Celebrating 40 Years
August 15, 2023 • Voyageur Press
MCGREGOR, Minn.—FLOE International announced that they will be celebrating 40 years at Big
Sandy Lodge on August 18. Wayne Floe, CEO, is excited to showcase the 2023 Varatti boats and host a ski show with over 40 skiers. The celebration will include food, drinks and three music acts day and night.
In the shop, the saying is “Varatti is Variety” and they mean it. Floe designed the boat to be much more than just an amazing surf boat. From tubing to slalom and barefoot speeds onto powerful wake boards and surf wakes! Varatti delivers a great experience for the entire family, and the neighbors.
When looking back on 40 years, Wayne reflects on a journey that began on the shores of Lake Minnewawa. Even as a kid, Wayne Floe was thinking like an entrepreneur. When he was 6, Floe opened a store in a square wooden shack near his family home on Lake Minnewawa. He made money by selling Kool-Aid, Snickers bars and potato chips that his aunt and uncle had purchased wholesale.
Wayne cut wood for his father’s logging business by the time he was 9 and was a subcontractor for the business by the age of 14. By his late teens he earned money by topping trees over people’s homes.
It wasn’t until he was 19 years old, that Wayne found his true calling—inventing and manufacturing!
The First Ten Years
1983 — It all started, when Wayne Floe at the age of 19, designed his first boat lift. “I had a concept in my mind that was really cool,” recalls Wayne back in 1983. “That’s what really drove me to create the first prototype.”
That year, Wayne worked with a neighbor, Bob Hathaway, to create his first boat lift. “Bob would contract for anyone, so on weekends I would go over to his place and literally draw my idea out with chalk. We would grab tubes, cut them and weld them.”
This first lift was unlike any other on the market and had a roller bunk bed on a twin winch vertical lift. This lift allowed boaters to drive right up and out of the water. “Once out of the boat all you had to do was crank the rear winch up slightly until the boat sat close to level,” added Wayne. “I thought this was a really cool concept.”
The company’s original name was United States Boat Hoist and Dock Co. Wayne self funded the startup with money from other entrepreneurial ventures. Wayne earned money harvesting wild rice, running a dock/lift installation service and tree removal business. These businesses both lasted until the early 90s. Wayne was also a full time student and studied business at three different colleges. During that time he earned additional money by selling cable TV and cleaning supplies after school.
1984-86 — In 1984, Wayne set up several retail dealers while he continued working on more product innovations. Wayne, with the help of Steve Snider, designed and built a vertical hydraulic boat lift prototype and put his dock designs into production. The first docks were contract manufactured on the Fond Du Lac Indian reservation. They were carpeted roll-in models with a steel frame called the FLOE Luxury dock.
In 1985, the production moved to the old family pole building near Lake Minnewawa and Wayne hired a welder. Wayne would later (1986) purchase and remodeled a 32’ by 64’ steel building for manufacturing. Steel pivot boat lifts with wheel kits that lower down automatically for removal were sold along with the dock systems. Additional welders and fabricators were hired on a seasonal basis.
1987 — FLOE discovers aluminum! In 1987, aluminum docks as well as aluminum pivot and vertical lift systems hit the market. The vertical lifts, feature DC electric winches and extra deep canopies. Wayne’s father, Easton, came on board to help in manufacturing. That same year was the birth of the FLOE trailer line. The trailer line allowed employees to work year round. “That was big deal,” recalls Wayne. “Ray Schug was the first one to encourage me to build a snowmobile trailer.”
The first models were made of steel and were introduced to the market along with a few aluminum models. Trailers were advertised in Minneapolis Star Tribune and sold out of the back yard of the Schug residence in Hopkins, Minnesota.
1988-89 — In 1988, FLOE dock and lift systems were manufactured exclusively with aluminum and FLOE had custom aluminum dock and trailer extrusions made. Vertical lifts with a unique rotating drive shaft were introduced and FLOE aluminum trailers started to grow in popularity.
