History
Launching, Learning, Leaping
Physician and surgeon Ivan E. Brown, Sr. launched Brown Manufacturing in 1965 after receiving a U.S. Patent for his invention, the Plastalume® Finger Splint. When sales of this new product increased, Dr. Brown moved operations from a workroom in his basement to a small building behind his residence. Under the leadership of Ivan’s son, Ivan E. Brown, Jr., the company continued to expand. The SEAL-TIGHT® Cast and Bandage Protector, introduced in 1989, was instrumental in the evolution of Brownmed, as the product’s success resulted in considerable sales and employment growth – and the need for increased manufacturing space.
A lot of things have changed since Brownmed produced the first aluminum/foam finger splint more than 50 years ago – but one thing remains the same, and that’s Brownmed’s mission: Improving Life is Our Passion.
Today, Brownmed employs more than 70 people and manufactures and sells more than 130 different products to a worldwide market. Exports contribute approximately 20% of sales and Brownmed has distribution relationships in 130 countries. Brownmed has been awarded 43 patents and has 8 pending with the United States Patent Office. Further, Brownmed has 32 registered trademarks and 17 product trademarks.
Our History Timeline Since 1967
1964 – Plastalume Invented
![1964 – Plastalume Invented](/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1965_img.png)
1965 – Patent granted for Plastalume
![1965 – Patent granted for Plastalume](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1966_img-297x120-297x120.png)
1967 – Dr. Brown expanded
![1967 – Dr. Brown expanded](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1967_img-306x120.png)
1982 – A new era began
![1982 – A new era began](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1982_img-300x120.png)
1985 – Iowa Small Business Exporter of the Year
![1985 – Iowa Small Business Exporter of the Year](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/87exporter.jpg)
1987 – Seal-TIGHT® was born
![1987 – Seal-TIGHT® was born](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1988_img-235x120.png)
1989 – SEAL-TIGHT manufacturing began
![1989 – SEAL-TIGHT manufacturing began](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1989_img-350x120.png)
1990 – New building
![1990 – New building](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1990_img-291x120.png)
1993 – The company introduced Steady Grip
![1993 – The company introduced Steady Grip](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1993_img-158x120.png)
1994 – New Leadership
![1994 – New Leadership](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1994_img-194x120.png)
1997 – Expanding and Exporting
![1997 – Expanding and Exporting](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1997_img-291x120.png)
1998 – External advisement sought
![1998 – External advisement sought](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1998_img-295x120.png)
1999 – Brown breaks the ice with cryotherapy
![1999 – Brown breaks the ice with cryotherapy](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Polar-Ice-Shoulder-Hip-Wrap-Prod-240x120.jpg)
2003 – Brown earned the CE Mark
![2003 – Brown earned the CE Mark](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2003_img-278x120.png)
2004 – Another step forward with Soft Stride
![2004 – Another step forward with Soft Stride](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Soft-Stride-Underliner-175x120.jpg)
2008 – A year of good things
![2008 – A year of good things](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2008_img-221x120.png)
2009 – Nice Stretch rebranded
![2009 – Nice Stretch rebranded](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2009_img-296x120.png)
2010 – IMAK Acquisition
![2010 – IMAK Acquisition](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ease_of_use_IMAK-275x120.jpg)
2013 – Intellinetix
![2013 – Intellinetix](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2013_img-303x120-303x120.png)
2014 – NuRoo Products acquired
![2014 – NuRoo Products acquired](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/logo-nuroo.png)
Fifty years (Since 1965 – 2015 )
![Fifty years (Since 1965 – 2015 )](https://wp.brownmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/50year_HomeBanner_900x400_11.jpg)