Physician and surgeon Ivan E. Brown, Sr. launched Brown Manufacturing in 1965 after receiving a U.S. Patent for his invention, the Plastalume® Finger Splint. When sales of this new product increased, Dr. Brown moved operations from a workroom in his basement to a small building behind his residence. Under the leadership of Ivan’s son, Ivan E. Brown, Jr., the company continued to expand. The SEAL-TIGHT® Cast and Bandage Protector, introduced in 1989, was instrumental in the evolution of Brownmed, as the product’s success resulted in considerable sales and employment growth – and the need for increased manufacturing space. A lot of things have changed since Brownmed produced the first aluminum/foam finger splint more than 50 years ago – but one thing remains the same, and that’s Brownmed’s mission: Improving Life is Our Passion.



Today, Brownmed employs more than 70 people and manufactures and sells more than 130 different products to a worldwide market. Our executive office in Boston connects our research and development efforts to the most robust Med-Tech market in the world. And our 81,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Spirit Lake,Iowa gives us the flexibility to manufacture, ship and distribute to customers of any size. Brownmed has been awarded 32 patents, has 12 pending with United States Patent Office, and is a 6-time recipient of the Inc. 5000 award as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the United States.