Company
History & Cool Shirt® Evolution
The invention that launched
Shafer Enterprises and Cool Shirt®
was a cooling vest for surgeons to use in the operating
room. Rich Shafer, the company’s founder, spent many
years working beside surgeons for hours under hot operating
room lights as a distributor for replacement knees, hips,
etc. In a true entrepreneurial spirit, Rich saw the opportunity
to help the doctors that were helping the patients and the
Surgeon’s Cool Vest was born. Since 1987, Shafer Enterprises
has grown exponentially to become the world leader in personal
cooling systems for surgeons, racecar drivers, football
players, fire/emergency services/hazmat, military and industrial
workers. Using NASA study guidelines, Cool Shirt®
active cooling systems help people manage body heat in extreme
environments using circulating temperature-controlled cool
water.
Between Mr. Shafer and
his partner, they together have over 70 years experience
in the medical field, holding 24 different patents. The
company operates from two facilities: a 65,000 square-foot
manufacturing facility in Loudon, Tennessee and a 12,000
square-foot distribution center in Stockbridge, Georgia.
Mr. Shafer has been an active member of SCCA Racing for
20+ years and continues to race in various SCCA events across
the US. He and his wife Eileen reside in Jonesboro, Georgia
and have 2 children.
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