Taking a Stand

Joe Amacker, right, Chris Smith, left, and Charles Robinson (not pictured) are owners of the Amacker Outdoors, a tree stand manufacturer based in Rayville.

Amacker Outdoors, a tree stand icon for more than 30 years, may be on its way to climbing back to the top of the industry.

Joe Amacker of Rayville made an astonishing rise to the top of the modern tree stand industry in the late 1970's and early 1980's with the first all-metal tree stands and the creation of the "stand-up, site down" climbing method.

But with increased competition from scores of manufacturers that essentially copied his stand designs and a lack of capital to produce stands on an large scale, Amacker faced some tough times over the last decade.

"In 1994 we did $10 million in sales and were selling to Wal-Mart, Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops", Amacker said. "But Capital is what killed me in the business. I just couldn't get enough to go forward".

Then about three years ago, businessman Chris Smith of Monroe stepped into the picture. Smith had been involved in several successful business ventures over the years before meeting Amacker through a mutual friend.

It didn't take long for Smith to become interested in Amacker's tree stand business and the possibilities it presented. So Smith sold several of his existing businesses and partnered full time with Amacker.

"I'd always heard of Amacker, but before I met Joe I didn't really know the history on it," Smith said. "When I found out the history on it, I was really interested".

Amacker Outdoors is currently operating out of a 13,000-square foot facility in Rayville. The company offers a full line of climbing and fixed position stands, ladder stands, a mobile shooting system, trailer hitch accessories, cargo carriers and other hunting accessories.

A major point of pride at Amacker Outdoors had been that the company's products were all made in the United States. But a need to stay competitive in the industry has changed that, Smith said.

The company has worked out a deal that will have some manufacturing being done overseas.

"That's the only disappointment I have", Smith said. "We gave it all our effort to keep all the manufacturing here. We tried to hang on to being made in America, but we couldn't make the numbers work."

"My hope is that someday it will come back."

While the company continues its quest for capital to expand the business, many sales are handled through its web site at www.amacker.com.

When the company gets in a better position to handle high volume, it will then begin working with dealers for its products.

Amacker believes innovation will be the key to the company's comeback in the industry. Amacker holds 23 tree stand patents with more innovations to come.

"In five to 10 years we'll be back on top," Amacker said. "We've got the most innovative products on the market, and there's no doubt innovation is the key to our future success."

 

A former leader in the tree stand industry, Amacker Outdoors is poised for a comeback.

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