The History of Leupold & Stevens

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   Founded On A Promise, Fueled By A Spirit Of Invention.

The Story of Leupold & Stevens, Inc.

THIS IS THE STORY of a classic American company.  Its history spans most the 20^th Century.  Its very existence depended on a min-set for innovation, a nonstop quest for quality, and a healthy does of respect and opportunity for its employees.

             In true American style, the philosophical foundation laid in our early years served as a template for the company as it grew and changed over decades.  In fact, the firm�s founder established the clarity of purpose that we see at Leupold & Stevens today:

�We solemnly promise never to let down on quality;
The customer is entitled to a square deal.�
�        Markus Friederich �Fred� Leupold

A GERMAN MACHINIST TRANSPLANTED HIS VISION TO OREGON.

             LIKE SO MANY FIRMS that we now think of as decidedly American, this company has roots in Europe.  Markus Friederich �Fred� Leupold was born in Germany in 1875.  At the age of 16, he immigrated to America, where he eventually worked for a Boston engineering firm as a precision machinist.

             An idealistic man with considerable sill, Fred Leupold moved to Oregon in 1907.  There, he set up a one-man operation at 5^th and Oak in Portland for the repair of surveying equipment.  Fred received early financial backing from his brother-in-law, Adam Voelpel.  The firm was named Leupold & Voelpel.

             In 1911, Leupold& Voelpel moved to a building adjacent to the Leupold residence on NE 70^th Avenue in Portland.  Having successfully established their credentials among surveyors, the brothers-in-law eventually began manufacturing surveying equipment.  Competition from bigger and better-financed companies forced Leupold & Voelpel to investigate other markets for their considerable skills.

J.C. STEVENS, THE PROLIFIC INVENTOR

             FRED LEUPOLD AND ADAM VOELPEL met John Cyprian Stevens shortly after the move to NE 70^th Avenue.  An inventor by nature and a consulting engineer and hydrologist by training, Stevens had patented a device to record the flow of water that dramatically outperformed competitive devices of the day.  Anti-German sentiment of pre-World War I America led Voelpel to change his name.  In 1914, the company was named Leupold, Volpel & Co. including J.C. Stevens as the third parner.  Fred Leupold�s eldest son Marcus joined the firm at the same time.

             The business grew slowly during WWI, but picked up in the 1920�s.  Water recorders and surveying products made in Portland by Leupold, Volpel & CO. found their way to customers throughout the world.  Production increased by 100%.  In 1939, J.C. Steven�s son Robert joined the company.

             The great depression meant hard times for many American companies.  But Leupold, Volpel & Co. managed to survive those difficult years.  In fact, rather than laying workers off, the staff few to 40 full time employees.  Part of the firms�s ability to flourish during such an economically disastrous time must be attributed to yet another J.C. Stevens invention:  The Telemark, a water level recorder that transmitted data over telephone lines.  The Telemark was a major success, and the firm outgrew its space within four short years of its introduction.

             In 1942, two major changes occurred at Leupol, Volpel & CO.  First, the company moved to new facilities at 45^th and Gilisan in northeast Portland.  And second, because of Adam Volpel�s death in 1940, the company changed its name to Leupold & Stevens Instruments Company.

MILITARY CONTRACTS BROUGHT MAJOR CHANGES.

             AS INDUSTRIAL AMERICA geared up to meet the manufacturing needs of World War II, the very nature of Leupold & Stevens changed.  Rather than emphasizing the manufacture of surveying and water recording instruments, the firm became a military contractor.  The company successfully developed disciplines and proficiencies necessary to meet the strict specifications required by the armed services.

             The manufacture of sextants and peloruses (navigational devices that take bearings based on observed objects) for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine became a major part of the company�s work, so did the repair of Merchant Marine machine gun sights.

             But the development of a riflescope for the U.S. Army was perhaps the best indicator of what the future held for Leupold & Stevens.

             This wartime evolution coincided with other key events in the firm�s history.  Sadly, the firm�s founder and namesake, Fred Leupold died in 1944.  Norbert Leupold, Fred�s son, joined the firm that same year.  The management responsibility was passed on to the younger generation consisting of Fred Leupold�s sons Marcus and Norbert and J.C. Steven�s son Robert.

THE FIRST LEUPOLD SCOPE MADE FOR HUNTING

             THOUGH THE PLANT was very busy during the war, there was just enough time for Marcus Leupold to lead a small team of Leupold & Stevens engineers in the development of a new kind of riflescope for hunting.

