St. Croix Rod celebrating 75 years: A message from Jeff Schluter
by St. Croix Rods 10 Jun 2023 17:57 UTC
St. Croix Rod celebrating 75 years © St. Croix Rods
When St. Croix experienced financial difficulties in 1960, Gordon Schluter - a Park Falls businessman and community leader - invested in the company and became CEO. He revitalized the company, which was subsequently sold in 1965.
Schluter then moved to New Mexico to pursue other business opportunities. In his absence, low-priced foreign markets and higher domestic costs pushed the company he'd worked so hard to fix towards bankruptcy in just a decade. At a time when he could have settled into a comfortable retirement, Schluter moved back to Park Falls, reengaged with St. Croix, and eventually purchased the company, hiring his sons Paul, Jeff, and David, who - along with their father - saved the company once again.
St. Croix co-owner and Gordon's son, Jeff Schluter, nods to the past, but says -- thanks to St. Croix's anglers -- the company's best years are yet to come.
"When Gordon first got involved with St. Croix, it was the mid-1960s, and the company was going to be closed down. He was not looking forward to driving by St. Croix and seeing a closed-up business. And so, he put everything that he had on the line. In July of 1984 I went to work for St. Croix. My dad and Paul both asked me if I wanted to come to work as a factory sales rep. Yes, I want to do that, I told them. It was challenging to say the least. He'd be so proud of what's built our company over the years - from the angler perspective. Our anglers are like kin folk to us. The train's running and everyone is on it, and we don't want anyone to get off. We do thank our customers for placing their confidence in our brand and continuing to support us. There's absolutely no reason that we won't be around in another 75 years. Our best years are coming up!"