacraft ever since. In the new factory, the continued growth continued. The boats became more technically advanced, adaptable to customer needs and had better features than the competition.
In 1974, Alumacraft gained a significant foothold in the southern market with the purchase of General Marine Corporation in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. This added a range of southern fishing boats to our inventory and increased sales throughout the country.
In the 80s and 90s the formula was simple: hire the best available people, listen to the customers and build boats the way they wanted. To this day, our dedication to customers has driven success.
Over the ocean - 1991
Of course you knew that in Europe there is a passionate fan base for the Alumacraft aluminum boats! Alumacraft started shipping to the Netherlands in 1991 to meet that demand.
Golden Jubilee - 1996
In 1996, Alumacraft celebrated its golden anniversary, producing over 500,000 boats, making it one of the largest and oldest boat manufacturers in the country. During its 50th year, the company also introduced its revolutionary 2XB hull, the most robust hull system to date.
75 years Alumacraft - 2021
Sustainability, innovation, talented employees and an unwavering commitment to the customer - that's the way of Alumacraft. It's worked for the past 75 years. And if you keep telling us what you want, it will work for the next 75 years too. “
Sustainability, innovation, talented employees and an unwavering commitment to the customer - that's the way of Alumacraft. It's worked for the past 75 years. And if you keep telling us what you want, it will work for the next 75 years too. “