             There was plenty of interest in this effort, partially because Marcus, Norbert and Robert were all avid outdoorsmen.  But one incident provided Marcus with special motivation:

             Marcus was hunting on the rainy west side of Oregon�s Cascade Range.  A nice Blacktail buck presented itself, and Marcus fired.  Unfortunately, he missed because his scope had become fogged with interior moisture and his view was obscured.  There was also a lack of accuracy in the field of adjustment leaving him little confidence in his optical sight.

             Remembering the frustration of that experience, Marcus set out to build a better scope.  He was certain that the firm�s expertise in the design, manufacture and quality control of sophisticated optics for surveying equipment would be an advantage in his quest to engineer a new generation of riflescopes that were less likely to draw moisture, and more easily adjusted for accuracy.  Happily, Marcus was right.

             The best byproduct of Leupold & Stevens� World War II effort was that company engineers � the ones who repaired telescopic gun sights for the U.S. Merchant Marine � Learned a lot about waterproofing optical instruments.  They learned a very important fact: If you replace the oxygen inside a telescopic sight with pure, bone-dry nitrogen, you all but eliminate the chance for fogging.

             The result of the leadership on the riflescope project was the first Leupold riflescope made available to America�s hunters.  The year was 1947, and the scope was called Plainsman.  The most water-resistant scope on its era, the Plainsman featured internal adjustments and a permanently sealed maintube.  The Plainsman became very popular among hunters and shooters who had experienced frustration with poorly sealed scopes.

THE EMERGING SCOPE BUSINESS ALTERED THE COURSE OF THE COMPANY.

THE CONTINUED SUCCESS of Stevens water recorders and the emerging success of Leupold riflescopes allowed the company to incorporate in 1949.  This move gave the firm increased financial flexibility for even greater growth.  At the same time, Leupold & Stevens gained the leadership and vision of its newly-named president, Marcus Leupold.
             Ever watchful for the best business opportunities, Marcus realized in the early 1950�s that considerable potential rested with its emerging riflescope business.  This natural evolution was hastened in 1953 when J.C. Stevens� health declined.  Nonetheless, J.C.�s vision and inventions (he held 17 patents) continued to be a major part of the company�s prosperity.

             By 1960, just 13 years after the introduction of the Plainsman, Leupold scopes were fast becoming one of the premier scopes on the market.  The resultant growth prompted a move in 1968 to Leupold & Steven�s present location in Beaverton, just outside of Portland.  The staff of about 150 set up shop in a new 66,000 square foot plant designed to accommodate 20 years of growth.  Within a few years it was necessary to add considerably more space.  So began a repeating cycle of business growth and physical expansion that continues to the present.

             Much of the company�s success is tied to evolving manufacturing technologies.  At every opportunity, Leupold & Stevens has acquired the latest and best equipment for particular manufacturing tasks.  Equally important, the company�s research & development activity has successfully developed new products that live up to the company�s high standards for quality and customer satisfaction.  The quest for quality has resulted in ISO 9001 Certification, an international standard for quality assurance.

             After many decades of growth, this family-owned firm is stronger and more financially sound than ever.  More than 500 people are employed at out 150,000 sq. ft. plant.  Demand for out product lines has consistently grown at a dramatic rate.  Now, Leupold & Stevens is a dominating market leader with worldwide distribution.

OUR GOALS ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OUR VALUES ARE SOUND.

             THE MISSION OF Leupold & Stevens is to continually improve products, to develop flexible manufacturing capabilities, and to put special emphasis on customer service.  The ultimate goal is prosperity and a reasonable return for our stockholders.

             We are committed to and proud of the goals and responsibilities of our Affirmative Action program and our company�s Equal Employment Opportunity program.

             Our people are the source of our strength.  They provide our diversity, they enhance our corporate philosophy, and they determine our reputation and vitality.  Improvement and teamwork are our core human values.  We encourage employees to pursue continuing education, we provide ongoing in-house training, and we foster a work environment that encourages communication.

             The conduct of our company � globally and locally � must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible, with the highest ethical standards, and with all due regard for the environment.

             Every Leupold Golden Ring product is manufactured within the confines of our Oregon plant.  In doing so, the company proudly supports the economies of the local community, the Pacific Northwest, and the nation.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
PO Box 688
Beaverton, Oregon 97075-0688 USA
14400 NW Greenbriar Parkway
Beaverton, Oregon 97006-5791 USA
503.646.9171
Fax : 503.526.1455
www.leustv.com

