Stûv: A Manufacturer Worth Working With
Stûv: A Manufacturer Worth Working With
Peter Parsons
Share
Listen to the audio article.
If you’re new to the hearth industry, you probably still feel excited about new products. I remember that feeling from my early years—walking into a trade show, seeing all the fresh offerings, and getting a rush of excitement.
These days, that feeling is harder to come by. During my 25 years in the industry, things haven’t changed much. Our market is mainly wood and pellet with a little drizzle of gas. I grew up an “EPA child,” so to speak, so I’ve always sold stoves that were EPA-approved—it’s all I’ve ever known.
But last year, I experienced that old rush of excitement for new products. To understand why, you need to know where I started. My business name, The Tin Man, doesn’t scream “cozy fireplaces.” We began with fabrication and welding, and we still practice those trades today, turning flat metal into anything from kitchen sinks to custom roof flashings. Fireplaces and stoves came later when I left the welding shop to run our new hearth division.
But last year, I experienced that old rush of excitement for new products.To understand why, you need to know where I started.
Given my fabrication background, I’ve developed a keen eye for quality and engineering. I love well-constructed products—clean welds, tidy edges, and solid craftsmanship—so it takes a lot to impress me. If something costs good money, I believe it better be worth it.
That’s why the old excitement hit me again at the 2023 Compact trade show in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. When I arrived, I was greeted by Kim Davis—the “Queen of Newfoundland,” as her co-workers fittingly call her. Kim’s been a mentor of mine since she became my sales rep, and she told me that there was a manufacturer at the show that I had to meet. She pointed me to the far corner of the warehouse.
She told me that there was a manufacturer at the show that I had to meet.
Keith, my lead installer, and I made our way there. From a distance, I saw two guys in plaid shirts setting up their display. As we got closer, I realized they were working in the Stûv America booth. I had only seen their products online, so this was my first time checking them out in person.
“Hi, I’m Corey. Welcome to Stûv,” said one of the guys in a thick French-Canadian accent. “Excuse my handshake; I injured my shoulder recently.”
“Skydiving in a wingsuit, I bet,” I joked. Corey’s relaxed demeanor reminded me of one of those laid-back, high-adrenaline athletes who seem unfazed by the slower pace of everyday life.
“No, no—it was a mountain bike,” he replied with a chuckle.
I quickly learned that Corey Anthony is the national sales manager for Stûv America—and he knows his products.
I quickly learned that Corey Anthony is the national sales manager for Stûv America—and he knows his products.
He led us over to the first stove in the booth: the Stûv 30. At the time, I had seen cylindrical wood stoves; I had also seen stoves that turn in a room; but I had never seen a stove with three different curved doors. As Corey walked us through the features, his enthusiasm grew, and so did mine. He showed off details that most people wouldn’t notice or appreciate. He quickly realized that The Tin Man was not just a hearth store, and he asked me what type of welders we had at the shop. He then led me on a Stûv fabrication journey, showing me corners that were perfectly finished, smooth edges not scarred by a plasma cutter or waterjet, and hexagonal shafts used on bypass dampers. It was clear: Stûv’s attention to detail was impeccable, and they didn’t cut corners—even when they could have.
Stûv’s attention to detail was impeccable, and they didn’t cut corners—even when they could have.
After showing off the Stûv 30, Corey introduced Vincent, who was finishing up the booth setup. Vincent helped Corey pull the firebox from the Stûv 6. As soon as Vincent started talking about welding, I realized he knew his craft. It blew me away that Corey had brought one of Stûv’s welders to the trade show.
Before I left their booth, I headed straight to the buying area and ordered a Stûv 30 on the spot. That’s how impressed I was.
The next day, as Keith and I prepared to fly home, we sat in the Moncton airport a few hours before takeoff. Several manufacturers I knew walked by—many without looking our way, let alone saying a word. I leaned over to Keith and asked if he noticed that they ignored us, and he had clued in on it too. Oh well, I thought.
All of a sudden, we heard the words, “Tin Man!” across the terminal. Corey and Vincent, fresh from security, headed straight over to us. They dropped their bags and sat with us, sparking up a genuine conversation. They asked about my business, our plans, and our goals. We asked them much of the same, and it was during these conversations that I learned that Vincent—the guy I thought was a welder on Stûv’s assembly line—was Vincent Boudreau, Owner of Stûv America. I was so taken aback that he and Corey stayed and talked to us right up until their plane was ready to leave. They could have easily made their way to the VIP lounge—but instead, they chose to get to know two guys from the small town of Corner Brook, Newfoundland. It was the highlight of my trip. They even invited us up to the factory in Bromont, Quebec.
They chose to get to know two guys from the small town of Corner Brook, Newfoundland. It was the highlight of my trip.
Mind. Blown.
Fast forward to this year’s trade show, where Stûv had an even larger presence. Their booth was bigger, and so was their team. They were also right in the high-traffic area of the main warehouse, and they were so busy that it was hard to get in and talk to the boys again. But I managed to press my way in, and both Corey and Vincent made it a point to talk with me.
But here’s the final kicker: A few weeks ago, Corey and his young son showed up at my store while on their holidays in Newfoundland. They made it a point to take time to come in and see the Tin Man team—not on business, just on a friendly stop while going through one of Canada’s best provinces.
Now that’s a manufacturer worth working with.
Peter Parsons
Peter Parsons is the Owner of The Tin Man, a fabrication shop and hearth store in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. He's been in the hearth industry for over 25 years.
