The Company:
R.W. Fernstrum & Company set the standard in marine heat exchangers over 65 years ago, building a reputation focused on innovation. Today, its commitment is to continual improvement, ensuring that customers have quality, reliability, and the latest in cooling technologies on your side. Over the years, R.W. Fernstrum & Company has grown into a worldwide organization with more than two dozen representatives across 6 continents. Focusing exclusively on marine cooling, this third-generation, family-owned business has built a respected reputation throughout the industry for exceptional quality and service.
The Case:
R.W. Fernstrum & Company, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing keel cooling technologies, came to fruition in 1945 when Robert W. Fernstrum patented the first rectangular tube keel cooler with an angled header for the United States Army and Navy. During World War II, the U.S. Navy encountered engine cooling problems with their landing craft and required a new closed circuit cooling system. After intense research, Mr. Fernstrum developed the basic keel cooler design that is still used today. The GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler has evolved over the years into a line of keel coolers that offers nearly limitless variations to fit a particular application. R.W. Fernstrum today has more keel cooling related patents than any other company. In the workboat and brown water sector, Fernstrum applications and solutions can be found on a myriad of platforms, including ATB’s, Barges, Dredges, Escort/Specialty Tugs, Inland River Boats, Landing Craft, OSV’s, Passenger Vessels & Ferries, Pilot Boats, Push Boats and many other hull forms. Fernstrum is also active in the Repower markets.
PO Box 97 / 1716 11th Avenue
Menominee, MI 49858 USA
Telephone: (906) 863-5553
Website: www.fernstrum.com
CEO: Paul Fernstrum
President: Sean Fernstrum
(As published in the August 2016 MN100 edition of Marine News)