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Chris Farris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 5701	Quote Reply Topic: The History of Leupold & Stevens Posted: July/31/2006 at 16:21
	Founded On A Promise, Fueled By A Spirit Of Invention. The Story of Leupold & Stevens, Inc. THIS IS THE STORY of a classic American company. Its history spans most the 20^th Century. Its very existence depended on a min-set for innovation, a nonstop quest for quality, and a healthy does of respect and opportunity for its employees. In true American style, the philosophical foundation laid in our early years served as a template for the company as it grew and changed over decades. In fact, the firm�s founder established the clarity of purpose that we see at Leupold & Stevens today: �We solemnly promise never to let down on quality; The customer is entitled to a square deal.� � Markus Friederich �Fred� Leupold A GERMAN MACHINIST TRANSPLANTED HIS VISION TO OREGON. LIKE SO MANY FIRMS that we now think of as decidedly American, this company has roots in Europe. Markus Friederich �Fred� Leupold was born in Germany in 1875. At the age of 16, he immigrated to America, where he eventually worked for a Boston engineering firm as a precision machinist. An idealistic man with considerable sill, Fred Leupold moved to Oregon in 1907. There, he set up a one-man operation at 5^th and Oak in Portland for the repair of surveying equipment. Fred received early financial backing from his brother-in-law, Adam Voelpel. The firm was named Leupold & Voelpel. In 1911, Leupold& Voelpel moved to a building adjacent to the Leupold residence on NE 70^th Avenue in Portland. Having successfully established their credentials among surveyors, the brothers-in-law eventually began manufacturing surveying equipment. Competition from bigger and better-financed companies forced Leupold & Voelpel to investigate other markets for their considerable skills. J.C. STEVENS, THE PROLIFIC INVENTOR FRED LEUPOLD AND ADAM VOELPEL met John Cyprian Stevens shortly after the move to NE 70^th Avenue. An inventor by nature and a consulting engineer and hydrologist by training, Stevens had patented a device to record the flow of water that dramatically outperformed competitive devices of the day. Anti-German sentiment of pre-World War I America led Voelpel to change his name. In 1914, the company was named Leupold, Volpel & Co. including J.C. Stevens as the third parner. Fred Leupold�s eldest son Marcus joined the firm at the same time. The business grew slowly during WWI, but picked up in the 1920�s. Water recorders and surveying products made in Portland by Leupold, Volpel & CO. found their way to customers throughout the world. Production increased by 100%. In 1939, J.C. Steven�s son Robert joined the company. The great depression meant hard times for many American companies. But Leupold, Volpel & Co. managed to survive those difficult years. In fact, rather than laying workers off, the staff few to 40 full time employees. Part of the firms�s ability to flourish during such an economically disastrous time must be attributed to yet another J.C. Stevens invention: The Telemark, a water level recorder that transmitted data over telephone lines. The Telemark was a major success, and the firm outgrew its space within four short years of its introduction. In 1942, two major changes occurred at Leupol, Volpel & CO. First, the company moved to new facilities at 45^th and Gilisan in northeast Portland. And second, because of Adam Volpel�s death in 1940, the company changed its name to Leupold & Stevens Instruments Company. MILITARY CONTRACTS BROUGHT MAJOR CHANGES. AS INDUSTRIAL AMERICA geared up to meet the manufacturing needs of World War II, the very nature of Leupold & Stevens changed. Rather than emphasizing the manufacture of surveying and water recording instruments, the firm became a military contractor. The company successfully developed disciplines and proficiencies necessary to meet the strict specifications required by the armed services. The manufacture of sextants and peloruses (navigational devices that take bearings based on observed objects) for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine became a major part of the company�s work, so did the repair of Merchant Marine machine gun sights. But the development of a riflescope for the U.S. Army was perhaps the best indicator of what the future held for Leupold & Stevens. This wartime evolution coincided with other key events in the firm�s history. Sadly, the firm�s founder and namesake, Fred Leupold died in 1944. Norbert Leupold, Fred�s son, joined the firm that same year. The management responsibility was passed on to the younger generation consisting of Fred Leupold�s sons Marcus and Norbert and J.C. Steven�s son Robert. THE FIRST LEUPOLD SCOPE MADE FOR HUNTING THOUGH THE PLANT was very busy during the war, there was just enough time for Marcus Leupold to lead a small team of Leupold & Stevens engineers in the development of a new kind of riflescope for hunting. There was plenty of interest in this effort, partially because Marcus, Norbert and Robert were all avid