1990-92 — In 1990, the FLOE brand is now growing at a rapid rate. Personal Watercraft lifts (PWC’s) are introduced and ground is broken for the new McGregor manufacturing plant on Highway 65. Meanwhile, manufacturing is spread between three facilities from McGregor to Big Sandy Lake. FLOE breaks the 1 million dollar sales mark. The FLOE Trailer is becoming more dominant in the Midwest as FLOE’s reputation for quality and innovation spreads. This is also the year Wayne invents several new trailer technologies which eventually lead to dozens of patent claims and a greater edge on the competition. FLOE designed fiberglass salt shields and were introduced with immediate success. All manufacturing was done in the new facility and a new decking building was added on the McGregor site. Roll in docks now feature aluminum wheel kits and aluminum quick connects.
Decade #2
1993-94 — FLOE invents a new tri-fold ATV pickup ramp design that is an immediate success. It is awarded several patent claims and is eventually sold through mass merchants such as Northern Hydraulics, Sportsman’s Guide, Home Depot and dozens of retail dealers. FLOE adds many dock accessories including light kits. The Hoyt Lakes property was also acquired during this time period. In 1994, the U.S. government became a client, selecting Floe trailers for use in military combat. “The Floe trailer design included so many custom extrusions,” shared Wayne. “It made it easier to load and unload and they were heavy duty. They wanted a trailer out in the desert that would hold up.”
1995-99 — The FLOE trailer business was booming and thousands were being sold. FLOE introduced aluminum PWC trailers, 10’ and 12’ trailer enclosures and a line of utility trailer kits. FLOE expanded again by adding a 70’ by 100’ building to the McGregor building in 1997 and in 1998. Gull wing enclosures were introduced.
In 1999, FLOE expands the main plant with a 80’ by 144’ addition complete with bridge crane. FLOE sells ATV ramp patent for 1.8 million to fund growth and expansion. “That was a big boost,” Wayne explained. “We were able to fund dock and lift research and purchase new equipment.”
2000 — FLOE sales surpassed the 10 million dollar mark and the company expanded its management team to handle its fast paced growth. In November of 2000, FLOE received some space-age advice. Fred Ogden, chief welding engineer for Lockheed Martin Corp., brought aluminum welding ideas used in construction of the space shuttle’s external tanks to Northeastern Minnesota. FLOE was one of them. “They were looking for ways to get space shuttle technology out into companies rather than just having it shelved. Companies everywhere need to be able to compete as efficiently as possible.”
2001-02 — Dock wheel kits were introduced w/Aluminum ACME thread, and enhanced telescopic adjustment ranges in 2001. Plastic dock tires are introduced and FLOE starts down the path of becoming a Lean enterprise. In 2002, modular style floating docks are introduced to the dealer network. FLOE invents and patents Easy-Level and ball screw boat lift technology which was a substantial leap forward in boat lift technology.
Decade #3
2003 — In 2003, FLOE strikes a deal with Polaris to produce their private label trailers and they are introduced to the market. FLOE supplied Polaris snowmobile dealers with both open bed and enclosed aluminum trailers. Turbo Lube oil bath hubs were introduced. These eliminated the need for greasing the axle bearing.
2004-07 — In 2004, Wayne found himself in a couple of patent disputes with copycat companies. The first company, Sled Bed ended up losing in a 7-day federal jury trial and filed bankruptcy shortly thereafter. Then “Triton copied my Versa track system that allowed you to put snowmobiles anywhere you wanted to achieve perfect tongue weight.” The parties mutually agreed to settle that action. Wayne redesigns the McGregor plant, so that all products can be built year-round using Lean principles and one-piece workflow.
In 2007, Aluma-Grain decking is introduced as an option on all dock systems and ATV Pro trailers and fold-down ramps are introduced. Cargo Max is developed and displayed at the Polaris convention.
2008 — Wayne invested his time in developing the FLOECRAFT concept — an innovative boat designed to meet six key elements: climate control, easy operation/maneuverability, expanded livable comfort, a hull with exceptional performance, easy boarding, and an over-all design that has everyone wanting to spend their time onboard. The recession kicked in and the company responded quickly with plans to weather the storm.
