YETI Holdings, Inc. is an American manufacturer, headquartered in Austin, Texas,[2] specializing in outdoor products, including ice chests, vacuum-insulated stainless-steel drinkware, soft coolers, and related accessories.[2]
YETI was founded by Roy and Ryan Seiders in 2006. The brothers grew up in Driftwood, Texas, and spent a large portion of their childhood outdoors. Their father Roger Seiders had designed a fishing rod epoxy.[3] Ryan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1996 and Roy graduated from Texas Tech University in 2000.[4]
In 2006, Ryan started Waterloo Rods[3] and sold the company nine years later.[5] Roy, an angler and hunter, began his career making custom boats designed for shallow-depth fishing off the Texas Gulf Coast.[3] The avid outdoorsmen became frustrated with the quality of available coolers, founding YETI in response.
In July 2016, the company filed with the Security and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering with plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the "YETI" symbol.[8] The company was seeking a valuation of $5 billion and hoped to raise $100 million, but retracted the IPO two years later, in March 2018, citing "market conditions".[9][10]
On February 23, 2017 YETI opened its first flagship store in Austin, TX.[11] Today, YETI has opened over 20 stores across the United States.
As of January 8, 2018, YETI still was a sponsor of the PBR[12] and the YETI "Built for the Wild" event.[13]
On November 4, 2020, YETI initiated a consumer product safety recall for over 240,000 Rambler mugs, manufactured in China, for what the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission described as "Injury and Burn Hazards". The commission explained that the magnetic slider on the lid could malfunction and hot contents could spill. The product was sold at stores nationwide and through the company's website during October that year.[15]
The company targets niche markets of high-end hunting and fishing enthusiasts, outdoorsmen, beach goers, and water enthusiasts.[16] YETI sponsored professional outdoors-men and hunting and fishing shows.[citation needed]
Products range in price substantially, some upwards of $500.[citation needed]
YETI's "Tundra" series of coolers ranges from 20 quarts to 350 quarts. The Tundra line can be locked with two padlocks, making it certified bear-resistant according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.[17]
YETI also makes soft-sided coolers called the "Hopper" series.[18] The "Hopper" series coolers are designed to be lightweight and more transportable than standard YETI coolers.
YETI is known for its expensive coolers. Their most expensive one is 82 gallons and sells for $1,300. YETI has many other products besides the coolers but this is what they are best known for. The idea of these coolers was founded by the Seiders brothers: two outdoorsmen who felt there were not any coolers that could keep their catch, kills, and beverages cold for a longer period of time. The brothers teamed up with a factory in the Philippines to create an "indestructible cooler", with superior ice retention.[19][20][21]
YETI also sells drinkware, bags, and miscellaneous outdoor gear. YETI sells drinkware products under the "Rambler" line ranging from 10 ounces to one gallon in size.[22] The company also makes an ice bucket called the "YETI Tank".[23]
YETI's sales increased from $147.7 million in 2015 to $468.9 million in 2016.[9] YETI's earnings in 2015 were $14.2 million and in 2016 were $72.2 million.[24] YETI's DTC sales accounted for "30% of revenue in 2017".[25]
Outside magazine calls Yeti's Rambler "the best mug ever made".[26]Field & Stream stated that the release of Yeti's Base Camp Chair officially declared the company's "dedication to a comfy derrière".[27]Business Insider calls them "a status symbol in the United States".[19]
US$1.66 billion (2023)