outdoorsmen. But one incident provided Marcus with special motivation: Marcus was hunting on the rainy west side of Oregon�s Cascade Range. A nice Blacktail buck presented itself, and Marcus fired. Unfortunately, he missed because his scope had become fogged with interior moisture and his view was obscured. There was also a lack of accuracy in the field of adjustment leaving him little confidence in his optical sight. Remembering the frustration of that experience, Marcus set out to build a better scope. He was certain that the firm�s expertise in the design, manufacture and quality control of sophisticated optics for surveying equipment would be an advantage in his quest to engineer a new generation of riflescopes that were less likely to draw moisture, and more easily adjusted for accuracy. Happily, Marcus was right. The best byproduct of Leupold & Stevens� World War II effort was that company engineers � the ones who repaired telescopic gun sights for the U.S. Merchant Marine � Learned a lot about waterproofing optical instruments. They learned a very important fact: If you replace the oxygen inside a telescopic sight with pure, bone-dry nitrogen, you all but eliminate the chance for fogging. The result of the leadership on the riflescope project was the first Leupold riflescope made available to America�s hunters. The year was 1947, and the scope was called Plainsman. The most water-resistant scope on its era, the Plainsman featured internal adjustments and a permanently sealed maintube. The Plainsman became very popular among hunters and shooters who had experienced frustration with poorly sealed scopes. THE EMERGING SCOPE BUSINESS ALTERED THE COURSE OF THE COMPANY. THE CONTINUED SUCCESS of Stevens water recorders and the emerging success of Leupold riflescopes allowed the company to incorporate in 1949. This move gave the firm increased financial flexibility for even greater growth. At the same time, Leupold & Stevens gained the leadership and vision of its newly-named president, Marcus Leupold. Ever watchful for the best business opportunities, Marcus realized in the early 1950�s that considerable potential rested with its emerging riflescope business. This natural evolution was hastened in 1953 when J.C. Stevens� health declined. Nonetheless, J.C.�s vision and inventions (he held 17 patents) continued to be a major part of the company�s prosperity. By 1960, just 13 years after the introduction of the Plainsman, Leupold scopes were fast becoming one of the premier scopes on the market. The resultant growth prompted a move in 1968 to Leupold & Steven�s present location in Beaverton, just outside of Portland. The staff of about 150 set up shop in a new 66,000 square foot plant designed to accommodate 20 years of growth. Within a few years it was necessary to add considerably more space. So began a repeating cycle of business growth and physical expansion that continues to the present. Much of the company�s success is tied to evolving manufacturing technologies. At every opportunity, Leupold & Stevens has acquired the latest and best equipment for particular manufacturing tasks. Equally important, the company�s research & development activity has successfully developed new products that live up to the company�s high standards for quality and customer satisfaction. The quest for quality has resulted in ISO 9001 Certification, an international standard for quality assurance. After many decades of growth, this family-owned firm is stronger and more financially sound than ever. More than 500 people are employed at out 150,000 sq. ft. plant. Demand for out product lines has consistently grown at a dramatic rate. Now, Leupold & Stevens is a dominating market leader with worldwide distribution. OUR GOALS ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OUR VALUES ARE SOUND. THE MISSION OF Leupold & Stevens is to continually improve products, to develop flexible manufacturing capabilities, and to put special emphasis on customer service. The ultimate goal is prosperity and a reasonable return for our stockholders. We are committed to and proud of the goals and responsibilities of our Affirmative Action program and our company�s Equal Employment Opportunity program. Our people are the source of our strength. They provide our diversity, they enhance our corporate philosophy, and they determine our reputation and vitality. Improvement and teamwork are our core human values. We encourage employees to pursue continuing education, we provide ongoing in-house training, and we foster a work environment that encourages communication. The conduct of our company � globally and locally � must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible, with the highest ethical standards, and with all due regard for the environment. Every Leupold Golden Ring product is manufactured within the confines of our Oregon plant. In doing so, the company proudly supports the economies of the local community, the Pacific Northwest, and the nation. Leupold & Stevens, Inc. PO Box 688 Beaverton, Oregon 97075-0688 USA 14400 NW Greenbriar Parkway Beaverton, Oregon 97006-5791 USA 503.646.9171 Fax : 503.526.1455 www.leustv.com