2009-11 — In 2009 FLOE’s Cargo MAX TRAILER won the ATV Innovation Award and in 2010, the first FLOECRAFT Prototype hits the water at Pier 65. Articles are written as far away as Sweden about this new category of boat. In 2011, FLOECRAFT market input leads to design improvement and a size increased to 36’ in length. Two FLOECRAFT models are built and used for demonstrations and shown throughout North America. Also in 2011, FLOE introduced an extremely popular 3-piece dock furniture set.
2012-13 — FLOE fights back from recession with the best year in company history in 2012. FLOE also acquires the world’s largest rotary thermoforming machine to expand product reach and capabilities. FLOE completed a new 40,000 square foot facility in McGregor for thermoforming and other production expansion.
In 2013, the new Cargo Max model is designed and readied for market launch. With three distinct loading/unloading modes and nearly indestructible UltraBody™ the product began redefining the trailer industry. Cargo Max found its way into 22 Home Depot stores in the upper Midwest and added several more retailers including L&M Fleet Supply and power sports dealers. That same year, the first twin engine saltwater ready FLOECRAFT ACE 36 is sold for use in Florida.
Decade #4
2014-16 — With a focus on automation, several robots were purchased and added to production operations. FLOE introduced Afina Sport Yacht, a 39.5’ luxury boat that is made to accommodate all climates by opening and closing the cabin at the push of a button. In 2016, FLOE invented and introduced Quick Attach Sectional Docks to simplify connecting sections together as well as easy accessory attachment.
2017-20 — FLOE introduced the Maxis Canopy to watersports boats with towers and pontoons with Bimini tops. They also introduced three new models of the 73 series CargoMax trailer. In 2018, FLOE started a companywide profit sharing program. They also introduced the Varatti Z22 — a watersports boat designed for the widest range of watersports activities from wake surfing to tubing. Surf, ski, wakeboard? It all starts with the Varatti’s Control Center. The 12-inch touchscreen and Intelligent Steering Wheel is designed to set the boat for sporting preferences. Also in 2018, the FLOE “Splash” logo was replaced with divisional branding logos for the different FLOE divisions.
In 2019, FLOE introduced three models of the aluminum frame/aluminum deck Versa Max UT trailer.
2021-23 — In 2021, FLOE acquired the new FLOECRAFT facility in Cambridge, Minnesota and later purchased a newer facility in Hoyt Lakes. FLOE also introduced the new Quick Attach Roll-in Dock. Three new Varatti boats will be introduced at the August 18 celebration at Big Sandy Lodge & Resort. Come on out to witness the “Varatti is Variety” concept.
Wayne also noted that his son, Easton, has joined the team at FLOE. “Easton has been working at the company for four years,” added Wayne. “He started out in production, learned several types of welding, ran robots and is now helping with new product development.”
Wayne appreciates everyone who has come alongside to make FLOE the brand that it is today. There are a few individuals who have served the company for more than 20 years. Gary Sylvester (32 years); Joanne Anderson (32 years); John Beauchem Sr. (31 years); Mark Moe (30 years); Scott Weimer (29 years); Rodney Knoblauch (28 years); Donald VanderMey (27 years); Carla Gilbert (25 years); Jean Rian (22 years) and Duke Buranen (22 Years). “I’m extremely proud to have had these exceptional individuals who have been so loyal to the company for all these years!
Looking back at 40 years, Wayne expressed how important it has been to keep moving forward by reinvesting in new and better products. “The constant inventing and reinvesting along with building a great team is what made the company grow the way it did,” he concluded.
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2019 - Congressman Pete Stauber tours FLOE
February 26, 2019 • Voyageur Press
Congressman Pete Stauber (Minnesota 8th District) visited Floe International in McGregor this past week. The congressman has a heart for small business and, during his visit, he observed the trimming of an EOM thermoforming project FLOE is doing for a company in Iowa.
McGREGOR, Minn. — Congressman Pete Stauber (Minnesota 8th District) visited FLOE International in McGregor, Minnesota this past week. The newly elected congressman campaigned on and believes strongly in small businesses.
Congressman Stauber noted that he is serving on the Small Business/Contracting and Infrastructure Committee and is committed to supporting the efforts of the small businesses throughout the region. “Small businesses matter,” he pointed out.
