Bud Tolley founded Marinco, which would later be bought by Power Products Unlimited, in 1972. Marinco made water-resistant electrical cords, inlets and accessories for the marine industry.
Rosie Hirsch, then-owner of RV Lifestyle Inc. (RVLI), saw the potential in having Marinco’s products in the RV market. RVLI was a manufacturer sales representative agency for aftermarket supplier Power Products Unlimited, which eventually acquired Marinco.
Before Power Products introduced Marinco to the industry in 2004, RVers were using hard-wired power cords that could not be moved from the coach. Power Products brought marine-grade cables and cords to the industry that could withstand heat, humidity and cold.
In addition to Marinco, Menominee Falls, Wisconsin-based Power Products also acquired Gardner Bender cable ties supplier, Sperry Instruments and Blue Sea Systems, a line of DC management products for 12-volt operation. In 2017, ParkPower, also a Power Products brand, launched the Weekender as a detachable power product with flexibility.