Chris Farris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 5701	Quote Reply Posted: July/31/2006 at 16:32
	The history above was provided by Leupold, the one below was provided by FundingUniverse.com Address: 14400 NW Greenbrier Parkway Beaverton, Oregon 97006 U.S.A. Telephone: (503) 646-9171 Fax: (503) 526-1455 http://www.leupold.com Statistics: Private Company Incorporated: 1949 Employees: 520 Sales: $110 million (2001 est.) NAIC: 333314 Optical Instruments & Lens Manufacturing; 339920 Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing; 421460 Ophthalmic Goods Wholesalers; 421490 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Wholesalers; 421910 Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Wholesalers Company Perspectives: The mission of Leupold & Stevens is to continually improve products, to develop flexible manufacturing capabilities, and to put special emphasis on customer service. The ultimate goal is prosperity and a reasonable return for our stockholders. Key Dates: 1907: Markus Frederich (Fred) Leupold founds a business for the repair of surveying equipment. 1911: Leupold & Voelpel (the latter name is eventually changed to Volpel) moves to a building adjacent to the Leupold residence 1914: The company becomes Leupold, Volpel & Co. after J.C. Stevens joins the company as a third partner. 1938: The company introduces the Telemark, invented by J.C. Stevens. 1939: Robert Stevens joins the company. 1942: The company moves to larger production space; company changes its name to Leupold & Stevens Instruments Company after Volpel's death. 1944: Norbert Leupold joins the firm. 1947: The company introduces the Plainsman. 1949: Leupold & Stevens incorporates. 1953: Stevens retires after a stroke. 1968: The company moves to new facilities in Beaverton, Oregon. 1969: The company buys Nosler Bullets Inc. 1984: Leupold & Stevens opens a new division to head up acquisitions; the company acquires Fabmark Inc. 1985: The company acquires Biamp Systems Inc. 1986: The company sells Biamp Systems Inc. 1988: The company sells Nosler Bullets Inc. 1990: The company sells Fabmark Inc. 1998: Leupold & Stevens sells Stevens Water Monitoring Systems. Company History: Leupold & Stevens, Inc., a fourth generation family-owned company, is one of the oldest and best-known manufacturers of top-of-the-line riflescopes and binoculars. The Leupold line, designed primarily for hunters and shooters, includes rifle, handgun, and spotting scopes; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories. All of the company's scopes are known for their decorative gold ring. Leupold & Stevens also sells products for a variety of military and law enforcement applications. Its customers include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Navy Seals, and various police special weapons and tactics teams. The company also manufactured water-measuring devices used in irrigation, flood forecasting, and water supply and wastewater engineering until 1998. A Manufacturer of Surveying and Water Recorder Products: 1907-39 Markus Frederich Leupold began a one-man operation for the repair of surveying equipment in Portland, Oregon, in 1907 with financial backing from his friend and brother-in-law, Adam Voelpel. "Fred" Leupold was born in Ravensburg, Germany, in 1875, and immigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of 16 in 1891. After a number of jobs, he worked as a precision machinist for C.L. Berger & Sons, a Boston surveying instrument manufacturer. Leupold and Voelpel named their new business after themselves. Leupold & Voelpel grew slowly in answer to the need for skillful repair of surveying and drafting equipment, and the business soon employed three others. In 1911, after a fire occurred in their building one floor below them and street vibrations interfered with the accuracy of their machinery, Leupold & Voelpel moved to a building adjacent to the Leupold residence. The firm had successfully established its credentials among surveyors, and the brothers-in-law made the decision to begin manufacturing surveying equipment. Very shortly thereafter, two events occurred that changed the course of the young company. Competition from bigger and better financed companies forced Leupold & Voelpel to investigate other markets, and Leupold and Voelpel met John Cyprian Stevens, an inventor and consulting engineer and hydrologist. Stevens was born in 1876 in Kansas and had earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Nebraska. From 1902 until 1910, Stevens had worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in water studies. He soon afterward patented a device to record the flow of water that dramatically outperformed the competitive devices of the day. Stevens's device, which Leupold & Voelpel agreed to market in 1911, needing checking only several times a year as opposed to every eight days. By 1914, the demand for the new water level recorder had increased considerably. That year Stevens joined the company as a third partner, and the company renamed itself Leupold, Volpel & Co. (Voelpel had changed the spelling of his name earlier to avoid anti-German sentiment in the United States.) Business for Leupold, Volpel & Co. grew slowly but steadily during World War I as the Stevens product line expanded into other models. Twice the company had to enlarge its quarters. Then, in the 1920s, the firm's water recorders and surveying products made their way around the world to India, Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, Japan, and Central and South America. By the 1930s, Leupold, Volpel & Co. had grown to number 40 full-time employees, and although, occasionally, working hours were cut during the Depression, no employee was let go. In 1939, J.C. Stevens's son, Robert, joined the company, and took over responsibility for sales, marketing, and advertising. By then, production had increased dramatically. This growth was due largely to the introduction of another Stevens invention in 1938, the Telemark, a water level recorder that transmitted data over telephone lines. By 1942, the company had outgrown its production space and moved to larger quarters. Volpel had died in 1940, and the company now became Leupold and Stevens Instruments Company, reflecting both the new management and the direction in which the company was heading. Growth Following Introduction of New Type of Riflescope: 1940s-70s Three events combined in the 1940s to produce the company's next big break, the production of a more precise riflescope. As industrial America began to gear up to meet the manufacturing needs of World War II, Leupold & Stevens turned to manufacturing sextants and peloruses--navigational devices that take bearings based on observed objects--for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine. It also began to repair the Merchant Marine's telescopic gun sights. In the course of these repairs, the company's engineers made the discovery that replacing the oxygen inside a telescopic sight with pure, bone-dry nitrogen meant the sight no