FLOE International is one of the growing manufacturing companies in McGregor and Congressman Stauber wanted to see for himself what was taking place at this unique company. The tour included a trip around the manufacturing plant and a closer look at the vision Wayne Floe has for his company and those that work there. “We’ve built a great team here at FLOE and everyone is on board in doing things in a better way,” Wayne shared with the Congressman. “We are always striving to make a better product that will make somebody’s life easier.”
The key words at FLOE are passion for innovation and that begins with Wayne himself who began the company in 1983 building aluminum docks and later, boat lifts and snowmobile trailers. The company has grown to also include Thermoforming Plastics, the CargoMax trailers, Versa Max Trailers, and innovative Varatti boats and Affina yachts.
Putting a vision into reality is something the folks at FLOE take pride in. “Our goal is to produce a better product that the consumer can’t currently get,” Wayne added. “It is our true passion to make things better and that drives everything we do. Frankly, that’s a lot of fun for me.”
Wayne shared some of the processes that take place at the manufacturing facility and described the team efficiency strategies currently in place. The company recently adopted the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) at FLOE. “There are thousands of Minnesota companies that have adopted the EOS concept,” said Wayne. “It’s a book called Traction that gets everybody driving and rolling in the right direction resulting in the entire organization advancing together as a healthy, functional and cohesive team.”
At the conclusion of the tour, Congressman Stauber marveled at the leadership within the FLOE team. “Wayne and his leadership team put out a great product and take care of their people,” he said. “They are building world class trailers and boats and it all started here in McGregor, Minnesota.”
“When I look at FLOE, these are people and a manufacturing facility in Northern Minnesota that matters,” Stauber concluded. “These are some great people and this is a fantastic facility that I just toured.”
2018 - FLOE Celebrates 35 Years
August 28, 2018 • Voyageur Press
Recently FLOE International celebrated their 35th Anniversary as well as the Reveal of Varatti Boats. In addition to live music and food, company CEO Wayne Floe and friends put on a terrific ski show displaying the functionality of the new boats.
FLOE International celebrated their 35th Anniversary as well as the Reveal of Varatti Boats this past Friday. In addition to some great food and music, the Varatti Z22 boat was revealed. FLOE International CEO Wayne Floe and friends put together a ski show for everyone in attendance.
The Varatti boat is described as having “No Restrictions”. The boat is for everyone from surfers, wakeboarders, skiers, barefooters and just pulling the kids on a tube.
“Many of today’s tow boats only accommodate surfers and you can’t do other activities with them,” explained Wayne. “The Varatti Z22 Performance Sport Boats are incredible for all of your tow sport and surfing activities.”
Wayne is constantly asked why he came up with the Varatti name. The answer is, “It works exceptionally well for a wide variety of water sports and it drives like a European sports car so I came up with Varatti.”
2017 - Barefoot’n Big Sandy
July 25, 2017 • Voyageur Press
BIG SANDY LAKE, Minn.—A pair of Davids (ski school instructors) from Florida visited Big Sandy Lake north of McGregor this past week. Six-time world champion barefoot skier David Small and ski instructor David Briscoe took the challenge of instructing Wayne Floe and his children how to barefoot ski. The week-long instruction culminated with a demonstration for the Voyageur Press.
David S. shared that they met the Floe family down in Winter Haven, Florida where he has a ski school called the World Barefoot Center (WBC). “Winter Haven is the barefoot skiing capital of the world,” explained Wayne Floe who was looking for instruction for his son, Easton. “Easton showed an interest, so I wanted him to learn young and learn the sport correctly.”
Wayne started barefoot skiing when he was 14 years old with little to no instruction and was determined to give his son a better chance to learn the sport. Wayne noted that Easton got on his feet before he turned eight years old.
The opportunity arose after Wayne met David B. about eight years ago and inquired about a ski school in the area. “David said there is one just down the beach,” recalled Wayne. “I told him this is kind of odd, but my son is 18 months old and I want to teach him to barefoot water ski. That might sound odd, but David’s kid set the world record for having the youngest water skier at six months old.”
