TL;DR
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and firms with Mormon-linked personnel have been prominent in the U.S. prepping industry as it moved into mainstream retail and media. Companies such as 4Patriots and My Patriot Supply expanded product lines and marketing to conservative audiences while drawing consumer complaints, recalls and regulatory attention.
What happened
Reporting ties a surge in commercial disaster-preparedness sales to both cultural currents and specific businesses that brought prepping into mass consumer markets. The story focuses on 4Patriots — including chief product engineer Tyler Stapleton, a Brigham Young University alumnus — and rival My Patriot Supply, whose warehouse footprint expanded dramatically in recent years. Both firms sell generators, long-term food and water filtration systems and promote narratives of self-reliance; they advertise widely on conservative platforms. Industry growth is occurring alongside rising public guidance on household preparedness: a 2023 FEMA survey found 51 percent of Americans feel prepared for some disasters, and the prepping market is forecast to approach a roughly $300 billion market cap by the decade's end. At the same time, customers and watchdogs have lodged complaints about defective gear, food safety and other issues, and 4Patriots voluntarily recalled some generators in 2016. Company officials note large shipment volumes and emphasize product safety, while critics point to aggressive marketing and reliability concerns.
Why it matters
- Prepping has moved from subculture to mainstream commerce, shaping how households approach emergency planning.
- Large projected market value signals significant economic incentives for companies to expand product lines and marketing.
- Consumer-safety questions — complaints, recalls and low independent test ratings — raise issues for regulators and buyers relying on these products for emergencies.
- Political and media channels are central to the industry’s growth, linking preparedness products to ideological audiences and messaging.
Key facts
- A 2023 FEMA survey reported 51 percent of Americans feel prepared for some disasters.
- Analysts forecast the prepping industry could approach a nearly $300 billion market cap by the end of the decade.
- 4Patriots was founded in 2008 and initially focused on emergency food supplies.
- My Patriot Supply expanded from renting part of a 45,000-square-foot space pre-pandemic to occupying a 428,000-square-foot warehouse.
- 4Patriots voluntarily recalled a couple thousand generators in 2016 due to a fire hazard.
- Consumer Reports rated 4Patriots’ 1,800-watt solar generator 46 out of 100 after lab testing.
- Customers have filed complaints alleging defective generators, faulty water filters, spoiled food and, in at least one allegation, contamination with pests.
- A 4Patriots spokesperson said the company shipped over 5 million products in the past three years and emphasized prioritizing product quality and safety.
- Founder Allen Baler has a background in marketing and an English degree from Harvard; early advertising targeted conservative media such as Newsmax.
What to watch next
- Increased regulatory scrutiny or safety testing of consumer emergency products — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether industry consolidation continues as larger suppliers expand warehouse footprints and distribution — not confirmed in the source.
- How marketing strategies evolve on social platforms and conservative media, and whether that shifts the customer profile — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Prepping: Individual or community actions to prepare for emergencies, including stockpiling food, water, medical supplies and backup power.
- Generator: A device that converts mechanical or stored energy into electrical power for use when the main grid is unavailable.
- Recall: A manufacturer action to retrieve or repair products that are defective or pose safety risks after they have been sold.
- FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency, a U.S. government agency that issues guidance on disaster readiness and response.
Reader FAQ
Are Mormons responsible for the prepping industry?
The source says members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have played outsized roles and that the religion has a historical ethic of preparedness, but it does not claim they are solely responsible for the industry.
Are 4Patriots products reliable?
The source reports multiple customer complaints, a 2016 generator recall and a low Consumer Reports score for one model; the company disputes equating returns with broad product failure.
How large is the prepping market?
The article cites forecasts that the market could near a $300 billion valuation by the end of the decade.
Did a generator demonstration fail?
In the reported demonstration, a 4Patriots suitcase generator triggered an overload message and the presenter said it was a bit small for powering a refrigerator.
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Sources
- How Mormons Helped Make America’s Prepping Industry Into Big Business
- The Most Financially Successful Faith …
- How Mormon culture became mainstream, and why the …
- How Mormons – like Romney – cultivate business savvy …
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