longer fogged. Fred Leupold died in 1944, and management of Leupold & Stevens passed on to the next generation: Leupold's sons, Norbert and Marcus, and Stevens's son, Robert. After Marcus Leupold missed shooting a buck on the rainy west side of Oregon's Cascade Range because his scope fogged with interior moisture, the new leaders, all avid outdoorsmen, turned their attention to producing a better riflescope. The firm drew on its experience gained repairing gunsights during the war and combined that with its expertise in designing sophisticated optics for surveying equipment. The result was the first Leupold riflescope, called the Plainsman, in 1947, a new generation of riflescopes less likely to draw moisture and more easily adjusted for accuracy. The Plainsman instantly became popular among hunters and shooters as the most water-resistant scope of its era. It featured internal adjustments and a permanently sealed main tube. The continued success of Stevens water recorders and the emerging popularity of the Leupold riflescope led to incorporation of the company in 1949. Marcus Leupold became president of the newly incorporated entity. In 1953, Stevens suffered a stroke and withdrew from business activity for the remainder of his life. He died in 1970. Under Marcus Leupold's leadership, the company began to realize the potential for growth that lay with its riflescope business. By 1960, Leupold scopes were on their way to establishing themselves as the premier scopes on the market. The firm also continued to advance its water flow meters, and, in 1961, introduced a new line that measured sewage flow. The company's staff of 150 moved shop to a new 66,000-square-foot plant in Beaverton, Oregon, in the Portland Metro area in 1968. In 1969, Norbert Leupold, who was graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in civil engineering in 1929, became president of the company. The 1980s: Unsuccessful Experimentation with Acquisitions Throughout the remainder of the next two decades, the demand for Leupold & Stevens' hydrographic and sporting products accelerated. The company continued to grow and to expand its production facilities, evolving new manufacturing technologies and products that enabled hunters and shooters to take ever more precise aim. In 1970, Leupold & Stevens closed down its instrument repair and rental department, the last remaining vestige of the firm's origins. Then, in the 1980s, the hunting gear market began to shrink. In response, in 1984 Leupold & Stevens formed a special division for corporate ventures and acquisitions designed to broaden the company's mix of business. It purchased Fabmark Inc., a Hillsboro, Oregon, manufacturer of highly refined sheet metal for the electronics industry with customers such as Tektronix and Hewlett-Packard in 1984. Biamp Systems Inc., a sound equipment manufacturer, followed in 1985. By 1986, however, the company was rethinking its diversification strategy. Inventories started climbing, and the company did not seem to be growing. In addition, in the face of an unfavorable exchange rate between the United States and Japan, where Leupold & Stevens purchased its optical glass, the company took measures to conserve resources, shutting down much of production capacity between November 1986 and mid-January 1987, laying off 60 workers temporarily and another eight permanently. Leupold & Stevens embarked on an employee "cross-training" program that allowed workers to shift back and forth between making parts and assembling finished products in an effort to eliminate excess inventories. Management decided to return Leupold & Stevens to its core business. It sold off Biamp 15 months after purchasing it, at considerable loss, in 1986. In 1988, it sold off Nosler Bullets Inc., a Bend ammunition maker that it had owned since 1969. Two years later, it divested itself of Fabmark. According to Werner K. Wildauer, who had become president in 1983, the company would continue to hunt for acquisitions, but only in optics and closely related industries. Leupold & Stevens also stepped up its research and development spending, looking to create a stream of new products and to expand its presence in the water measurement and instrumentation business, thereby turning the tide on its flat revenues and falling profits. New Technology and the Resurgence of Demand: Late 1980s-90s By mid-1987, demand for hunting and shooting products had resumed, and the company had expanded its offerings to more than 100 scope products, including non-firearm telescopes. Leupold & Stevens added two to four new scopes a year between 1990 and 1995. By 1992, the company claimed 35 percent of the U.S. market in high quality optics, and, by the mid-1990s, with the nation looking to move to stricter gun control, business was once again booming. Worried that the purchase of sporting firearms might be curtailed by legislation, hunters and shooters put $14.5 billion into guns and ammunition in 1994. For Leupold & Stevens, this meant that production shot up as much as 40 percent over 1993. In 1994, the company had to expand its plant by 15,000 square feet in order to keep up with demand. In 1995, it was running three shifts a day, employing 525 workers, and had begun another expansion of 30,000 square feet. In 1998, it sold off Stevens Water Monitoring Systems to concentrate on its other business. By the mid-1990s, newer, different technologies led to a plethora of new products for hunters and shooters. In fact, according to the Oregonian in 1996, these new products, which included special hearing devices designed to amplify natural sounds, night-vision binoculars, automatically timed feeding devices, computerized global positioning systems, and motion sensor devices, were coming on line as quickly as the state came up with regulations to delimit their use. A spokesperson from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, quoted in the Oregonian in 1996, said that "We've just about pushed technology to the limits of acceptance. ... We're going to need some help from the hunter sorting it all out." Leupold & Stevens insisted that it remained concerned with the issues surrounding hunting; however, it needed to stay on the cutting edge because companies unwilling to change to new technologies could "go by the wayside." The company was among the earliest supporters of the Heritage Foundation, pledging 1 percent of its total sales to this organization, founded, in 1999, upon the belief that companies that make their profits from the shooting sports industries should work to preserve hunting and shooting rights. Under the direction of President and CEO Tom Fruechtel, who assumed leadership of the company in 1998, Leupold & Stevens maintained its commitment in the early years of the new millennium to keeping the company closely held, to promoting positive messages about hunting and shooting sports, and to lobbying against gun control. Principal Competitors: Bausch & Lomb Inc.; Burris; Bushnell; Nikon Corporation; Swarovski International Holding AG.