“Six months and 28 days,” David B. confirmed. “He was coffee table walking at six months and we were young parents and didn’t know any better. We just thought it was normal, so at five months we built a pair of skis with a stiff-arm to hold him up and took him out on the lawn. Those are the same skis we used for Easton.”
The progression went from the lawn to the beach and then just off the boom. David hooked his son into a harness in the event he would fall and they would just lift him up. “It was very safe,” noted David B. “So, we broke the world record.”
Easton went on the same skis. “We had good success and he was smiling from ear to ear.”
“Actually, first trip around the bay he was crying,” said Wayne. “Second trip around the bay, the tears were gone and he is looking around. Third trip around the bay he is starting to move around back and forth.”
David B. started his business called Ski Away, which eventually became Briscoe’s ride center. He is now employed at Floe International as a Southeast sales manager and they have been friends ever since they started their barefoot adventure.
David S. has also become a friend. He is the current owner and instructor at the World Barefoot Center, a ski school established in 2009. The beautiful location on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes is an incredible spot for barefoot waterskiing, with access to the entire chain which means they can always find glass water.
The team is comprised of four of the top barefoot water skiers in the world and one of the best coaches in the world. In addition to David Small, WBC instructors include: Keith St. Onge, Ben Groen, Ashleigh Stebbeings and Swampy Bouchard.
David noted that they teach kids anywhere from three and a half years old to 90-plus. “Actually, the youngest person I ever taught was in Minnesota, the Twin Cities,” he said.
The key to instruction is the use of a boom just off the side of the boat. It is there that beginners start with what is called a seahorse. Ramsi Floe did a great job using the device for some of her instruction. “We allow the kids to dabble around on the seahorse and eventually dangle a handle of the bar,” noted David S.
The beautiful late July day included seasonable temperatures, glass-like water and a spectacular sunset for skiing. “This is like a perfect November afternoon,” said David about the perfect weather in Minnesota as it relates to Florida. “October and November are very similar.”
David S. demonstrated why he is the current world champion by first jumping out of the boat while it was traveling close to 50 miles per hour and landing right on his bare feet and going right into a smooth ski ride.
David S talked about what takes place at a world competition. “There are three disciplines,” he explained. You have tricks, slaloms and jumps. Jumps are self-explanatory, you jump as far as you can. For the slalom competition you have two 15-minute passes. The goal is to attempt as many forward crossings as you can in that time-limit and then 15 minutes of backward crossings.”
“The tricks include one foot, toe holds, a turn to the back, a tumble, sit down and spin on your back, flips, and step over the line,” added David. “Wayne will be performing most of them today.”
Well, just a couple. “Maybe we could teach Wayne a flip today. That would make some great footage,” David joked.
David actually demonstrated most of them with ease. Wayne showed off by performing a dock launch, followed by barefooting off the boom and then a couple of passes with the long rope. Easton had a great day. His first pass ended up in a face plant, but he got right up and had a perfect pass with a big ol’ smile on his face. Ramsi capped off a beautiful sunset ride, getting her feet wet on the seahorse.
It was a challenging week of skiing for the Floe family, but they came a long way in their skill. It will be fun to watch them develop as the years pass. A big thank you to the pair of Davids for the invitation.
Water Ski History
Water Ski Capital of the World: David B. shared that the title for Water Ski Capital of the World actually had an interesting beginning. “In 1932 Dick Pope Sr. bought Cypress Gardens to make it a botanical garden for his wife Julie. In 1937, he took off for the war and she maintained the gardens.”
“The kids were out water skiing and someone came up to Julie and asked what time the next water ski show was. She said, ‘It’s at 5:00.’ There wasn’t a water ski show and nothing was planned. She just got all the kids together and had them go out and show off for everybody here at the park.”
That was the very first water ski show at Cypress Gardens and from there it grew, and grew and grew. “Now it is the Water Ski Capital of the World,” concluded David B.
David added that the Water Ski Hall of Fame is also located nearby.
David also noted that Minnesota was actually the birthplace of water skiing. “Ralph Samuelson in 1922,” said David B. “The birthplace of water skiing was on Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minnesota. The birthplace of barefooting was on Lake Howard in Winter Haven.”
