Kirbys products are only sold via inhome doortodoor demonstrations. Best known to the public for its ownership of the kirby brand and of the world book encyclopedia, scott fetzer also controls more than a dozen other businesses, and in financial analysis has been noted over the years for its consistently high record of return on equity. Shortly after, inventor jim kirby, also from cleveland, partnered with the businessmen to produce the first kirby vacuum cleaner. World book inc a scott fetzer company book depository.
Some of the well known businesses it has would include world book, douglas. Scott fetzer company and 11 related entities entities finder. The kirby company, 1920 west 114th street, cleveland, ohio 44102, u. The kirby company is a manufacturer of one of the most powerful home. At the 1996 berkshire hathaway annual meeting of shareholders, when asked about the prospects for world book, buffett replied by saying. Kirby vacuum cleaners remained the companys mainstay product until the 1960s, when it began a program of expansion and. Inventor jim kirby, also from cleveland, partnered with the businessmen to produce the first kirby vacuum cleaner. World book encyclopedia wikimili, the free encyclopedia. The scott fetzer company began as a machine shop in 1914 in cleveland, ohio, founded by george scott and carl fetzer. The world book encyclopedia leather bound 1987 22 volume set scott fetzer on. Our expertise extends into many industries ranging from home goods to industrial products. The mainstay of the company till the decade end of 1960 used to be the famous kirby vacuum cleaner invented by jim kirby who partnered with the company. Learn more about our diversified brands, industries and corporate compentencies.
The deal was one of warrens largest up to that point, and it has well. In 1985, the scott fetzer company was purchased by. The scott fetzer company purchased world book in 1978. The world book encyclopedia world book, inc a 22volume, highly illustrated, az general encyclopedia for all ages, featuring sections on how to use world book, other research aids, pronunciation key, a student guide to better writing. Returns on the capital entrusted to ralph continue to be exceptional. Encyclopedia buyers proved to be ideal mailorder customers. Kirby company project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
The scott fetzer company highquality products for the home. That year, the company had a sales force of 60,000 and vastly outsold encyclop. In 1985, the scott fetzer company was purchased by berkshire hathaway. President stahl scott fetzer company active 1987 19 president.
About world book encyclopedia inc del scott fetzer can help you cut through a soda can, clean up the mess, and then read about the vacuum that exists in outer space. Vacuum cleaners were the companys mainstay until it went on an acquisition spree in the 1960s and emerged with 31 businesses. Nine of the companies are still active while the remaining one is now listed as inactive. In 2017, world book launched world book wow to the consumer market, introducing users to a carefullycrafted digital resource that complements any educational journey. Company profile page for world book scott fetzer co inc including stock price, company news, press releases, executives, board members, and contact information.
It is a division of the scott fetzer company which in turn is part of berkshire hathaway. Fetzer in 1914 as a machine shop under the name george h. Since 1917, world book has been creating trusted and easytounderstand content for learners of all ages. The best known of scott fetzer company s businesses in the mid 1990s included world book encyclopedias and kirby vacuum cleaners. Inventor jim kirby, also from cleveland, partnered with the businessmen to. Jun 15, 2010 but according to the internet the company have been around since 1914. Now, introducing the newest addition, the kirby avalir 2. Ucfs douglasquikut wayne combustion systems halex wayne water systems kirby western enterprises meriam process technology world book. Scott fetzer produced everything from ginsu knives and the world book encyclopedia to kirby vacuum. Scott fetzer is a financial services holding company whose principal subsidiaries include world book finance, inc.
The companies were formed over a fiftyone year period with the most recent being incorporated two years ago in november of 2017. Since its first appearance in print, it has grown from 8 to 22 volumes, as well as evolving from. Mike nichols overview mike nichols has been associated with ten companies, according to public records. The kirby company remained the companys mainstay product until the 1960s when it began a program of expansion and acquisition. Kirbys products are only sold via inhome doortodoor demonstrations and the. Vacuum cleaners were the company s mainstay until it went on an acquisition spree in the 1960s and emerged with 31 businesses. Were a leading educational publishing and elearning company that. It is part of berkshire hathaway, thus we have to follow big companies route, but it was a small team in the little manufacturing plant, so we worked on everything from processing invoices, to generating financial statement and analyzing all the data, from reconciliation to assisting with audit and report tax, even. American made and world renown, the kirby company has been manufacturing high performance, long lasting vacuum cleaners since 1914. The diversified manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and industrial products is a holding company for a group of more than 20 businesses.
