It is uncommon for an individual to revolutionize an entire industry, but Dan Shimek accomplished this feat twice. Along with his brother Ron, he established Heat & Glo, a global manufacturer of fireplaces, in 1975. Despite his significant achievement, Dan did not choose to retire early. Instead, he directed his abilities towards achieving a new and imaginative objective. Dan recognized that there was no justification for not being able to enjoy indoor amenities outside. He regarded the backyard as a natural expansion of the house's indoor living area. However, in 2004, his concepts were years ahead of their time, as the idea of a full outdoor room did not yet exist.
Renee Schmitz, VP of Business Development and Marketing at The Outdoor GreatRoom, stated that Dan aimed to establish the outdoor living room as equally significant as the indoor one. He was instrumental in creating an entirely new industry by exploring the concept's potential and identifying what should be included, such as the pergola, which eventually became a crucial element. Dan spent significant time assembling different individual pieces to create early forms of the complete outdoor room and addressed primary questions about its purpose and possibilities.
Dan sourced products that were in demand but not easily available and began working with manufacturers. The company, originally known as Firestone Home Products, had only four employees in its early days. However, they faced challenges as dealers and consumers didn't recognize the potential of the complete outdoor room trend, unlike the company founders. The Outdoor GreatRoom's Eastern US Sales Manager, Joey Shimek, admits that the journey was tough and involved a lot of trial and error as they were pioneers in the field.
Dan was resolute in his vision of Firestone Home Products becoming a one-stop-shop for outdoor living needs. In 2008, the company underwent a name change and acquired a manufacturing firm in Utah, which marked the beginning of The Outdoor GreatRoom's pursuit of that goal. The company diversified its product range from gas grills and pergolas to encompass fire pits, furniture, lighting, outdoor kitchens, and more. Even amidst the Great Recession, the company persevered, and the introduction of their Chat 42 fire pit table paved the way for their current success. The Chat 42 served as a defining product for the company and the beginning of their ongoing progress. Currently, fire pit sales constitute 40% of the company's business.
Joey states that they contributed to the growth of the outdoor living industry and are now regarded as industry leaders. During that time, brick-and-mortar stores dominated the industry, so the move to online sales was a significant step. Renee commends Dan for having the foresight to recognize the value of online sales despite industry reservations. Although Dan passed away in 2013, his legacy lives on. His innovation and unique vision are now a part of the company's DNA, enabling The Outdoor GreatRoom to enjoy a robust position in the industry and a promising future.
OGC currently operates from a 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Burnsville, MN with a team of 40 employees. The company has expanded its product line to 50 different fire pits, a significant improvement from the 4 it offered in 2008. Additionally, it has been honored with two awards from Houzz.com, a leading home design trendsetter. While some organizations may become content with this level of success, complacency is not a notion that The Outdoor GreatRoom entertains. The company is committed to living up to its name and ensuring that it always enhances your outdoor area.
