Struggling to find the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life? Jetboil, a New Hampshire-based company, offers a solution for campers seeking warmth and convenience. Founded by outdoorsmen Dwight Aspinwall and Perry Dowst, Jetboil emerged from their frustration with heavy, inefficient camping stoves. In under a year, their innovative design has propelled them into a multimillion-dollar business.
Jetboil’s personal stove allows campers to enjoy a hot drink in under a minute. Weighing only 15 ounces, it’s a lightweight and efficient option. This holiday season, gift-givers can also purchase accessories such as a French press for fresh coffee and pot stabilizers for use with larger cookware.
Demand for Jetboil’s stoves surged after receiving awards from publications like Outside, Backpacker, Time, and Popular Science. Major retailers such as EMS and REI began placing orders, followed by international stores in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Holiday sales are crucial for retailers, often representing 25% to 40% of annual revenue, according to the National Retail Federation. Jetboil anticipates a 50% increase in sales during the holiday season. To manage this surge in demand, Jetboil partnered with UPS to streamline its supply chain.
UPS handles the transportation of Jetboil’s designs to manufacturers in China and the return of samples to the United States for testing. Once approved, UPS ships the components on direct flights to meet the initial product run demand. Jetboil utilizes UPS WorldShip software to automate shipping calculations, customs forms, and label generation, providing visibility throughout the process.
By entrusting its shipping and logistics to UPS, Jetboil can concentrate on business growth. Tim Wilson, operations planning director for Jetboil, emphasizes that international shipping expertise isn’t their core competency, making a reliable partner like UPS essential.