Age of Stove Comapnies?

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bergw
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Post by bergw » Sat. Aug. 18, 2007 11:59 pm

What's the oldest still operating coal stove company?

it seems that while doing research I've discovered many coampnies go out of business for one reason or another. What's the profit margin like on a stove? maybe that explains why most stoves come with paper stapled together as a manual and lack pretty user guides like other products do (car, digital camera, car stereo)

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sun. Aug. 19, 2007 7:04 am

bergw wrote:What's the profit margin like on a stove? maybe that explains why most stoves come with paper stapled together as a manual and lack pretty user guides like other products do (car, digital camera, car stereo)
I would guess between 10-30% depending on the model. The manuals are probably stapled copies because of the production #s. It would not pay to have a profesionally desiged, glossy cover manual with color photos to sell a few hundred stoves. At a few hundred thousand a year, I'm sure they would be a little fancier.

 
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Post by LsFarm » Sun. Aug. 19, 2007 11:48 am

One of the reasons for coming and going of alternate heating appliances is the rise and fall of heating costs.

During the 50's and 60's, heating your home was cheap, a much smaller percentage of your monthly/yearly budget than today. In the 70's when petroleum product prices spiked, there was a big surge in alternative heating. Dozens if not hundreds of wood stove makers entered the market, and most have since gone out of business.

Many of the older coal/wood stove makers diversified into the entire heating spectrum, making gas and oil burning boilers and furnaces. Now that oil and gas are expensive again, the older companies are still here to provide quality, time-proven products.

One characteristic of the alternate-heat market is the longevity of the products.. a coal or wood burning stove/insert/boiler/furnace will last decades with just minor yearly maintenance. Unlike many manufactured products, once a good quality product is sold to a customer, the retailer may not see that customer again for decades.

Gas furnaces, which are by far the most common home heating appliance, tend to 'wear out' about every 10 years or so, the heat exchangers eventually crack or corrode and it is cheaper to replace the whole unit than replace the parts, even if they are available. This built in replacement requirement helps keep the furnace makers in business. Otherwise they would depend only on new home instalations and effeciency upgrades for their business.

There are some out-of-business stove makers that made a good product, but the purchase of a used stove without replacement parts available is a gamble, so unless you are capable of making replacement parts or are willing to gamble, then the products make by currently in business companies is the best idea.

Greg L


 
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jpen1
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Post by jpen1 » Sun. Aug. 19, 2007 12:52 pm

I believe the oldest PA coal stove company still in buisiness would be Keystoker. Keystoker has been around at least 60 plus years. Alaska and Harman have been around 30 years and Leisure I'm not sure but I think about 20 years.

 
bergw
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Post by bergw » Sun. Aug. 19, 2007 5:16 pm

LsFarm wrote:One of the reasons for coming and going of alternate heating appliances is the rise and fall of heating costs.
i guess when one thinks about it, this is probably the best reason I've heard. it makes complete sense.

 
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Yanche
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Post by Yanche » Sun. Aug. 19, 2007 6:02 pm

jpen1 wrote:I believe the oldest PA coal stove company still in buisiness would be Keystoker. Keystoker has been around at least 60 plus years. Alaska and Harman have been around 30 years and Leisure I'm not sure but I think about 20 years.
Axeman Andersen has is another old company, their Anthratube boiler was tested by the Bureau of Mines in 1949. Still selling the same boiler today. Some coal equipment patents assigned to the company owners have dates in the 1930's.


 
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coal berner
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Post by coal berner » Mon. Aug. 20, 2007 3:02 am

E.F.M. would be the oldest in pa they been making them since 1930 then Axeman Andersen 1944 Not sure what year keystoker open but will find out only 8 miles away Alaska stoves 1977 Harman stoves 1979 not sure about Leisure line Reading stove 2004 Hitzer inc not in pa but they been making stoves since 1975 will post Keystoker year later see ya :)

 
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Post by oliver power » Tue. Sep. 18, 2007 6:20 am

A couple years or so ago , I read somewhere that "US Stove" was the , or one of the oldest existing stove companies in the United States.

 
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coal berner
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Post by coal berner » Tue. Sep. 18, 2007 9:46 pm

I forgot one in pa bakerstoves.com york county PA since 1977 :)

 
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coal berner
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Post by coal berner » Tue. Sep. 18, 2007 9:52 pm

oliver power wrote:A couple years or so ago , I read somewhere that "US Stove" was the , or one of the oldest existing stove companies in the United States.
yes since 1869 :)

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