Within the scott fetzer manufacturing group, particularly fine progress was recorded at its largest unit, campbell hausfeld. Scott fetzer company highquality products for the home. Dealers are located in over 50 countries throughout the world. It is part of berkshire hathaway, thus we have to follow big companies route, but it was a small team in the little manufacturing plant, so we worked on everything from processing invoices, to generating financial statement and analyzing all the data, from reconciliation to assisting with audit and. The scott fetzer company company profile westlake, oh. Scott fetzer produced everything from ginsu knives and the world book encyclopedia to kirby vacuum cleaners and scot laboratories cleaning products. The dpc is referring to the office of the attorney general for enforcement a case against the kirby co, the scott fetzer company, united consumer financial services, and all. In 1914, the scott fetzer company began as a machine shop in cleveland, oh founded by george scott and carl fetzer. Among its best known activities are douglasquikut maker of ginsu knives, kirby vacuum cleaners, and world book encyclopedias and reference materials. The world book encyclopedia leather bound 1987 22 volume.
In 1978, world book was purchased by scott fetzer company, an ohio conglomerate that left the encyclopedia company in chicago. As the sales force of world book was reorganized in 1981, scott fetzer also revised its traditional selling strategies. The world book encyclopedia volume d, 5 scott fetzer on. The bestknown of scott fetzer company s businesses in the mid1990s included world book encyclopedias and kirby vacuum cleaners.
Scott fetzer company company profile, information, business. Jan 01, 2006 the world book encyclopedia volume d, 5 scott fetzer on. Back in 1986, he acquired the scott fetzer company, a collection of 22 separate businesses. Best known to the public for its ownership of the kirby brand and of the world book encyclopedia, scott fetzer also controls more than a dozen other businesses, and in financial analysis has been noted over the years for its. Consumer protection targets sellers, distributors of kirby. The kirby company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in cleveland, ohio, usa. The world book encyclopedia world book, inc a 22volume, highly illustrated, a z general encyclopedia for all ages, featuring sections on how to use world book, other research aids, pronunciation key, a student guide to better writing. Today, world book s has over a dozen departments that include sales, editorial, digital products, manufacturing and prepress, graphics and design, human resources, marketing, information systems and services, finance and accounting, operations, and digital applications development.
The scott fetzer company highquality products for the. Today, scott fetzer is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of highquality products for the home, family, and industry comprised of more than 20 brands. A new ceo later trimmed scott fetzer back to concentrate on its core products. Since then the scott fetzer company has come a long way to be a diversified business with more than 20 businesses. In 1945, the world book became the property of field enterprises. The world book encyclopedia was first published in 1917. The scott fetzer company is an american branding and marketing manufacturing firm. The bestknown of scott fetzer companys businesses in the mid1990s included world book encyclopedias and kirby vacuum cleaners. Kirby vaccuums scott fetzer corporation ripoff report.
I worked in a manufacturing plant of scott fetzer, which was closeout in 2017. Nardy will work closely with the company s operating units to identify acquisition opportunities. Scott fetzer has been a berkshire hathaway subsidiary since 1986 and manufactures or sells such wideranging items as utility tree vehicles, brushless dc direct current and universal motors, ginsu knives, world book encyclopedias, kirby vacuum cleaners, and professional cleaning products, among other small industrial and consumer items. Focused on long term investments and diversified product lines that help to make the world a healthier and more beneficial place. View all scott fetzer subsidiaries and brands within our brand portfolio. The world book encyclopedia leather bound 1987 22 volume set. Dealers are located in over 70 countries throughout the world. We are always looking for opportunities to bring new companies into the scott fetzer fold. Scott and fetzer co encyclopedia of cleveland history.
Owned by the scott fetzer company, the kirby vacuum cleaner has been cleaning up everyday messes for more than 100 years. The kirby company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in cleveland, ohio. View mike nicholss profile for company associations, background information, and partnerships. Kirby vacuum cleaners remained the companys mainstay product until the 1960s, when it began a program of. Nov 08, 2010 the dpc is referring to the office of the attorney general for enforcement a case against the kirby co, the scott fetzer company, united consumer financial services, and all connecticut. Scott fetzer company wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Scott fetzer names chief operating officer and director of. The unlikely strategy behind buffetts investments in. The company began to expand and diversify into other areas by 1964. The kirby company remained the companys mainstay product until the 1960s when it began a program of expansion and. At the same time berkshires insurance business underwent several changes.
World bookscott fetzer co inc company profile and news. World book wow is an interactive, multimedia resource designed to bring learning to life in. The kirby company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in cleveland, ohio, united states. Since the 1920s, kirbys products have been sold only doortodoor using inhome.
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