Since 1962, Mack’s has been committed to supplying the highest quality, innovative hearing protection, sleep aids, and swimmer’s ear prevention products at the best possible value. Today they offer a full range of earplug styles for sleeping, swimming, bathing, snoring, music, shooting, traveling, loud noise, and flying discomfort.
The Mack’s line of products also includes sleep masks, ear drying aids, lens wipes and earwax removal ear drops. Thanks for helping make Mack’s America’s best selling, #1 doctor recommended brand of earplugs.
The Story Behind Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs
Once upon a time there was an elderly pharmacist who also had an earplug business. In 1962, he met a young symphony orchestra musician by the name of Raymond Benner and mentioned that he wanted to sell his earplug business at a cost of $2000. He said the business could earn $1400 per year. Raymond’s wife, Cecilia, was intrigued by the concept, so the couple purchased the company known as McKeown Products Inc. The only product the company produced at the time was Mack’s® Earplugs, named after the pharmacist. These earplugs were made from a mouldable clay mixture.
While Raymond felt that the earplugs were quite adequate, he strongly believed they could be improved. He wanted to increase the wearability of the earplugs by making them more comfortable and, because he was a keen swimmer, he also felt that a more malleable, stickier substance would be more effective at sealing out water. He was looking for a way to prevent the annoyance and pain of water-clogged ears and he believed that if he could design a waterproof earplug it would aid in the prevention of painful outer ear infections commonly known as ‘swimmer’s ear’.
After trying numerous production techniques and with lots of trial and error, Raymond discovered a unique substance that ended up becoming the world’s very first mouldable silicon earplugs.
Raymond was thrilled about his new invention, especially the potential to help improve the lives of so many people. Because these new earplugs looked and felt a lot like little white pillows, Raymond decide to change the product’s name to Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs.
Raymond and Cecilia’s business endeavours continued to grow, taking them from city to city. What started off as a small family business grew from a home basement business to eight constantly expanding facilities.
Today, McKeown Products is still family owned and operated. It offers a variety of both mouldable and pre-moulded foam and silicon earplugs for a range of uses. Also included in the Mack’s® line of products are ear-drying aids, sleep masks, and earwax removal drops.
Raymond and Cecilia Benner’s sons, Devon and Pete, are carrying on with the family business – with Devon as CEO. Both are fully involved in the company and have a hands-on approach with product research and development.
Pete is a Ford Ironman Triathlon finisher and avid triathlete, while Devin swims competitively at championship level with the United States Masters Swimming Organisation.
Since 1997 McKeon has been an ISO quantity certified company, and today operates out of its cutting-edge facility in Michigan. Still growing and innovating, McKeon continues to provide the highest quality, most up-to-date products in the marketplace – products that are sold worldwide.