Andis

Andis in the first generation

Andis traces its roots back to the early 1920s when Matthew Andis, who worked for the Mitchell Motor Car Company in Racine, Wisconsin, USA as a tool manufacturer, decided to leave and start his own business. John Oster and Henry Meltzer came to him and asked to become partners, and so Andis O M Manufacturing was born. Their business grew rapidly, and soon their tool and die company was awarded a contract to make tools for the production of clipper blades for a handheld hair clipper. This partnership, however, lasted for about a year. When the three split up, they each started their own company in Racine. Matthew Andis designed the hair clipper and founded Andis Clipper, which was founded in 1922 and eventually evolved into today's Andis. Racine was full of electric motor startups, especially with the invention of the fractional high pressure motor. Local companies such as Hamilton Beach, InSinkErator, Dremel, and Andis have used this technology to make blenders, food waste disposers and rotating tools.

The main competitive advantage of the Andis was that the Andis Clipper was smaller, faster, and had better performance than other trimmers available at the time. This clipper was the first generation of today's Master Clipper and is still one of the most popular Andis models today. Production began in the basement of the Andis family home, where the whole family helped assemble the clippers. Matthew sold them door-to-door to barbershops in and around Racine.

With hairdressers across the United States quickly moving to the new Andis Clipper, the company needed more floor space. Andis originally rented premises in an industrial building, but the accelerated growth forced the company to relocate again, this time to a new 16,000 square foot factory building.

Second generation, 1938 - 1971

Matthew J. Andis, Jr., an electrical engineer at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, became president in 1938 when his father moved to Florida, citing a doctor's recommendation that it would benefit his health. Before that, he appointed his 30-year-old son president and lived to be 92 years old. Matthew J. Andis, second president of Andis, is credited with designing the still popular T-Outliner trimmer. Like his father, he had early experience in the business and focused on developing the highest quality clippers and trimmers in the industry. Andis began exporting clippers and trimmers in the 1930s under the direction of Matthew J. Andis.

Third generation, 1971 - 2010

In February 1971, Matthew L. Andis took over the leadership of the company at the age of 32. Around the same time, the Beatles became popular, and the hairdressing and cosmetics industry experienced a huge recession as hairstyles changed overnight. In response, Andis has expanded its creative options by adding hair dryers and curling irons to its product line; market entry of animals with a fast and powerful rotary-powered clipper, resulting in a large market share. Endis introduced the first wall-mounted hair dryer to be installed in hotel rooms around the world. It was during this time that Andis was developing manufacturing facilities in Asia to meet the growing international demand. The greatest growth has come from the creative leadership and innovation of Matthew L. Andis.

Fourth generation, 2010 - present

Matthew K. Andis was named President of Andis on June 1, 2010 at the age of 38. He is the fourth generation to hold this position and shares the responsibility for managing the company with his sister Laura Andis-Bishop, who was appointed co-president in 2017.

The fourth generation of Andis is determined to succeed by incorporating the values ​​that their ancestors taught them into the day-to-day activities of the family business, with a focus on communication and respect. “The company has a huge responsibility; it affects many families, not just ours, ”says Andis. Strong connections between employees contribute to a family environment in the company, while excellence and honesty determine the performance of everyone. Ensuring the continuity and safety of the company is extremely important, which is why planning for the fifth generation is underway to ensure another successful transition.

What lies ahead?

Andis is committed to continuing to innovate with new products, listening to what their markets want, bringing real value to all of their markets, and simply delivering products that make people look and feel their best. The fourth generation has developed a strategic planning process that is a way of life that guides the company towards its vision, while remaining true to its heritage and roots.

Andis continues to grow all over the world. Almost 80 years ago Andis introduced its products to Europe and today these products are available in 90 countries around the world. Hairdressers, stylists, groomers and consumers everywhere continue to gravitate towards Andis machines.