Ralph Wilford Samuelson was the inventor of water skiing, which he first performed in the summer of 1922 in Lake City, Minnesota, just before his 19th birthday. Samuelson was already skilled at aquaplaning—standing on a board while being pulled by a powerboat—but he hoped to create something like snow skiing on the water. Lake Pepin, a wide portion of the Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, was the venue for his experiments.
Samuelson attracted a lot of attention locally and on July 8, 1925, Samuelson went on to perform the first ski jump on water. He fell flat in his first attempt, but soon greased the launch platform with lard and succeeded on the second try. Also that year, he became the first speed skier as he found himself racing across the water at 80 mph (130 km/h), pulled by a Curtiss flying boat that flew just above the waves.
2016 - Warm spirits despite bitter cold opener
May 17, 2016 • Voyageur Press
Despite colder than normal conditions, the 2016 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener held on Big Sandy Lake and Lake Minnewawa near McGregor was enjoyed by many. The event featured a number of activities sponsored and supported by many McGregor community members and businesses on Friday. On Saturday, the governor was treated to a send-off party at 8 a.m. at Big Sandy Lodge & Resort.
Governor Mark Dayton and most of his staff caught 11 fish. The Governor pulled in one of the biggest walleyes of the day, or so he claimed. “He pulled in that walleye and immediately claimed it was a 26-incher and would be headline news in the Minneapolis Tribune,” said Bob Staska who was his fishing host. “We had such a good time it couldn’t have gone any better.”
Bob was also host to Minnesota’s Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt who caught a couple of walleyes and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Katie Sieben who caught a walleye, two crappies and a perch. “Mr. Daudt was super helpful in the boat and he really knew a lot about fishing,” added Bob. “It was a great experience. Everyone got along so well and they made me feel comfortable.”
In addition to the walleye (actually 14 inches), the governor also caught a crappie and a couple of perch. It was reported that Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith caught a walleye in the other boat.
It was later announced, at the banquet, that Aitkin County Commissioner Donald Niemi was recognized for catching the largest northern for the day—a 27-inch fish. Congressman Rick Nolan and Al Windspreger with WYRQ radio tied with the biggest walleyes, measured at 20 inches.
The activities leading up to Saturday morning on the lake included a visit from Governor Dayton to get his fishing license at Willeys Sport Shop & Spirits. The Governor visited with the clerks at the store, mulled over a minnow purchase with Ron and Cheryl Flatten and admired the local taxidermy work by Anna Johnson. In the afternoon, the governor took a tour of FLOE’s production facility with the world’s largest vacuum thermoforming machine and the revolutionary FLOE CRAFT Afina 3950C (a 39.5-foot convertible sport yacht).
Many of the visitors had the chance to take boat tours of Big Sandy Lakes on Floe Crafts, with stop on Raspberry Island; participate in a golf tournament at Minnesota National; take an ATV ride; or enjoy a history tour of Savanna State Park, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Army Corps of Engineers Federal Dam. Let’s not forget a trip around the region enjoying a taste of McGregor at many of the local restaurants.
The Kids Fishing event was a great success as well. Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner, DNR MinnAqua education specialist Katie Fritz and many volunteers assisted McGregor 4th grade elementary students with fishing activities.
Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith visited with the students and enjoyed some questions. One student asked the lieutenant governor about her role and she explained that she is like the vice president is to the president. “It is my job to help make Minnesota a better place to live,” she said. “To make the schools better.”
The student responded. “Maybe you could make our school better by putting in a new hot tub.”
The big announcement came at the end of the celebration dinner at Minnesota National Golf Course. Local realtor and top raffle ticket salesperson, Barbie Martz drew Debbie Rudnitski’s name as the winner of the Tracker boat, motor and trailer package valued at well over $40,000. Debbie is married to Carl and they just recently returned to Big Sandy Lake. “We originally purchased property here in 1992, before selling it to start a business,” said Debbie. “We’ve been working this business all these years to get another lake property. We just closed on one in April.”
