Byer Manufacturing Company

The Byer Manufacturing Company was founded in Bangor, Maine by a Russian immigrant as a maker of slippers and textile products. The company was relocated in 1925 to a century old wood frame building in the center of Orono, Maine. Originally built as a Catholic Church the building has undergone transformations into a Movie Theater and Community Center. The original structure was gutted and repurposed for an industrial use in true New England fashion by the Byer family. After the move to Orono, stitching continued and the manufacturing of wooden cots began. During the Korean and WWII the company expanded cot production as well as cut and sew of a wide range of canvas proudcts for the war efforts. In 1950 the focus switched back to consumer products and the company started manufacturing duffels and knapsacks.

With the 3rd Generation of the Byer family approaching retirement age in 1985, current owner and president Jay Shields and his wife were passed ownership. Wooden camp furniture was introduced to the product line with new energy and expansion.

We are no longer producing in Maine, but we are producing economic benefit for stakeholders around the world. Today we offer Hammocks and hanging chairs from Brazil and China; strong alumium frame cots and stools from China; wooden hammock stands and chairs from Poland; our Pangean Wood Camp Furniture comes from craftsman in Vietnam; and bird homes and birding products from China and Thailand.

Today, the original 33,000 square foot building houses our corporate office and warehouse.

Byer of Maine is sourced from all corners of the world to your backyard, utilizing longstanding traditions in craftsmanship and quality.