Hero Story

Jacquart Fabric Products/Stormy Kromer, embodies the Upper Peninsula spirit of sisu, a Finnish concept which translates roughly to determination, perseverance and acting rationally in the face of adversity. The company’s sisu has been especially evident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

This cut-and-sew manufacturing business in Ironwood employs 98 and is owned and managed by the second and third generations of the Jacquart family including Bob Jacquart, Jr. and his two daughters Kari “KJ” Jacquart and Gina Jacquart Thorsen.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the company received requests to turn its sewing expertise to personal protective equipment. The staff rose to the occasion in incredible fashion, and in four days had shifted the entire main production floor. They engineered masks and gowns, sourced material, and began producing personal protective equipment for healthcare and other frontline workers. Staff worked long days and weekends to respond to the immense need for these products across the upper Midwest and beyond.

Jacquart Fabric Products/Stormy Kromer also supports numerous charitable events, organizations and initiatives. In recent years, these have included HOPE Animal Shelter, U.P. Honor Flight, DOVE Domestic Violence Escape, Historic Ironwood Theatre, Yoopers Wear Pink, SISU Ski Fest and Copper Peak ski flying hill among others.

In May 2020, the company launched a Stormy Kromer protective mask in signature red and blue/black plaid and began donating 10 percent of sales to the Gogebic Range Health Foundation in Ironwood and St. Luke New Life Center in Flint. Each of the nonprofits has received more than $22,000 so far from mask sales which will continue as long as masks are needed.