In 1954, Fred's son Tom Lorenz, Sr. started the company down the boating equipment wholesale distribution path that it has maintained to this date.  About 1960, Fred Lorenz and Bruce Jones retired, and a new partner, Mel McKee, joined Tom at the growing firm and the present name came into effect.

In 1969 the company expanded to a new 27,000 square foot building in a newly developed industrial park in Ankeny, located just a few miles north of Des Moines.

Next generation Lorenz and McKee family entered the business in the 1970's as part-time student workers, then key-employees, and eventually as hands-on operating management and owners.

The wholesale accessory business continued to grow and expand into an increasingly larger market area. The resulting increases in product offerings, inventory depth and number of employees placed new demands on building space.

In 2001, Lorenz and Jones moved into its current location in Ankeny's Metro North I Business Park. The new location enabled the company to add the needed office and warehouse space to ensure effective customer service now and into the future.

This new larger location with high-rack and multi-level storage capacity, modern processing equipment and computerized warehouse system allow the company to effectively manage shipments received from marine vendors and quickly process and ship orders to a steadily growing dealer client base. Daily scheduled pick-up from UPS, FedEx, Speed-Dee Delivery and others allow next day or two-day ground delivery in most of the market area served.

 

Lorenz & Jones Marine Distributors, Inc. distribution center.

Lorenz & Jones Marine Distributors, Inc. circa 1960

Lorenz & Jones Marine Distributors, Inc. circa 1970

Lorenz & Jones Marine Distributors, Inc. Today.