Chums has a long and storied history on the water. In 1983 Chums inventor Mike Taggett was tired of watching his customer lose their sunglasses to the bottom of the Colorado River. This is where the idea for the Original Cotton Chums was born. Living in the back of a VW van is a $60 sewing machine Taggett started producing the first round of Chums.
BORN ON THE RIVER
Made in the USA / Homegrown in Hurricane, UT
1980
Mike Taggett the founder of Chums hitchhikes to Utah to become a river guide
1982
Mike sews the first retainer
1984
Chums & Swatch, Swatch places the first order with Chums leading to mass production
1985
The Red-Footed Booby Bird takes his spot as the face of Chums
1993
Chums retail store opens on Main Street in Hurricane Utah
1995
Portland, Oregon, Chums sales and design office opens in Oregon
2002
Chuck Ferries, The Ferries Family purchases Chums
2004
Hang with you Chums, The Booby Bird gets a buddy
2008
Landwell open the first Chums retail store in Tokyo, Japan.
2013
Chums 30th Anniversary, Helping you hang on since 1983.
2014
Chums roll out their first accessory case
2016
Sun Valley Idaho, Chums opens new office in Sun Valley Idaho
1981
Chumley the finest golden Lab and namesake of the company
1983
Chums Original Retainer is born
1985
Booby Bird, the blue-footed booby bird is adopted as the Chums mascot
1993
JERCS, Just an Eyewear Retention and Comfort System
1995
Chums Safety, Chums enters the safety market with breakaway retainer and accessories
2001
Landwell Inc. & Chums crosses the Pacific to be distributed in Japan
2003
Universal Fit, Chums continues to revolutionize the fit and function of the eyewear retainer
2007
Salt Lake City Utah, Chums expands operations, merges with Chisco and opens office in Salt Lake City
2012
Chums Asia, Chums enters China with the Shanghai Birds Nest
2013
Chums adds silicone retainers to their product line
2015
Chums continues to innovate with in house sublimation
2017 - PRESENT
Chums continues to manufacture thousands of units a day in our original factory
1980
Mike Taggett the founder of Chums hitchhikes to Utah to become a river guide
1981
Chumley the finest golden Lab and namesake of the company
1982
Mike sews the first retainer
1983
Chums Original Retainer is born
1984
Chums & Swatch, Swatch places the first order with Chums leading to mass production
1985
Booby Bird, the blue-footed booby bird is adopted as the Chums mascot
1985
The Red-Footed Booby Bird takes his spot as the face of Chums
1993
Chums retail store opens on Main Street in Hurricane Utah
1993
JERCS, Just an Eyewear Retention and Comfort System
1995
Portland, Oregon, Chums sales and design office opens in Oregon
1995
Chums Safety, Chums enters the safety market with breakaway retainer and accessories
2001
Landwell Inc. & Chums crosses the Pacific to be distributed in Japan
2002
Chuck Ferries, The Ferries Family purchases Chums
2003
Universal Fit, Chums continues to revolutionize the fit and function of the eyewear retainer
2004
Hang with you Chums, The Booby Bird gets a buddy
2007
Salt Lake City Utah, Chums expands operations, merges with Chisco and opens office in Salt Lake City
2008
Landwell open the first Chums retail store in Tokyo, Japan.
2012
Chums Asia, Chums enters China with the Shanghai Birds Nest
2013
Chums 30th Anniversary, Helping you hang on since 1983.
2013
Chums adds silicone retainers to their product line
2014
Chums roll out their first accessory case
2015
Chums continues to innovate with in house sublimation
2016
Sun Valley Idaho, Chums opens new office in Sun Valley Idaho
2017
Chums continues to manufacture thousands of units a day in our original factory
Chums Today
We now have 3 offices, over 75 employees, a few of which have been with us for over 20 years.
Over the three decades we’ve been around, we’ve learned a thing or two. Mostly how to have fun while still getting after it and we pride ourselves in having a team filled with the raddest, most talented people in the industry.
Chums manufactures
15,000+ Units a Day
in our Hurricane, Utah facility.
Chums Today
We now have 3 offices, over 75 employees, a few of which have been with us for over 20 years.
Over the three decades we’ve been around, we’ve learned a thing or two. Mostly how to have fun while still getting after it and we pride ourselves in having a team filled with the raddest, most talented people in the industry.
Chums manufactures
15,000+ Units a Day
in our Hurricane, Utah facility.
Family Run Company
In 2002 Chuck Ferries purchased Chums in partnership with his son and son-in-law. For the past 18 years the Ferries family has continued to push innovation through product development, instilled a commitment to American-made manufacturing (out of the company’s Hurricane, UT manufacturing facility), and embedded an unwavering passion for unbeatable customer service, helping Chums became the global brand we know and love today.
In 2002 Chuck Ferries purchased Chums in partnership with his son and son-in-law. For the past 18 years the Ferries family has continued to push innovation through product development, instilled a commitment to American-made manufacturing (out of the company’s Hurricane, UT manufacturing facility), and embedded an unwavering passion for unbeatable customer service, helping Chums became the global brand we know and love today.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Support or Call: 877-665-2272