“I can’t believe this,” Debbie shared at the banquet. “At a quarter to seven I told my daughter, ‘Are you coming with, because I need to go get my boat.’ When I arrived at the golf course everyone was downstairs, but someone in the lounge mentioned my name and I said, ‘Are you sure? My name is very hard to pronounce.’It was me. I can’t believe it. I won the boat!’”
Other major prizes included the Floe Cargo Max trailer won by Steve Anderson and the Willey’s Marine $750 Water Sports Package won by Steve Williams.
The community picnic at Pine Rail Park in Downtown McGregor was also a great success. Bob Staska concluded by sharing that Dayton, Daudt and Sieben were super impressed with the McGregor High School band and choir kids’ performance at the picnic. “They said those kids were ‘really tough’ braving that weather and performing that well. They also thought it was interesting that the kids that were in choir had to run over and join the band as well.”
2012 - Build it and they will come
July 10, 2012 • Voyageur Press
Wayne Floe could feel this way after the recent enthusiastic public reception for his newest product. According to Don VanderMey, company president, the prototype of the FLOE Craft boat has been lauded at preliminary boat shows. But FLOE International started with a kid and a dream.
Twenty-nine years ago, a teenager decided to start a business. He wanted to make boat docks and lifts because he thought he could improve the product. Today, his multi-faceted company has expanded into design and manufacture of varied products and employs around 70 local citizens. This is the short version of the career of Wayne Floe and Floe International. But the real story is in the details.
As a young man, Wayne Floe had picked wild rice, removed trees, and installed and removed boat docks and lifts. In 1983, it was the waterfront work that motivated him to start his own company. He used his earnings as a start-up fund to create the United States Boat Hoist and Dock Company in 1983. His reason? He thought he could improve the industry.
Starting with docks and lifts, and later expanding to trailers, Wayne made them out of steel at first. A few years later, he changed two things. The company name became FLOE International, Inc., and he started making the products out of aluminum. This raised a few eyebrows and he was one of only two companies making snowmobile trailers out of aluminum. Soon, however, it was the material of choice for an increasing number of consumers.
According to VanderMey, when Wayne began his business, all production was contracted out to a company in Carlton. VanderMey continued, “Then, in 1985, Wayne rented his dad’s Lake Minnewawa pole barn and brought production in-house.” VanderMey said that growth was immediate and continuous. “About a year later, he moved into a larger shop near Big Sandy Lake. When he outgrew that, he built the initial building on highway 65 in 1990 and added a second production facility in Hoyt Lakes in 1994.” VanderMey said that each of the two facilities is currently responsible for about half of FLOE’s total sales.
Don VanderMey listed numerous reasons for the success of FLOE. He said that one main emphasis of production is to provide a quality product with exceptional service after the sale. Second to that, VanderMey said, “FLOE is also proud to have built an extremely strong and dedicated team of people.” He said they provide a respectful working environment and “competitive compensation” in order to “attract and retain top talent.”
Additionally, FLOE has altered its production items and processes in line with customer demand over the years, whether weather or consumer related. As for effects of the 2008 economic crisis, VanderMey said FLOE felt the crisis in terms of temporarily reduced demand, which led to some cuts in various areas. The company took this time to invest a large portion of their energy in research and development, resulting in new products such as the FLOE Craft boat, which is nearly ready to market. VanderMey also said that the economy is turning around. “Total FLOE sales for 2012 will be very close to (if not over) our record year.”
You don’t have to visit the plants to see FLOE products, however. Wayne’s dealer partners in Aitkin County are Willey’s Marine near McGregor and Farm Island Repair and Marine, located south of Aitkin. “FLOE is proud to be the primary dock and boat lift brand for these exceptional dealerships,” said VanderMey. “If you get out on the local lakes, it doesn’t take long to recognize the large impact these businesses have had promoting the FLOE line in this area.” And by using these local businesses to promote their products, FLOE is also supporting other local enterprises. Additionally, money is brought back into the community as FLOE expands to other sales areas. VanderMey said that FLOE dealer partners are everywhere and that about one shipment per week is bound for Canada.