Chris Farris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 5701	Quote Reply Posted: July/31/2006 at 16:35
	History of Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc. Stevens Water Monitoring Systems was founded in 1911 as a division of Leupold & Stevens, Inc. in Portland, Oregon USA. The founder of Stevens, Mr. John C. Stevens, is a well-established civic leader in Portland, Oregon's history. In addition to building Stevens into a world class water monitoring company, J.C. Stevens also contributed significantly to Portland's development and his most note worthy achievement is he was the founder of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a well-established family owned Oregon Corporation that manufactures gun scopes and has approximately 500 employees in Beaverton, Oregon. During Stevens's early years, various products were developed including the original chart recorders. With installations in over 40,000 remote water monitoring sites worldwide, the Stevens chart recorders are the foundation of and have influenced the stream gaging standards used today. In fact, many of the mechanical instruments are still in gaging stations around the globe with the Stevens name prominently displayed on the product. Although in 2002, Stevens provides microprocessor based sensors, data loggers and telemetry instruments, Stevens continues to support the mechanical chart recorders, which is still the only true real-time continuous water level measurement instrument. Stevens' reputation, based on reliable equipment and quality, helped position the Company as the market leader in water resource instrumentation for most of the 20th century. In the mid 1980's, the water monitoring industry was in transformation from mechanical to electronic systems. Running on the continuing success of Stevens mechanical business model, Stevens did not respond quickly to meet the changes in customers' expectation and new product demands until the late 1980's. Then, in the early 1990's, Stevens introduced new electronic instruments and set into action a plan to regain their position as the market leader. However, Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Board of Directors concluded that in the best interest of Stevens's customers, the Stevens's division should be divested to be operated by leaders having 100% focus. Accordingly, Stevens was acquired in April 1998 and is currently being managed by the new owners with an ignited fervor and passion that customers have come to expect. Stevens today is utilizing the latest in technology to help our customers succeed. Under new leadership, Stevens has undergone an impressive corporate renewal and is focused on a new level of innovation, customer service and customer support.

