![4.1.0.0A_ABOUT US_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a About Us header text](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4.1.0.0A_ABOUT-US_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a.png)
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Springfield Marine Company
It’s hard to believe that a company as established and successful as Springfield Marine had such humble beginnings. In 1952, then 22-year-old Garnett Carnahan purchased an aluminum gas furnace and started Springfield Aluminum Company to support a local fence company with castings. Through word-of-mouth the aluminum casting foundry grew to support other companies in Southwest Missouri. Springfield Aluminum Company first operated out of a rented garage space with just a few employees to run the casting facility. In the late 1960s, the marine industry started to grow in Missouri, and Springfield started supplying castings, including bow eyes, cleats and corners. In 1974, the company relocated to Nixa, Missouri, where Garnett built his first building boasting 86,000 square feet of manufacturing.
The Brand
The now famous Springfield Marine brand began in the mid-1970s. The recreational boating industry was growing fast, and Springfield was supplying so many parts to the boating industry across the Midwest that the brand name became well-recognized. Seat pedestals, the primary focus of the brand, were made primarily from aluminum castings and fabricated parts. The company’s capabilities expanded rapidly to include the manufacturing of additional components, such as a full range of seating hardware. One of Springfield’s earliest catalogs was published in 1985.
![Photo01_Seats1_400x300a300 About Us - Photo 1 - Vintage Seat - New Seat](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo01_Seats1_400x300a300.png)
Vintage Springfield Helm / New Alumacraft seat
Partnership Formed
In 1990, Garnett and his wife Caroline partnered and opened a manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China, called SCHECO. Having control of manufacturing, while not having to rely on multiple outside sources around Asia, allowed for more secure handling of the growing Springfield-branded product line, including proprietary processes and patented parts to support the U.S. facility. As SCHECO grew, in 1995 they expanded the Springfield brand to supply customers internationally in Europe and Australia.
![Photo02_Carn_400x300a72 About Us - Photo 2 - Garnett Carnahan - Caroline Carnahan](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo02_Carn_400x300a72.jpg)
Caroline & Garnett Carnahan / Caroline Carnahan
Rise From the Ashes
Tragically, in 1999 Springfield Marine’s main plant in Nixa, Missouri, burned to the ground in a catastrophic fire over the Thanksgiving weekend. With the China location already producing components, sub-assemblies and some finished goods, the facility quickly became the primary supplier for Springfield Marine to its U.S. and international customers. In 2001, Springfield rebuilt its Nixa headquarters along with a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the same site as its former foundry. As sales growth continued, the SCHECO facility soon outgrew its capacity. In response, Caroline established a new plant in an emerging industrial area called “New Shanghai”. The new manufacturing facility opened in 2009 with more than 350,000 square feet of manufacturing space, which allowed the company production capacity and expand its manufacturing capabilities.
Dedication to Innovation
In the early years, fishing boats were fairly basic. Over time, boats have become specialized machines catering to a variety of recreational activities from freshwater and saltwater fishing, to water sports and racing. In addition, the incredible advancements in marine propulsion have driven significant safety requirements. As boating has changed, Springfield has led the way. Not only has it created innovative and stylish solutions to address every type of boating need, but it has done so in ways that ensure Springfield Marine seats and seating hardware meet or exceed all safety standards.
![Photo03_Peds_400x300a72 About Us - Photo 3 - Vintage Pedestal - New Mainstay](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo03_Peds_400x300a72.jpg)
Vintage Pedestal / New Mainstay
Working in conjunction with many of the largest boat brands, Springfield Marine has been able to develop a full line of proprietary, patented seating and table hardware. These include such products as the KingPin™,Taper-Lock™, Plug-In™, Thread-Lock™ and Spring-Lock™ Pedestals that come in either 2-3/8 inch or 2-7/8 inch sizes. In addition, Springfield Marine offers a 4-inch series with names including Trac-Lock™, Prestige™, Regatta, Second Generation and Mainstay. Continuing its innovative streak, Springfield Marine now offers Electric Actuated Seat Pedestals and Seat Slides, and Table Pedestals with current transfer for easy power connection to LED lights and charging ports.
![Photo04B_NewProducts_400x164a72 About Us 4B - Electric Table](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo04B_NewProducts_400x164a72.jpg)
Leader in Seating
Springfield Marine has become a leader in seating for everything from fishing and cruising to even commercial passenger or work boats. The company offers a full seating line ranging from folding seats to bucket seats and now helm seats. Springfield Marine also supplies its SHECO Vinyl – a full range of vinyl sold by the roll for custom seats in multiple colors and textures for today’s marine environment.
![Photo04_LeaderSeating1_400x300a72 About Us - Photo 4 - Gray Front Boat Seat Images](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo04_LeaderSeating1_400x300a72.jpg)
Ski Pylons
Another product line that has seen significant innovation is Springfield Marine’s ski pylons. Over the years, ski pylons have changed along with new ski boat designs, faster boat speeds and a wider variety of water sports. Originally, ski tows could be applied as an aftermarket accessory that involved a pole with two support legs bolted to the deck. In today’s environment the pull forces are excessive due to the higher horsepower offered by the newest outboards and the increased resistance applied with towables (water toys).
![Photo06_SkiPylon_400x164a72 About Us - Photo 5 - Ski Pylon](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo06_SkiPylon_400x164a72.jpg)
To address these changes, Springfield utilizes a proprietary aircraft aluminum material that provides the necessary flex and strength to meet these requirements. Its pylons have been used on ski boats for 25 years with no resulting warranty or safety issues. The company even has developed solutions for the latest V-10 outboard design, which requires an even stronger and taller pylon.
