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Invisible Fence Inc.
Company typeCorporation
IndustryRetail, Consumer Electronics
FoundedAugust 1973; 51 years ago (1973-08)
Headquarters
Knoxville, Tennessee
,
U.S.
Area served
Key people
Willie Wallace (Chief Executive Officer),
Randy Boyd (Executive Chairman)
ServicesPet Containment
Number of employees
700+
ParentRadio Systems Corp.
Websitewww.invisiblefence.com

Invisible Fence Inc. (commonly referred to as Invisible Fence Brand) is a company that designs radio pet fences for cats and dogs. Manufactured and distributed by Radio System Corporation, the company sells wireless and fenceless systems that were first introduced in 1973.[1] Its best-known product consists of an underground wire and a collar with an integrated transmitter that provides a signal to the pet when it approaches the perimeter.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

In the 1970s, traveling salesman Richard Peck worked as a sales and product manager for companies in Pennsylvania. His work took him from city to city, and as he drove through these towns, he noticed the number of dead pets lying along highways and city streets. He developed the idea of an "Invisible Fence".[2]

In 1973, he received a patent for the concept to build the first invisible fence. Peck formed a company called Stay-Put Sales Co. and marketed his product mainly through direct mail and magazines.[3] In 1976, Peck sold the marketing and patent rights to John Purtell. Purtell created a company named Invisible Fence Co.[4][5]

In the 1980s, the receiver the dog wore around its neck was around the size of a cigarette packet. It suited larger dogs like Labradors and Huskies but not smaller animals like Chihuahuas without choking them. The product's range also only allowed a maximum of three acres of circle wire. Putrell pulled it from the market while the product was redeveloped to be smaller and needed a new battery only twice a year.[6]

Invisible Fence Co. lost exclusive rights to Peck's invention when the patent expired in 1990. As a result, many other companies emerged and designed their own version of the product including Radio System Corp, which currently owns the company.[7][8]

In 1993, John Purtell sold his interest in Invisible Fence.

In 2001, IFCO and the Invisible Fence Brand were sold to Kohlberg & Company.[9] Kohlberg and Company sold the company to Radio Systems Corp in 2006.[10][11]

Project Breathe

[edit]

Its Project Breathe is an initiative created by the Invisible Fence Brand.[12] The program donates animal oxygen mask kits to fire departments and first responders.[13][14]

Notable products

[edit]
Products
Boundary Plus[15]
GPS 2.0 Wire Free Pet Fence[16]
The Doorman[17]
Shields and Micro Shields[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Curtis, Julie (4 October 2010). "Cats Might Rule but Safely -- at Home". the Daily Voice. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  2. ^ "STAY THE LATE RICHARD PECK'S INVISIBLE FENCE KEEPS PETS CONFINED". The Morning Call. 1997-11-30. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  3. ^ Whittman, Bob (30 November 1997). "Stay The Late Richard Peck's Invisible Fence Keeps Pets Confined". The Morning Call. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. ^ Whittman, Bob (30 November 1997). "Stay The Late Richard Peck's Invisible Fence Keeps Pets Confined". The Morning Call. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. ^ "INVISIBLE FENCE BRAND HISTORY". Wilson-Trading. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  6. ^ Rossi, Frank (Jun 19, 1982). "Invisible Fence allows dogs to roam safely". Lakeland Ledger. Philadelphia Inquirer.
  7. ^ Mike, Gibson (April 2015). "Who Is Randy Boyd? Knoxville's Least-Known Animal-Loving Multi-Millionaire Business Magnate Philanthropist". Knoxville Mercury.
  8. ^ Whittman, Bob (30 November 1997). "Stay The Late Richard Peck's Invisible Fence Keeps Pets Confined". The Morning Call. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  9. ^ Gisel, Bill (28 February 2006). "Garrett company outsourcing jobs to Asia". Kpcnews. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  10. ^ Leduc, Doug. "Acquisition likely to result in layoffs for Garrett's Invisible Technologies". Indianaeconomicdigest. IBRC and IAR.
  11. ^ Leduc, Doug (October 2006). "Invisible Technologies bought by Tennessee company". Kpcnews. KPC MEDIA GROUP INC. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Invisible Fence®: Project Breathe™ Program Save Lives | Instrumentl". www.instrumentl.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  13. ^ webteam, m4c (2013-10-07). "Project Breathe Provides Pet Oxygen Masks to Fire Departments". National Volunteer Fire Council. Retrieved 2023-08-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Department, Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire (2021-09-26). "Invisible Fence "Project Breathe" Donates Pet Masks To All Calvert Fire And EMS Stations". The BayNet. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  15. ^ "Invisible Fence Brand Introduces Breakthrough Boundary Plus Technology". UBM plc. PR Newswire Association LLC. April 30, 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Invisible Fence Brand Brings GPS 2.0 Wire Free Pet Fence Solution to Canada". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Jul 8, 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ "Invisible Fence Brand Introduces Pet Access Solutions". UBM plc. PR Newswire Association LLC. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Invisible Fence Brand Indoor Solutions". Canine Company. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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