Awards Manufacturer Produces Prestigious Eagle Scout Medals

 

When David Bouchein won his Eagle Scout medal in the 1970s he had no idea of the prominence that award would play later in his life.

 

“Who would have thought I’d be running the company that made my Eagle medal?” said Bouchein, president of Stange Company.

 

“My grandpa, Elmer Wagenfuehr, got his own Eagle Scout award in the 1920s, and I think he’d be very proud of me.”

 

For 14 years, Bouchein, 47, has led the company, which manufactures employee recognition and service awards.

 

Its clients include companies around the globe, foreign nations and Roman Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Malta.

 

It has been casting, polishing and shipping out medals for 90 years. And except for a brief interruption of a few years, Stange has been the exclusive manufacturer of Eagle Scout medals since 1968. Only three other companies have made the medals, which have been issued since 1912.

 

Stange, 2324 Weldon Parkway, churns out more than 55,000 medal kits every year for Scouts who attain Eagle status – the highest rank attainable for a Boy Scout.

 

About 90 percent of the company’s business comes from corporate recognition programs, such as service awards and sales achievements. But Bouchein is especially proud of the Eagle Scout kits.

 

Each kit consists of a medal, patch, and three pins, one each for the Scout’s mother, father and mentor.

 

The kits are made of pewter, but sterling silver sets are available.

 

From the initial casting to the final hand polishing and lacquering, pin production involves the efforts of five of the company’s 23 employees.

 

Besides the Eagle Scout kits, Stange also produces distinguished eagle medals for adult Eagle Scouts who have made significant accomplishments in their lives. Among the recipients are the late President Gerald Ford, Sen. John Glenn and presidential candidate Ross Perot.

 

In addition, the company makes sterling silver and pewter buffalo, antelope and beaver medal awards for the various levels of Boy Scout adult volunteers.

 

Special awards are being created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts, which occurs in 2010.

 

Manufacturing one of the most widely recognized symbols of youthful success brings prestige to the company and satisfaction to its workers

 

“I enjoy the final product most, when the detail work on the medals turns out really good. It’s nice to make something these young men are thrilled to get,” said 15-year employee Dan Holtgrewe, 56, of St. Peters.

 

In 2007, Stange received an award of excellence – one they didn’t have to make themselves – from the Boy Scouts of America. The company was recognized as a top vendor.

 

The Greater St. Louis Area Council/Boy Scouts of America provides the pewter medal kits at no charge to all boys who attain Eagle rank. The cost is paid through Boy Scout fundraising and United Way donations.

 

“The metal value of the silver medal set is only about $30,” Bouchein said. “It’s less than $20 for the pewter set. But for scouts who get them, the eagle awards are priceless.”

 

By Mary Shapiro, Suburban Journals, 11/3/09

 

David Bouchein, president of Stange Company in Maryland Heights and a Kirkwood resident, holds molds for the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Scout award. Stange manufactures about 55,000 of the kits every year.

 

A cast at Stange Company’s workshop in Maryland Heights holds a part used in making Eagle Scout awards.

 

 

Comments

whoo maryland represent!

By redneck_patch_trader on November 6th, 2009 at 3:03 am

redneck_patch_trader;2678 wrote: whoo maryland represent!

Uh, Maryland Heights is a suburb of St. Louis. But you knew that right? LOL

By ISCA87L on November 6th, 2009 at 4:18 am

yaya i knew that

By redneck_patch_trader on November 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
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