In another form of occupational community support, FLOE helps to provide employment for individuals with disabilities in McGregor. A FLOE-owned packaging machine is used by workers at the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) to package thousands of hardware kits for FLOE products each year. “They do a fabulous job,” noted VanderMey.
FLOE community support does not end at the close of the business day, however. Very recently, Wayne and his wife, Janelle, made a huge commitment toward the capital campaign of Riverwood Healthcare Center. They have offered to match McGregor area gifts to the Better Together campaign up to $12,500. Hospital officials said they hope this will encourage new gifts to the campaign, bringing it closer to their $2.2 million goal. Wayne Floe said that he and FLOE International are proud to do it and “support the hospital expansion at Riverwood so that our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors have the opportunity to receive first-class health care in the community where we live.”
Reaching out to the community is not new for FLOE. Wayne Floe leads twice-annual fireworks displays, on July 4th and New Years. “He has even become licensed in pyrotechnics,” said FLOE’s president, “so that he could lead a group to be self-sufficient with commercial fireworks shows.”
Looking to the FLOE future, VanderMey is extremely optimistic. “The future is very, very good for FLOE. We will continue to grow our current product categories with both current dealers and by adding dealers in areas that we do not yet have a dealer partner.” He also cited boat marketing and new ventures in technology, facilities, and new markets. VanderMey said that FLOE is not quite ready to disclose details, but that “big new things will begin.” This is very good news for FLOE and the McGregor community, our economy included.
So, take a teen with a dream, add a huge dose of what Don VanderMey calls “entrepreneurial passion,” and an unending supply of vision. You end up with a business that supports its home area economically as well as in a service capacity. “Wayne grew up here. It is still his home and he repeatedly makes a positive impact in the community.”
2008 - FLOE Celebrates 25 Years
August 12, 2008 • Voyageur Press
For the past 25 years FLOE International has become a leader in the dock, boat lift and trailer industry. According to FLOE International CEO Wayne Floe, a big reason for 25 successful years has been “the right people doing the right things.”
Wayne expressed his gratitude at a 25th anniversary celebration held Friday, August 1, at Pier 65. He talked about what over the years has made him most proud. “Without question, it’s the team at Floe that I’ve been able to surround myself with,” Wayne said. “We have more talent and dedication at Floe than is imaginable. Because we have such a strong group from manufacturing to marketing, I’ve been able to really focus on the future and the development of innovative products that continue to propel us ahead of our competition.”
It has been over 25 years since Wayne, a teenager at the time, started his own dock and lift installation and removal business. “That experience enlightened me about how shorefront equipment should work,” he said. “It became apparent that many of these products were falling short in areas of quality, user friendliness, and ‘curb appeal.’”
During the next 25-plus years, Wayne has continued a passion to develop top-quality, easy-to-use dock and boat lift systems with an appearance that beautifies the shoreline.
The FLOE trademark is now well known nationwide.
At the celebration, friends, family, staff, dealers and community members enjoyed a ski show performed by the Bald Eagle Waterski Shows. The evening also included live music by Straight Rocks and High Noon.
Later in the evening, Wayne proposed a toast for the first 25 years and released a Silver Salute Firework into the sky. Wayne personally thanked everyone that has contributed to FLOE’s success.
Floe President Don VanderMey expressed his appreciation to the Floe employees for making the company what it is. “I also want to thank the dealers, suppliers, and the retail public for all of their support and dedication,” Don said. “Thank you, Wayne, for starting such a great company.”
Wayne shared how very thankful he is to have such a great dealer network from all over the country. “They are the best of the best,” he said, “and I also want to thank our supplier base for what they do for us.”
“A special thanks to the local people who have given us so much support at the retail level. I feel very fortunate to have such an overwhelming amount of local support.
The final toast went out to the next 25 years.
Following the salute Wayne introduced his wife Janelle and gave her five roses for their fifth anniversary. With the crowd’s participation, Wayne sang “I’m Hooked on a Feeling” to her.
The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks show and more great tunes from the band High Noon.
“In closing I just want to mention that this 25th anniversary celebration brought together a lot of great people and personally brought me down a very heartfelt memory lane,” concluded Wayne.