![Photo07_SM-JCtoday_400x300a300 Image # 7 - Springfield Building](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo07_SM-JCtoday_400x300a300.png)
Springfield Marine Today
In its 70th year, Springfield remains a healthy, strong, established global brand that is relied upon by OEM boat builders, aftermarket marine distributors, and marine retailers worldwide. With the passing of Garnett in 2014, Caroline Carnahan is now the sole owner. She still holds the values the company was
founded on:
1. Focus on meeting the needs of the end consumer (the boater).
2. Build only high-quality products.
3. Create a work environment that is safe, engaging, and allows employees to grow with the company. At Springfield Marine, it is common for employees to remain with the company for years, even decades, due to Springfield Marine’s commitment to advancement from within.
![Photo05_LeaderSeating2_400x164a72 About Us - Photo 4 - Gray Back Boat Seat Images](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo05_LeaderSeating2_400x164a72.jpg)
Recently, four long-term employees who helped the organization grow for more than 40 years retired. Caroline honored them with a company party to show her sincere appreciation for their dedicated service. Most recently, Springfield hired Michael Folkerts as president. He brings with him over 25 years of marine industry experience building companies that deliver high growth and profitability.
![Photo08_SM-Employees_400x164a72 About Us 8 - Springfield Marine Employees](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo08_SM-Employees_400x164a72.jpg)
Springfield Marine’s Future
When asked about his goals for the business, Folkerts stated: “For the last 70 years, Springfield has been a leader in marine seating and seating hardware. Our goal for the next five years is to broaden our product offerings to new categories and expand into new channels resulting in doubling the size of our business.” Added owner Caroline Carnahan: “Springfield is ready for another chapter. We’ve had a successful 70 years in the marine industry and are dedicated to an even more successful next 70 years for the Springfield Marine brand.”
![Photo09_SM-Future_400x300a72 About Us 9 - Springfield Marine Future](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo09_SM-Future_400x300a72.jpg)
![4.1.0.0A_ABOUT US_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a About Us header text](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4.1.0.0A_ABOUT-US_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a.png)
![5.1.0.0A_AboutUs-SMC-JiangsuCarnahanMfg_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a About-Us _ Jiangsu Carnahan Mfg. - subhead text](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5.1.0.0A_AboutUs-SMC-JiangsuCarnahanMfg_1HeaderTxt1_01a-2a.png)
The SCHECO Company
In 1990, Garnett and his wife Caroline partnered and opened a manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China, called SCHECO. Having control of manufacturing, while not having to rely on multiple outside sources around Asia, allowed for more secure handling of the growing Springfield-branded product line, including proprietary processes and patented parts to support the U.S. facility. As SCHECO grew, in 1995 they expanded the Springfield brand to supply customers internationally in Europe and Australia.
![AboutCJ-24_Photo01_CarnahansThen-Now_400x300a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 1 - Garnett Carnahan - Caroline Carnahan](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo01_CarnahansThen-Now_400x300a72.jpg)
Caroline & Garnett Carnahan / Caroline Carnahan
Springfield Marine Grows
The Springfield Marine brand began in the mid-1970s. The recreational boating industry was growing fast, and Springfield was supplying so many parts to the boating industry across the Midwest that the brand name became well-recognized. Seat pedestals, the primary focus of the brand, were made primarily from aluminum castings and fabricated parts. The company’s capabilities expanded rapidly to include the manufacturing of additional components, such as a full range of seating hardware.
Jiangsu Carnahan Then
As Springfield Marine Company grew and opportunities opened in Asian markets, Our first factory Jiangsu Carnahan Manufacturing Opened in China in 1990, Owned & Operated by Our founder Garnett and his wife Caroline.
![AboutCJ-24_Photo03_JC-2011-13_400x300a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 1 - JC Building 1](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo03_JC-2011-13_400x300a72.jpg)
Rise From the Ashes
Having outgrown the Shanghai facility, Jiangsu Carnahan relocated In 2009 to a state of the art facility in Qidong, China. Not only did The facility provide 350,000 sq. ft. of space for JC’s factory, but the New location also made room for updated technology, machinery, And processes. The factory continued its expansion between 2011 And 2013, growing its facilities to 750,000 sq. ft. and expanding its Capacity to meet evolving industry demands.
![AboutCJ-24_Photo05_JCWorkers+Carn_400x300a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 3 - JC Building People](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo05_JCWorkersCarn_400x300a72.jpg)
Jiangsu Carnahan Now
Today’s facility boasts invaluable manufacturing capabilities including on-site engineering and rapid prototyping, metal bending and welding, CNC machining, punch press forming, blow and injection molding, sewing and upholstering, and so much more.
![AboutCJ-24_Photo07_JCNew-Parts3_400x164a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 7 - JC Building4 Col3-2](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo07_JCNew-Parts3_400x164a72.jpg)
![AboutCJ-24_Photo06_JCNew-Parts2_400x164a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 4 - JC Building Col3-1](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo06_JCNew-Parts2_400x164a72.jpg)
![AboutCJ-24_Photo04_JCNew-Parts_400x164a72 About Us - Jiangsu Carnahan - Photo 5 - JC Building2 Col3-2](https://springfieldgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AboutCJ-24_Photo04_JCNew-Parts_400x164a72.jpg)