1967
After winning a design contest with an aluminium flexible-frame pack, Skip Yowell, Murray Pletz and Jan Lewis start Jansport
Murray was Skip’s cousin. Jan was Murray’s girlfriend and knew how to sew
Originally based out of space above Murray Pletz’s father’s transmission shop
Name coined because Murray Pletz reputedly told Jan Lewis, “If you marry me, I'll name my company after you.” She did, he did.
1970
obtained patent for a panel loading frame pack
1971
release their first dome tent on the market, but did not patent the design
first sales of the dome tents are to REI Co-op
production moves to Everett, Washington
1972
designed “The Captain America” pack for Peter Fonda in the classic movie ‘Easy Rider’
Introduced the D2 technical frame pack
Jansport is sold to ski company K2
1974
sales reach $1 million USD
1975
introduction of what some claim was the first convertable travel pack
introduction of the Jansport daypack, soon worn by thousands of US high school and college students
1978
Jim Whittaker climbs K2 with a JanSport Alpine Phantom pack, which he helped design
1982
college sweatshirt company Downers acquires company and the JanSport name
Murray Pletz leaves Jansport to pursue other interests
1984
JanSport acquired by Jantzen, swimwear subsidiary of Blue Bell, maker of Wrangler jeans
1985
company sells its one millionth daypack
has annual sales of $25 million USD
introduces a day care centre for employees
1986
VF Corporation acquires Blue Bell, and long with it K2 and Jansport, for $775 million
1987
have just over 5% of the US daypack market
1988
have 10% of the US daypack market
1993
international headquarters relocates to 212,000 square foot facility near Appleton, Wisconsin
1994
have 27% of US daypack market
jansort Equipment division has sales of $100 million USD
Jim Thomsen (ex co-founder of Wilderness Experience), joined VF Corporation as General Manager of JanSport
1995
launch a replacement brand (Wolf Creek) for the mass merchandise market
enter the rugged footwear business (but soon leave it)
1996
Skip Yowell and Jim Thomsen take Jansport to Europe via ISPO sports show, Germany
Introduced waterproof rubber based daypacks
sales grow from around $150 million to near $200 million
1997
patent issued for the rubber bottom daypacks
1998
debuts line of top-loading technical packs
begins selling in China
1999
releases Airlift and Loadlift backpacks
2000
buys largest competitor, Eastpak (which had 6% market share, $90 million in sales, mostly in Europe)
2002
introduce business casual luggage, and Lifestyle line of shoulder bags and crossover packs
2004
sales of $300 million USD, employing about 800 staff
2005
Jan Lewis retires from Jansport
2007
Skip Yowell authors the book, ‘The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder & Other Mountains’
2011
Skip Yowell, JanSport Co-founder and Vice President of Global Public Relations, announced his retirement
retail release of replica D2 frame pack