Decades of Accomplishments

1930’s — 1950’s

1938- Robert W. Fernstrum starts Marine Products Company.
1945- Patent is issued to R.W. Fernstrum for keel cooler. The use of Fernstrum keel coolers begins in the military.
1950- Hydrostatic testing on military coolers.
1950s- Oil industry and shrimp fleet incorporate Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers into their designs.
1952- Use of GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler begins in Navy mine sweepers.

1960’s

1960- The first flanged keel coolers are introduced.
1960s- 3-pass coolers designed for Chris Craft.
1962- 4-pass units designed for 45’ catamaran.
1964- Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers are used on the Ann Arbor car ferry- first diesel electric application.

1970’s

1971- Header design enlarged for added durability.
1975- Fernstrum engineers develop their first computer model for recommending GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers.

1980’s

1980- 500th GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler model becomes available.
1981- Aluminum GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler is introduced.
1982- Patent is issued for Stacked Tube GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler.

1990’s

1990- Product line grows to 20,000 models.
1992- Internal design change for improved coolant flow.
1993- R.W. Fernstrum announces 23 distributors worldwide.
1997- Fernstrum expands the product line by partnering with Weka Boxcoolers B.V. to engineer and manufacture boxcoolers for North & South America.
1998- Z-Series GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler is introduced.
1999- Introduction of Enhanced Tube GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler.
1999- Fernstrum received patent for Low Profile Header.
1999- R.W. Fernstrum celebrates 50 years in business and remains the premier manufacturer of keel coolers.

2000’s

2000- Patent issued to Fernstrum for Z-Series GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler.
2000- R.W. Fernstrum begins 2-year warranty program.
2000- Over 100,000 standard models of GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers available.
2001- Enhancements in durability and coolant flow.
2002- Introduction of Angled Tube Cooler.
2002- B-Series and C-Series header design enlarged for improved durability and coolant flow.
2010- Fernstrum partners with Tranter Heat Exchangers of Wichita Falls, Texas for the sale of open circuit cooling products to the North American marine market.
2018- R.W. Fernstrum receives ISO 9001:2015 certification following an audit performed by Verisys Registrars.