Chris Farris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 5701	Quote Reply Posted: January/03/2007 at 16:41
	Happy 100th Anniversary Leupold. Order your 100th Anniversary Commemorative scope and knife soon.

Chris Farris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 5701	Quote Reply Posted: June/30/2009 at 18:39
	Additional time line with more information. 100 Years of Leupold History Vision from the beginning of time, that’s stood the test of time. From humble immigrant beginnings, Leupold® grows, based on a promise of quality, to become a classic American company. In 1907, Fred Leupold set up a one-man shop at 5th and Oak streets in Portland, to repair surveying equipment. He’s joined by his brother-in-law, Adam Voelpel, and later by inventor John Cyprian Stevens, and the foundations for a century of success are in place. During Leupold’s second half-century, the company focuses heavily on the sports optics business. Leupold’s presence in the hunting and shooting market expands, and finally dominates, with innovative optics and features that are now legendary among hunters, shooters, and outdoors enthusiasts. Many of the industry’s standards – nitrogen waterproofing, the Duplex® reticle, and more – were Leupold creations. 1907 Leupold & Voelpel (later to become Leupold & Stevens, Inc.) was founded by brothers-in-law Marcus Friedrich (Fred) Leupold and Adam Voelpel. Fred Leupold makes a promise to his customers that still guides Leupold today: “the customer is entitled to a square deal.” 1914 John Cyprian (J.C.) Stevens, a consulting engineer and hydrologist, brings his invention of the first water level recorder to the company and joins as a partner, and the business sees growing success. Fred Leupold’s son, Marcus, also joins the firm. 1937 J.C. Stevens develops the Telemark water recorder, a revolutionary water level recorder that uses telephone signals to transmit information. 1939 J.C. Stevens’ son, Robert, joins the firm. 1942 Company sales leap. To reflect the changes the company and the families are going through, the name of the business is changed to Leupold & Stevens Instruments Co. 1944 Following Fred Leupold’s death, his son Norbert, then working as a hydraulic engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, joins the company. 1947 Marcus Leupold misses a shot at a blacktail buck due to fogged lenses in a riflescope. According to family legend, he exclaims “Hell, I could make a better scope than this!” True to his word, he does, and Leupold enters the riflescope market with the introduction of the 2.5x Plainsman. 1949 Leupold employs a lesson learned making optics for the military in World War II, and becomes the first optics manufacturer to evacuate the scope interior of air and then fill it with pure nitrogen, which eliminates any chance of internal fogging. Leupold’s “weather-proofed” optics quickly become popular among sportsmen. 1957 Following the success of the Plainsman and other early entries in the optics market, Leupold expands its riflescope line-up even further. Their popularity in the optics market leads them to create other products for outdoors enthusiasts, including a compass. 1962 Leupold invents the famous Duplex reticle, now an industry classic. With its heavy posts pointing boldly to the intersection, the reticle style is clearly visible even in thick cover and twilight conditions. 1974 Leupold introduces the industry’s first lightweight, high-power target scope. 1978 Leupold introduces the industry’s first line of compact riflescopes. 1983 Werner Wildauer named chairman of the board and president. Riflescope line continues to expand. 1985 Leupold introduces the Dual Dovetail™ mount system, the strongest two-piece mount in the industry. Leupold introduces the Ultra scope, which features the industry’s first turret-mounted focusing system. 1986 Leupold introduces the industry’s first compact roof prism, waterproof spotting scope. 1990 Leupold introduces the industry’s first low-light scope that balances the physical laws of optics in a scope package that delivers optimum performance to the shooter. 1992 For the first time in more than 20 years, binoculars are actually manufactured in the United States: Leupold Golden Ring® binoculars. 1993 Leupold proudly introduces the firm’s first variable power, waterproof spotting scope: the 12-40x60mm. 1997 Leupold introduces the Leupold Premier Scope, or LPS®, a series of technologically advanced riflescopes designed specifically for hunters. 1998 Leupold introduces the Vari-X® III Long Range scopes – featuring side focus parallax adjustment and 30mm maintubes specially designed for long-range shooting. Tom Fruechtel replaces Werner Wildauer as president of Leupold. 2000 Leupold Illuminated Reticle technology is introduced, giving hunters and shooters access to both superior light management and pinpoint shot placement in low-light conditions. 2002 Leupold introduces the VX®-II, a total redesign to replace the popular Vari-X II; the VX-I, a reliable scope anyone can afford; a new series of high-powered Competition riflescopes; and finally, the Leupold Mark 4® CQ/T®, a revolutionary close quarter/tactical scope. 2004 Leupold replaces the Vari-X III with the VX-III, featuring the exclusive Index Matched Lens System® and the Ballistics Aiming System™, which includes the Boone and Crockett™ Big Game reticle, the first optical product ever to bear the Boone and Crockett Club© name. Leupold also introduces new Rifleman® riflescopes and Rifleman mounts. 2005 Alumina® accessories revolutionize hunting optics, providing shooters the ability to customize riflescopes to changing lighting and shooting conditions with a series of filters, and protect their optics with machined-aluminum lens covers and more. Leupold also adds its new line of Golden Ring binoculars which quickly become a new benchmark for binocular performance. 2006 Two major productions are announced for 2006, including the revolutionary VX-L™ riflescope and the RX™ Rangefinder product line. The VX-L has a unique profile so you can mount a large objective riflescope significantly lower than a conventional scope, for a more natural, shooting position. Other ground-breaking features include our new proprietary, Second Generation waterproofing technology. The new RX digital laser rangefinder series introduced the world to TBR™ (True Ballistic Range™), which takes the guesswork out of using a rangefinder on steep angles as well as 13 different aiming point options, and other unique features. Edited by Chris Farris - June/30/2009 at 18:40

The History of Leupold & Stevens

100 Years of Leupold History

Vision from the beginning of time, that’s stood the test of time.